Shoulder Pain

If you have shoulder pain, seeking professional advice early is recommended. Ignoring persistent pain may lead to long-term issues. Our physiotherapists will assess your condition and recommend an appropriate course of action tailored to your specific needs and treatment goals.

Physiotherapy offers a holistic approach to treating shoulder pain. Our skilled physiotherapists use a combination of exercise, manual therapy and education and in some instances more specialist treatments such as ultrasound guided injection therapy or extracorporeal shockwave therapy to alleviate pain, improve mobility and increase confidence. Treatment plans are individualised based on the underlying cause and your treatment goals. Commonly, shoulder conditions can also be treated with an Ultrasound Guided Injection which are offered at Flex Physiotherapy. The aim is to quickly reduce pain and function, thus allowing better participation with Physiotherapy treatment.

Shoulder pain can stem from various underlying conditions due to the complexity of the joint, making an accurate diagnosis important for effective treatment. Our experienced physiotherapists employ a thorough assessment process to identify the cause of your pain. This may involve a detailed medical history, physical examination, and sometimes diagnostic imaging. We also have Ultrasound Imaging on site which is an accurate way of diagnosing most shoulder conditions if required.

Sessions are 45 or 30 minutes for the assessment depending on the complexity and 30 minutes for subsequent follow up sessions. The duration of treatment varies depending on the severity of your symptoms and nature of the condition. Our goal is to provide gold standard, effective, efficient care and our physiotherapists will work with you to establish realistic expectations and milestones throughout your recovery journey.

In many instances, a detailed clinical assessment by a physiotherapist is sufficient for diagnosis of shoulder pain. However, if our physiotherapists suspect a more serious condition or if your symptoms persist, they may recommend imaging to obtain a clearer picture of the cause of your symptoms and to rule out sinister pathology. We also offer Ultrasound Imaging at our clinic, led by our Specialist Physiotherapist and Sonographer Matt Prout, which is often an appropriate and accurate way of diagnosing most shoulder conditions. Further to this, our Physiotherapists have referral rights for private MRI scans if required.

Surgery is often considered a last resort for shoulder pain. Most cases can be effectively managed through conservative measures. Research supports that a comprehensive treatment plan involving a combination of manual therapy, massage, exercise therapy and robust advice and education often supersedes any need for invasive intervention. Our physiotherapists will collaborate with you to explore non-invasive options before considering surgical interventions.