Here’s why Dr. Adam M. Cramer, of MyoFit Clinic, says physical therapy is the best option to avoid orthopedic surgery

By Dr. Adam Cramer, PT, DPT; MyoFit Clinic

Of all the joints in your body, the shoulder joint has the greatest range of motion.

Our shoulders sustain sprains and strains, dislocations, tendinitis, torn rotator cuffs, bursitis, frozen shoulder, fractures, arthritis, and a host of other injuries and conditions.

Because it is such a mobile joint, you can hurt it in falls, when you strain to try to reach something, when you lift something heavy, and even when you throw a ball or play a game. Sometimes it becomes injured and painful just from a gradual irritation or deterioration over time.

If you don’t get it treated when the pain starts, it has the potential to lead to larger problems.

You do not need an X-ray or MRI to diagnose shoulder pain. Often when specialist rely on imaging for diagnosing, it can open a can of worms because there are false positives. We all have abnormalities within our muscles and joints, but the “abnormal” structures found on X-rays and MRIs don’t necessarily correlate to the limited function at hand. Patients then have a higher likelihood of receiving invasive procedures such as surgery and injections, which are typically not needed for most shoulder pain patients.

A trained doctor of physical therapy will be able to diagnose specifically which structure is limiting function by performing various tests on muscles, ligaments, joints and tendons throughout the initial evaluation process to pinpoint the problem.

Finding Relief
Too often when twinges of pain erupt from the shoulder, busy people just pop a pain killer and push on through their day. The next day hurts even more, so they take a few more pills and continue without seeking help. The person may also seek out a surgeon who can only provide surgery as an option when he or she doesn’t want or even need surgery. Seeing a physician-owned therapy service will also limit your potential to avoid surgery. These physical therapists only see postoperative patients and are not equipped to help you avoid surgery.

Your Independent Physical Therapist Can Help
When you consult with an independent doctor of physical therapy because of shoulder pain, you can expect that first you will be evaluated so he or she can determine the cause of your pain and then determine an effective way to treat it the same day. Some common shoulder problems we treat include rotator cuff tendonitis, bursitis, frozen shoulder, stroke recovery and shoulder fracture.

We offer a combination of hands-on treatment to loosen the muscles and joints and dry needling, laser therapy, electrical stimulation, hot and cold treatments, and Kinesio taping. Add to that stretching and strengthening exercises, including gentle exercises and education on proper posture and movement to decrease the pain.

What You Can Expect
With each visit, you will receive pain-relieving treatment to control pain and inflammation without pharmaceuticals. You will also begin a program of exercises to do at home between visits to continue to heal and strengthen your shoulder.

Your independent physical therapist can help you heal from your shoulder pain, avoiding surgery and saving you money while returning you to your normal life. Just leaving your shoulder alone to heal won’t help you at all. Seeing a provider who offers surgery will not help you avoid surgery. See a physical therapist, first.

Dr. Adam M. Cramer, PT, DPT, is a licensed physical therapist, shoulder specialist and founder of MyoFit Clinic located in Chardon, Middlefield and Ashtabula. Visit MyoFitClinic.com or call 440-286-1007 to find out more.