Physical Therapy Exercises For Strengthening Shoulder
Luckily, physical therapy has been known to be a quicker and more effective treatment to remedy sports related shoulder injuries. Physical therapy involves reduces recovery periods and improves the physical condition of the athlete’s shoulder. This is what comprises in physiotherapy treatment of shoulder injury.
Phase one of treatment
Immediately after sustaining injury, the athlete is put under RICE treatment to reduce swelling and pain, caused by the shoulder injury. This treatment has a two part benefit, first it drains excessive fluid from the shoulder region to reduce swelling, and second it enhances healing. Once this is done, the physical therapist will diagnose the condition of the shoulder. Shoulder injuries span from the more common rotator cuff tendonitis, frozen shoulder, or shoulder dislocation to the more serious shoulder fractures that require surgery. After diagnosis is complete, the physical therapist will know what to do from there.
Phase two of treatment
In case, the injury sustained is a minor one such as a ligament tear in the shoulder or perhaps even a dislocation, physical therapy can easily remedy it. A ligament tear needs time to repair properly but a shoulder dislocation can be put back in place then and there by the physiotherapist. Then the athlete must perform a muscle strengthening routine, to ensure that the chances of sustaining such an injury again, are reduced. These muscle strengthening exercises vary from simple range of motion exercises to light weight resistance training. Of course stretching will also be a part of this training. This makes sure that the shoulder remains flexible for muscle strengthening. The benefit of muscle training is that is increases the capacity of the muscle to perform intensive movements. It also tightens the grips of the muscles around the shoulder joints, preventing dislocations. For range of motion inhibiting injuries, such as a frozen shoulder, it increases the mobility of the shoulder.
Phase three of treatment
To enjoy the full benefits of any physical therapy treatment it is important to rest properly. The recovery period of the athlete plays a crucial part in increasing the muscle strength of the shoulders. The athlete may have to wear a sling or kinesio taping to assist the healing process. Post recovery the athlete may have to perform yet another set of physiotherapy exercises, to test the results of his recovery.
The athlete must be aware of any physiotherapy exercises that cause him pain during the treatment. If so, he must inform the physical therapist immediately who will then change his workout routine.
In-home physical therapy is the best Edmonton physiotherapy center. Get in touch to know how our physiotherapy exercises will increase your shoulder strength.
