Physical Therapy for Shoulder Pain & Rotator Cuff in Allen, TX

Summary

Athletic Advantage Physical Therapy in Allen, TX provides individualized physical therapy for shoulder pain and rotator cuff conditions. Instead of focusing only on the painful spot, we look at your shoulder, shoulder blade, upper back, strength and movement together, then build a treatment plan around what you need to get back to doing.

Key Takeaways

Shoulder pain can affect everything from sleeping and reaching overhead to lifting, working out and playing your sport.
Because shoulder pain can have different causes and contributing factors, treatment starts with an individualized evaluation.
AAPT looks at the shoulder, shoulder blade, upper back, strength and movement together rather than treating the shoulder as an isolated joint.
Treatment follows The Reset Method: Reset the Nerve, Reeducate the Muscle and Reinforce with Movement.
Your plan may include manual therapy, progressive strengthening, POINT RESET® physical therapy services, dry needling, mobility work and sport-specific movement based on your needs.

Shoulder pain has a way of showing up in things you normally don't think twice about, reaching for something on a shelf, putting on a shirt, sleeping on your side or finishing a workout.

For an athlete, it may be the throw, serve, stroke or overhead movement that suddenly doesn't feel right.

Shoulders and athletes are a particular focus for AAPT founder Dr. Cody Johnson, PT, DPT, ATC, so we understand that getting your shoulder to simply "feel better" isn't always enough. It needs to work for what you're asking it to do.

At AAPT, we look at more than the shoulder joint. We look at how your shoulder blade and upper back are moving, your strength and mobility, and the demands you're placing on your shoulder.

Then we build a plan around you, and what you want to get back to doing.

What Can Shoulder Pain Feel Like?

Shoulder pain doesn't look the same for everyone.

You may notice:

Pain reaching overhead, behind your back or out to the side
A dull ache through the shoulder or upper arm
Weakness when lifting or holding your arm up
Pain that interferes with sleep, particularly when lying on that side
Stiffness or loss of shoulder motion
Catching, clicking or a feeling that the shoulder isn't moving normally
Pain during throwing, swimming, serving, lifting or other overhead activity

These symptoms can have several possible causes, which is why an evaluation is important before assuming the painful spot tells the whole story.

Signs Your Shoulder Pain Could Be a Rotator Cuff Problem

Rotator cuff problems are a common cause of shoulder pain, and tears become more common after age 40, so a few signs tend to point that way:

Pain reaching overhead, behind your back, or out to the side.
A dull ache deep in the shoulder that sharpens with specific movements.
Weakness lifting or holding your arm up, sometimes even dropping objects unexpectedly.
Night pain that disrupts sleep, especially lying on the affected side.
Pain and stiffness that builds up gradually, though a fall or a heavy lift can also trigger it.

If that sounds familiar, you're far from alone. Physical therapy is often the first line of treatment for mild to moderate rotator cuff tears, according to the American Physical Therapy Association's ChoosePT guide, and can help some people avoid surgery.

When Should You See a Physical Therapist for Shoulder Pain?

It may be time for an evaluation if your shoulder pain keeps returning, isn't improving or is starting to change how you move.

Maybe you've stopped sleeping on one side. Maybe you're modifying workouts, avoiding overhead movements or changing your throwing mechanics without realizing it.

Those changes matter.

Your physical therapist can evaluate your shoulder mobility, strength, shoulder-blade movement, upper-back mobility and the specific activities that bring on your symptoms.

Is It Your Rotator Cuff, or Something Else?

The rotator cuff is one possible source of shoulder pain, but it isn't the only one.

Shoulder symptoms may also involve joint mobility, the labrum, AC joint, biceps tendon, stiffness such as frozen shoulder, instability or other structures around the shoulder.

Rather than trying to diagnose yourself based on where it hurts, an evaluation helps us understand how your shoulder is moving and whether physical therapy is appropriate.

Patient Testimonials

“After Point reset it took the pain away instantly...”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

How AAPT Treats Shoulder Pain

Treatment at AAPT is guided by The Reset Method:

1. Reset the Nerve

We start by addressing areas that may be interfering with movement or normal muscle function.

Depending on your evaluation, this may include hands-on treatment, joint movement, mechanical pressure, POINT RESET® physical therapy services or other treatment strategies.

2. Reeducate the Muscle

Next, we work on strength and control through the shoulder, rotator cuff, shoulder blade and upper back.

Your exercises are selected for your body and your goals—not handed to you from a generic shoulder protocol.

3. Reinforce with Movement

Feeling better in the clinic is only part of the goal.

We want those changes to carry over when you're reaching, lifting, working out, throwing, swimming, serving or doing whatever your day or sport requires.

Your home program helps reinforce what you're working on in the clinic and prepares your shoulder for those demands.

