You should consider seeing a physiotherapist if you experience shoulder pain that persists for more than a few days, significantly limits your range of motion, or interferes with your daily activities or quality of life. Additionally, if you have recently experienced a shoulder injury or trauma, or if you notice swelling, bruising, or instability in your shoulder joint, it’s advisable to seek an evaluation by a physiotherapist as soon as possible.

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion in the shoulder joint. The symptoms of a frozen shoulder typically develop gradually and progress through several stages. Here are the common symptoms associated with frozen shoulder:

1. Pain: Persistent, aching pain in the shoulder joint is often one of the earliest symptoms of frozen shoulder. The pain may worsen with movement or at night, particularly when lying on the affected side.
2. Stiffness: Stiffness and restriction of movement in the shoulder joint are hallmark symptoms of frozen shoulder. As the condition progresses, you may notice increasing difficulty with activities such as reaching overhead, reaching behind your back, or lifting objects.
3. Limited Range of Motion: One of the defining characteristics of frozen shoulder is a significant reduction in the range of motion of the shoulder joint. You may find it challenging to move your arm in various directions, and you may experience a sensation of “tightness” or “binding” in the shoulder.
4. Difficulty Sleeping: Many individuals with frozen shoulder experience difficulty sleeping, especially when lying on the affected side due to increased pain and discomfort. The pain may interfere with restful sleep and contribute to feelings of fatigue and irritability.
5. Gradual Onset: The symptoms of frozen shoulder typically develop gradually over time, often progressing through three stages: the freezing stage (increasing pain and stiffness), the frozen stage (persistent stiffness and limited range of motion), and the thawing stage (gradual improvement in symptoms and range of motion).

Small or partial-thickness rotator cuff tears may have the potential to heal with physiotherapy, but larger or full-thickness tears may need surgery. Seeking prompt evaluation and appropriate treatment from a physio is essential for managing rotator cuff tears and preventing further damage to the shoulder joint.

A shoulder dislocation typically requires medical attention to properly address the injury and reduce the likelihood of future dislocations and complications. A shoulder dislocation can indeed present two primary problems:

1. Risk of Recurrence: After a shoulder dislocation, the surrounding soft tissues, including ligaments and tendons, may become stretched or torn. This can lead to shoulder instability, making the joint more prone to future dislocations. Without proper treatment and rehabilitation, the shoulder may remain loose and unstable, increasing the risk of recurrent dislocations.
2. Long-Term Joint Damage: The act of dislocating the shoulder can cause significant trauma to the joint surfaces, including the glenoid (socket) and the humeral head (upper arm bone). This trauma can result in damage to the cartilage, labrum (a ring of fibrous tissue around the glenoid), and other structures within the shoulder joint. Over time, this damage may contribute to chronic pain, reduced range of motion, and the development of shoulder arthritis.

Shoulder impingement occurs when the tendons of the rotator cuff and the subacromial bursa become irritated and inflamed as they pass through a narrow space between the acromion (a bony projection of the shoulder blade) and the head of the humerus (upper arm bone). Several factors can contribute to the development of shoulder impingement:

1. Anatomical Factors: Certain anatomical variations, such as a hooked or curved acromion, a downward sloping acromion, or a narrow subacromial space, can predispose individuals to shoulder impingement by reducing the available space for the tendons and bursa to move freely.
2. Repetitive Overhead Activities: Engaging in repetitive overhead movements, such as throwing, swimming, tennis, weightlifting, or overhead work, can place increased stress on the structures of the shoulder joint, leading to overuse injuries and inflammation of the tendons and bursa.
3. Poor Posture: Poor posture, particularly rounded shoulders and forward head posture, can alter the biomechanics of the shoulder joint and contribute to impingement by narrowing the subacromial space and causing abnormal movement patterns during shoulder motion.
4. Muscle Weakness or Imbalance: Weakness or imbalance in the muscles surrounding the shoulder joint, particularly the rotator cuff muscles and the muscles of the scapula (shoulder blade), can lead to altered shoulder mechanics and increased susceptibility to impingement injuries.
5. Muscle Tightness or Stiffness: Tightness or stiffness in the muscles and soft tissues surrounding the shoulder joint, including the chest, upper back, and neck muscles, can restrict shoulder mobility and exacerbate impingement symptoms.
6. Age and Degenerative Changes: As individuals age, degenerative changes in the shoulder joint, including osteoarthritis, bone spurs (osteophytes), and degeneration of the rotator cuff tendons, can contribute to narrowing of the subacromial space and increase the risk of impingement.

At our clinic, we differentiate ourselves by going beyond providing generic exercise sheets. While specific rehab exercises play a crucial role in offering a lasting solution, we take a hands-on and outcome-focused approach to physiotherapy.

Absolutely, you can simply communicate your preference of a female therapist with our front desk team. They will be able to accommodate your request and ensure you receive the treatment you are comfortable with.

The thought of getting in to your underwear, with a stranger and on your first visit is a daunting one and enough to put anyone off having physio but rest assured this is not the case. For a neck or upper limb injury we recommend a sports bra or a low back vest top and for a lower back, hip or lower limb injury we recommend loose shorts.