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Shrug Off Shoulder Pain
Shrug Off Shoulder Pain With A Physical Therapist’s Help

Did you know that your shoulders are the most moveable and flexible joints in your body? They are made up of various muscles, tendons, and bones, and they’re pretty complicated. They are what allow you to move around and complete many of your responsibilities during the day. Your shoulders are capable of a great deal, but they are also highly vulnerable to injury.

If you’ve been suffering from shoulder pain, Dubuque Physical Therapy in Dubuque, IA physical therapy services can help you discover natural relief.

Contact our clinic today to discover more about how we can help you go back to your everyday life without shoulder pain!

Common causes of shoulder pain

Several underlying causes could result in shoulder pain. For example, a sudden injury or trauma to the shoulders can cause them to become painful. Repetitive motions can also cause shoulder pain, as your muscles, joints, and tendons are working in overdrive. Physical therapy can treat several specific conditions that may be contributing to the pain or discomfort that you are feeling in your shoulder. Some of the most common conditions resulting in shoulder pain include:

  • Bursitis. Bursitis is a joint inflammation that affects the fluid-filled sacs surrounding the bones, muscles, and tendons. It frequently happens in body parts that are subjected to repetitive activities. You may feel stiff or achy in the affected area, which may also become red or inflamed if you have bursitis. Physical therapy can help with the inflammation as well as the pain you’re experiencing.
  • Arthritis. Arthritis is a painful and stiffening joint disease. There are various forms of arthritis, but osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most frequent. Osteoarthritis is a condition in which the cartilage between your bones breaks down, causing the bones to rub together. Swollen and inflamed joints characterize rheumatoid arthritis. Physical therapy can help with pain alleviation and movement for both of these diseases.
  • Tendonitis. Tendonitis occurs when a tendon becomes irritated or inflamed. It can appear in several parts of the body, and colloquial terms such as “tennis elbow,” “swimmer’s shoulder,” and “jumper’s knee” are usually used to describe it. A physical therapist can treat different types of tendonitis and relieve the inflamed area.
  • Frozen shoulder. Frozen shoulder is a painful ailment that develops after prolonged periods of immobility, such as being in a sling or cast following an injury. Over time, this condition will deteriorate, causing discomfort and stiffness. Physical therapy can help provide relief while you are recovering, and it usually corrects itself after several years. It may also aid in hastening the healing process.
  • Sprains and strains. When a ligament is stretched too far or damaged, it is called a sprain. When a muscle or tendon is stretched too far or torn, it is called a strain. Strains and sprains can cause chronic shoulder pain, making it difficult to exercise or perform regular duties. If the strain or sprain is minimal, it may be treated at home with ice and rest. Physical therapy is typically required for more severe strains and sprains.
  • Torn cartilage. When cartilage tears, you may experience several painful symptoms. You may experience decreased strength and a limited range of motion in the affected shoulder. You may also experience pain when moving your arm in specific ways. If you are suffering from torn cartilage, physical therapy can provide relief.

How can a physical therapist help get rid of my pain?

If you’re concerned about physical therapy’s safety, be assured that you’ll be in good hands. Physical treatment is risk-free, effective, and, most importantly, all-natural.

Physical therapy has two main goals: 1) to relieve your discomfort and 2) to increase your function. Throughout your physical therapy appointments, your physical therapist will work with you to ensure that both of these goals are met.

Your physical therapist will design a treatment plan specifically for you, which will include targeted stretches and exercises. It may also include any additional methods or modalities that your physical therapist deems fit, including ice and heat therapies, manual therapy, ultrasound, aquatic therapy, or electrical nerve stimulation.

Get rid of your shoulder pain today!

If you are living with shoulder pain, don’t let it limit your life any longer! There is a wide range of conditions that can be treated with the help of physical therapy. Find natural, safe, and effective relief by calling our physical therapy clinic today with PT treatments!

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When To Seek A Physical Therapist
When To Seek A Physical Therapist For Sciatica Pain

While sciatica does not always require physical therapy treatments, it can help relieve your pain and speed up the healing process.

Did you know that the sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the human body? It stretches from the lower back down to the legs, ending at the feet. People living with sciatica typically describe their discomfort as “shooting pains,” typically down one side of the body.

It can be hard to determine whether or not your symptoms are in need of specialist intervention, but Dubuque Physical Therapy in Dubuque, IA put together a list of the three most prominent.

If you’re struggling to live a normal, comfortable life as a result of sciatica, know that the solution to your pain is just a call away. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

1. What you’re doing at home to manage pain stops working.

You might already be trying these basic home remedies to help alleviate some of your sciatica pain, but when using ice and heat compresses alternately, or sleeping with a pillow between your knees, for example, no longer relieves discomfort and stiffness… there’s a problem.

These are some commonly used at-home treatment methods for pain management, but they, unfortunately, do not always work. If your home treatments are having a little-to-no effect in reducing your pain and restricted motion, or if your symptoms persist for more than a week without improvement, you should seek the aid of a physical therapist. If your symptoms worsen, be sure to consult with your primary physician. Physical therapy can provide you with the treatment you need to alleviate your aches and pains.

2. You notice your pain getting worse instead of better.

The severity of pain you feel can change depending on how compressed your sciatic nerve becomes. The more compressed it is, the more painful it will be. Symptoms may include severe shooting pain, weakness or numbness on one side, or the inability to move your feet. If your sciatic nerve becomes compressed in the area that controls your bladder or bowel function, and you may lose control of those functions.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to consult with both your primary doctor and your physical therapist to discuss a treatment plan for easing your pain and getting you back to your normal function. Your doctor may also run a number of tests to rule out any other underlying conditions.

