How shoulder pain can develop
You might first notice pain when reaching overhead, lifting something away from your body or lying on one side at night. For others, the shoulder gradually becomes uncomfortable during work, training or everyday activities.
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Sometimes there is an obvious starting point. In other cases, symptoms build gradually without a single injury or clear trigger.
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The shoulder can become painful for different reasons, so understanding how your symptoms started and which movements affect them can help us work out what may be involved.
Common shoulder problems
Shoulder pain can involve different muscles, tendons and joints, and similar symptoms can sometimes have different causes.
Rotator cuff-related pain
Pain around the front or outside of the shoulder can be associated with the rotator cuff. It may be more noticeable when lifting your arm, reaching overhead or lying on the affected side.
Shoulder tendon pain
Tendon problems can develop gradually, particularly when the demands placed on the shoulder change. Lifting, throwing, gym training or repeated overhead activity may become uncomfortable.
Shoulder stiffness
Pain can also occur where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel bone. This can behave differently from pain higher in the tendon and may need a different approach.
Pain from the neck
Pain felt around the shoulder or shoulder blade does not always originate in the shoulder itself. The neck and surrounding muscles and joints can sometimes contribute to symptoms in this area.
Understanding what may be causing your symptoms
Shoulder pain can develop after a change in training, repeated overhead activity, heavier lifting than usual or an unfamiliar movement. It can also develop gradually without an obvious trigger.
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We’ll look at how your symptoms started, which movements bring them on and how well your shoulder is moving. Where appropriate, we may assess strength, the surrounding joints and whether your neck could be contributing.
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Together, these findings help us build a clearer picture of what may be involved and which approach is likely to be most appropriate.
Knowing when something needs more attention
Not every painful shoulder is suitable for routine treatment at the clinic.
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If your history or examination suggests that further investigation or assessment by another healthcare professional would be appropriate, we’ll explain what we’ve found and help you with the next step.
Building strength and movement
With many shoulder problems, reducing pain is only part of recovery. Gradually restoring movement, strength and the shoulder’s ability to tolerate everyday activity can also be important.
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We can help you understand what you can keep doing, what may be worth modifying temporarily and how to build back towards work, exercise or sport.
How we can help.
Hands-on care
Chiropractic treatment or sports massage may be used where appropriate to help with painful or restricted muscles and joints around the shoulder.
Shockwave therapy
For some persistent tendon problems, shockwave therapy may be considered as part of a wider treatment and rehabilitation plan.
Strength & rehabilitation
Progressive exercise can help improve shoulder and rotator cuff strength and gradually rebuild your ability to tolerate work, exercise and sport.
Practical advice
We’ll help you understand what you can reasonably continue doing and whether temporary changes to work, training, sleep or everyday activity may be useful.