Shoulder or knee pain can quickly make even simple movements, such as lifting an arm or walking up stairs, feel like a challenge. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, surgery, or just want to relieve shoulder pain and restore strength to your knee joint, physical therapy can help you move comfortably again.
At our Austin, Texas practice, fellowship-trained shoulder and sports medicine surgeon Benjamin W. Szerlip, DO, provides comprehensive physical therapy solutions for both the shoulder and knee. Contact our team today to schedule your personalized evaluation and start moving toward a pain-free life.
“Great staff at reception area. Very pleasant and professional medical staff. Wait time was appropriate. I appreciate Dr. Szerlip’s approach. He answered all my concerns. I’ll continue to receive steroid injections as long as they’re helpful. Then will work to create a plan to maintain my shoulder function. So, no complaints.” — Gretchen H.
When you begin physical therapy for shoulder pain, your doctor or physical therapist will use a combination of targeted techniques to relieve pain, restore function, and strengthen the shoulder joint. These evidence-based treatments are designed to improve motion, reduce stiffness, and prevent future injuries.
Gentle, controlled movements—both active (performed by you) and passive (assisted by your therapist)—help reduce stiffness and increase flexibility in the shoulder joint. These movements are essential for restoring motion, particularly in patients with frozen shoulder or limited mobility after an injury or surgery.
Your therapist may guide you through pendulum swings, where you gently swing the injured arm while leaning forward slightly, or assisted stretches using the opposite hand to gently pull the arm across the body.
Once your initial pain and stiffness improve, your therapist will introduce strengthening exercises for the rotator cuff, deltoids, and scapular stabilizers. These exercises help support the shoulder blade, rotator cuff tendons, and surrounding muscles to improve shoulder stability and prevent future injuries.
Examples include external rotations with a resistance band or controlled arm lifts to shoulder height, where you will be asked to slowly raise and slowly lower your arm.
To restore balance and improve posture, stretching exercises target tight muscles in the chest, back, and shoulders. An example of a chest stretch would be to stand facing a doorway with your arms stretched out against the wall on either side. As you lean into the doorway, you will feel the strength in your chest.
Your therapist may use gentle, hands-on techniques to move the shoulder joint, shoulder blade, and collarbone through their natural motions. These small, precise adjustments help increase joint flexibility, reduce stiffness, and improve the shoulder’s overall range of motion. This approach is particularly beneficial when scar tissue or frozen shoulder has limited your mobility.
This hands-on treatment targets tension in the muscles and connective tissues around the shoulder and neck. By addressing muscle tightness and spasms, soft tissue mobilization promotes relaxation, increases blood flow, and supports recovery. It can also help improve posture and relieve discomfort in the upper body, especially after repetitive shoulder injuries.
In addition to exercise and manual therapy, your therapist may use several pain-relief modalities to enhance healing and comfort during therapy sessions:
Each of these modalities complements your personalized treatment plan, allowing your doctor or physical therapist to adjust your care as your shoulder heals. Over time, these methods help relieve shoulder pain, restore functionality, and prevent future injuries.
Physical therapy for knee issues aims to improve motion, reduce stiffness, and prevent future injuries. Effective physical therapy exercises for knee pain include:
Post-surgical physical therapy is crucial for a full recovery. The American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends exercising for 10 to 15 minutes, 2 or 3 times a day in the early phase. Your orthopaedic surgeon or physical therapist will inform you of which exercises are appropriate for you.
Key elements of post-surgical physical therapy include the following:
The timing of your physical therapy really matters. Starting physical therapy sooner rather than later can significantly affect your outcome. In the context of shoulder pain, waiting too long can lead to a frozen shoulder, increased scar tissue, and more complex rehabilitation.
Here’s a quick guide:
Your first physical therapy appointment will generally follow these steps:
If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, knee pain, or recovering from shoulder or knee surgery and want a tailored program that addresses your upper body, hips, thighs, legs, joint motion, and strengthening, schedule an appointment today with Dr. Szerlip, your fellowship-trained shoulder and sports medicine surgeon in Austin, Texas.
We’ll design a treatment plan specifically for you—focused on restoring strength, reducing pain, and preventing future injuries. Contact our office today!
Medically reviewed by Benjamin W. Szerlip, DO
A dislocation typically causes immediate severe pain, deformity, and inability to move your arm. A strain may be painful, but usually does not cause the shoulder to look visibly out of place.
Seek medical help immediately. Avoid trying to push the joint back in yourself. Use an ice pack to reduce swelling while waiting for care.
Most patients wear a sling for a few weeks, depending on the severity of the injury and whether there was a complete dislocation.
No. Many cases improve with closed reduction and physical therapy. Surgery is usually recommended only for repeat dislocations or when there is significant tissue damage.
Yes, especially with targeted exercises aimed at strengthening shoulder muscles, improving stability, and preventing future dislocations.
