Shoulder Pain Archives - Physical Therapy Specialties

Discover EMTT: A Non-Invasive Therapy That Supports Cellular Healing and Mobility

A New Era of Recovery: What EMTT Can Do for Your Healing Journey

It’s no secret—joint stiffness, muscle aches, and slow healing can make you feel like you’re falling behind in life. When it hurts to get up in the morning or you hesitate before walking up a flight of stairs, it’s easy to wonder if you’re ever going to feel like yourself again.

Here at Physical Therapy Specialties in Pleasanton, we believe your body has the power to heal—and sometimes, it just needs the right kind of support to do so.

That’s why we’re excited to introduce a brand-new technology that helps your body recharge and recover, naturally.

Say hello to EMTT: Extracorporeal Magnetotransduction Therapy.

Let’s explore how it works, who it’s for, and why it might be just what your recovery has been missing.

What Is EMTT?

EMTT stands for Extracorporeal Magnetotransduction Therapy. It’s a non-invasive, drug-free technology that uses pulsed magnetic fields to stimulate healing at the cellular level.

Think of it like this: if your cells are a team of tired workers trying to rebuild a broken structure, EMTT gives them the energy and tools they need to do their jobs better and faster.

Unlike more surface-level treatments, EMTT penetrates deeper layers of muscle and joint tissue, targeting the areas where healing has stalled. These magnetic pulses activate your cells, encouraging them to repair damaged tissue, reduce inflammation, and regenerate function.

This is not just symptom relief. This is real, restorative progress.

How EMTT Works

When you come in for EMTT, here’s what happens:

You’ll be comfortably positioned, fully clothed, with the EMTT applicator placed near the area of concern.
The device emits high-frequency magnetic pulses, which travel into your tissue and stimulate cell metabolism.
These pulses help increase microcirculation, reduce swelling, and reawaken the body’s natural healing mechanisms.

Each session lasts around 15–20 minutes, and most patients feel completely at ease during and after the session. There’s no downtime, and you can return to your normal activities the same day.

And here’s something even better: EMTT is often combined with other therapies like Shockwave or physical therapy to amplify results.

Who Is EMTT For?

EMTT is ideal for individuals who feel “stuck” in their recovery. You may have tried exercises, rest, medications, or even injections—and while some of those helped temporarily, they didn’t lead to lasting change.

This gentle therapy offers something different. It’s especially suited for:

Adults with osteoarthritis in the knees, hips, or spine
Individuals recovering from tendon or ligament injuries
People with degenerative joint conditions or chronic inflammation
Anyone trying to avoid surgery or cut down on pain medications
Patients whose progress has plateaued during rehab

Whether you’re an older adult hoping to stay active, a parent managing daily tasks, or simply someone who wants to move through life without restriction—EMTT may be what your body’s been asking for.

Conditions EMTT Can Support

EMTT is versatile and has been clinically studied for a wide range of musculoskeletal issues. At Physical Therapy Specialties, we’re particularly excited about its potential to support the following:

🦵 Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis

Many of our patients live with stiffness or joint grinding that limits movement. EMTT can support cartilage health and reduce inflammatory responses.

💥 Tendinopathies and Chronic Overuse

Conditions like Achilles tendinitis, tennis elbow, or patellar tendinopathy respond well to EMTT by improving tendon regeneration.

🧠 Post-Surgical Recovery

If you’ve had surgery and are healing slowly, EMTT can help stimulate repair and reduce post-operative stiffness or discomfort.

🔁 Degenerative Conditions

Conditions like lumbar spine degeneration, shoulder arthritis, or cervical spine issues can benefit from the circulation and cellular boost EMTT provides.

Why People Are Talking About EMTT

This isn’t just another therapy—it’s a smart, science-backed solution for people who want to stay ahead of their health.

Here’s what patients love:

✅ It’s Non-Invasive – No needles. No scalpels. Just healing energy.
✅ Comfortable Treatments – Most people feel a light tapping or pulsing during sessions—nothing painful.
✅ No Downtime – Go about your day immediately after.
✅ Long-Term Results – EMTT is designed to promote true tissue repair, not just cover up symptoms.

