A muscle spasm is a sudden tightening of your muscles that you cannot control. There are a number of reasons you may be experiencing painful muscle spasms in your shoulder.
You may have recently recovered from a car accident or sports injury. Or, you may work at a job that requires you to repeat the same overhead motions over and over again. Many things can put stress on your shoulder. It is one of the most used joints in the body, after all.
Experiencing a muscle spasm in the shoulder?
Muscle spasms in your shoulder could be caused by:
Overhead motions
If you play sports such as tennis or swimming that cause you to repeat overhead motions with your arms, you may be at risk for developing painful muscle spasms in your shoulder. Working jobs that require repeated overhead motions can also put you at risk, such as placing objects on high shelves or using paint rollers.
Heavy loads
If you are carrying a heavy backpack over one shoulder, you may be placing too much pressure on your shoulder muscles. This can cause them to develop painful strains and muscle spasms if you do it too often.
Poor posture
If you spend hours hunched over a computer desk, a stove or a garden, there is a risk you will develop tightness in your shoulders. This could also lead to painful spasms and strains down the road.
How can physical therapy help the muscle spasms in the shoulder?
Your physical therapist may recommend a number of different methods to aid in treating your muscle spasms. Some of them may include:
Therapeutic stretches
Your physical therapist can guide you through stretches designed to help loosen up the tight and stiff muscles that are spasming. They can also show you exercises designed to strengthen the muscles, potentially preventing them from becoming injured in the future.
Active Release Techniques®
Your physical therapist will evaluate the texture, tightness and range of motion of the affected area. When a problem area is identified, specific movements and pressure are applied to treat the area.
Graston Technique®
This technique uses special instruments to reduce inflammation, break up scar tissue, and restore motion to areas of muscle that are stiff and painful. The Graston Technique can also reduce pain and promote healing in the affected shoulder, helping you get back to your normal routine faster.
If you are experiencing painful spasms in your shoulder that are preventing you from participating in work, sports or everyday activities that you enjoy, it may be time to turn to physical therapy to help.
Health Plus PT, Edison, NJ has a team of licensed physical therapy specialists are standing by to help you recover from your injury and get back to your normal routine.
Contact Health Plus Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center, Edison, NJ today for more information about treating muscle spasms or to schedule an initial appointment.
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