Shoulder / Neck Pain

A Message From Dr. Sarah O'Reilly, DPT, CF-L1, USAT-L1, Owner and Founder of Dimensions Physical Therapy

People we interact with frequently inquire about the following aspects concerning the experience of living with neck and shoulder pain:

"What Is The Reason Behind My Current Predicament?" or Why Am I Still Grappling With Neck And Shoulder Pain Even After Enduring It For Six Months Or More?"

The common belief among most individuals is that if they encounter discomfort in their neck or shoulders, it will eventually vanish without any intervention. They anticipate waking up one morning and finding that the pain has disappeared as if it never occurred. However, the harsh reality sets in when six months elapse, and the pain persists, becoming even more unbearable than its initial onset.

Do You Experience a Similar Situation?

When individuals visit the doctor, they are often advised to rest and “try these painkillers” to “observe the progress.” This scenario is a common occurrence in our physical therapy clinic. However, after six weeks pass without improvement, they return to the same doctor, only to receive ANOTHER prescription for even stronger medication.

Has This Ever Happened to You?

Perhaps you are uncertain what steps to take because different individuals have provided conflicting advice. You may believe your neck is the issue, but it could be your shoulder. Identifying the exact source of pain in the neck and shoulders can be challenging, causing people to delay making decisions regarding pain relief. Unfortunately, many individuals simply accept it as a normal part of life, assuming it is inevitable.

Do You Relate to These Experiences?

If You Are Dealing With Persistent Neck Or Shoulder Pain, Here Are Seven Additional Reasons Why It Might Be Lingering Longer Than Expected:

You initially hoped the pain would resolve independently, but it persisted.
After visiting the doctor, you were advised to rest and take painkillers. However, the medication provided only temporary relief, and once it wore off, the discomfort in your neck and shoulders returned.
A family member or friend mentioned that neck and shoulder pain is a common part of aging, leading you to accept it as normal.
In the past, you sought help from other doctors or a physical therapist, but their advice or treatments didn’t seem to alleviate the pain.
You attempted various remedies, such as heating pads and TENS units, but they offered no relief.
Considering the intensity of your neck or shoulder pain, you decided it would be best to rest. However, the pain persists and bothers you daily.
You received several massages in an attempt to alleviate the pain, but they only provided temporary relaxation and didn’t address the underlying issue.

We are eager to assist you if any of these situations sound familiar. We invite you to schedule a call with one of our Physical Therapists to explore potential solutions for your condition. The fact that you have already tried these methods indicates that we have a clearer understanding of what doesn’t work, bringing us closer to finding what does.

Click the link below to book a call with us and receive valuable advice:

The Following Question Frequently Arises:

"What Steps Can You Take to Alleviate Neck and Shoulder Pain?"

Here are four suggestions to consider:

First and foremost, make the decision to seek assistance. Many individuals delay seeking help for their neck and shoulder pain, believing that it will eventually subside. However, after six months, they still endure the discomfort, with little to no improvement or worsening symptoms.
Engage in appropriate exercises. One of the most effective methods to relieve neck and/or shoulder pain is to perform a tailored series of progressive exercises. These exercises, recommended by a Physical Therapist, will aid in pain reduction, restore your freedom of movement, and minimize the likelihood of recurring issues.
Avoid sitting or sleeping in uncomfortable positions. Have you ever woken up with a sore neck in the morning? Or experienced tightness in your shoulders after a prolonged period of sitting? This discomfort often stems from adopting awkward postures while sitting or sleeping. Alongside hands-on treatment, learning specific exercises that strengthen your muscles and promote better posture would greatly benefit you. This, in turn, will expedite your return to an active and healthy lifestyle.
Seek hands-on physical therapy. Individuals with neck and shoulder pain have consistently shown positive outcomes with physical therapy. At Dimensions Physical Therapy, we frequently encounter such cases. If your neck and/or shoulder pain hampers your ability to perform your job, disrupts your sleep due to tightness or tension, impedes your physical activities, threatens your independence, or limits quality time with loved ones, physiotherapy can assist you in swiftly reclaiming the fulfilling life you deserve.

Suppose you are curious how the Physical Therapy team at Dimensions Physical Therapy can help reduce your neck or shoulder pain. In that case, we encourage you to begin with a complimentary, risk-free appointment at our clinic in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This consultation carries no obligations and allows you to explore the possibilities.

Note: We offer a Free Total Body Diagnostic session specifically for individuals who feel uncertain or anxious about Physical Therapy and are unsure if it will benefit them. If this resonates with you, we encourage you to start with this complimentary session so we can assist you in identifying the issue and exploring potential solutions without any financial commitment.

Now, let's address the question:

"How Can Dimensions Physical Therapy Help Eliminate Neck and/or Shoulder Pain?"

Swift pain and stiffness relief: Typically, we can alleviate your pain and stiffness within just a few sessions.
Efficient diagnosis: We specialize in identifying the root cause of your shoulder pain, often in less than 20 minutes, allowing us to develop a targeted treatment plan.
Enhanced sleep and energy: Pain can drain your energy and disrupt your sleep. Our therapies can help you sleep better, and experience increased energy levels daily.
Effective healing and exercises: We ensure that your problem is addressed correctly and healed, providing tailored exercises to expedite your recovery.
Reduced reliance on painkillers: Our treatments aim to reduce or eliminate the need for long-term painkiller use, promoting overall health and well-being.
Long-term resolution: Our goal is to uncover the underlying causes of your shoulder pain and provide lasting relief.
Avoidance of invasive procedures: We can help you circumvent painful injections and the risks associated with neck or shoulder surgery.
Minimized wait times: By visiting our clinic, you can avoid the extended wait times often experienced in doctor's offices.
Regained quality time with loved ones: We strive to help you regain the ability to spend meaningful time with family and friends, free from neck and shoulder pain.
Restful sleep: Our treatments aim to alleviate your discomfort, allowing you to enjoy a good night's sleep without tossing and turning.

In essence, the Physical Therapy Team at Dimensions Physical Therapy can assist you in alleviating your daily, bothersome, and persistent neck and shoulder pain, empowering you to reclaim your life.

If you are interested in learning about the cost of our services or checking for availability at our Cambridge, Massachusetts clinic, please click the button below and complete the brief form provided.

What People Say About Dimensions PT

I highly recommend choosing Sarah as your physical therapist. Not only is she a great listener who pays attention to detail, she’s also really nice and down to Earth! The help I received from Sarah improved the quality of my life and I can’t thank her enough.

Sarah created an amazing PT space ideal for any athlete!! She is driven, kind, and determined to help her clients get stronger; would highly recommend!!

Sarah has been instrumental in helping me achieve pain-free workout sessions, and keeping my activity in the gym productive by helping me find ways to continue working out without causing myself further injury. Her variety of services, combined with her knowledge, really make her a 1-stop shop for me and is super convenient. Love having her in my corner. You will too.

Dr. Sarah O'Reilly is a wonderful physical therapist, and I would highly recommend her to any athlete looking for preventative or recovery treatment. You'll receive attentive care from a practitioner who understands the strains of training. Furthermore, Dimensions is a state-of-the-art facility. If you're considering physical therapy, look no further than Dimensions PT!

Encouraging, great attitude, key awareness of needs for athletes! Awesome office space for appointments with all the equipment you could need. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking to recover from or prevent an injury.

Sarah is very personable and accommodating. Her attention doesn't end with your session. She maintains communication and shares information to educate and support you.

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