Shoulder Pain
Physiotherapy
Central London
What Are Common Symptoms Of Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder pain can manifest in a variety of ways, including: Pain with Movement: Sharp or aching pain when lifting your arm, reaching, or rotating the shoulder. Stiffness: Reduced range of motion, making it hard to lift your arm or reach behind your back. Weakness/instability: A feeling of weakness in your shoulder, which can affect your ability to carry objects or perform daily tasks. Clicking or Popping Sounds: Audible or felt clicking with pain when you move your shoulder. Radiating Pain: Pain that extends down your arm or to your neck and upper back. Swelling or Tenderness: Inflammation or sensitivity to touch around the shoulder joint.
What Are Common Shoulder Pain Causes?
You may be dealing with one of the following common issues: Rotator Cuff Injuries: Tears or inflammation in the muscles and tendons around the shoulder, causing weakness and pain. Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis): Stiffness and pain that develops gradually, leading to a significant reduction in shoulder movement. Shoulder Impingement: When the tendons or bursa in the shoulder become inflamed, causing pain, especially when lifting the arm. Shoulder Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa (fluid-filled sacs) in the shoulder, often due to overuse or strain. This is usually painful when lying on the affected shoulder. Shoulder Arthritis (Osteoarthritis): Changes to the cartilage in the shoulder joint, leading to stiffness, pain, and reduced mobility. Tendinitis/Tendinopathy: Inflammation or irritation of the shoulder tendons, often from repetitive motions or overuse. Dislocated Shoulder: When the upper arm bone pops out of the shoulder socket, typically due to trauma or injury or lack of strength of the shoulder stability exercises. Labral Tear: A tear in the cartilage around the shoulder joint, often leading to instability or a feeling of the shoulder ‘catching’ during movement.
Treatment Options & How Physiotherapy Can Help:
I offer various treatment options to help manage shoulder pain and restore function. These include: Manual Therapy: Hands-on techniques to mobilize stiff joints and reduce muscle tension, improving shoulder movement. Rehabilitative Exercise Therapy: Tailored exercises that focus on strengthening the shoulder muscles, improving tissue capacity, and restoring range of motion. Postural Exercises: Exercises designed to enhance your body’s ability to maintain good posture during daily activities, especially for those sitting at desks for long hours. Pain Management Techniques: Tips on using ice packs to reduce swelling or heat to relax tight shoulder muscles, when to consider supportive braces or slings, and advice on speaking with your GP about managing pain with appropriate medication if necessary. Acupuncture/Dry Needling: We offer dry needling (similar to acupuncture), which targets trigger points in the shoulder muscles to relieve tension, reduce pain, and improve mobility.
My 5-Stage Approach ensures your treatment is tailored to your specific condition and recovery goals, guiding you through pain relief, mobility restoration, and long-term prevention.
