Shoulder pain can be a real frustration, stopping you from doing the things you love. Whether that’s playing a game of tennis, lifting your grandchildren, or even just getting a good night’s sleep. If you’re wondering how to treat shoulder pain effectively, you’re not alone. Shoulder problems are incredibly common, with around 7% of adults in the UK experiencing shoulder pain at any given time
Diagnosing the Cause
The first and most important step is getting the right diagnosis. Shoulder pain can crop up for a variety of reasons: rotator cuff injuries often plague keen tennis or golf players, while hormonal changes around menopause can trigger aches and stiffness. You might even find yourself dealing with something more specific, like a frozen shoulder, which can make even simple movements feel almost impossible.
Seeing a qualified physiotherapist is essential. They’ll carry out a detailed assessment to identify the root cause of your pain and create a tailored treatment plan that suits your body and lifestyle.
Shoulder pain rarely goes away on its own. Getting expert opinion to accurately pinpoint which condition is triggering your pain is a good start to pain relief.
Persistent, worsening, or acute shoulder pain; weakness, immobility, and systemic symptoms like fever require urgent medical attention.
See your GP if you are experiencing these symptoms or if the pain doesn’t improve after two weeks.
How to Treat Shoulder Pain with Effective Treatment
Physiotherapy forms the backbone of effective shoulder pain treatment. After your initial assessment, a physiotherapist will work with you to:
- Strengthen the muscles around your shoulder to give better support
- Improve flexibility to reduce stiffness and protect against future injuries
- Relieve pain with targeted exercises and hands-on manual therapy
If your pain stems from something like a tendon injury, they might also refer you to a sports therapist to support your recovery with sport-specific rehabilitation. If you’re also battling inflammation in the tendons, the guide on How to Treat Shoulder Tendonitis offers some brilliant advice.
Don’t throw anything, especially if it requires your arms to be overhead. Weightlifting may also be problematic so avoid that until an expert has looked at your condition and you are cleared. Avoid swimming entirely until you have recovered.
Sports Therapy for Active Lifestyles
If you lead an active lifestyle, adding sports therapy into the mix can make a world of difference. Sports therapists don’t diagnose conditions but are brilliant at helping you safely get back to the activities you love. They use specific exercises that support your physiotherapy and focus on strengthening your shoulder to help prevent future problems.
Incorporating Massage into Your Treatment
Massage therapy can be a game changer when you’re considering how to treat shoulder pain. Regular massages can:
- Ease tight muscles that might be pulling on your shoulder
- Boost blood flow to speed up healing
- Break down stubborn knots and trigger points causing your pain
Whether you’re managing the after-effects of a rotator cuff tear or wondering how to treat a frozen shoulder, massage can be a powerful part of your recovery plan.
Maintaining Shoulder Health
Professional help is key, but there’s plenty you can do yourself too. To support your healing:
- Apply ice or heat: Ice is fantastic for calming down inflammation after an injury. Heat therapy can work wonders for chronic aches, encouraging blood flow and relaxing stiff muscles.
- Prioritise good posture: Poor posture at work or during hobbies can easily aggravate shoulder issues. A physiotherapist can teach you small, simple changes that make a big difference.
- Stay gently active: Rest is important, but complete immobility can make shoulder pain worse. Your physio will guide you on safe ways to keep moving.
If you suffer from wider issues, your therapist will be able to help you with a range of treatments for joint pain and stiffness following assessment and help build a personalised plan for managing your symptoms effectively to get pain-free.
Getting Help to Treat Your Shoulder Pain
Unfortunately, how to treat shoulder pain properly isn’t about quick fixes, it’s about a thoughtful plan that supports your recovery now and protects your health in the future. Research from the NHS shows that getting early treatment can significantly speed up recovery and prevent longer-term issues, unfortunately waiting times can be a blocker for recovery which is where we come in.
We are True Physio. A private clinic with a team of specialists that are passionate about helping people get back to doing what they love, without pain holding them back. With clinics across the north of England, we’re here to get you booked in quickly and with the level of care you deserve.
Whether you’re struggling with rotator cuff injuries, frozen shoulder, or menopause-related joint pain, we’ll work with you to find the best treatment path.
Ready to take the first step? Book an assessment at your local True Physio clinic today. Whether you want to pay via health insurance or self-fund, our friendly, accredited team are ready to help.