3. You suffered an injury that caused sciatica to form.

Your symptoms may worsen over time with moderate sciatica, or they may go away on their own. However, if your sciatica symptoms appear suddenly after an injury or trauma (such as a vehicle accident, sports injury, or a hard fall), you should see your doctor and physical therapist very away.

Because these symptoms are the result of a powerful impact surrounding the sciatic nerve, they are likely to be severe, and it is critical to assess the extent of the injury. Physical therapy will almost always be recommended by your primary physician, regardless of the course of treatment he or she advises.

Get a physical therapist’s help today

Are you experiencing pain from sciatica? If this is the case, physical therapy may be able to help you. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you’re ready to get rid of your sciatica problems.

Targeted stretches and exercises will be used in physical therapy to help strengthen the muscles surrounding the sciatic nerve. Treatments may also focus on increasing range of motion and improving posture to reduce stress on the sciatic nerve and prevent pain from recurring.

We’ll provide you with an individualized treatment plan to help you get back to your normal life as quickly as possible!

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25 Years of Dubuque Physical Therapy: An Interview with Jason Meyer

This summer, we have been highlighting our 25th Anniversary, so we wanted to hear from the man in charge, the owner of Dubuque Physical Therapy, Jason Meyer, PT. I recently asked Jason a few questions about the things he has learned along the way, where DPT started and where it is headed. Check out the interview below!

Did you always know you wanted to own your own PT clinic? What made you decide you wanted to be a clinic owner?

Jason – Not initially, but soon after starting my career as a PT for another company, I quickly realized I wanted to do things differently.  I grew up working in my family’s small business and I got to see the advantages and disadvantages of being your own boss. When the opportunity came for me to buy Dubuque Physical Therapy (DPT) in 2008, my wife and I decided it was the right choice for me professionally and for our future.

What did you learn from Mel and the other veteran PTs you worked with at the start of your career that you still use today?

Jason – I first met Mel Harvey, who was the previous owner of DPT, in 1998 when I was a PT student at the University of Iowa doing one of my last clinical rotations before I graduated. He was my clinical instructor and I had the opportunity to work and learn alongside him for 8 weeks. It was amazing. You could even say life changing looking back on it now. I remember on the last day of my rotation we were meeting to talk about the past 8 weeks and I told him that if he ever needed another PT he should hire me. About 2 years later that call came and I joined DPT as a staff physical therapist in 2000.  I learned a lot both clinically and professionally from Mel over the next 8 years. He was always willing to share his years of experience and knowledge to help answer any questions I had about a patient and he created a very positive learning environment.

Over the past 25 years, what has surprised you about the growth or direction of Dubuque PT? Did it go just the way you planned?

Jason – When I started with DPT it was a small clinic, just Mel and I as PT’s and a few support staff. DPT started in the basement of Westside Orthopedic building owned by Dr. Field. As we grew, we moved up to the third floor of that same building. I took ownership of DPT in 2008 and later that same year opened our second location on Delhi St in the lower level of the Klauer Optical building where we continue to see clients today. In 2016 I moved DPT from the Westside Orthopedics building into our current location on the corner of Asbury and John F Kennedy Rd. DPT has seen a steady growth since 2008(except 2020 obviously, thank you COVID-19). I think that growth can be attributed to our reputation of providing exceptional service, bringing the latest techniques and technology to the area, and the extraordinary staff I have had over the years.

I would love to say things went exactly as I had planned but anyone who has run a business know things never go as planned. Some things you just can’t plan for – like the building you are renting gets sold or COVID-19 happens. When plans change you must adapt. I did not have a business degree, marketing degree, or HR experience but had to learn those things along the way. The journey has not always been smooth but I would not change how things have turned out so far.

How does Dubuque Physical Therapy try to bring the best therapy to the area? What sets Dubuque PT apart?

Jason – It has always been my goal to be on top of the latest techniques and technology but still incorporate all the things that have worked so well for so long. DPT was the first clinic to bring instrument/augmented soft tissue release(ASTYM), vibration therapy, dry needling, Class IV deep tissue laser, and now musculoskeletal diagnostic ultrasound to the area. I also encourage all my therapists to work in a collaborative manner to get clients the best possible outcome. We all learn from each other and sometimes two or three brains are better than one. We try to promote a positive and fun environment because lets face it, sometimes PT is not always fun. Finally, I feel what sets DPT apart is definitely my staff. I am a big believer in fate or luck, whatever you want to call it. I have been fortunate over the years to have some of the most talented, knowledgeable, professional, and compassionate staff work at DPT.

What do you love about your job?

Jason – For me, there is nothing better than helping people who are in pain or have lost the ability to do things they enjoy, get back to living their lives. I like the process of trying to figure out what is the source of someone’s pain or figuring out what is preventing them from enjoying life and helping restore a better quality of life. I also enjoy the ability to get to know all my clients on a personal level. When you work with someone for 45 minutes 2-3 times a week for weeks to months, you get to know about them, their hobbies, and families. I really do have a very fulfilling career (except for paperwork and dealing with insurance companies. Anyone who works in healthcare knows what I am talking about!).

Where is Dubuque PT heading in the next 10 years (or 25 years!!)? What would you like to see grow/improve?

Jason – I am excited for the future of DPT but can’t predict what will happen. The plan is to continue to strive to be the best at what we do, continue to learn and grow along the way, and try to have fun doing it.

(Interview conducted by Dubuque Physical Therapy Marketing Director and physical therapist Laura Timmerman, PT, DPT, OCS).