Don’t Let a Shoulder Injury Keep You Off the Court
Don’t Let a Shoulder Injury Keep You Off the Court
It may be cold and blustery outside, but that just means more opportunities to play our favorite indoor sports, from badminton to basketball. Unfortunately, many popular indoor sports also have a high risk of shoulder injury–especially if you haven’t played in a while.
If you find yourself with an aching shoulder after a game of squash or indoor pickleball, reach out to the team at Achieve Physical Therapy! We can perform a comprehensive evaluation to pinpoint the exact cause of your pain or injury and then develop a customized program to resolve your symptoms, strengthen your shoulder, and get you back on the court.
Understanding Shoulder Injuries
Overuse vs. Acute Injuries
Sports-related shoulder injuries in indoor sports fall into two categories: overuse and acute. Understanding the difference between these types of injuries can help ensure you get timely treatment.
Overuse Injuries
Overuse injuries are more common–and also more likely to be overlooked. They occur gradually due to repetitive arm motions that strain the muscles, tendons, and ligaments over time, leading to persistent pain in your shoulder or arm.
Acute Injuries
When most people hear the word “injury, ” they’re thinking of acute injuries. These injuries happen suddenly, often from a fall or collision–a shoulder dislocation is a good example. They require immediate attention to avoid long-term complications, and you’ll generally need to undergo rehabilitation to regain function.
Overuse injuries are much more common in indoor sports, as most of these sports require repetitive swinging or overhead motions (e.g., swinging a racket or shooting a basketball). These injuries generally cause pain during activities, and many athletes are tempted to ignore the pain, thinking it’ll get better on its own. In reality, that pain is usually a sign of an underlying injury that requires attention from one of our physical therapists.
Emily B, DPT
Meet Emily B, DPT, a dedicated physical therapist at Achieve Physical Therapy LLC. Emily earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. She is passionate about helping patients achieve their rehabilitation goals and is committed to providing personalized care to each individual.
Emily’s expertise includes treating a variety of conditions, and she is particularly interested in sports-specific rehabilitation and women’s health. Her approach combines evidence-based practices with compassionate patient interaction, ensuring a supportive environment for recovery.
Outside of the clinic, Emily enjoys staying active through hiking and participating in community sports leagues. Her dedication to health and wellness extends beyond her professional life, reflecting her commitment to promoting active lifestyles within the community.
We are proud to have Emily as part of our team at Achieve Physical Therapy LLC, where she continues to make a positive impact on her patients’ lives.
Overuse Shoulder Injuries We Treat at Achieve Physical Therapy
Rotator Cuff Tears
- This refers to damage to the rotator cuff, a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder. Symptoms include shoulder pain, difficulty reaching overhead, and restricted mobility.
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
- This is another condition that affects the rotator cuff. It occurs when rotator cuff tendons become compressed by a bone in the shoulder structure, causing pain during movement.
Labral Tears
- This refers to damage to the cartilage that lines the shoulder joint, leading to pain in the front or back of the shoulder and a sense of instability in the joint.
Tendinitis
- This refers to tendon inflammation, which causes pain and restricts mobility. In the shoulder, it can occur in the rotator cuff tendons or the tendon that connects the bicep muscle to the shoulder joint.
Treating Shoulder Injuries With Physical Therapy
The good news is that the team at Achieve Physical Therapy can help you prevent and treat any injuries you develop from your favorite indoor sports. We take the time to learn more about you and your symptoms to create a truly customized treatment program. Here’s what you can expect:
Pain Management and Enhanced Recovery
- Physical therapy offers several approaches to reducing inflammation, improving blood flow, and relieving pain, including hands-on manual therapy techniques and therapeutic exercise.
Improved Mobility, Strength, and Function
- We’ll guide you through exercises that restore your range of motion and strengthen the shoulder’s muscles and supporting structures, helping to prevent injuries in the long run. We can also train you on any sports-specific movement to ensure you’re ready to safely return to the game.
Preventive Education
- Prevention is just as important as treatment. We’ll walk you through warm-up routines, stretching techniques, and safe training practices tailored to your sport.
Biomechanical Analysis
- We can conduct a comprehensive biomechanical analysis to help you pinpoint any muscular imbalances, postural issues, or other concerns that might put you at a higher risk of injury. We’ll then develop a personalized program to address these issues, helping to reduce injury risk and optimize your performance. The best thing about a biomechanical analysis? You don’t need to be injured to schedule one! In fact, we encourage you to have an analysis performed before you suffer an injury.
Call Us Today To Get Started
Don’t let shoulder pain keep you off the court. Whether you need help managing an injury or want to improve your form, schedule an appointment with Achieve Physical Therapy today!
How Baseball and Softball Players Can Prevent Shoulder Injuries
If you play baseball or softball, you probably already know the frequent overhead throwing motions in the sport can put a lot of stress on your shoulder–increasing your risk of a shoulder injury. Fortunately, you can take several steps to lower your risk and keep your shoulders healthy and strong.
Conquering Shoulder Pain: How Lora Found Relief in Just 5 Sessions
After a tough skiing accident left Lora M nursing a painful shoulder for over a year, she knew it was time to take action. Her fall had caused biceps and rotator cuff injuries that left her with persistent lateral right shoulder pain, making daily activities and her beloved winter sports challenging. Enter Angela P, her dedicated physical therapist at Achieve Physical Therapy.
Angela crafted a personalized treatment plan that targeted the source of Lora’s discomfort: tightness in the biceps, weakened rotator cuff muscles, and limited thoracic and rib mobility. Together, they focused on reducing pain, enhancing strength, and improving flexibility. With a goal of helping Lora manage her symptoms independently, Angela taught her valuable self-massage techniques and mobility exercises, empowering her to maintain her progress—even while traveling during the holidays.
The results? Outstanding. Within just five sessions, Lora achieved complete pain relief and regained the freedom to move without discomfort.
“Angela is amazing! She took the time to uncover the root cause of my pain and gave me tools to stay pain-free. I’m so grateful for her expertise and highly recommend her to anyone looking for personalized care!”— Lora
Lora’s story is a testament to the power of expert guidance and commitment to recovery. Achieve Physical Therapy is proud to celebrate her progress and Angela’s dedication to helping patients get back to doing what they love. Great work, Lora and Angela!
Five PT-Approved Tips for Preventing Shoulder Injuries
Warm Up Properly
Always start your games or training sessions with dynamic stretches to prepare your shoulder muscles and joints for the demands of throwing.
Strengthen Supporting Muscles
Incorporate exercises targeting the rotator cuff, deltoids, and scapular muscles when cross-training. The stronger these muscles, the more stable your shoulder joint will be.
Monitor Throwing Volume
Overuse is one of the main reasons baseball and softball players suffer shoulder injuries. Keep track of how many throws you make during training and games so you can balance practice and rest.
Get a Throwing Analysis
Poor throwing mechanics put unnecessary strain on your shoulder (and affect your performance). A throwing analysis with our physical therapists can pinpoint inefficiencies in your technique and help you make adjustments to prevent injuries.
Don’t Ignore Shoulder Pain
If you experience shoulder discomfort, especially during activity, be proactive in seeking treatment at Achieve Physical Therapy. We can help identify the cause and provide a customized treatment program before the pain becomes worse.
We’ll Help You Excel in Baseball or Softball!
Schedule an appointment today to get started.
