In October 2021, I underwent shoulder surgery to address a nagging pain that had slowly but persistently worsened over the years. My shoulder journey began earlier that year when I shifted my workout style. I had been following a bodybuilding-focused routine but decided to try something new and more intense: high-intensity interval training (HIIT) at Orangetheory Fitness. That change brought a fresh challenge, but unfortunately, it also led me down an unexpected road of pain, surgery, and a long journey to discover what was really going on with my shoulder, eventually leading me to explore physical therapy in Altamonte Springs.
Before joining Orangetheory, I’d already noticed some discomfort in my right shoulder. It wasn’t constant, just something I’d feel every so often in certain movements, the kind of ache you figure might go away with some rest or stretching. But after a few weeks at Orangetheory, the discomfort escalated. The fast-paced, overhead movements common in HIIT seemed to aggravate it more, even when I scaled back on certain exercises. I tried taking breaks and giving myself time to heal. I even put myself on a self-designed rehab routine, hoping that targeted exercises would strengthen whatever weak links might be causing the pain. At that point, I wondered if finding an Altamonte Springs physical therapy clinic or searching “physical therapy near me” could help with my persistent discomfort.
For a while, that seemed to work. The pain dulled, and I’d get back to my workouts, but every time, without fail, the pain would return, and it felt worse. It became a cycle of short-lived relief followed by familiar, persistent pain. If I’d known then about natural pain relief methods through physical therapy, my approach to the problem might have changed much earlier.
Feeling at a loss, I decided it was time to consult a professional. An orthopedic surgeon examined my shoulder and diagnosed me with osteolysis of the distal clavicle. This essentially means that the end of my collarbone was structurally weakened, a condition often associated with repetitive overhead lifting. I was told that surgery would help remove the damaged bone tissue and relieve my pain, and, feeling desperate for relief, I decided to go through with it, hoping that back pain relief in Altamonte Springs or some other resource might help me get back to my active lifestyle after the operation.
I had high hopes that the surgery would get me back to my workouts pain-free. But the reality was much different. Even a year later, I was still dealing with the same pain and limitations in the gym. My frustration grew as I realized that the surgery hadn’t addressed the problem. It felt like I’d undergone a procedure, not for the root cause, but rather for the symptom—something I only understood fully after diving deeper into shoulder mechanics and stability training, the kind of insight often emphasized in specialized physical therapy, including in treatments for sciatica or knee pain treatment options I’d read about.
Over time, I decided to take my recovery into my own hands. I started studying shoulder mechanics more closely, hoping that education could reveal a solution the surgery hadn’t. Through this research, I found that my shoulder blade stabilizers—key muscles that support shoulder movements, especially overhead—were weak and unengaged. This weakness was forcing my shoulder to bear the load in a way it simply couldn’t handle. I realized then that a dedicated Altamonte Springs physical therapy clinic or sports rehabilitation center might have saved me from this long process if I’d explored it sooner.
For a few months, I devoted myself to strengthening these stabilizer muscles. This training involved specific exercises to target the muscle groups around my shoulder blade, movements designed to improve stability and control rather than just strength. Slowly but surely, my shoulder pain faded. By the end, I was pain-free and stronger than I’d ever been with overhead lifts. I also became familiar with more advanced methods like manual therapy, which physical therapists often use to address mobility issues, especially post-surgical care and spine health concerns.
Reflecting on my experience, I see now that my surgery might have been avoided entirely if we’d uncovered the true cause of my shoulder pain from the start. The surgeon did what many orthopedic specialists are trained to do—addressed what appeared to be the problem on an X-ray. But there was so much more going on. If I had initially sought an evaluation for back pain relief in Altamonte Springs or consulted professionals who offered comprehensive assessments similar to what you find in physical therapy for knee pain or spine issues, I might have understood my functional limitations sooner.
I believe that in many cases, orthopedic surgeons focus on “fixing” what they see in scans or images, often without a deeper evaluation to understand why that problem is happening in the first place. If my surgeon had spent even a few more minutes during my pre-op appointments, perhaps they’d have investigated the muscular imbalances around my shoulder blade and identified my stability issues. Instead, we jumped to surgery as the solution, when in reality, no amount of cutting would fix what was a functional problem.
This experience opened my eyes to how often surgeries may be performed without addressing the real underlying cause. In the case of shoulders, it could be a cervical spine issue referring pain down, an imbalance in the stabilizer muscles around the shoulder blade, or countless other functional deficits. It’s no wonder so many people feel only partially recovered after shoulder surgery, as many of these procedures may not solve the root problem but instead treat what’s easiest to see on an image. Comprehensive treatments available in physical therapy, from lower back pain relief to stiff neck treatment, are often focused on addressing the root cause of pain, which is something I wish I’d considered.
If I could share one piece of advice for anyone dealing with chronic pain, especially in complex joints like the shoulder, it would be this: take the time to explore every aspect of the issue. Work with professionals who understand functional movement and stability and can help you identify the cause, not just the symptom. Surgery can be life-changing when it’s necessary, but it’s not always the answer—sometimes, the best solution is to dig a little deeper. Natural pain relief methods like those found in Altamonte Springs physical therapy services can be transformative if the root issue is muscular or structural.
While I regret going through surgery for what turned out to be a functional issue, I’m grateful for what I’ve learned along the way. Today, my shoulder is stronger than ever, and my understanding of my body has deepened immensely. For anyone facing a similar struggle, I hope my experience reminds you to seek the whole truth about your pain. It might just save you from an unnecessary surgery and open up a more effective path to healing.
