If you experience shoulder pain from an injury, arthritis, or after surgery physical therapy can help you feel better and have a more active lifestyle. By undergoing a conditioning program you can strengthen the muscles which support the shoulder and have a better range of motion. Your doctor and physical therapist will work together to develop the right plan for your condition which is safe and effective. The main goals of physical therapy for shoulder pain are relief of pain, strengthening of the muscles, and increased flexibility. If you stick with the program laid out by your doctor and physical therapist you can see an improvement and get relief from shoulder pain.

Muscles Supporting the Shoulder

An effective program will target specific muscles designed to support and strengthen the shoulder and surrounding area. Your therapist will design a program to target these muscles in order to give you more flexibility and less pain.

· Deltoids are the muscle group over, back, and front of the shoulder.· Trapezius and Rhomboid are muscles in the upper back.

· Teres, supraspinatus, and infraspinatus are muscles which support the shoulder joint.

· The subscapularis in the front of the shoulder, the biceps located in the front of the upper arm, and the triceps located in the back of the upper arm are also muscles which support the shoulder.

Your program will last from four to six weeks with sessions two to four days per week. Your doctor will determine the length and frequency of your therapy according to your specific injury or condition. Once your sessions are completed you should continue to do the exercises to help maintain and strengthen your muscles. This will prevent further injury and help you maintain the benefits of physical therapy.

Shoulder Exercises

Although your specific program may vary the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) has published an interesting informative PDF outlining the benefits of therapy and some examples of exercises which should be included. The exercises covered in this publication are just examples. You should consult with your doctor or physical therapist before attempting these on your own. If done incorrectly, or if you push yourself too far, you could do more damage to your shoulder.

The pendulum works the deltoids, subscapularis, supraspinatus, and infraspinatus muscles. First lean forward and place one hand on a table or counter for support and balance. Let your other arm hang freely at your side and gently swing it back and forth like a pendulum. Now swing your arm gently from side to side. Be careful not to lock your knees or round your back. Repeat this exercise with your other arm. Do two sets of 10 five or six times a week.

The cross over arm stretch is another exercise your therapist may have you perform during therapy and at home. First you relax your shoulders and pull one arm across your chest gently as far as it will go. Do this holding your upper arm. Hold this stretch for 30 seconds and then relax for another 30 seconds. Repeat with your other arm. Don’t put pressure on your elbow or pull your arm. Do four on each side five to six times a week.

These are just two of the exercises you may do during physical therapy and as a maintenance program at home. Before you do any exercises the AAOS recommends you spend some time activities such as walking or riding a stationary bike for five to 10 minutes. This gets you limbered up and ready to exercise. The AAOS also recommends you do stretching exercises prescribed by your therapist before you attempt your actual shoulder exercises.

Do not attempt any exercises until you consult with your doctor to prevent further damage to your shoulder and the surrounding muscles.With an effective physical therapy program and dedication on your part, you can get relief from shoulder pain and have more flexibility and range of motion. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing shoulder pain and see if he or she recommends physical therapy for you.

Cover image from Flickr shared by anika under Creative Common License 2.0.

Exercise images from the AAOS Publication Rotator Cuff and Shoulder Conditioning Program