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Find Relief From Shoulder Pain With Our Support

Our shoulders play a crucial role in our everyday lives. They provide us with a wide range of motion and the ability to perform various activities. These complex joints connect our arms to the rest of our body, allowing us to perform countless movements such as reaching, lifting, and throwing. Our shoulders are involved in simple tasks, like combing our hair, and more demanding activities, such as playing sports or carrying heavy objects.

 

When your shoulders hurt, it can have a significant impact on your daily life. Shoulder pain can limit your ability to perform routine and enjoyable tasks, disrupt your sleep and focus, and affect your mood, fitness, and well-being. Simple actions like reaching for a jar on a high shelf or putting on a shirt can become uncomfortable and difficult, and participation in physical activities and sports may become unattainable.   

 

Seeking appropriate medical attention for shoulder pain can be essential to accurately diagnose and address the underlying causes and help you regain more normal shoulder function and ability. That is why our team at Eastside Physio + Co loves to solve shoulder pain.

What is Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain is a common condition that can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or lifestyle. It refers to the discomfort experienced in the shoulder area, which may radiate to your arm, neck, or back. 

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Because your shoulder is the most mobile joint in your body it is also the most unstable.  This means the shoulder must rely heavily on soft tissue like muscles, tendons, ligaments and joint capsule to keep the ball located in the socket throughout movement.  This inherent instability means the shoulder is also susceptible to issues that can cause pain. 

 

Putting up with shoulder pain can not only make daily life difficult, but it can have long-term effects on your body and mind.  At Eastside Physio + Co, shoulder treatments always start at a level that is tolerated by you.  So even if your shoulder is acutely painful our physiotherapists can help settle your pain and get you on the road to recovery.

Shoulder Pain Symptoms

The symptoms of shoulder pain can vary from person to person, and their impact can be different depending on the underlying cause and individual factors such as your overall health and lifestyle. You may experience one or more symptoms, and the severity, intensity, and duration may differ.

 

Common symptoms associated with shoulder pain can include:

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  • Dull aching

  • Sharp or burning pain

  • Stiffness

  • Reduced range of motion

  • Weakness

  • A feeling of heaviness in the outer arm

  • Inflammation and swelling

  • Tenderness and increased sensitivity

  • Disturbed sleep

  • Pins and needles or numbness

  • Clicking or popping sounds or sensations

  • Discomfort that extends to your arm, fingers, neck, or back

Shoulder Pain Treatments

One of our highly trained physiotherapists will provide a thorough assessment of your injury including the background of your pain, and tailor a treatment plan that is most appropriate for you.

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Some physiotherapy techniques and methods we may use during your treatment can include:

  • Exercises for mobility or joint stability

  • Specific strength targeting the rotator cuff.

  • Manual therapy such as massage, myofascial release, and joint manipulation.

  • Dry needling

  • Provision of a personalised rehabilitation program.

  • Shockwave therapy.

  • Bracing and strapping.

  • Education regarding self-management techniques, such as activity modification, and shoulder pain prevention. 

  • Clinical or Mat Pilates.

 

In some instances further investigation may be required.  Common investigations include getting scans such as an X-ray, US, or MRI to assess the extent of tissue damage or to rule out more sinister pathology such as a tumour, cyst, or fracture.  Your physio will be able to refer you for the appropriate scans. 

 

With certain conditions and/or damage in the shoulder further intervention may be required.  Your physio will be able to assist in your referral for further care when indicated.  Common referrals include for a range of injection therapies for pain management, stiffness, or to aid healing.  Additionally, if your injury requires a specialist or surgical review your treating physio will provide the details of known and trusted professionals within the field.

Shoulder Pain Frequently Asked Questions

Who gets shoulder pain?

We frequently use our shoulders on a daily basis for a wide range of movements and actions, so it stands to reason that at some point, you may experience discomfort of some sort in your shoulder region, no matter your age, gender, job, or lifestyle. There are some factors that may increase your likelihood of developing pain.  Risk increases with the following:

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  • Age  

  • Playing contact sports

  • Playing throwing or racquet sports

  • Occupation (overhead work such as painting)

  • Strength imbalance

  • Other health co-morbidities such as diabetes or autoimmune disease

  • Being sedentary or overweight

  • A family history of shoulder pain

  • Smoking

 

Why choose Eastside Physio + Co for shoulder pain treatment? 

Our physiotherapists are highly experienced and dedicated to assisting you to regain more normal shoulder function so that you can return to your daily activities without discomfort and reduced mobility. Our holistic care is specifically tailored to you and your specific needs.

 

We are proud to provide care to East Melbourne patients from a range of suburbs including Surrey Hills, Ashwood, Ashburton, Auburn, Balwyn, Blackburn, Box Hill, Burwood, Camberwell, Canterbury, Doncaster and Hawthorn.

 Causes of Shoulder Pain

There are a wide array of reasons why you may experience shoulder pain. Its onset may be gradual or sudden depending on the underlying factors. Some reasons for shoulder pain can include:

  • Bursitis

  • Overuse and Repetitive Movements

  • Arthritis

  • Dislocation

  • Rotator Cuff Injury

  • Neck Referred Shoulder Pain

  • Post-operative recovery

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Fractures

  • Frozen Shoulder

  • Tendinopathy

  • General Wear and Tear

  • Muscle Strains, Tears and Weakness

  • Pinched Nerve

  • AC Joint Damage

  • Labral Tear

  • Sports Injury

  • Biceps Tendonitis

Visit Eastside Physio for Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain can have a significant impact on your overall well-being, so it can be highly beneficial to receive professional help. Physiotherapy is proven to help with most causes of shoulder pain and is therefore the most recommended form of care referred to by GPs.

 

Our physiotherapists can provide a comprehensive review of your situation, including assessing the function of your shoulder and the extent of the damage, as well as underlying factors and contributing elements. We will take this information and create a plan that can help you move and feel better. 

 

If you are experiencing shoulder pain, please contact our friendly team to make an appointment so that we can work towards reducing your discomfort.

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