Shoulder Pain

• Frozen Shoulder
• Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
• Shoulder Dislocation

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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 also most likely to develop frozen shoulder between the ages of forty and sixty.  Often there is no cause for the onset of this condition; however, occasionally an injury to the shoulder may precede the onset. Progression 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 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.

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 often required to relocate the joint. Physiotherapy is usually started after two or three week’s 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.

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​What we can do to help
Treatment varies according to your injury/pain. An extensive examination of the issue will be made to determine what treatment/treatment modalities should be used. You will get a treatment programme which is specific to your condition which may include a combination of soft tissue therapy, joint mobilisation, electrotherapy, acupuncture and exercise therapy.


To book an appointment to see a physiotherapist about a shoulder condition please call:
Cambridge: 01223 654 332
Huntingdon: 01487 773 088