🏋️♀️ Shoulder Impingement & the Painful Arc: Why Your Shoulder Hurts
- ACHIEVE AT HOME PHYSICAL AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
- Jan 7
- 2 min read
🏋️♀️ Shoulder Impingement & the Painful Arc: Why Your Shoulder Hurts
Shoulder pain when lifting your arm—especially overhead or out to the side—is often caused by shoulder impingement syndrome, one of the most common shoulder conditions we treat.
🔬 The Science Behind Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder impingement occurs when the rotator cuff tendons and subacromial bursa become compressed between the humeral head (upper arm bone) and the acromion (part of the shoulder blade) during arm movement.
In a healthy shoulder, the rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles work together to keep the humeral head centered. When there is muscle weakness, poor posture, or altered mechanics, the humeral head can shift upward, narrowing the space and causing pinching, inflammation, and pain.
📐 What Is the “Painful Arc”?
The painful arc is a classic sign of shoulder impingement. Pain typically occurs when lifting the arm between ~60° and 120°, the range where the subacromial space is most limited. Pain often improves once the arm is raised higher or lowered.
⚠️ Why Early Treatment Matters
Without proper care, shoulder impingement can progress to rotator cuff tendinopathy or tears, chronic pain, and loss of strength and mobility.
🏠 How Achieve at Home Physical & Occupational Therapy Helps
We treat the root cause, not just the symptoms.
Physical Therapy focuses on:
• Restoring proper shoulder and scapular mechanics
• Strengthening the rotator cuff and postural muscles
• Reducing pain and inflammation with hands-on care
• Retraining healthy movement patterns
Occupational Therapy helps with:
• Modifying daily activities to reduce strain
• Ergonomic and posture education
• Safe strategies for reaching, lifting, and self-care
✔ One-on-one care
✔ No travel with shoulder pain
✔ Accepted: Traditional Medicare & most Medicare Advantage plans
📞 Achieve at Home Physical & Occupational Therapy
📍 Serving NY & CT
📞 NY: (516) 500-8998 | CT: (475) 454-4455
✨ Move better. Hurt less. Heal at home.
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