Treating Shoulder, Neck, and Back Pain With Physical Therapy
Has an injury in your shoulder, neck, or back prevented you from living your life to the fullest? Is pain holding you back from completing your daily routine?
The skilled physical therapists at Schultz Physical Therapy can help you recover and return to the lifestyle you love.
Our physical therapists have extensive experience treating shoulder, neck, and back pain and understand how these issues are often connected.
When you visit our clinic, you’ll gain access to expert knowledge and specialty treatments, including dry needling, massage therapy, myofascial release, and cupping.
Are you ready to unlock the relief you’ve been searching for? Contact Schultz Physical Therapy today to schedule an appointment with one of our licensed therapists.
What is Causing My Shoulder, Neck, or Back pain?
Are you unsure how your pain started? The therapists at Schultz Physical Therapy can pinpoint the source of your pain and make individualized recommendations for your recovery. In the meantime, check out the possible causes of your pain listed below.
Back pain
Low-back pain is one of the most common and costly musculoskeletal problems worldwide. Studies indicate around 80% of the population will experience low-back pain.
There are three main types of back pain:
- Acute Back Pain: The most common type of back pain. This is a temporary pain that goes away in less than three months.
- Recurrent Back Pain: When acute back pain goes away for a while but returns on a regular basis, it is known as recurrent back pain.
- Chronic Back Pain: If back pain lasts longer than three months without subsiding, it is classified as chronic.
Acute back pain is typically not serious and usually goes away independently. However, recurring and chronic back pain can be signs of more serious health problems.
The cause of back pain is not always easily identifiable. However, conditions commonly linked to low back pain include muscle or ligament strain, bulging or ruptured discs, arthritis, and osteoporosis. In other cases, back pain can develop as a result of an injury, overuse, or a sedentary lifestyle.
Shoulder pain
Poor posture and improper positioning of the shoulders can make your shoulder blade (scapula) vulnerable to pain and rotator cuff injuries. When left untreated, a rotator cuff tear can cause severe pain and decrease the ability to use the arm.
Pain from an acute injury can be sudden and intense, making it difficult for you to move your shoulder at all. Pain due to wear and tear or degenerative changes are often more achy and sore.
The most common conditions affecting the shoulder are:
- Strains: A strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is stretched too far or torn.
- Tendonopathy: Tendonopathy occurs when the joint is irritated or overused.
- Cartilage injury: An injury to the cartilage will typically lead to a limited range of motion and may lead to decreased strength in the affected shoulder.
- Arthritis: Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common types of arthritis. In both cases, pain and loss of motion are typical.
- Frozen shoulder: Medically referred to as adhesive capsulitis, a frozen shoulder causes significant motion deficits and pain.
Neck pain
The most common causes of neck pain are typically due to a soft tissue sprain/strain or changes to the joint itself. Most of the time, neck pain starts as a seemingly small concern. A crick in your neck that begins to show more frequently lasts longer. Before you know it, you are dealing with neck pain daily.
For others, changes to the disc (i.e., a specialized tissue that sits between vertebrae throughout our spine) are the source of the pain.
Bulging and herniated discs are notoriously painful and common for people that experience nerve pain. The disc degeneration can also lead to pain and difficulty moving the neck.
How Will My Pain be Treated at Schultz Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy is an excellent resource for treating shoulder, neck, and back pain because it addresses the cause of the pain rather than simply attempting to hide the symptoms.
Working with a physical therapist can help you experience an improved range of motion, restore muscle strength, and reduce tension in your muscles through targeted manual therapies.
Physical therapy remains the first-line treatment and should be routinely used to get impactful results.
Physical therapy treatments that are most effective for back, shoulder, and neck pain include:
- Dry needling
- Massage therapy
- Myofascial release
- Cupping
Reach out to one of our physical therapists for information and support in overcoming your pain, and finally, find long-term relief.
Why Wait?
At Schultz Physical Therapy, our team has the resources to identify why your pain may be happening and treat your symptoms, once and for all.
