Physical Therapy for Shoulder Pain: Complete Guide

Approximately 25% of adults experience shoulder pain at some point in their lives. Physical therapy is the first line of treatment for most shoulder conditions and can help avoid surgery in the vast majority of cases. This guide explores how physical therapy relieves shoulder pain, which techniques work, and why therapeutic exercise often outperforms more invasive interventions.

What is shoulder physical therapy and how does it work?

Shoulder physical therapy combines manual techniques, therapeutic exercises, and treatment modalities to reduce pain, restore mobility, and prevent recurrence. Clinical guidelines strongly recommend therapeutic exercise as the first-line treatment for subacromial shoulder pain^.

In Quebec, physical therapy is a regulated health profession specializing in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.

Your physical therapist begins with a comprehensive assessment. How does your shoulder move? Where is the pain located? What movements trigger it? This assessment reveals dysfunctional movement patterns, muscle weaknesses, and joint stiffness.

Research shows that 75% of patients combining exercise and manual therapy report significant improvement at 52 weeks, compared to 47% with exercise alone^.

Unlike medications that temporarily mask pain, physical therapy treats the mechanisms that cause it for lasting recovery.

What shoulder conditions can be treated with physical therapy?

Physical therapy effectively treats rotator cuff tendinopathy, bursitis, capsulitis, dislocations, impingement syndrome, acromioclavicular sprains, calcific tendinopathy, and partial tears.

Shoulder capsulitis occurs when the joint capsule thickens and shrinks. It progresses in three phases: freeze (2-9 months), jelly (2-6 months), and thaw (6-24 months). Levine et al. reported that 89.5% of patients respond well to conservative treatment.³ Rotator cuff tendinopathy is a common cause of shoulder pain. Tendons become problematic as a result of overuse or repetitive movements. Physical therapy gradually strengthens these tendons to improve their load-bearing capacity. Subacromial bursitis involves inflammation of the bursa located between the shoulder blade and the rotator cuff tendons. Prompt treatment provides relief within a few weeks. Shoulder dislocation occurs when the head of the humerus slips out of its socket. After reduction, physical therapy stabilizes the shoulder and prevents recurrence. Hooking syndrome occurs when the tendons of the rotator cuff become trapped under the acromion. Conservative measures are successful in 60 to 90% of cases.⁴ Acromioclavicular sprain affects the joint between the collarbone and the shoulder blade. This injury often occurs when falling on the shoulder. Calcific tendinopathy is characterized by calcium deposits in the tendons of the rotator cuff. These deposits often resolve spontaneously. Rotator cuff tear may be partial or complete. Many tears achieve excellent results without surgery, particularly small and medium tears in people over 55 years of age.

What treatment techniques does the physical therapist use for the shoulder?

The physical therapist combines manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, complementary modalities, and posture education to treat your shoulder.

Manual therapy

Your physical therapist uses their hands to mobilize the joint, release muscle tension, and improve tissue gliding. Joint mobilizations apply precise movements to the glenohumeral joint or shoulder blade. Soft tissue techniques release tension in the muscles and fascia.

A systematic review from 2024 shows that manual therapy combined with exercises significantly reduces pain and improves shoulder function.⁵

Therapeutic exercises

Exercise is at the heart of treatment. A systematic review of 2024 studies indicates that motor control exercise programs slightly outperform non-specific programs.⁶

Your physical therapist prescribes exercises that: - Strengthen the rotator cuff muscles and shoulder blade stabilizers - Stretch shortened structures that limit your mobility - Improve neuromuscular control and proprioception - Correct dysfunctional movement patterns

Additional terms and conditions

Heat relaxes muscles and improves circulation. Ice reduces inflammation and acute pain. Ultrasound promotes deep tissue healing. These modalities complement manual techniques and exercises without replacing them.

Education and modification of activities

Your physical therapist explains what is causing your pain and how to temporarily modify your activities to promote healing.

Do physical therapy treatments for the shoulder hurt?

Treatments do not usually cause pain. You may experience slight discomfort during certain mobilizations or exercises. Your physical therapist will always adjust the intensity according to your tolerance. Slight sensitivity after the session is normal and temporary.

During manual techniques, mobilizations may create slight pressure or stretching. Some release techniques may cause sensitivity similar to deep massage, generally described as "unpleasant but beneficial."

Pain scale for exercises:

After your first session, you may experience mild muscle soreness for 24 to 48 hours. If your pain worsens significantly or persists for more than 48 hours, contact your physical therapist.

What happens during a physical therapy session for the shoulder?

