Hi My name is Jordan. I cracked two ribs in the lower back last September. I was under Hydrocodone for a month to reduce the pain. During that time when I was taking the Hydrocodone, I was setting a whole day on a single couch with my laptop on my legs in a way that my neck and head are always looking down to the screen without anything at the back to rest my head. Also during that time I was depending on my right arm all the time to do things (i.e, pulling my self off the couch or bed using the right arm) since my cracked ribs were at the left side and I could not use the left arm. This situation last for about a month until I finished the Hydrocodone course. After about a week of returning to normal life, I lifted a heavy couch one day, and in the next day I my right shoulder starts hurting so bad (in the rotator cuff spot). I went to the doctor he gave me a cortisone shot in the shoulder and pain went away but still feeling it sometimes when I use my right arm for lifting something or even when I raise the right arm to the level of the shoulder. The doctor told me to go to a physical therapy program but I was lazy, unfortunately. Its been 5 months now and I was fine before I tried to make some pushups last week. When I did some pushups the burning sensation i the shoulder and arm starts again and I can feel that my neck (right side) behind my ear to the way down is also hurting. When I lay on bed and put a pillow behind my neck I ll feel that along with my shoulder. When I walk or go out the pain disappear immediately, unless I use the right arm to lift something. I have a meeting with a physiotherapist and I ll start following his instructions. Two doctors told me to go to the physical therapy. They told me that doing an MRI scan is unnecessary. I just want to make sure and liked to share my situation with you here. Thank you so much Jordan
Yes I strongly recommend physical therapy.  Inferential therapy and ultrasonic therapy have been found highly effective in controlling rotator cuff damage and eases out 90% of the pain when coupled with manual therapy and a rotator cuff strengthening exercise program.  All the best,