Upper limb
Shoulder pain
Frozen shoulder, rotator cuff injuries and pain after a fall or surgery.
Overview
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, which also makes it easy to strain. Pain can come from the rotator cuff tendons, the joint capsule or the neck, so we start by finding out where it really comes from.
Most shoulder problems improve with the right exercises and advice. Surgery is only needed for a small number of people, and we will tell you if we think you should see a specialist.
Symptoms
Pain when you lift your arm, reach behind your back or sleep on that side
Stiffness that makes dressing or washing your hair difficult
Weakness when you carry bags or reach overhead
Clicking or catching with certain movements
How we treat it
We test your range of movement, strength and posture, and check your neck. You leave the first session with two or three exercises and a clear idea of what to avoid for now.
Treatment combines hands-on techniques to ease stiffness with a progressive strengthening plan for the rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles. We adjust the plan at every visit.
Typical recovery time
Usually 6 to 12 weeks; frozen shoulder can take 6 months or more