And because it works at a cellular level, many patients notice improvements in strength, flexibility, and overall joint support over time.

What Makes EMTT Different?

You’ve probably heard of magnetic therapies before. So what sets EMTT apart?

Higher Energy Output: EMTT delivers over 100 times the magnetic field strength of traditional PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) therapies.
Depth of Penetration: The magnetic pulses travel deep into the body, reaching tissues that manual therapy or surface-level treatments can’t.
Cellular Focus: It doesn’t just reduce inflammation—it helps recharge your cells to function more efficiently.

Put simply, EMTT is a game-changer in the world of regenerative therapies.

What to Expect During and After Treatment

During your sessions, you’ll relax while the magnetic applicator does its work. Most patients describe a gentle tapping or pulsing sensation, but there’s no pain.

Some people notice subtle improvements after the first visit—like smoother movement or less tension—but results usually build gradually over multiple sessions.

You might be surprised at what your body can do when it’s given the right tools to heal.

Is EMTT Safe?

Yes. EMTT has been adopted widely across orthopedic and rehabilitation settings. It has no known serious side effects, and it’s safe when administered by trained professionals.

Of course, not every therapy is right for every person. That’s why we take the time to evaluate your condition, goals, and medical history before recommending treatment.

Coming Soon to Pleasanton

We’re proud to be one of the first clinics in the area offering this cutting-edge treatment.

Our staff has completed extensive training, and we’re now welcoming patients who are interested in trying EMTT. Whether you’re dealing with persistent joint stiffness, slow surgical recovery, or an old injury that won’t quit—we’d love to help you explore whether EMTT is right for you.

Take the First Step Toward Healing

At Physical Therapy Specialties, we believe healing should be natural, personalized, and empowering. EMTT reflects that philosophy beautifully.

If you’re ready to move with more confidence, improve your body’s ability to heal, and get back to doing the things you love—EMTT may be exactly what you’ve been waiting for.

We invite you to schedule a FREE Discovery Visit to learn more. Let’s chat about your goals, answer your questions, and explore your options together.

📞 Call us at (925) 417-8005
🌐 Schedule your FREE Discovery Visit here

Shockwave Therapy: The Natural Way to Restore Movement and Reduce Discomfort

Shockwave Therapy: The Support Your Healing Journey Needs

When you’re dealing with chronic irritation in a tendon, a lingering injury that just won’t heal, or stiffness that keeps you from moving the way you used to—it’s easy to feel like you’re stuck. Maybe you’ve tried stretches, rest, medication, or even other forms of therapy. But what happens when progress slows, or pain keeps returning?

That’s where Shockwave Therapy steps in.

At Physical Therapy Specialties in Pleasanton, we’re always exploring the best ways to support natural, non-invasive healing—and Shockwave Therapy is one of the most exciting tools we now have to offer.

Let’s take a deep dive into what it is, how it works, and whether it could be the right choice for your recovery.

What is Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave Therapy, also known as Radial or Focused Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), is a non-surgical treatment that delivers acoustic (sound) waves into injured tissue. These waves carry energy that helps break up tight areas, scar tissue, or calcifications while stimulating your body’s natural healing mechanisms.

Think of it like a wake-up call to dormant cells or tissues that need a boost!

This therapy has been widely studied and used across the world in rehabilitation clinics, orthopedic settings, and even sports medicine facilities. It’s FDA-cleared and safe when delivered by trained professionals.

How Does It Work?

Here’s what’s going on beneath the surface during a Shockwave Therapy session:

Stimulation of Cellular Activity: The mechanical pulses activate cellular metabolism, encouraging healing and tissue regeneration.
Increased Blood Flow: Shockwaves increase circulation in the treated area, which is critical for repairing damaged tissues.
Disruption of Scar Tissue: Chronic pain often stems from built-up scar tissue. Shockwave breaks it down gently.
Pain Reduction: The energy pulses can help desensitize irritated nerves and reset pain receptors.

The treatment is typically quick—lasting only 10 to 20 minutes—and most people require a short series of sessions (often 4 to 6) for optimal results.