A session typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes and includes an assessment, manual treatment techniques, supervised therapeutic exercises, and recommendations for exercises to do at home.

What happens during the initial assessment?

The physical therapist collects your medical history, analyzes your symptoms, and performs a complete physical examination. This examination assesses mobility and strength and includes specific tests. The physical therapist then develops a personalized treatment plan.

The physical examination assesses your active and passive range of motion, tests the strength of different muscles, and performs specific orthopedic tests to identify which structure is involved.

At the end, your physical therapist will make a clinical diagnosis and present a clear treatment plan that includes the frequency of sessions, the estimated duration, and specific goals.

What happens during a typical follow-up session?

Subsequent sessions last 30 to 45 minutes. They begin with an update on your progress. Manual treatment usually takes 10 to 15 minutes, followed by 15 to 20 minutes of supervised exercises. The session ends with a review of your home program.

Wear comfortable clothing that exposes your shoulder: a tank top or short-sleeved T-shirt.

How many physical therapy sessions are needed to relieve shoulder pain?

The number of sessions varies depending on the condition: 3 to 6 sessions for acute irritation, 12 to 20 sessions for rotator cuff tendinopathy, and prolonged follow-up for capsulitis. The typical frequency is 1 to 3 sessions per week.

Acute irritation or recent bursitis can improve significantly in 3 to 6 sessions over 2 to 4 weeks.

More established rotator cuff tendinopathy generally requires 12 to 20 sessions over 6 to 12 weeks. The good news is that most people see a noticeable improvement within the first few weeks.

Capsulitis requires long-term monitoring. This condition naturally evolves over 15 to 30 months. Physical therapy minimizes pain and maintains maximum mobility.

After a dislocation or surgery, rehabilitation typically lasts 4 to 6 months.

Approximately 25% of shoulder pain improves spontaneously within 4 to 6 weeks. However, physical therapy accelerates recovery and reduces the risk of recurrence.

Factors influencing duration:

- Severity of the condition - Chronicity of the problem - Adherence to home exercises - Aggravating factors at work or during activities

Can physical therapy prevent shoulder surgery?

Yes, physical therapy can often help you avoid surgery. Studies show that for many conditions, the long-term results are comparable to those of surgery.

For capsulitis, approximately 94% of cases heal without surgery.

For small and medium rotator cuff tears, a randomized study from 2020 found no significant difference in functional outcomes at 12 months between surgery and physical therapy (p=0.68).⁷

For impingement syndrome, the 2025 JOSPT guideline recommends NOT performing subacromial decompression surgery (level A recommendation). This surgery offers no advantages over placebo surgery.⁸

Situations that may benefit from surgery:

- Complete tears in young, active individuals - Tears that enlarge despite conservative treatment - Significant loss of function after 3 to 6 months of physical therapy - Recurrent dislocations in young athletes - Severe traumatic injuries

The current recommendation is clear: try physical therapy first for 3 to 6 months before considering surgery.⁹

When should you see a physical therapist for shoulder pain?

Consult a physical therapist if your pain persists for more than 5 to 7 days, limits your daily activities, prevents you from sleeping, or if you have suffered a trauma.

Consult quickly (within 5 to 7 days) if:

- Your pain persists for more than 5 to 7 days without improvement - The pain limits your activities: getting dressed, washing, working - You cannot sleep on your shoulder or the pain wakes you up at night - You have suffered trauma: a fall, impact, violent movement - Your shoulder has gradually frozen - You feel weakness in your arm

Red flags requiring urgent medical evaluation:

- Severe pain after major trauma with visible deformity - Complete inability to move the arm after a fall - Shoulder pain with fever and chills - Shoulder pain with chest pain, shortness of breath, or jaw pain

When can you wait?

If your pain is mild, recent (less than 5 days), and gradually improving, use this time to temporarily modify your activities, apply ice, and maintain gentle movement.

In Quebec, direct access to physical therapists facilitates early consultation. No doctor's referral is required.

What physical therapy exercises can I do at home for my shoulder?

Your physical therapist will prescribe personalized exercises to do 2 to 3 times a day. These exercises generally include gentle stretching, pendulum mobility exercises, and progressive strengthening with resistance bands.

Home exercises are the most important part of treatment. You see your physical therapist 1 to 3 hours per week. What you do during the other 165 hours has a greater impact on your recovery.

Mobility exercises

Pendulum exercises use gravity to gently mobilize your shoulder without muscle tension. Lean forward with your arm hanging down, then initiate small circles. Stretching restores lost range of motion.

