Relieve Post-Shoveling Discomfort with Physical Therapy: Effective Solutions for Shoulder Pain
Winter weekends often mean shoveling snow, but the aftermath can leave you with back or shoulder discomfort. If you're experiencing tightness or pain in your shoulders after a shoveling session, don't worry—Physical Therapy has effective solutions to help alleviate your discomfort. In this blog post, we'll explore how techniques such as Dry Needling, manual therapy, and cupping can prove highly effective in reducing post-shoveling pain.
Understanding Post-Shoveling Discomfort
Shoveling snow can take a toll on your muscles, particularly in the shoulders and back. The repetitive movements and strain on these muscle groups can lead to tightness and discomfort. Fortunately, Physical Therapy offers targeted solutions to address these issues. Shoveling is an unfamiliar movement, and people often compensate using smaller muscles in their shoulders or twist their spine instead of using leg muscles.
Dry Needling: Precision in Pain Relief
One effective technique employed by Physical Therapists is Dry Needling. This involves the insertion of thin needles into trigger points or tight muscles. While it may sound similar to acupuncture, Dry Needling focuses on releasing tension in muscles and stimulating a healing response. The result? Reduced pain and improved flexibility in the shoulders. Trigger points often develop with an unfamiliar repetitive motion, which definitely fits into shoveling.
Manual Therapy: Hands-On Healing
Manual therapy is another key component of Physical Therapy. Through hands-on techniques like massage, joint mobilization, and stretching, a physical therapist can manipulate joints and soft tissues. This not only improves range of motion but also helps in reducing muscle tightness, offering relief from post-shoveling discomfort. After manual therapy physical therapists prescribe specific exercises to re educate the muscles which also helps with pain reduction.
Cupping: Enhancing Blood Flow
Cupping is a therapy gaining popularity for its ability to enhance blood flow and reduce muscle stiffness. During cupping sessions, cups are placed on the skin, creating suction to lift underlying tissues. Though temporary marks resembling bruises may appear, the therapy itself is known for promoting healing and providing relief from shoulder pain.
Post-Shoveling Tips for Overall Wellness
In addition to these therapeutic techniques, it's essential to adopt post-shoveling practices that contribute to overall wellness:
Warm-up before shoveling to prepare your muscles for physical activity.
Lift with your legs, not your back, to minimize strain on the spine.
To protect the joints in your spine, move the shovel while it is close to your body instead or having it out in front of you.
Take breaks during shoveling to avoid overexertion.
Consider applying ice or heat to the affected area based on your specific needs.
Consultation with a Physical Therapist
If post-shoveling discomfort persists more than 7-10 days, or the pain is sharp and not decreasing, seeking the guidance of a Physical Therapist is highly recommended, as they are movement experts. A professional assessment can identify specific issues and lead to a personalized treatment plan, including targeted exercises to prevent future pain. Wisconsin is a direct access Physical Therapy state, so a referral from a physician is not needed.
Don't let post-shoveling discomfort linger. Physical Therapy offers effective and tailored solutions to alleviate tightness or pain in your shoulders. Whether it's dry needling, manual therapy, or cupping, or developing an individualized stretching program these techniques, combined with proper post-shoveling practices, can help you enjoy winter activities pain-free. Consult with a Physical Therapist for personalized care and take the first step towards a more comfortable and active winter season.
Make your physical therapy appointment with us today! Join us at our two locations: Whitefish Bay and Hales Corners.