Who Can Benefit From Shockwave Therapy?

This therapy is incredibly versatile, and we’ve seen great results across a wide range of concerns.

Shockwave Therapy is particularly beneficial for:

🔹 Tendon & Ligament Injuries

Achilles tendinopathy
Patellar tendinitis (“jumper’s knee”)
Plantar fasciitis
Tennis or golfer’s elbow
Rotator cuff injuries These common problems often result from overuse or repetitive strain. Shockwave provides targeted support that traditional rehab can sometimes miss.

🔹 Calcific Conditions

Shockwave Therapy is highly effective at breaking down calcium deposits, such as those found in calcific shoulder tendinitis. It can restore range of motion and function without surgical intervention.

🔹 Chronic Muscle Tightness or Trigger Points

People suffering from muscle knots, fascial tightness, or “frozen” areas of the body often find shockwave therapy helps them move more freely again.

🔹 Stress Fractures & Bone Healing

Although used more selectively, focused shockwaves may stimulate bone healing in certain stress-related injuries.

🔹 Athletes Seeking Faster Recovery

Weekend warriors and professionals alike use shockwave as part of recovery protocols to return to training faster.

🔹 Older Adults Managing Joint Stiffness

As we age, movement becomes harder. This gentle therapy supports joint mobility and helps reduce tissue degeneration by encouraging circulation and tissue repair.

What Does Shockwave Therapy Feel Like?

Most people describe it as a pulsing or tapping sensation. It’s not painful, though areas that are highly sensitive or inflamed may feel more pressure.

The beauty of Shockwave is its ability to stimulate without straining. There’s no downtime afterward—so you can walk out of your appointment and go about your day, feeling a little more hopeful (and often, a little looser).

Key Benefits of Shockwave Therapy

Let’s summarize the powerful advantages of this modality:

✅ Non-Invasive and Drug-Free

No injections, no surgery, and no medications needed. This is a completely natural approach that works with your body.

✅ Accelerated Tissue Repair

By boosting circulation and metabolism at the site of injury, your body can heal faster than with rest alone.

✅ Breakdown of Chronic Scar Tissue

If you’ve had a nagging issue that never fully resolved, scar tissue may be the culprit. Shockwave Therapy helps clear it out gently.

✅ Improved Mobility

When stiffness melts away and tissue quality improves, you move with more ease and confidence.

✅ Backed by Research

Multiple studies support Shockwave Therapy’s effectiveness in reducing symptoms of musculoskeletal injuries and improving long-term outcomes.

Is It Safe?

Yes. Shockwave Therapy is FDA-cleared for the treatment of various musculoskeletal conditions. It’s non-invasive, requires no anesthesia, and has minimal side effects (usually just slight redness or tenderness afterward).

At Physical Therapy Specialties, your safety and comfort are our top priorities. Our team is fully trained and certified to deliver this therapy in a way that’s personalized for your condition and goals.

Who Shouldn’t Use Shockwave Therapy?

While Shockwave is suitable for many, it’s not appropriate for individuals with:

Active infections or wounds in the treatment area
Blood clotting disorders or on blood thinners
Cancer near the treatment site
Pregnancy (when treating certain areas)

Before any therapy begins, we perform an evaluation to ensure you’re a good candidate.

Your Recovery Could Start Here

If you’re ready to stop just managing your condition and start changing the way your body feels and heals—Shockwave Therapy might be the next step.

Every person’s path to recovery is different. That’s why we offer a FREE Discovery Visit to help you explore if Shockwave Therapy (or another of our many services, like water therapy or EMTT) is right for you.

There’s no pressure, no obligation—just expert guidance, compassionate care, and a personalized plan.

Let’s Talk

We invite you to take that first step. If you’re curious, hopeful, or just plain tired of not feeling your best—call us. Let’s find the treatment that finally fits you.

📞 Call us at (925) 417-8005
🌐 Schedule your FREE Discovery Visit here

A Comprehensive Guide- The Most Common Cause Of Shoulder Pain

As many of you embrace the journey back to your fitness routines with refreshed enthusiasm, I’ve noticed a common thread tying some of you down – shoulder pain.

