Floss Away Your Shoulder Pain with Evidence Based Physical Therapy Techniques

What is evidence- based medicine? How can it help you get out of musculoskeletal pain?
Evidence-based physical therapy (EBPT) has been defined as “physiotherapy informed by relevant high quality clinical research” (Herbert, Jamtvedt, Mead & Hagen, 2005, p. 1).
“The practice of evidence-based physiotherapy should be informed by the integration of relevant high quality clinical research, patients’ preferences and physiotherapists’ practice knowledge” (Herbert, p. 2).
In the event that high quality clinical research is not available, good practice must make use of other sources of information such as peers, practice guidelines, practice knowledge, and any other lower quality research to inform action in practice.
Why practice (EBPT)? The practice of EBPT really comes from making the “cost effectiveness of physiotherapeutic intervention in comparison with other … treatment, or no treatment at all” make clinical sense (Koes, 1997).
Another reason for the existence of EBPT, is because it is “the best strategy clinicians can use to cope with the potential chaos and uncertainty of modern clinical practice, and to meet the ethical imperative of providing the best possible care for our patients” (Sherrington, Moseley & Herbert, 2001, p. 125).
Goals of (EBPT). Following evidence based practice procedures helps to:
• make sure that all decisions made for patient care take into account “the best available evidence”
• better plan and evaluate service delivery
• better analyze research studies and direct those findings to better care
• take better measurement and do interpretation of outcomes to provide the best care possible
• provide better patient information
• better understand the reasons for lack of compliance by patients in relation to their PT care
• accurately gauge the relationship between patients and physical therapists and its effect on health-related outcomes.
• develop theories based on evidence in practice.
Evidence Based Physical Therapy research and hands on treatments have substantiated that the below mentioned modalities when performed by a skilled licensed physical therapist will improve shoulder range of motion, improve strength, decrease pain and improve functional daily activities. These modalities include: strengthening exercises for scaplular stabilizers (serratus anterior, rhomboids, middle and lower trapezius) and rotator cuff muscles; soft tissue mobilization (massage) especially to the pec. Minor, supraspinatus/infraspinatus/subscapularis; gentle glenohumeral joint mobilizations; and self capsular mobilization with tennis ball as I demonstrate in this video…..CLICK HERE to see how you can floss away your pain.
If you would like more information about how you can help yourself get out of pain or would like to consult with me regarding Physical Therapy for your shoulder or other aching/painful body parts please contact me at gregsterner@fitnesstogether.com or call 619.756.7500.
Greg Sterner, Licensed Physical Therapist, Owner
Fitness Together Point Loma @ Liberty Station