Strengthening exercises

Strengthening the cap generally involves using elastic bands or small weights. Exercises include external and internal rotations and abduction in the plane of the shoulder blade. Strengthening the shoulder blade targets the middle and lower trapezius, serratus anterior, and rhomboids.

Frequency and management of pain

For optimal results, do your exercises 2 to 3 times a day, 10 to 15 minutes per session. It is better to do 10 minutes three times a day than all at once.

Mild discomfort (2-3/10) is acceptable. Pain rated 5+/10 indicates that you are exceeding your capacity. Reduce the range of motion, resistance, or repetitions.

How much does physical therapy for the shoulder cost in Quebec?

In Quebec, a session costs between $95 and $140. An initial assessment generally costs between $115 and $120. Most private insurance plans cover these costs. Work-related accidents (CNESST) and traffic accidents (SAAQ) are fully covered.

Typical private insurance coverage ranges from $500 to $2,000 per year. Some plans cover 80% or 100% of costs up to an annual maximum.

In Quebec, you do not need a medical prescription to consult a physiotherapist. Access is direct. However, some insurance companies require a prescription for reimbursement.

A physical therapy program that solves your problem permanently is an excellent investment.

What is the difference between a physical therapist and a chiropractor when it comes to treating the shoulder?

Physical therapists specialize in functional rehabilitation using therapeutic exercises and manual techniques. Chiropractors focus on spinal adjustments. For shoulder problems, physical therapy is generally recommended because it directly targets muscle and joint rehabilitation.

Shoulder problems rarely require spinal adjustments. They mainly benefit from gradual strengthening and restoration of local joint mobility.

International clinical guidelines recommend therapeutic exercise as the first-line treatment for shoulder pain.

How does physical therapy help you return to your activities and sports?

Physical therapy helps you return to your activities by following a structured progression: controlling pain and restoring mobility, strengthening stabilizing muscles, then gradually reintroducing movements specific to your sport or work.

Phase 1 focuses on reducing pain and restoring normal range of motion. You temporarily modify your activities but maintain movement within comfortable ranges. Phase 2 Develops the ability of your muscles and tendons to tolerate loads with exercises of increasing resistance. Phase 3 Reintroduce the specific movements involved in your activity. A swimmer progresses from dry land exercises to movements in the water. A manual laborer simulates work movements with increasing loads. Objective criteria for progression:

- Full range of motion without pain - Restored muscle strength (≥90% of unaffected side) - Specific movements without compensation - No pain after progressive simulations

Physical therapy identifies the factors that contributed to your initial injury and corrects them to make you more resilient.

How to begin your physical therapy treatment for your shoulder?

To get started, make an appointment directly with a physical therapist without a medical prescription in Quebec. Contact Physioactif for a personalized assessment and a treatment plan tailored to your condition.

During your first visit to Physioactif, your physical therapist will conduct a comprehensive assessment, provide a clear clinical diagnosis, and explain the cause of your pain in understandable terms.

You will receive honest answers about recovery time, the possibility of avoiding surgery, and your return to activities.

The approach at Physioactif combines expert manual therapy, evidence-based progressive exercise prescriptions, and in-depth education. The goal: to restore your full function, prevent recurrence, and empower you to manage your musculoskeletal health independently.

References

1. Hanratty CE, et al. "An Update of Systematic Reviews Examining the Effectiveness of Conservative Physical Therapy Interventions for Subacromial Shoulder Pain." J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2020;50(3):131-141.

2. Pieters L, et al. "Adding Manual Therapy to an Exercise Program Improves Long-Term Patient Outcomes Over Exercise Alone in Patients With Subacromial Shoulder Pain." JOSPT Open. 2023.

3. Levine WN, et al. "Nonoperative management of idiopathic adhesive capsulitis." J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2007;16(5):569-573.

4. "Shoulder Impingement Syndrome." StatPearls. NCBI Bookshelf. 2024.

5. "Effectiveness of manual therapy on shoulder pain and function in patients with rotator cuff injuries." Spandidos Publications. 2024.

6. "The Efficacy of Exercise Therapy for Rotator Cuff-Related Shoulder Pain According to the FITT Principle." J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2024.

7. Ryosa A, et al. "Surgery or conservative treatment for rotator cuff tear: a meta-analysis." PubMed. 2020.

8. "Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy Diagnosis, Nonsurgical Medical Care, and Rehabilitation: A Clinical Practice Guideline." J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2025.

9. "A Narrative Review of Rotator Cuff Tear Management: Surgery Versus Conservative Treatment." PMC. 2024.