Sprained Your Shoulder?
We Can Help
Are you experiencing shoulder pain? Shoulder discomfort can stem from any number of causes, and if you want to find relief, it’s important to determine exactly what that cause is. One potential source of shoulder pain is a sprain of your acromioclavicular (AC) joint.
The name might be a mouthful, but it hints at which specific part of your shoulder is affected. Your acromion is the highest part of your shoulder blade and is where your clavicle (collarbone) connects to the shoulder blade. Two sets of ligaments bind the two bones together.
When you injure your ligaments, it’s known as a sprain. You can sprain your AC joint just as you can any other joint in your body–and Mana Physical Therapy can help you find relief!
How Do I Know I Sprained my AC Joint?
The most common symptom of an AC sprain is pain or tenderness in your shoulder. However, you might experience additional symptoms, such as the following:
- Swelling or bruising in the shoulder
- Restricted mobility (ranging from mild stiffness to severe loss in your range of motion, depending on the serenity of your sprain)
- Changes in your shoulder’s appearance, including…
- A bulge or bump in the shoulder
- A sag in the shoulder
- A collarbone that seems to move upward
AC joint sprains generally occur as the result of sports injuries or falls. Falling on an outstretched hand, direct impact to the shoulder, or falling onto the shoulder itself can all damage the AC joint.
How Mana Physical Therapy Can Help
Physical therapy alone can generally resolve mild to moderate AC sprains. A severe sprain (in which the AC ligaments rupture completely) may require surgery, although physical therapy will still play an important role in your rehabilitation.
Here’s what we can do to help:
- Manage pain through manual therapy techniques like gentle joint mobilizations
- Improve range of motion with targeted shoulder exercises
- Restore strength and stability with a tailored strength-training program
- Provide information about movement modifications, when you can safely resume activities, and how to avoid future sprains
Don’t let an AC joint sprain hold you back. Request an appointment at our East Brunswick or Lake Como, NJ clinic today to get started!
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!