Study of the Effect of Neck Treatment on Shoulder Impingement

The purpose of this pilot study is to conduct research to determine the most effective physical therapy treatment for a condition called shoulder impingement. This condition occurs when tissue in the shoulder is caught between the humerus (arm bone) and the scapula (shoulder blade). This causes pain when one tries to reach overhead or behind the back. Two treatment methods will be used in the study. The first method uses the traditional treatments of hands-on shoulder stretching, shoulder exercise, posture, and education. The second method will use the traditional methods of shoulder treatment in addition to treatment of the cervical spine. It is hypothesized that a group of patients between 40 and 70 years of age with signs and symptoms of shoulder impingement who receive physical therapy to the cervical spine and shoulder will report a higher level of functioning, will report less pain, and will gain more range of motion than a group of patients receiving physical therapy solely to the shoulder.