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Shoulder Pain Physio Melbourne
At Eastside Physio + Co, we examine and treat shoulder pain at our Surrey Hills clinic for patients from all around Melbourne's eastern suburbs. As the body's most mobile joint, the shoulder relies on the rotator cuff and surrounding muscles for stability. When those tissues become overloaded or injured, shoulder pain often follows. Schedule a shoulder physio assessment today to find out what is causing your pain.
Common causes of shoulder pain we treat
Most shoulder pain comes down to a small number of treatable conditions, and identifying which one you have helps us create the right treatment plan. Care is tailored to your individual needs. Alongside the conditions below, we also treat shoulder osteoarthritis and pain from sporting injuries and overhead movements.
01
Rotator cuff injuries and tendinopathy
The rotator cuff (a group of muscles and tendons) is a major component in keeping your shoulder stable and controlled. Rotator cuff injuries can develop after excessive strain or from gradual wear of the tendons, commonly known as “tendinopathy”. You may notice pain when lifting your arm, reaching overhead or picking up objects, and it tends to worsen at night. Most cases of rotator cuff pain can be improved with a structured exercise program that is designed to gradually increase the load, making surgery unnecessary for many.
02
Shoulder impingement and bursitis
Shoulder impingement typically causes pain when lifting your arm overhead or through the middle part of the movement. This condition isn't due to structural damage but is instead a symptom pattern. It is also known as subacromial pain or rotator cuff-related shoulder pain. Often, this condition is associated with shoulder bursitis, where the small fluid-filled sac in the joint becomes inflamed and swollen.
03
Shoulder instability and dislocation
Shoulder instability occurs when the joint feels excessively mobile or seems like it is on the verge of dislocating, especially after an initial dislocation event. You may feel like your shoulder could slip out of place when reaching overhead, or notice that it feels unstable during certain movements.
Shoulder pain symptoms and when to see a physio
Book an appointment for a shoulder physio assessment if your shoulder pain is limiting your movement or disturbing your sleep for more than a few days, or if it appears immediately after any kind of injury. Seek medical attention straight away if the pain starts after significant trauma, such as a fall or accident. You do not require a referral to make an appointment. Pain that comes and goes could still be worthy of assessment if it is getting worse.
Some common signs of shoulder pain are:
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dull, aching pain
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sharp pain
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stiffness
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reduced range of motion
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weakness
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disturbed sleep
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pins and needles
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clicking
Some signs point to a problem that needs urgent medical care, not a physio booking. See a doctor or emergency service straight away if your shoulder pain comes with any of these:
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a fever
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a hot, swollen joint
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an unexplained lump
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chest pain or breathlessness
What does a physio do for shoulder pain?
Your assessment starts by working out which shoulder structure is causing your symptoms before building a staged treatment plan to help settle the pain and rebuild your strength and range of motion. The assessment examines how your shoulder moves and what activities trigger the pain, and your diagnosis guides the plan.
Hands-on treatment settles pain early, while the strengthening exercises build the shoulder back up for the longer term. Your program may include:
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mobility and joint-stability exercises
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rotator cuff strengthening
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manual therapy and joint mobilisation
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dry needling
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shockwave therapy
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MLS laser therapy
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bracing and strapping
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education and activity modification
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Clinical Pilates
If your shoulder needs more than physiotherapy, we'll organise imaging, discuss injection therapy where appropriate, or refer you to a trusted specialist.
Why we treat shoulder pain with exercise before scans or surgery
When dealing with rotator cuff issues and shoulder impingement, exercise rehabilitation is usually the primary treatment, and surgery is typically an option only for certain cases. Scans such as X-rays and MRIs are usually recommended only when the results will change how your shoulder is managed. It's important to remember that these scans often reveal wear and tear in the shoulder that may not even be causing pain.
Our approach is evidence-based and aimed at reducing your pain in as few sessions as possible. There are exceptions. Significant trauma, a suspected full-thickness rotator cuff tear in a younger patient, unexplained night pain, or symptoms that haven't improved with conservative care may all require further investigation. In those cases, we arrange onward referral to a GP or orthopaedic surgeon, and we organise it for you.
Clinic information
Eastside Physio + Co has treated Melbourne's eastern suburbs from our Surrey Hills clinic since 2017, with more than 6,300 clients.
Address: 427 Canterbury Road, Surrey Hills VIC 3127
Phone: (03) 9836 1333
Email: info@esphysio.com.au
Referral: none needed to book. Medicare rebates need a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan.
Private health: claim on the spot via HICAPS, all major insurers.
WorkCover, TAC and NDIS clients welcome.
Parking: there are three onsite parking bays at the front of the building and two at the rear. Additional street parking is available on Canterbury Road and the adjoining streets.
Book a shoulder assessment appointment today
Book online or call (03) 9836 1333 to arrange your shoulder assessment appointment today. You do not need a GP referral to book private physiotherapy. Fees are confirmed when you book. If you want to claim a Medicare rebate, that is a separate pathway. It requires a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP, previously called a CDM or EPC plan; legacy plans stay valid until 30 June 2027) and a signed GP referral. The rebate is $63.40 per session (MBS item 10960; schedule fee $74.55), effective 1 July 2026.
The five rebated sessions each calendar year are shared across all your allied health services, not physiotherapy alone. We also accept WorkCover, NDIS, TAC and Home Care patients, so let reception know when you book. See our new patient information and fee schedule for what to bring.
