Shoulder Pain & Limited Range of Motion: A Therapist's Case Study

Question
Hi, I am a new therapist.I have a client that is having severe pain in her shoulder and deltoid. she is unable to raise her arm above her shoulders. Her right shoulder is elevated but the pain is on her left side. she does have scoliosis.palpation of the rhomboids, and rotator cuff caused radiation of pain down her arm. I performed cross fiber friction and static pressure, with minimal relief. she had greater rom but is still unable to raise her arm. I sent her home with a cold rice bag and will follow up next week. I did refer her to a physician, for diagnostic evaluation, but she does not have insurance and will not go.
Thank you for Any advice for what techniques I should try?
Leesa  

Answer
IMHO,Leesa, if she is experiencing the "severe pain" that you are suggesting, first thing I would want to know is what did she do to cause this condition?  How long has she had the condition?  Before you make a condition any worse as a NEW therapist, you did correctly by refering her to a physician for a medical diagnosis; insurance or no insurance, that is what she needs to protect herself and you from any inadvertent malpractice liability.  The only technique I would use/recommend until then is ice compresses to the affected area to reduce muscle swelling, followed by moist heat compresses to promote healing.

Hope that helps.
Michael, LMT