Shoulder Pain

Frozen Shoulder

Also known as adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulder is a relatively common cause of shoulder pain. Frozen shoulder is more likely to affect women rather than men and is also more likely to occur in the non-dominant arm. You are most likely to develop frozen shoulder between the ages of forty and sixty.  Often there is no cause for the onset of frozen shoulder, however occasionally an injury to the shoulder may precede the onset of frozen shoulder. The progression of frozen shoulder is seen in three stages: Freezing, Frozen and Thawing. During the freezing stage the shoulder can be very painful and there is a gradual loss of movement. In the frozen stage the main symptom is restricted movement, with stiffness dominating pain. The thawing stage sees the gradual return of shoulder movement with decreasing stiffness.

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Shoulder impingement syndrome is a painful condition in the shoulder.  Pain occurs when the tendons in the shoulder are irritated or inflamed from repetitive overhead motions or structural abnormalities in the shoulder.  Impingement usually occurs due to muscle imbalance around the shoulder that place can increase the stress on the rotator cuff tendons. Symptoms can include a generalized aching pain in the shoulder and arm.  You may feel weakness and pain when you move your arm overhead, for example putting on a jumper or brushing your hair.

Shoulder Dislocation

A dislocated shoulder is a common shoulder injury in contact sports such as rugby. A dislocated shoulder is characterised by severe shoulder pain and hospital treatment is required to relocate the joint. Physiotherapy is usually started after two or three weeks immobilisation in a sling.  Active rehabilitation is started as soon as possible but overhead arm movement and sporting activity should be avoided for at least 6 weeks. Gentle range of movement exercises can be started once the sling is removed. Strengthening exercises for the rotator cuff muscles should be started as soon as they can be done without pain.

What we can do to help

Treatment will vary according to your specific condition. Initially a thorough examination of your problem will be made in order to determine the best approach to take with your treatment. Each client will receive a personalised treatment programme which will likely be made up from a combination of soft tissue therapy, joint mobilisation, electrotherapy, acupuncture and exercise therapy if required.