It’s a pesky companion you didn’t sign up for, right? Well, I’m here to offer you understanding and most importantly, solutions.

Understanding Our Shoulders Muscles

This joint offers a range of movement that’s unparalleled in our body, allowing us to reach, stretch, and pull in ways that are integral to our daily lives and our gym routines.

But with great mobility comes great responsibility – or, in this case, vulnerability.

The shoulder’s unique structure, a ball and socket joint with a shallow socket, relies on the rotator cuff – a group of four muscles that are the unsung heroes of shoulder stability and movement.

However, these muscles and their tendons are prone to wear and tear, leading to conditions like tendinitis or tendinosis.

It’s a common tale, yet each person’s experience with shoulder pain is as unique as their fingerprint.

The Common Cause of Shoulder Pain

Poor Workout Posture

A prevalent but often overlooked problem, poor workout posture can lead to significant shoulder and neck pain.

This issue extends beyond the gym, affecting activities such as prolonged sitting or gardening.

Addressing this requires more than the simple admonition to “sit up straight”; it demands a comprehensive approach to retrain and strengthen the body for better alignment and movement.

Physical therapy can provide life-changing assistance, offering hands-on treatment and exercises designed to correct long-standing postural issues.

Impingement

Often described as being “pinched,” impingement occurs when the rotator cuff tendons are caught between the bones of the shoulder joint.

This condition, primarily caused by repetitive impingement or faulty movements, can lead to inflammation and significant pain.

Weakness in the rotator cuff muscles exacerbates this vulnerability, emphasizing the need for these muscles to remain robust to support the shoulder’s intricate structure.

Physical therapy emerges as the premier choice for managing the discomfort caused by impingement and tendinitis.

The recovery process typically involves a mix of strengthening exercises, stretching, and direct, hands-on treatment aimed at restoring joint motion and alleviating muscle restrictions.

Rotator Cuff Tear

Tears in the rotator cuff, often a consequence of repetitive impingement or direct trauma, can severely restrict arm movement.

While some tears may heal independently with proper support, significant tears impacting function might require surgical intervention.

However, physical therapy plays a critical role in both scenarios, offering exercises and manual therapy to correct dysfunctional movements and strengthen the shoulder without surgery.

Non-surgical treatments, including ultrasound, heat, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications, can effectively manage pain and inflammation.

Neck Problems

The intricate relationship between the neck and shoulder means that issues in one can lead to pain in the other.

Tight, painful neck muscles can hinder proper shoulder blade movement, placing additional strain on the shoulder joint.

Conversely, shoulder issues can cause neck pain due to shared nerve pathways and muscle connections.

Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder)

This condition, marked by a stiff and painful shoulder joint, progresses through phases from painful freezing to eventual thawing, which can take up to two years.

The exact cause of capsulitis isn’t always clear, though it may be linked to hormonal imbalances or underlying health conditions.

Treatment begins with a comprehensive health check to rule out underlying conditions.

Physical therapy is instrumental during the thawing phase, utilizing exercises to increase motion gently and hands-on techniques to stretch the tight capsule and muscles.

Next Step: Taking Action

Shoulder pain doesn’t have to be a life sentence. At Physical Therapy Specialties, we’re dedicated to providing you with a path to relief and recovery.

Our free shoulder pain assessment offers a direct line to understanding your pain and the best steps forward.

Whether through targeted physical therapy or lifestyle adjustments, we’re here to ensure your journey back to health is supported, effective, and lasting.

Reach out today at (925) 417-8005 or visit our website to book your assessment.

Together, we can unlock your full potential for a pain-free, active lifestyle.

Even More Expert Information

Read Our Blog – OVERCOMING POST-MARATHON PAIN: TIPS TO ACHIEVE YOUR RUNNING GOALS

Read Our Blog – WHAT CAN CAUSE KNEE PAIN WITHOUT INJURY? UNDERSTANDING THE CAUSES

3 Proven Exercises For Shoulder Pain This Summer

Are you currently suffering from shoulder pain and have you been told to just rest when you were looking forward to playing golf or pickleball this summer?

