Painful Shoulder Impingement: Understanding, Treatment, and Relief with Physical Therapy

Shoulder impingement, though often overlooked, can wreak havoc on daily activities, from reaching for items on a high shelf to swinging a tennis racket. But fear not! With the right approach, such as physical therapy, relief is within reach.

What Is Shoulder Impingement?

“Shoulder impingement” is a blanket term for a pinching sensation felt in the top of the shoulder when raising your arm overhead. This occurs when structures like tendons and bursa become irritated and inflamed, hindering movement and causing pain. If you’ve ever bitten your cheek while chewing, you know it can get a bit swollen and then you end up biting it again because it starts to get in the way! Well, that is essentially what is happening in the shoulder.

Causes of Shoulder Impingement

Several factors like repetitive overhead movements, poor posture, and muscle imbalances can contribute to shoulder impingement. Over time, these issues can lead to inflammation of the soft tissues in the shoulder, exacerbating the pain.

Painful Shoulder Impingement: Understanding, Treatment, and Relief with Physical Therapy

Prevalence Shoulder Impingement

Shoulder impingement affects millions worldwide, especially athletes involved in sports with repetitive overhead motion. However, it can also arise from everyday activities or occupations that involve frequent reaching or lifting.

Can Physical Therapy Help With Shoulder Impingement?

Physical therapy emerges as the premier first line of defense in the realm of shoulder impingement. Through targeted exercises, manual therapy techniques, and tailored treatment plans, your doctor of physical therapy will address root causes, promote healing, and restore function without invasive procedures.

The Evidence: PT vs. Surgery For Shoulder Impingement

Research favors physical therapy over surgery for shoulder impingement. Studies show that physical therapy offers comparable long-term outcomes with fewer risks and recovery time. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery found that patients who underwent physical therapy for shoulder impingement experienced significant improvements in pain and function that lasted over the long term. Meanwhile, another study in the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery revealed that subacromial decompression surgery offered no additional benefit over a structured exercise program in the treatment of shoulder impingement.

The Bottom Line: What Should I Do About Shoulder Impingement?

When it comes to shoulder impingement, physical therapy emerges as a safe, effective, and non-invasive solution. By addressing the underlying issues, promoting healing, and restoring optimal function, your doctor of physical therapy will empower you to reclaim your shoulder health so that you can live life to the fullest. Click HERE to for a free consultation, and to learn more about how we can help you achieve optimal shoulder function.

Remember, with the right approach, relief from shoulder impingement is achievable. Take the first step towards a pain-free future by scheduling your consultation now. Your shoulders will thank you!

Sources

Brox, Jens Ivar, et al. “Arthroscopic surgery versus supervised exercises in patients with rotator cuff disease (stage II impingement syndrome): a prospective, randomized, controlled study in 125 patients with a 2 1/2-year follow-up.” The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery 87.3 (2005): 125-132.
Haahr, Jens P., et al. “Subacromial decompression versus diagnostic arthroscopy for shoulder impingement: randomised, placebo surgery controlled clinical trial.” Bmj 338 (2009): a2653.
Kromer, T. Oliver, et al. “Long-term effects of supervised physical training in secondary prevention of low back pain.” European Spine Journal 20.5 (2011): 672-679.
Kuhn, John E., et al. “Effectiveness of physical therapy in treating atraumatic full-thickness rotator cuff tears: a multicenter prospective cohort study.” The Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery 24.11 (2015): 1860-1870.
Lewis, Jeremy S., et al. “Subacromial decompression does not provide additional benefit to patients with rotator cuff tears in the presence of bursitis.” The American journal of sports medicine 45.1 (2017): 68-73.

Get to know

Dr. Matt Buch

PT, DPT, OCS

As a doctor of physical therapy, my role in healthcare is to diagnose and treat injuries of the musculoskeletal system, assess movement, and optimize performance. My passion is to help outdoor enthusiasts maintain and enhance their active lifestyle without unnecessary medications, injections, or surgery.

Whether you are gearing up for the hunt of a lifetime, recovering from a climbing injury, or just trying to keep up with your grandkids, everyone is in pursuit of something.

I am here to help you achieve your goals and return to living the life that you desire.

Success Stories

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Don’t take our word for it — hear from people just like you.

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   Devan Pavlicek 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I saught out a PT after a reaggravated a long term back injury in an attempt to properly address the issue and come out with a long term recovery plan. After working with Matt for the last couple months, I can wholeheartedly say it was the best decision I made and I cannot recommend Matt enough.

