Shoulder Pain Relief | City Physiotherapy Adelaide

Do you wake up in the morning, only to be met with a sharp pain in your shoulders? Or maybe you finish the work day with tense and aching shoulders? Shoulder pain is a surprisingly common issue, and it can manifest in a frustrating variety of ways.

But here’s the good news: you don’t have to carry all that weight on your shoulders alone! At City Physio Adelaide, our dedicated team of physiotherapists specialise in treatment to provide you with lasting relief from shoulder pain.  

It might be a dull ache deep in your joints, it could hurt when you lift your arms or a constant throb that distracts you throughout the day. Regardless of the specifics, shoulder pain can significantly impact your daily life, making even simple tasks feel like a chore.

From sudden injuries to chronic discomfort, we offer personalised treatment plans to get you back to moving freely and feeling your best.

Physiotherapy for shoulder pain

There are a variety of causes of shoulder pain and tension. Thankfully our physiotherapists have a toolbox of treatment options that not only identifies the cause of the problem but provides the path towards reducing the symptoms and avoiding future cases of shoulder pain. Some common causes of shoulder pain include:

• Rotator cuff Injuries: These occur from repetitive overhead motions, falls, or sudden forceful movements. This causes the tendons and muscles that stabilise your shoulder joint to become torn or inflamed. If it hurts when lifting your arm or reaching behind your back, it’s a sign you might have a rotator cuff injury.
  
• Arthritis: Degenerative changes in the shoulder joint, like osteoarthritis, can lead to stiffness, pain, and limited movement. Just because this is a result of the typical wear and tear we experience as we age, doesn’t mean that this cause of shoulder pain can’t be mitigated.
  
• Bursitis: Inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs (bursa) cushioning your shoulder joint can cause pain and tenderness, particularly when pressure is applied to the affected area. This can arise from overuse, repetitive motions, or direct impact.
  
• Overuse injuries: If you feel pain and aches long after a workout, it may be a sign you’ve strained the muscles and tendons in your shoulder. This strain can lead to pain and inflammation, even if you’re using the perfect form.
  
• Poor posture: Whether you are lounging on your day off, or hard at work at your office desk, slouching or hunching puts unnecessary stress on the muscles and joints in your shoulder
• Referred pain from neck or spine: Sometimes the source of aches and pains in your shoulder originates from somewhere else. This can happen when pinched nerves or tight muscles in your neck or back radiate pain towards your shoulder joint.
  

Everyone’s shoulder pain is a little different. Just as there are numerous causes and sources of shoulder pain, so too are there ways it can manifest. You might only feel discomfort in your left shoulder, right shoulder, or both.

There might also be symptoms that accompany problems with the shoulder. Some of our patients feel the effects of pain in their shoulder extend down the arm and radiate out to their fingers.

Others might only get pain in the shoulder when trying to sleep, or aches that come and go for seemingly no reason.

This variability is why a personalised approach to treatment is crucial. At City Physio Adelaide, we understand there’s no one size fits all solution for shoulder pain. That’s why our physiotherapists take the time to thoroughly understand your specific symptoms and situation.

Through a comprehensive assessment, we identify the root cause of your discomfort and develop a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs and lifestyle.

Physio treatments for shoulder pain

Dry needling for tight shoulders  

This safe and effective technique involves inserting thin needles into specific tight knots in your shoulder muscles, called trigger points. These trigger points contribute to pain, stiffness, and limited movement in and around the shoulders.

By targeting these trigger points directly, our dry needling treatment aims to:

• Reduce muscle tension and pain: The needles help to relax the tight muscles surrounding the trigger point, leading to a noticeable reduction in discomfort.
  
• Improve circulation: The relaxation of the muscles allows for better blood flow to the affected area, promoting healing and tissue repair.
  
• Enhance range of motion: As the tightness and pain subside, you’ll likely experience increased flexibility and a wider range of motion in your shoulder joint.

Remedial massage for shoulder pain

Feeling a constant tightness or dull ache in your shoulders? Remedial massage can be a powerful tool for finding relief. This targeted massage therapy focuses on addressing the underlying causes of your shoulder pain, not just the symptoms.

The benefits of remedial massage therapy include:

• Strengthened and stabilised shoulder muscles: Remedial massage techniques don’t just target immediate pain relief. They can also help promote healthy muscle tone and stability around your shoulder joint. This improved muscular support is crucial for maintaining good posture and proper shoulder position, reducing the chance of future shoulder pain by keeping your joints aligned and balanced.
  
• Reduces the physical symptoms of stress: When we’re stressed or anxious, we often hold those feelings in our neck and shoulders.   This can create a vicious cycle, where tight shoulder muscles contribute to feeling even more stressed and anxious. Remedial massage can help break this cycle by allowing your muscles to release that pent-up tension, so you can focus on your day-to-day activities without the distraction of shoulder pain.
• Improved sleep:   Difficulty getting to sleep, or staying asleep, can wreak havoc on your overall health and well-being. For those already struggling with sleep, shoulder pain can make a good night’s rest feel even more elusive. Remedial massage helps decrease your body’s cortisol levels, which plays a significant role in regulating your sleep cycles. Improved sleep quality is essential for the body’s natural healing processes to repair and rejuvenate your shoulder tissues. With better sleep, you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day, all while supporting your shoulder’s recovery from pain.

Shoulder injury prevention and rehab  

Whether you’ve received a shoulder injury while playing sport, or hoping to prevent a future injury, City Physio is here to support you. We have extensive experience treating a wide range of shoulder injuries in athletes of all levels and across various sports, including weight lifting, tennis, basketball, swimming, golf, and more.

Already sustained a shoulder injury? Don’t worry, we’ll guide you back to peak performance. We’ll perform a thorough assessment of your injury to develop a personalised rehabilitation program that includes:

• Hands-on treatment: Our physiotherapists will use manual therapy techniques to reduce pain, improve flexibility, and restore normal movement patterns in your shoulder.
  
• Targeted exercises: We’ll design a specific exercise program to strengthen the muscles around your shoulder joint, improve stability, and enhance your overall athletic performance.
• Movement education: We’ll provide guidance on proper technique to help you avoid future injuries and ensure you’re getting the most out of your workouts.
• Pain management strategies: We’ll equip you with tools and techniques to manage pain effectively, allowing you to focus on your recovery and return to your activities sooner.

Looking to avoid a potential injury? Our physiotherapists will assess your current strength, flexibility, and movement patterns to identify any potential weaknesses that could lead to future problems. By addressing these imbalances early on, you can significantly reduce your risk of injury and optimise your performance.

Shoulder pain relief at City Physio Adelaide

Don’t let shoulder pain hold you back from living your best life. At City Physio, we’re committed to helping you overcome discomfort and regain your mobility through tailored treatment plans that address your unique needs. Whether it’s through dry needling, remedial massage, or targeted rehabilitation exercises, our skilled physiotherapists are here to guide you every step of the way.

Schedule an appointment with City Physio today to start your journey toward lasting relief and improved well-being.

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