Physical therapy for shoulder pain
Shoulder pain can limit everything from reaching overhead to sleeping comfortably. Whether it's a rotator cuff issue, frozen shoulder, or impingement, a licensed PT can evaluate your shoulder over video and guide you through recovery. Covered by your insurance.
What is shoulder pain?
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, which also makes it vulnerable to injury. Common diagnoses include rotator cuff tendinopathy, shoulder impingement, frozen shoulder, labral tears, and biceps tendinitis. Physical therapy is the recommended first-line treatment for most shoulder conditions.
Common symptoms
- Pain when reaching overhead or behind your back
- Aching pain at rest or at night
- Weakness when lifting or carrying
- Loss of range of motion
- Pain sleeping on the affected side
- Clicking or catching with movement
- Stiffness that limits daily activities
- Sharp pain with sudden movements
What causes shoulder pain?
Shoulder pain often develops from repetitive overhead movements, poor posture, muscle imbalances, or age-related degeneration. Desk work that rounds the shoulders forward can create impingement over time. Sudden injuries from falls or sports can damage the rotator cuff or labrum.
How physical therapy helps with shoulder pain
Evaluation. Your PT performs a detailed video assessment — testing range of motion, strength, and specific movements that reproduce your pain to identify whether the issue is rotator cuff, impingement, frozen shoulder, or something else.
Treatment. Your program focuses on restoring pain-free range of motion and building rotator cuff and scapular strength. Exercises are carefully progressed to avoid aggravating the shoulder.
Ongoing support. Between visits, message your PT about how exercises feel or if your pain changes. Your program is adjusted regularly as your shoulder recovers.
What to expect
Your first visit is about 60 minutes over video. You'll leave understanding what's happening in your shoulder and with a plan to start improving immediately. Most shoulder conditions see meaningful progress within 6-8 weeks.
Insurance accepted for shoulder pain
Physical therapy for shoulder pain is covered by most major insurance plans. You pay your normal copay — nothing extra for telehealth visits.
MedicareBlue Shield of CaliforniaAnthem Blue CrossCignaAetnaUnitedHealthcareHumanaTRICARE
Don't see your plan? Check your coverage — we accept many more.
Home visits for shoulder pain
In Los Angeles, Ventura, and San Diego counties, a licensed physical therapist can also come to your home. In-home physical therapy for shoulder pain lists the physical therapists who treat it and the neighborhoods they drive to.