[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/02\/physical-therapy-for-shoulder-pain\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/02\/physical-therapy-for-shoulder-pain\/","headline":"How Physical Therapy Can Help With Shoulder Pain","name":"How Physical Therapy Can Help With Shoulder Pain","description":"Pain located in the shoulder is debilitating at times. It can affect your ability to reach, carry, lift items, and even disrupt your sleep. If you experience shoulder pain, physical therapy is often a suitable treatment option. J. Scott Colombo, PT, DPT, CSCS, a physical therapist at our outpatient rehabilitation location in the South Hills, […]","datePublished":"2023-02-08","dateModified":"2025-08-07","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/rehab","name":"UPMC Rehabilitation Institute","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/rehab","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-rehabilitation-institute\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/GettyImages-1352380939.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/GettyImages-1352380939.jpg","height":867,"width":2000},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/02\/physical-therapy-for-shoulder-pain\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Rehabilitation"],"wordCount":409,"keywords":["Provider"],"articleBody":"Pain located in the shoulder is debilitating at times. It can affect your ability to reach, carry, lift items, and even disrupt your sleep.If you experience shoulder pain, physical therapy is often a suitable treatment option. J. Scott Colombo, PT, DPT, CSCS, a physical therapist at our outpatient rehabilitation location in the South Hills, works with patients to relieve their pain and get them back to daily life.Causes of Shoulder PainThe shoulder is a very movable ball-and-socket joint. It includes the shoulder blade (scapula), collarbone (clavicle), and shoulder bone (humeral head). The soft tissue that surrounds the joint helps provide both movement and stability.Excessive repetitive lifting, working overhead, or sudden increases in activity can result in shoulder injuries, including:BursitisBursitis is an inflammation of the bursa. The bursa is a fluid-filled sac present in areas of the body where friction is common, such as the shoulder.Rotator cuff tearsInflammation of the rotator cuff can cause pain in the front of the shoulder or on the outside of the arm. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that rotate the shoulder. It also assists in elevating the shoulder when the arm is reaching.Large rotator cuff tears will most likely require surgical repair. Small rotator cuff tears are often treatable with anti-inflammatory medications and\/or injections. Physical therapy can also help treat small rotator cuff tears.Shoulder impingementShoulder impingement can result from a strength imbalance between the deltoid and rotator cuff muscles. It can also result from a flexibility imbalance between the front and back of the shoulder.TendonitisTendonitis is an inflammation of the part of the muscle that attaches to the bone.How Physical Therapy Can HelpUPMC Rehabilitation Institute can help patients strengthen and restore muscle balance in the rotator cuff and around the shoulder blades. Improving general shoulder strength and flexibility will allow your shoulder structures to move better and get you back to your daily life and activities.“At UPMC Rehabilitation Institute, we are here to help,” says Colombo.Our physical therapists will meet with you to evaluate your symptoms, range of motion, flexibility, and strength.“Once an evaluation is completed and a patient’s goals are established, we are able to create a customized plan and exercise program to work on any imbalances found in one’s strength or mobility.”For more information about outpatient rehabilitation or to schedule an evaluation, call 1-888-723-4277."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2023","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"02","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/\/02\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"How Physical Therapy Can Help With Shoulder Pain","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/02\/physical-therapy-for-shoulder-pain\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]