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Shoulder injuries can seriously impact your life. Whether you’re completely sidelined or you’re simply struggling with everyday activities, you may find the recovery process challenging. Physical therapy is a major component of healing. An experienced physical therapist works with you on a smart treatment plan that restores health and functionality to the injured joint. When searching for physical therapy near Fern Creek, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind.
Healing and Strengthening Your Joints
Healing from any injury happens in stages. When the trauma initially occurs, critical steps include immobilization, addressing pain and treating inflammation. They set the stage for the body to do what it does best: repairing the damage. Depending on the nature of your shoulder injury, this may include generating new bone, muscle or tendon tissues. While some immobilization is necessary in the early stages, movement must be reintroduced during the recovery phase. This is where physical therapy for shoulder plays an important role. Some exercises primarily address pain, while others improve flexibility, strength and range of motion. Healing time for shoulder injuries can vary. Moderate sprains may resolve with treatment in about six or eight weeks. More severe injuries may require six to eight months or more. This healing period is the prime time to work with a physical therapist and restore as much of its functionality as possible.
Speedy Recovery to Normal Shoulder Function
Physical therapy for shoulder injuries targets specific issues. Several rehabilitation techniques are available. Your therapist will use a carefully chosen combination to achieve the best possible outcomes:
- Stretching
- Range of motion exercises
- Strengthening exercises
- Soft tissue manipulation
- Manual therapy
Your physical therapy treatment plan may incorporate both active and passive methods. You’ll typically perform exercises both during your therapy visits and at home. Passive methods include manual therapy and soft tissue manipulation, which involve therapy practitioners using their hands. Manual therapy passively manipulates your joints and muscles, while soft tissue manipulation focuses on kneading and massage to restore circulation and minimize scar tissue. Active exercises are also tailored to each person’s condition. However, common strategies involve working with resistance bands and simple movement exercises. Besides these methods, your therapy may involve functional tasks to help you regain your abilities. These usually include activities such as lifting and carrying.
Choosing a Physical Therapist
Every person’s shoulder injury treatment plan is different. Your physical therapy routine must be tailored to address specific issues with your injury. Your first consultation with a physical therapist includes a full evaluation. Before your visit, the therapist should already have your medical history and records related to your injury — emergency room reports, X-rays and so forth. During your consultation, your therapist assesses your current level of functionality and the nature of your injury. You may be asked to perform tasks such as standing, walking, reaching or flexing as you’re able. From all this information, the therapist develops a treatment plan. Before selecting your professional, be sure to check out the best physical therapists in Louisville ad review details such as credentials, specialization areas and client feedback.
