Conditions · Shoulder Pain

Shoulder Pain

The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body. That mobility makes it vulnerable. I assess what has gone wrong and treat the cause, not just the pain.

Common presentations
Rotator cuff, frozen shoulder, impingement
Key risk factor
Poor scapular control and muscle imbalance
Recovery
Varies by condition — 6 weeks to 6 months

Understanding shoulder pain

Shoulder problems account for a large proportion of musculoskeletal presentations in physiotherapy. The shoulder relies on muscular control, particularly the rotator cuff and scapular stabilisers, rather than bony congruence. When that balance is disrupted, pain and dysfunction follow.

Many shoulder conditions overlap in how they present. A precise diagnosis changes the treatment significantly, which is why the assessment always comes first.

Common shoulder conditions treated

  • Rotator cuff tears and tendinopathy: partial or full thickness tears causing pain with overhead activity and weakness
  • Shoulder impingement syndrome: pinching of soft tissue structures beneath the acromion, causing arc pain
  • Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis): progressive stiffness and pain that severely limits range of motion
  • Shoulder instability and dislocation: excessive movement of the humeral head, often following trauma
  • Acromioclavicular joint (AC joint) injuries: from direct trauma or falls
  • Biceps tendinopathy: pain in the front of the shoulder aggravated by lifting and overhead work
  • Post-surgical rehabilitation: following rotator cuff repair or shoulder stabilisation

Symptoms

  • Pain with overhead reaching or lifting
  • A painful arc when raising the arm between 60 and 120 degrees
  • Night pain, particularly when lying on the affected shoulder
  • Stiffness and reduced range of motion in all directions (more characteristic of frozen shoulder)
  • Weakness with pushing, pulling, or carrying
  • A feeling of the shoulder catching, clicking, or giving way

How physiotherapy helps

Shoulder rehabilitation addresses both the local pain and the movement dysfunction that allowed it to develop. Treating the symptom and correcting the cause is what prevents recurrence.

What treatment involves

  • Thorough assessment of shoulder mechanics, strength, and range of motion
  • Manual therapy to the glenohumeral joint, AC joint, and cervical spine where relevant
  • Progressive rotator cuff and scapular stabiliser strengthening
  • Postural correction for desk-based workers whose posture contributes to shoulder symptoms
  • Activity modification and load management to allow healing without deconditioning
  • Sport or task-specific rehabilitation for return to overhead sport or manual work

What to expect from recovery

Impingement and rotator cuff tendinopathy typically respond well within eight to twelve weeks of consistent rehabilitation. Frozen shoulder follows a more unpredictable course and can take six to eighteen months to fully resolve, though physiotherapy significantly reduces pain and speeds up the recovery of movement. Post-surgical cases follow a structured protocol aligned with surgical timelines.