Are you months down the line but still experiencing shoulder pain? Is it getting worse? Are you struggling to reach for your seat belt or fasten your bra? Pain in bed when laying on your side? Struggling to lift your arm above your head? Have you lost range of movement in your shoulder?
Shoulder Pain
We help individuals finally say goodbye to shoulder pain, without painkillers, so you can start living your best life.
Are You Fed Up Of Living With Shoulder Pain?
Everyday Signs Your Shoulder Is Asking For Help
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Pain in shoulder or upper arm
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Pain in back of shoulder or shoulder blade area
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Sharp stabbing pain in your shoulder
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Pain or inability to fasten your bra or put your arm in your coat
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Stiffness and loss of strength
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Loss of range of movement
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Difficulty sleeping or laying directly on your shoulder
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Pain lifting your arm above your head
Request A Free Discovery Call
You’ve likely got questions like: How much will it cost? How many sessions will I need? What if it doesn’t work? Do I need a scan? We’ll cover all of that on your free discovery call so you make the very best decision on your health.
Shoulder Pain · Recovery Guide
From flare-up to pain-free.
A complete video series for every stage of shoulder pain recovery — what to do, and when.
SHOULDER PAIN RECOVERY PLAYLIST
The full recovery seriesEvery stage, start to finish
Why does shoulder pain last longer than it should?
Shoulder pain often lasts longer than it should. Not because you’re doing anything wrong, but because a few common missteps can unknowingly slow down your recovery.
Relying on painkillers
Thinking tablets will solve the problem often just masks the pain instead of fixing the cause.
Doing exercises off the internet
Random exercises can aggravate your shoulder if they’re not tailored to your specific issue.
Resting too much
While rest might feel right at first, doing too little can actually slow down your recovery.
Going back to the GP
GPs mean well, but the usual outcome is more medication, not a lasting solution.
Ways That We Can Help Your Shoulder Pain
Common Shoulder Conditions We Treat
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Rotator cuff injuries (full and partial tears)
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Labral tears
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AC joint sprains
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Thoracic outlet syndrome
People Have Taken Our Shoulder Pain Scorecard And This Is What They Told Us…
82% Of Respondents Said The Shoulder Pain Was Interfering With Sleep.
69% Of Respondents Said They Have Tried Exercises From The Internet To Relieve Pain.
79% Of Respondents Reported Shoulder Pain Affecting Daily Activities.
Find Out Your Shoulder Pain Score!
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Frequently asked questions
When Should I See A Physio About Shoulder Pain?
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.
What Are The Symptoms Of Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterised 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
Can A Rotator Cuff Heal On Its Own?
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.
Can A Shoulder Dislocation Heal On Its Own?
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:
- 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.
- 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.
What Causes Shoulder Impingement?
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Our Recent Posts On Treating Shoulder Pain
Why Your Shoulder Impingement Isn’t Improving With Physio
If your shoulder impingement isn’t improving despite doing the right exercises, there may be more to consider. Learn why progress can stall and what could be holding your recovery back.
Our physiotherapists delivering physio have different professional bodies which include Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC), and members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the Sports Therapy Association. We also work in partnership with recognised schemes such as Medicash, Westfield Health, and the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA).
