What we treat Shoulder
Shoulder Arthritis
Shoulder arthritis involves the gradual wearing away of the smooth cartilage that covers the bones of your shoulder joint. As this protective layer thins, bone-on-bone friction creates inflammation, stiffness, and deep discomfort that can limit your daily activities and athletic performance.
Common Symptoms of Shoulder Arthritis
Deep, aching pain localized within the shoulder joint that often worsens following physical activity or during cold weather.
Increasing difficulty performing everyday tasks, such as reaching overhead, reaching behind your back, or getting dressed.
A clicking, snapping, or grinding feeling (crepitus) within the joint when moving the arm, often accompanied by stiffness.
How We Diagnose Shoulder Arthritis
We use skilled hands-on techniques to improve joint mechanics and reduce stiffness. Manual mobilization helps restore the gliding motion within the shoulder joint that is often lost to arthritis.
From therapeutic ultrasound to electrical stimulation, we utilize advanced tools to increase blood flow and manage inflammation, creating an optimal environment for tissues to heal.
Dry needling targets myofascial trigger points to release muscle tension surrounding the arthritic joint. This modality is effective for decreasing chronic pain and improving overall muscle function.
We retrain your muscles to fire correctly, improving posture and movement patterns. This ensures that the shoulder joint is properly supported, reducing the daily load on arthritic surfaces.
- Clinical History Review: We discuss your patterns of pain, activity levels, and how your symptoms evolved over time.
- Range of Motion Testing: Precise measurement of your shoulder's mobility to identify specific mechanical restrictions.
- Strength Assessment: Evaluating the rotator cuff and scapular stabilizers to determine functional capacity.
- Orthopedic Special Tests: Clinical maneuvers designed to differentiate arthritis from other soft tissue pathologies.
- Functional Movement Screen: Analyzing how your shoulder interacts with your neck and mid-back during daily tasks.
Exercises to Start With
Gentle movements designed to improve mobility and reduce shoulder stiffness from the comfort of your home.
Wall Slides: Slowly slide your hands up the wall to improve overhead reach without excessive strain.
Scapular Squeezes: Gently pull your shoulder blades together to strengthen postural muscles.
Tell us what you want to return to?
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If it sounds like what you have, an evaluation is where we find out properly.