Due to hurricane damage, the Havelock location is closed until further notice. Havelock therapists Hannah Zhang, Sarah Hall and Judy Hickes are available to see patients at the New Bern location. Please call the New Bern location at (252) 636-9800 to discuss your care.

Approximately how long is the recovery time for a shoulder impingement?

Shoulder Impingement Recovery Time

Shoulder impingement syndrome is a condition in which the shoulder’s rotator cuff muscles are pinched where they run between the humerus and the shoulder blade. Anyone who does repetitive overhead movements could develop a shoulder impingement. If you are experiencing this, you may have many questions about your shoulder impingement, including its likely recovery time.

Shoulder impingement recovery time

It may take as much as six months for a shoulder impingement to totally recover. Some severe impingements can take as much as a year to heal. Nevertheless, within two to four weeks, you ought to have the ability to resume your regular activities once again. A shorter recovery period can be possible for you, especially if you’re working with a physical therapist. 

How can I ease shoulder impingement symptoms?

You may perform light workouts to tone up your rotator cuff, and you can even do arm as well as shoulder stretching. Stretching exercises can increase the area between the shoulder blade and the humerus. This can help avoid compression of the biceps tendon, bursa, and rotator cuff.

A few days of regularly icing or heating your affected shoulder can also help ease symptoms. There is a possibility that these and other at-home treatments may not completely ease your symptoms. If this is the case, it may be helpful to reach out to a physical therapist.

How can physical therapy help my shoulder impingement and its recovery time?

Physical therapy is usually a more effective option than trying to figure out which treatments to do on your own. A physical therapist can create a treatment plan based on your condition and goals. They also excel at using many physical therapy methods to help you meet goals like a shorter shoulder impingement recovery time. 

Your treatment plan may include:

  • Pain management techniques — Your physical therapist can help you identify and steer clear of painful movements. They can also help you correct abnormal shoulder and upper back posture. They can even help you learn alternate ways of performing normal daily tasks like getting dressed. All these techniques can help ease pain and decrease the effects of your shoulder impingement. 
  • Manual therapy — Your therapist can make use of several manual therapy methods. Each of these methods involves your specialist using their hands to manipulate your shoulder. Soft tissue mobilization is designed to ease tension muscles like those of your rotator cuff. Joint mobilization is intended to help your shoulder be more mobile.

Peak Performance offers effective physical therapy that can cut shoulder impingement recovery time 

Are you looking for physical therapy that can shorten your shoulder impingement recovery time? Our physical therapists at Peak Performance Sports & Physical Therapy can help. They can perform a free screening on you to determine the cause of your shoulder pain. Our clinicians can also formulate a customized physical therapy plan for you that can reduce your pain and prevent it from returning. 

Please contact us if you’re experiencing shoulder pain for information about how we can help you or to schedule an appointment with our team.