It can be incredibly demoralizing to be told to just rest up if you live an active lifestyle and were looking forward to participating in sports with your friends and family.

If you’re often proactive and always looking for a solution, being told to simply rest can be more frustrating than the shoulder pain itself.

If this is you, there are easy yet effective exercises for shoulder pain that you can introduce into your daily life today, instead of just waiting for the pain to magically disappear.

This blog includes 3 of the most proven exercises for shoulder pain that almost anyone can do, from a fitness fanatic to your average Joe.

“Shoulder Pain Is Taking Over My Life”

Our team at Physical Therapy Specialities hears this on an almost daily basis.

“I could manage to begin with, but now my shoulder pain is so bad, I can’t play golf with my friends”

The likelihood is if you take part in sports such as golf or pickleball, for example, every time you swing your club or racket you’re putting added strain on your shoulders. This is gradually increasing the pain felt between or on one side of your shoulder blades.

This all means that your favorite activities will become more and more difficult every time you play, meaning that simply resting will only help you in the short term. As soon as you return to the court or field, your shoulder pain will also return!

Unless you incorporate new exercises for shoulder pain specifically, you will be destined to suffer from shoulder pain.

1st Exercise – Wall Angels

Wall Angels is an effective exercise for reducing built-up tension between your neck and shoulders, lowering your stress levels.

Stand with your back against a wall and feet slightly wider than hip-width apart.

Keeping your arms straight, raise them up the wall until they reach shoulder height, then slowly lower them back down.

Do 10 reps.

2nd Exercise – Shoulder Shrugs

Shoulder Shrugs target all three muscles of the shoulder, making it an excellent choice for overall shoulder strength.

Stand up straight with feet shoulder-width apart and arms relaxed by your sides.

Slowly lift both shoulders up towards the ceiling as far as you can, pause for a few seconds at the top before slowly lowering back down again.

Do 10 reps.

3rd Exercise – Resistance Band Shoulder Flexion

This exercise targets the deltoids, regular practice can help build muscle strength, providing better support to your shoulder joint.

Stand holding one end of a resistance band with your arm extended out in front of you at shoulder height.

Bend your elbow up as if you were hugging someone, keeping your upper arm close to your body and squeezing your shoulder blades together as you do so.

Do 10 reps and then switch arms.

Still Experiencing Pain?

Have you already tried these exercises with little to no improvement?

Or your shoulder is in so much pain, you’re struggling to perform daily tasks, never mind exercises?

If this is the case for you, it is extremely important that you contact a professional immediately!

If left unaddressed your shoulder pain will most likely become more severe and lead to a reliance on painkillers or injections to manage your pain.

The fastest way to get started on relieving your shoulder pain and a life without costly pain management techniques, is with our Free Pain and Performance Assessment.

This assessment will give you the opportunity to discuss your experiences living with shoulder pain and give our expert team the background of your pain, allowing them to identify the root cause of your problem.

By establishing the root cause, our expert physical therapists can start treating the origin of your shoulder pain, rather than the symptoms. Giving you a chance to be hid of your pain for good, avoiding future flare ups.

Living with shoulder pain can have a massive effect on your life. Stopping you from enjoying the things you love most, whether that be sunny afternoons with the family or a competitive game of pickleball with friends. Our team will listen to your story and offer emotional support by providing well needed reassurance that your pain isn’t just in your head.

Click HERE To Arrange Your Free Pain and Performance Assessment

Unsure About Travelling Into Clinic?

As well as our Free Pain and Performance Assessment, you can also reach us from home.

You can still receive quality professional advice from our team without leaving your home,

Simply call us on (925) 417-8005 or fill in our simple web form.

You will be able to speak to a member of our team and set yourself up on the fastest possible option for a happy and healthy recovery!

Don’t let this just be another summer you put up with your shoulder pain, let this be the summer you beat your shoulder pain for good!

More Free Tips That Can Help Elevate Your Pain

Check Out Our Website – Home Exercises For Reducing Your Pain

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