Physical Therapy Exercises For Arm Pain
If you’re experiencing shoulder or elbow discomfort, physical therapy exercises may provide some relief. These treatments can strengthen and expand your range of motion while decreasing the potential risk for future injury.
At first, your physical therapist will examine your arm and ask questions to identify the source of your discomfort or injury. Based on their findings and what goals you have set for yourself, they’ll craft a personalized program that reduces inflammation, relieves pressure points, and strengthens muscles properly.
Arm pain is often due to overuse or trauma. This could be from an accident, sports injury, stress, or repetitive movement over time.
Your arms and hands may be sore enough that it hinders you from doing what you enjoy most. Fortunately, physical therapy is available to help get you back up on your feet and back on track in life.
Stretching and strengthening exercises can be done in the office or at home to relieve pain and increase strength. Your physical therapist will prescribe exercises that will help restore normal function as well as provide the most pain relief possible.
This exercise is designed to give your shoulder a comfortable range of motion without damaging its tissues. Your physical therapist can assist you in moving your arm through this range using an object such as a dowel, while providing comfort to the tissues in your arm.
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles that hold your arm in place when you use it. If you’ve injured this area, physical therapy exercises may be prescribed to help regain strength and range of motion.
Start by standing in front of a table or chair and leaning over your injured shoulder, leaving your non-injured hand on the object for stability. Then let go of your injured arm and draw small circles in the air with it. Continue doing this exercise, alternating in and out of circles as you grow more experienced at drawing them.
Repeat this exercise 5 to 10 times throughout the day. After a few days, add inward rotation exercises to your routine.
At the start of your treatment, you may begin doing a variety of exercises to build strength in the affected area. These could include exercises that target shoulder muscles like biceps and triceps as well as elbow flexors.
In this exercise, you’ll stand in front of a wall and use your right hand to walk up its length. The goal is to feel a stretch in your right shoulder as well as throughout the rest of your arm. This exercise can be done either sitting or lying down and should be held for around 30 seconds.
Stand with your back straight and interlock your fingers behind your back to form a U shape with your arms. Keep your shoulders together while pushing up on the hands from below; perform 5 repetitions of this exercise for 30 seconds each.