Why would you wait to gain access to a personalized treatment plan that combines the benefits of physical therapy with specialized treatments? Contact Schultz Physical Therapy today to request an appointment and begin your recovery journey.
Find Relief Now – Schedule Your Free Consultation!
Ready for personalized care? Come back to Schultz Physical Therapy and book your session today!
Healthy Recipe
Slow-Cooker Jambalaya
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
- 4 oz smoked turkey sausage, chopped
- 3 cups chopped fresh collard greens
- 1 ¼ cups chopped green bell pepper
- 2 stalks celery, thinly sliced (1 cup)
- ¾ cup chopped onion
- 1 (28 oz) can no-salt-added crushed tomatoes, undrained
- 1 tbsp quick-cooking tapioca
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme, crushed
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper
- 8 oz frozen peeled & deveined medium shrimp, thawed
- 2 cups hot cooked brown rice
- Chopped fresh parsley
Combine chicken, sausage, collard greens, bell pepper, celery, and onion in a 3 1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker. Stir in tomatoes, tapioca, garlic, thyme, and crushed red pepper. Cover and cook on Low for 5 to 6 hours or on High for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. If using low setting, turn to High. Stir in shrimp. Cover and cook for 30 minutes more or until shrimp are opaque. Serve over hot cooked brown rice. Sprinkle with parsley.
Have You Met Your Annual Deductible?
Take charge of your health today and make the most of your insurance benefits! If you’ve already met your deductible this year or have funds left in your HSA account, you can take advantage of our remarkable opportunity at Schultz Physical Therapy. Starting now and continuing until the end of 2024, you can address your aches and pains at little to no cost. Don’t let these valuable benefits go unused!
But that’s not all. If you’re looking to enhance your strength and set yourself up for a fantastic 2025, we’ve got you covered. Our exceptional team of experienced physical therapists is here to provide you with specialized treatment services tailored to help you achieve your goals. With our guidance and expertise, you can get a head start on the upcoming year before your deductible renews.
Don’t miss out on this incredible chance to prioritize your well-being and maximize your insurance benefits! Call Schultz Physical Therapy today to start living a happier, healthier life.
Exercise of the Month
Shoulder Rotations
Start by standing up straight with your arms by your sides. Raise both arms up so your elbows and armpits are at 90-degree angles with your forearms aiming straight up to the sides of your head. Your upper arms should be parallel with the floor and perpendicular to your body. Rotate your forearms down toward the floor, keeping your elbows where they are. Your palms should be facing behind you at the bottom. Rotate back up. 3 sets, 10 reps, hold.
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Congratulations Corner
We are thrilled to extend our warmest congratulations to Clint Gallo, DPT, on his recent wedding to Christina. Clint has been an integral part of our Schultz PT family, bringing not only his expertise but also his dedication and compassion to our patients every day. As he begins this new chapter in his life, we wish Clint and Christina a lifetime filled with love, joy, and cherished moments together. Join us in celebrating this wonderful occasion and sending our best wishes to the newlyweds!
Bride and Groom posing with Jay and Kasey Schultz
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Patient Spotlight
Evan S. and His Journey to Recovery with Hollie Waskom
After undergoing shoulder surgery, Evan S. was uncertain about starting physical therapy. However, his experience at Schultz Physical Therapy quickly dispelled any doubts. “Honestly, I had doubts about participating in physical therapy proceeding my shoulder surgery. However, this place has exceeded all my expectations! The physical therapists and supporting staff are highly professional and have provided me with the utmost care while creating a fun and positive environment! I would definitely recommend anyone in Franklinton and the surrounding area to check them out for all your rehab needs!” says Evan.
Hollie Waskom, PT, DPT, has been instrumental in Evan’s recovery. With her expertise in treating musculoskeletal injuries, she tailored a personalized rehabilitation plan that not only focused on physical recovery but also ensured that Evan felt supported throughout the process. Hollie’s dedication and the positive environment she fosters have played a key role in Evan’s successful journey back to health. We are proud to have such a committed professional on our team, helping patients like Evan regain their strength and confidence.
