It’s estimated that approximately 18% to 26% of people are affected by shoulder pain at any given time, making it a common pain syndrome to experience. Shoulder pain can be extremely disruptive to everyday life, making even simple tasks seem difficult. This is especially true of cases where shoulder pain radiates down the arm. 

 

Are you someone who has this type of pain? It may benefit you to learn about the possible causes of your shoulder pain. The same applies to the various physical therapy treatments that exist. Take a look at some of the causes and treatments that are available to those who deal with this condition.

 

What are some possible causes of shoulder pain that radiates down the arm?

 

Shoulder pain that radiates down the arm could be due to a few different conditions. If you haven’t been diagnosed with a specific condition yet, we’ve listed out some of the possible causes. It’s a good idea to speak with a physical therapist for a formal diagnosis, but just to give you a few ideas, here are some examples:

 

• Rotator cuff injury — One example of a condition that can cause shoulder pain that radiates down the arm is a rotator cuff injury. Injuries to the rotator cuff can include tears, disease and tendinitis to name a few.

 

• Shoulder dislocation — It’s also possible for someone with shoulder pain that radiates down their arm to have a dislocated shoulder. This means that the shoulder ball has separated from the socket it’s supposed to be in.

 

• Broken bone — Another possible cause of shoulder pain that radiates down the arm is a bone fracture. This can occur from a traumatic injury or overuse and may take several weeks to heal. 

 

• Arthritis — Certain kinds of arthritis, like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, may lead to shoulder joint pain that radiates down the length of the arm.

 

• Frozen shoulder — Frozen shoulder is another condition that can cause shoulder pain that can be felt in areas other than just the shoulder. It starts as stiffness in the shoulder and eventually pain, which can be felt down parts of the arm in conjunction with the shoulder.

 

What are some physical therapy treatment options for someone who has shoulder pain radiating down the arm?

 

There are a few different treatment methods that can be used during a physical therapy session to treat someone who has shoulder pain radiating down their arm. For example:

 

• Manual therapy — Manual therapy is a hands-on treatment technique for those with limited mobility and flexibility. It can help improve movement in the body and reduce pain. This treatment is most often implemented for those who need treatment for joint and muscle problems.

 

• Sports therapy — Sports therapy is a type of therapy that focuses exclusively on physical activity during athletics. It can be used as both preventive and rehabilitative treatment for a variety of athletes. If your shoulder pain that radiates down your arm is caused by a sports injury, sports therapy is most likely to benefit you.

 

• IASTM technique — The IASTM, short for instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, is used during therapy sessions to treat conditions involving the muscles and other tissue.

 

• Mulligan technique — The Mulligan technique is most commonly used for patients with arthritis. It can help guide any abnormalities in bones, joints, or muscles toward a position that relieves pain and improves movement.

 

Continuum Wellness can treat the shoulder pain that radiates down your arm

 

Are you still unsure how physical therapy can help you with shoulder pain radiating down your arm? Do you have any other questions or concerns you’d like to ask about, but you’re not sure if physical therapy is the best treatment — especially if you’re not even sure what’s causing your pain? 

 

At Continuum Wellness, our compassionate and skilled physical therapists are specially trained to diagnose and address issues that may be causing your shoulder pain. If you’re concerned about your pain, you should consider taking a look at several of our resources and specialties. We offer free screenings to answer your questions, discuss options for treatment and aid in your journey toward better health! We also offer at-home treatment as well as virtual treatment to best fit your needs.

 

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.