Your Shoulder Pain Treatment May Include

Depending on what we find during your evaluation, your plan may include:

Manual therapy and mobility work for the shoulder, shoulder blade and upper back
Progressive strengthening for the rotator cuff and surrounding muscles
POINT RESET® physical therapy services, developed by Dr. Cody Johnson, PT, DPT, ATC, which may be incorporated based on your evaluation and needs
Dry needling when appropriate as part of your treatment plan
Movement and posture strategies for work, workouts and everyday activities
Sport-specific progression for throwing and overhead athletes
A customized home program to reinforce progress between visits

What we use, and when we use it, depends on you, your evaluation and how your shoulder responds.

Shoulder Pain in Throwing and Overhead Athletes

A baseball pitcher's shoulder doesn't have the same job as the shoulder of someone trying to reach comfortably into a kitchen cabinet.

And even among athletes, the demands are different.

A pitcher needs to throw. A swimmer needs repeated overhead strength and control. A tennis or volleyball player needs to generate force overhead again and again.

Dr. Cody Johnson, PT, DPT, ATC has a particular focus on treating shoulders and athletes, and that experience is reflected in how AAPT approaches sports rehabilitation.

We look at strength, mobility, shoulder-blade control and the specific movement demands of your sport. As you progress, treatment builds toward what you actually need to perform, including appropriate return-to-throw and overhead progressions.

The goal isn't simply getting your shoulder through basic exercises in the clinic. It's preparing it for what you're asking it to do outside of the clinic.

Shoulder Pain in Dancers

Dancers can also place unique demands on the shoulders and upper body through partnering, lifts, floor work and choreography.

Our dance-focused care takes those demands into account so treatment supports the movements and positions you actually need for training and performance.

Before or After Shoulder Surgery

If you're preparing for or recovering from rotator cuff repair or another shoulder procedure, your treatment needs are different from someone experiencing a typical shoulder-pain flare-up.

AAPT provides pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation to help patients work on appropriate strength and movement before a procedure and progress through rehabilitation afterward.

After surgery, your treatment follows your surgeon's protocol and precautions and progresses as you heal.

Contact Us

Phone: (214) 383 0623
Fax: (800) 213 4413

820 S Alma Drive, Suite 110
Allen, TX 75013

contact@aaphysicaltherapy.com

Hours:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday:

8:00AM - 5:30PM

Tuesday, Thursday:

9:00AM - 5:30PM

Schedule Appointment

Why Choose Athletic Advantage Physical Therapy

We look beyond the painful spot: Your shoulder, shoulder blade and upper back work together. We look at how they're moving and functioning as a whole.
Your plan is actually yours: A pitcher, swimmer, desk worker and someone recovering from rotator cuff surgery shouldn't automatically receive the same treatment plan.
Treatment is guided by The Reset Method: Reset the Nerve. Reeducate the Muscle. Reinforce with Movement.
Home of POINT RESET® physical therapy services: Dr. Cody Johnson developed POINT RESET® physical therapy services, which may be incorporated into treatment based on your individual evaluation and needs.
We're one clinic and one team: AAPT is an independent physical therapy clinic in Allen. We get to know our patients, what they want to get back to doing and what progress looks like for them.

Ready to Get Your Shoulder Moving Again?

If shoulder pain is changing how you sleep, work out, reach, lift or play your sport, let's take a closer look at what's going on.

Athletic Advantage Physical Therapy is located in Allen, TX and serves patients throughout Plano, McKinney, Frisco and surrounding Collin County communities.

Call (214) 383-0623 or schedule your evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does rotator cuff pain feel like?

Rotator cuff problems may cause pain with reaching or overhead movement, weakness, discomfort through the shoulder or upper arm, or pain at night. Other shoulder conditions can cause similar symptoms, so an evaluation can help determine what may be contributing.

Can physical therapy help with a rotator cuff tear?

Physical therapy may be appropriate for some rotator cuff tears, depending on factors such as the type and extent of the tear, symptoms, function and individual goals. Your physical therapist can evaluate your shoulder and coordinate with your physician or surgeon when appropriate.

Do I have to stop working out if my shoulder hurts?

Not necessarily. Depending on your symptoms and evaluation, your physical therapist may recommend modifying certain exercises, loads or movements rather than stopping activity completely.

Can physical therapy help before or after shoulder surgery?

Physical therapy may be part of both preparation for and recovery from shoulder surgery. After surgery, AAPT follows your surgeon's protocol and precautions while progressing your mobility, strength and movement appropriately.

Do I need a doctor's referral?

Texas allows qualifying physical therapists to evaluate and treat patients without first obtaining a physician referral, subject to state requirements. Insurance requirements may vary, so contact our team if you're unsure what you need before your first visit.