Common Conditions

Shoulder Physical Therapy

Shoulder Physical Therapy in Calgary, AB

Manage Shoulder Pain with Expert Physiotherapists

Are you bothered by severe shoulder pain and looking for physiotherapy? Radiant Physiotherapy is here to help you.

Shoulder pain can be caused by general wear and tear of your muscles or ligaments and tendons. It can also happen because of an injury or inflammation within the shoulder bones and muscles.

Shoulder pains an be debilitating and crippling. But don't let the pain interfere with your life as shoulder physiotherapy is a good way to relieve shoulder pain. Our team of expert physiotherapists at Radiant Physiotherapy Clinic ensures that you get back to feeling your best within no time. We offer one-to-one sessions that are personalized to meet your exact needs so that you receive the most comprehensive care for your shoulder pain.

Common Shoulder Injuries

  • Shoulder Tendonitis: This is usually referred to inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons. There are several causes for tendonitis but mainly it is caused by a tendon being pinched by nearby structures. This can happen as a result of sports injuries or repetitive overuse strain. 

  • Shoulder bursitis: This is caused by overuse or repetitive shoulder stress. Trauma to the shoulder may also be a cause of bursitis. Bursitis is the inflammation or irritation of the bursa sac. The most common one to be inflamed is the subacromial bursa

  • Frozen Shoulder: Frozen shoulder is a condition that causes intense pain and stiffness in the shoulder joints. Frozen shoulders may resolve on their own but will take longer. Frozen shoulder causes pain due to tightness or contraction of the shoulder joint capsule

  • Shoulder Separation: In this condition, the ligaments joining the shoulder blades and the collarbone get torn. Caused by sudden impacts like accidents and sports injuries, shoulder separation can be intensely painful. 

  • Rotator Cuff Injury: A rotator cuff is a group of muscles around the shoulder joint. When this rotator cuff gets injured, it can cause a dull nagging ache. Rotator cuff injuries are caused by repeated and prolonged overhead activities like reaching, pushing, or lifting with outstretched arms.

  • Shoulder Dislocation: This happens when the shoulder comes out of the socket, resulting in excruciating pain and discomfort. As a common occurrence in contact sports, shoulder dislocation requires medical attention.

Physiotherapy Treatments for Shoulder Pain

  • Shockwave therapy: A non-invasive treatment used to treat persistent injury or pain, it uses powerful sound waves to deliver high energy to painful spots and musculoskeletal tissues. Shockwave therapy is meant to trigger the body’s natural healing response.

  • Manual therapy: This is a kind of physical therapy that uses skilled hands-on techniques such as manipulation and mobilization to alleviate pain. Manual therapy is effective in relieving shoulder pain and can be used in combination with other methods.

  • Dry needling: It uses a very fine needle to release the tight muscles or shortened muscles. This is an instant release and with that you will see an improved range of motion and flexibility. It is a very effective modality to reduce pain and increase mobility. Dry needling can be used to address shoulder pain and release excessive muscle tension.

Some other treatment options include:

  • Strengthening exercises
  • Stability exercises - to improve rotator cuff muscles function
  • Modalities as TENS and ultrasound can help reduce inflammation and pain
  • Cold compress

Your Physiotherapist Shoulder Specialist in Calgary

If you are dealing with extreme shoulder pain, you need not suffer any longer. Radiant Physiotherapy can help you get rid of your shoulder pain. With customized one-to-one sessions with our expert physiotherapists, you can go back to a more active lifestyle minus the pain.

As one of the most trusted physiotherapists in Calgary, NW, our team of experts at Radiant Physiotherapy Clinic is always available at your service. We offer many other treatments apart from traditional physiotherapy methods, including acupuncture and massage therapy. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I feel shoulder pain at night?

Your sleeping positions might cause shoulder pain at night. If you sleep on the side with a shoulder problem, it will cause more discomfort and worsen the pain

Why does my shoulder pop?

Our shoulder joint has cartilage covering that forms a kind of cushion that prevents the shoulder bones from rubbing each other. With age, this cartilage breaks down, causing the bones to rub together and make the popping sound. But not all popping or clicking sounds are caused by this. It's recommended to seek medical attention to determine the root cause of your pain.

What causes frozen shoulders?

The most common cause of a frozen shoulder is a lack of movement. If you have had a shoulder injury that has restricted your movement for a while, you might end up with a frozen shoulder. But other factors may also be the cause, we recommend speaking with our physiotherapist to determine the root cause of your pain.

Does overusing your shoulder cause pain?

Overuse of the shoulders can lead to inflammation of the cartilage or the muscles surrounding the joints, causing pain and discomfort. Proper strength exercises can reduce pain and strengthen your muscles. Please speak to our personally before doing any exercises if you have pain.

Can physiotherapy reduce my shoulder pain?

Physiotherapy can be immensely effective in reducing shoulder pains. Your therapist will assess your current symptoms and lifestyle habits to determine what treatment options are best for you.

What are some of the most common causes of shoulder pain?

Some of the most common causes of shoulder pain are frozen shoulder, rotator cuff injuries, tendonitis, bursitis and osteoarthritis.

Is physiotherapy safe for my shoulder pain?

Physiotherapy is safe for most kinds of shoulder pains. If you are unsure, consult a professional physiotherapist.

How can I ease shoulder pain between appointments?

Your physiotherapist may recommend you doing certain at-home exercises to help relieve pain in-between physiotherapy sessions and to improve the overall outcomes.

Does shoulder tendonitis ever go away?

With proper treatment you can be pain free and recover from shoulder tendonitis. It may take weeks to months to recover depending on severity. Some severe cases may need further medical intervention. Speak to one of our physiotherapist and they can guide you with exercises, home care, time frame and how to relief your pain.

What is the fastest way to heal tendonitis in the shoulder?

Stop or reduce activities that provoke your shoulder pain. These activities or movements may be aggravating the tendonitis. Apply ice to the affected area this helps reduce inflammation. Begin an exercise program to maintain flexibility that is prescribed by a physiotherapist to recover the shoulder mobility

What is the main cause of tendonitis?

This is usually referred to inflammation of the rotator cuff or other tendons in the shoulder. There are several causes for tendonitis but mainly it is caused by a tendon being pinched by nearby structures. This can happen as a result of sports injuries or repetitive overuse strain.