Shoulder Pain Physiotherapy
In Mossley,Tameside & Greater Manchester

Physiotherapy for Shoulder Pain

Common Shoulder Problems We Treat

Shoulder pain can have many different causes. We regularly assess and treat people experiencing:

• Rotator cuff related shoulder pain

• Shoulder impingement symptoms

• Frozen shoulder

• Shoulder bursitis

• Tendon-related shoulder pain

• Shoulder instability

• AC joint problems

• Sports and gym-related shoulder injuries

• Pain following a fall or accident

• Shoulder stiffness and reduced movement

• Persistent or recurring shoulder pain

• Rehabilitation following shoulder surgery

• Neck-related pain that travels into the shoulder or arm

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You don't need to know exactly what is causing your pain before booking. Establishing the likely source of your symptoms is part of your physiotherapy assessment.

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

The shoulder is a highly mobile joint involving several joints, muscles, tendons and other structures working together.

Pain may develop following a specific injury, but it can also appear gradually without an obvious cause.

Potential contributors include changes affecting the rotator cuff, reduced shoulder mobility, changes in load or activity, weakness, instability, previous injury and problems originating from the neck.

This is why simply treating the painful area isn't always enough.

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Our physiotherapists assess your shoulder, neck, strength, movement and functional activities to build a clearer picture of what may be contributing to your symptoms.

How We Treat Shoulder Pain

There isn't one treatment that works for every shoulder problem.

Your treatment programme will be based on your assessment and individual goals.

Depending on your presentation, treatment may include:

Exercise Rehabilitation

Progressive exercise is often an important part of shoulder rehabilitation.

We may work on mobility, rotator cuff capacity, shoulder strength and control before gradually progressing towards the activities you want to return to.

Hands-On Physiotherapy

Manual therapy may be incorporated where clinically appropriate to help improve movement and manage symptoms alongside active rehabilitation.

Medical Acupuncture

Medical acupuncture may be considered as part of your treatment programme where appropriate.

Sports Rehabilitation

If your goal is returning to the gym, swimming, golf, racket sports, throwing activities or another sport, we can progressively build your rehabilitation towards those specific demands.

Advice & Self-Management

Understanding your condition is an important part of recovery.

We'll help you understand which activities you can continue, what may need temporarily modifying and how to progressively rebuild your shoulder's capacity.

Neubie Therapy

Where appropriate, you'll undergo a mapping assessment for us to pin point areas of pain. We then complete exercises assisted by the neubie machine for electrical stimulation assistance.  

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Your Shoulder Physiotherapy Assessment

Your first appointment starts with a detailed assessment.

We'll discuss:

• When your shoulder pain started

• Where you feel your symptoms

• Movements that aggravate or relieve your pain

• Your work and daily activities

• Exercise, gym or sporting demands

• Previous injuries or surgery

• How your shoulder affects sleep and everyday life

Your physiotherapist will then perform an appropriate physical assessment, which may include looking at:

Shoulder movement • Strength • Rotator cuff function • Neck movement • Functional movements • Joint mobility • Neurological signs where indicated

We'll explain our findings and discuss your treatment options with you.

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Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder can cause significant pain and progressive restriction in shoulder movement.

People often notice increasing difficulty with activities such as reaching overhead, fastening clothing behind their back or sleeping comfortably.

Recovery can take time, but physiotherapy can help with symptom management, maintaining or restoring appropriate movement and guiding rehabilitation throughout the different stages of the condition.

If your presentation suggests frozen shoulder, we'll explain what this means and discuss the most appropriate management options.

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Rotator Cuff Shoulder Pain

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that play an important role in controlling and moving your shoulder.

Rotator cuff-related problems can cause pain when lifting your arm, reaching, carrying or performing repetitive activities.

Rather than simply telling you to rest, our aim is to determine what your shoulder can currently tolerate and progressively rebuild strength and function.

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Do I Need a Scan?

Not everyone with shoulder pain needs an X-ray, ultrasound or MRI scan.

A thorough clinical assessment can often provide enough information to begin appropriate treatment.

If your physiotherapist identifies findings that warrant further investigation or medical assessment, we'll explain this and recommend the appropriate next step.

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When Should Shoulder Pain Be Assessed Urgently?

Seek prompt medical assessment if shoulder or arm pain follows significant trauma, you have a visible deformity, sudden major loss of strength or movement, or symptoms are associated with chest pain, significant breathlessness or feeling acutely unwell.

Your physiotherapist will also screen for symptoms that may indicate your pain is coming from somewhere other than the shoulder.

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