Shoulder Pain
Relief from shoulder pain in Papworth Everard, Cambridgeshire:
Shoulder pain is a common problem that can affect anyone, often caused by injury, overuse, or underlying conditions. It can range from mild discomfort to more severe pain, limiting movement and impacting your daily activities and overall quality of life.
Understanding the cause of your shoulder pain is key to effective treatment. Whether you’re experiencing stiffness, swelling, or sharp pain, addressing symptoms early can help restore mobility, reduce discomfort, and get you back to doing what you enjoy with confidence.
Below are just some of the shoulder conditions our expert team treats. Our dedicated team is committed to helping you move confidently from pain to peak performance.
Rotator Cuff Injury
A rotator cuff injury involves damage to the group of muscles and tendons that support and stabilise the shoulder joint. This can occur suddenly through injury, or develop gradually over time due to wear and tear. Common symptoms include pain, weakness, reduced range of motion, difficulty lifting the arm, and sometimes a clicking or catching sensation during movement. Physiotherapy is essential for recovery, helping to reduce pain, restore movement, improve strength, and guide you safely back to full, functional activity.
Impingement Syndrome / Sub-Acromial Bursitis
Shoulder impingement syndrome occurs when the rotator cuff tendons become irritated or compressed within the shoulder joint. Sub-acromial bursitis involves inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that helps cushion these tendons from the overlying bone. These conditions are often caused by repetitive overhead movements, injury, or age-related changes, leading to pain, weakness, and reduced range of motion. Symptoms typically worsen with activities such as reaching, lifting, or working above shoulder height. Physiotherapy is essential for effective recovery, helping to identify the underlying cause, relieve pain, restore movement, and rebuild strength, so you can return to your normal activities with confidence and reduced risk of recurrence.
Frozen Shoulder / Adhesive Capsulitis
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is a condition in which the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint becomes inflamed, thickened, and tight. This leads to significant pain, stiffness, and a marked loss of both active and passive movement. The condition typically progresses through three stages: - Freezing (2–9 months): Gradual onset of pain, with increasing discomfort and progressive loss of movement. Everyday activities become more difficult. - Frozen (4–12 months): Pain may begin to ease, but stiffness becomes more pronounced. The shoulder can feel very restricted, making tasks like reaching, dressing, or driving challenging. - Thawing (5–24 months): Mobility gradually improves, and movement slowly returns toward normal. While the exact cause is often unclear, frozen shoulder can develop following injury, surgery, or periods of reduced movement. Physiotherapy is essential for recovery, focusing on pain relief, gentle and progressive exercises to restore movement, and strengthening to improve function, helping you return to normal activities as safely and efficiently as possible.
Shoulder Dislocation / Subluxation
A shoulder dislocation occurs when the upper arm bone comes completely out of its socket, while a subluxation is a partial dislocation where the joint briefly slips out but does not fully separate. Both injuries can cause significant pain and instability. They often result from falls, sports injuries, repetitive overhead movements, or sudden force to the arm. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, bruising, and reduced movement. In a full dislocation, a visible deformity may be present, while subluxations are more commonly associated with weakness and a feeling that the shoulder may “give way.” Prompt medical attention is essential to safely reposition the joint and prevent further damage. Physiotherapy is a vital part of recovery, helping to restore movement, rebuild strength, and improve stability, reducing the risk of future episodes and supporting a confident return to activity.
Fracture
A shoulder fracture is a break in one of the bones that form the shoulder joint, most commonly the clavicle (collar bone), humerus (upper arm), or scapula (shoulder blade). These injuries typically result from falls, sports accidents, or direct impact, and can cause significant pain, swelling, and restricted movement of the arm. Prompt medical care is essential. Treatment may include immobilisation, realignment, or in some cases surgery, followed by physiotherapy to restore strength, mobility, and full function, helping you recover safely and return to your normal activities.
Acromioclavicular Joint Pain
Acromioclavicular (ACJ) joint pain occurs where the collarbone (clavicle) meets the highest point of the shoulder blade (acromion). It is commonly caused by injury, arthritis, or overuse, leading to discomfort during arm movements, especially when lifting or reaching overhead. Symptoms may include localised pain, swelling, and tenderness over the top of the shoulder, along with a clicking or popping sensation, and reduced range of motion. Physiotherapy is key to effective recovery, helping to relieve pain, restore movement, improve strength, and support a safe return to full function and activity.
Referred Pain / Nerve Pain
Pain in your shoulder can sometimes originate from the neck and travel down the arm. This type of referred or nerve pain may feel like a sharp, burning sensation or a persistent dull ache, often caused by irritation or compression of the nerves. It can be triggered by poor posture, injury, or underlying conditions, and may be accompanied by tingling, numbness, or weakness, making everyday activities more difficult. Physiotherapy is key to identifying the true source of the problem, relieving nerve irritation, and restoring comfortable, pain-free movement.
How Can Physiotherapy Help?
Physiotherapy for shoulder conditions focuses on relieving pain and restoring function through a combination of hands-on treatment and targeted rehabilitation. This may include joint mobilisation, soft tissue massage, taping, acupuncture, and tailored exercise programmes.
Our physiotherapists will also empower you with practical strategies to support your recovery, such as specific stretches and strengthening exercises to prevent recurrence. We provide expert guidance on managing workload, incorporating effective breaks, and reducing strain during daily activities. Where appropriate, we can also advise on posture correction and recommend ergonomic solutions to support long-term shoulder health.