From day one, we sat down and assessed the injury and came up with a gameplan. I made clear my intentions and what I was looking for and Matt listened and outlined a complete timeline of what he looked to do each session, and summarized the recovery from start to finish. Throughout the process, he was always intently looking to me for feedback to ensure I was getting everything I was looking for and inquiring if I wanted to pivot or tweak the scope of a session. Not only is Matt extremely attentive, he's very communicative and willing to give video feedback in real time and correct form/technique to better serve you in long term recovery.

Dont hesitate to give Matt and Total Pursuit a try!
  
 
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   Aaron Berger 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. If you are thinking about going anywhere else, don’t. Dr. Matt is awesome. He will work with you in all aspects of your recovery and get you back to where you want to be and more! I went to Dr. Matt for pre-treatment for my upcoming Shoulder surgery. After only three days, I was at 90% rotation and no pain whatsoever and  back on my feet. The work we did previous to my surgery has decreased my recovery by months!
  
 
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   Clint Reed 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I went to see Dr.Matt after struggling with shoulder and bicep pain in my right arm. I had very limited use of my right arm without pain. Dr. Matt assessed my concern.we came up with a game plan on treatment, and within a couple weeks I regained 90% of the motion back without any pain. I am confident that when our treatment plan wraps up I will have full motion completely pain free.
  
 
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   Steve Roth 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I’ve had the chance to get to know Dr. Matt Buch through our local networking group, and he’s someone who really stands out for his character and integrity.

Matt is the kind of person who is genuine, honest, and always looking to do right by others. He shows up consistently, supports the people around him, and brings a high level of professionalism to everything he does. You can tell he truly cares about helping people and takes pride in his work.

Even though I haven’t personally used his services, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him based on the way he carries himself and the reputation he’s built. If you’re looking for someone you can trust, Matt and Total Pursuit are a great choice.
  
 
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   Wes 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I was born with infant torticollis and I had neck and middle back pains along with my hips needing to be adjusted. Been going to the chiropractor for 16 years and I feel way more relief now that I have been seeing Dr. Matt. Even after this huge blizzard we just had, I would normally feel a lot of lower back pain and I had minimal soreness after shoveling and snow blowing the last couple days. Would highly recommend! 👍🏻
  
 
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   Jonathan Valdez 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I needed help. Had a bad sciatic episode this past winter where walking was a chore. With Dr buch's expertise and the exercises we worked on, I was able to enjoy the latter part of the ice fishing season pain free. A true professional, and a student of his craft, I would highly recommend total pursuit to anyone dealing with musculoskeletal issues. Thank you Matt!
  
 
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   Kymberly Klimek 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dr. Matt is an exceptional physical therapist who deeply cares about his patients and their outcomes. Our viewpoints align well because he takes the time to perform thorough evaluations, identify the root cause of injuries, and create personalized treatment plans that help people recover faster, move better, and stay active doing the things they enjoy most. If you’re dealing with pain, recovering from an injury, or looking to improve performance, Dr. Matt will give you his very best to help you get back to doing what you love. Your body will thank you for seeing Dr. Matt and the team at Total Pursuit Physical Therapy & Performance. Highly recommend them!
  
 
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   Randy Paff 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Matt customized my therapy to really fit my progress and goals.  I could not sleep on my shoulder and was in pain with simple tasks such as putting on a jacket or backpack.  I am nearly pain free now and my strength is coming back as well.  I am 61 and again participating in activities I thought I may have to give up such as bow hunting.   Thanks Matt
  
 
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   Kurt Niska 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dr Matt is exceptional! I herniated two discs in my lower back and went through 8 months of insurance approved PT through my doctor, including three rounds of steroid treatments (two oral and one spinal). While I certainly had made progress and appreciated the care I received, I had no idea how to avoid injury again or what to do next. After months of searching, I met Dr Matt at a wellness event and booked a consultation. How wonderful to find someone willing to guide an ordinary Joe to strengthen and rehabilitate beyond simply being functional! Dr Matt is patient, responsive, thorough, and clearly explains what we’re doing and how it applies. Thank you, Dr Matt, for helping me get stronger and regain confidence in what my body is capable of doing. I know my journey is not complete but I am grateful to have you and your expertise in my corner.
  
 
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   Brandon Harrell 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I went to see Dr. Matt after struggling with back issues for years and finding little relief through traditional treatments. From the initial assessment, he took a thorough and thoughtful approach. Instead of just addressing symptoms, he focused on improving strength and stability in the areas surrounding my back that had been neglected due to long-term pain. The results have been tremendous. I’m stronger, more stable, and finally moving in the right direction. I highly recommend Dr. Matt to anyone dealing with ongoing issues.
  
 
  
  
 
 
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