Shoulder Pain

The shoulder is an extremely complex and mobile joint that can be susceptible to a wide range of problems.

The shoulder complex comprises of the balll and socket (glenohumeral joint), the acromioclavicular joint (AC joint) and the sternoclavicular joint. It is controlled by the rotator cuff and the muscles attaching to the upper arm (humerus) and shoulder blade (scapula). The complexity of the shoulder allows for a combination of reach, dexterity and power.

Shoulder injuries may occur as a result of a significant trauma such as a dislocation or may be a result of overuse or muscle imbalance.

Recent evidence shows that many shoulder surgeries including rotator cuff repairs and arthroscopies of the shoulder may not actually reduce pain and improve your function. Many changes such as tearing of the rotator cuff that are seen on scans can be normal and have no contribution to the pain in your shoulder.

SmartMoves Physios are extremely skilled in assessing your shoulder and simplifying the treatment of what is a very complex joint. In almost all cases, an active approach to treatment is the best one. Movement and exercise have been shown to be superior to rest.

Common conditions of the shoulder that we can help with include:

  • Frozen Shoulder

  • Rotator cuff tendinopathy

  • Bursitis

  • Dislocations/Subluxation/Instability

  • Impingement

  • AC joint injuries

  • Osteoarthritis

  • Muscular strain/overuse

  • long head of biceps tendinopathy

  • Post surgical recovery

  • Fracture management eg clavicle (collar bone), humerus