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How Physiotherapy Can Help With Shoulder Slap Lesion

physiotherapy for shoulder slap lesion

Shoulder slap lesion is a condition that results in pain and discomfort in the shoulder. It can be caused by overuse, injury, or age-related degeneration of the rotator cuff muscles. Fortunately, physio has been found to be an effective treatment for this condition. In this blog post we will discuss how a physiotherapist can help with shoulder slap lesion and what you should expect from your treatment plan.

What Is Shoulder Slap Lesion?

Shoulder slap lesion is also known as superior labral anterior posterior tear. This injury is caused when the labrum, which is a ring of soft tissue located around the shoulder joint, becomes torn or damaged due to overuse or trauma. Symptoms of slap tear may include pain when lifting objects overhead, difficulty sleeping on the affected side, popping sensations in the shoulder joint, and weakness in the arm. If left untreated, a slap tear can lead to further damage of the rotator cuff muscles and ligaments surrounding the shoulder joint.

How Physiotherapy Can Help Should Slap Lesion

Physiotherapy is an effective treatment option for shoulder slap lesion. The primary goal of physiotherapy is to reduce pain and improve range of motion in the shoulder joint through a combination of exercises and manual techniques. Depending on your individual needs, your physiotherapist may recommend specific exercises that target weak areas in order to strengthen them and minimize pain. Manual techniques such as soft tissue techniques and joint mobilizations may also be used to reduce tightness or stiffness in certain areas of your shoulder. Physiotherapists will work with you to create a comprehensive treatment plan that focuses on restoring strength, improving mobility, and decreasing pain associated with slap tear.

Your Shoulder Slap Lesion Treatment Plan

Your individualized treatment plan will depend on several factors including severity of your injury and goals for recovery. Generally speaking, most people require multiple sessions spread out over several weeks or months before they begin seeing improvement in their symptoms. During each session your physiotherapist will assess your progress and make necessary changes to ensure you are progressing towards your goals safely and effectively. They will also provide tips on how to manage any residual pain while at home between sessions so that you are able to continue making progress even when not under their supervision.

Shoulder slap lesion can cause significant pain and discomfort if left untreated but fortunately physiotherapy has been found to be an effective treatment option for this condition. Working with a qualified physiotherapist can help you reduce pain levels while improving strength and mobility in the affected area so that you can return back to normal activities without fear of re-injury or further damage occurring down the line.

If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment. Eric Bowman is a physiotherapist in Waterloo.

Read About Other Effective Treatments for Shoulder Slap Lesion

The Benefits of Massage Therapy for Shoulder Slap Lesion
Chiropractic Care for Shoulder Slap Lesion

Picture of Eric Bowman, BSc, MPT, PT

Eric Bowman, BSc, MPT, PT

Physiotherapist
Physiotherapist Eric Bowman graduated with a B.Sc. in Honours Kinesiology from the University of Waterloo in 2013 where he studied under world famous back researcher Stuart McGill. After completing his B.Sc. he researched exercise and osteoporosis under Lora Giangregorio at the UW Bone Health lab before completing his Masters of Physical Therapy at Western University in 2015 and becoming Canadian Powerlifting Union Coaching Workshop Certified in 2018. Eric’s areas of interest are rehabilitation for sports injuries, the elderly, and people with chronic pain. Outside of his clinical work Eric also contributes to course development and guest lecturing in the Kinesiology program at the University of Waterloo and has contributed to course development and review in the Western University Physiotherapy program. Eric has also competed in powerlifting.

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