Physical treatment of the painful arm and shoulder.

Abstract

Treatment of a painful shoulder should be preceded by careful diagnostic study. It is convenient to divide the pathological conditions that can cause pain in the shoulder into those that do and those that do not cause limitation of shoulder motion. Wherever feasible, physical therapy is directed toward the cause of the pain. For maximal effectiveness from physical therapy, the treatments should be administered by a fully qualified physical therapist. The physician who prescribes such treatment must exert sound clinical judgment in selecting the specific procedures to be utilized and the frequency and duration of the treatment so that the desired results can be achieved without exceeding the physical tolerance of the patient.