Get it checked at Bodyline Health, Lower Plenty
We see patients from across the Diamond Valley, including Eltham, Greensborough, Montmorency, Rosanna and Heidelberg. No referral needed, free parking, onsite X-ray when clinically indicated and HICAPS claiming on the spot.
Shoulder pain treatment: a guide from the Bodyline Health team at 17 Main Road, Lower Plenty.
Why shoulders get sore
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body. That freedom comes at a cost: it relies on a group of small muscles, the rotator cuff, to keep the ball centred in a shallow socket.
When those muscles are overloaded, weak or irritated, the shoulder can become painful and stiff. Because nerves to the arm start in the neck, neck problems can also be felt in the shoulder.
For simple first steps you can take yourself, see our article on shoulder pain relief at home.
Common causes of shoulder pain
- Rotator cuff irritation or tears – often after lifting, throwing or overhead work. See our article on a rotator cuff injury.
- Bursitis – an irritated fluid sac under the point of the shoulder
- Frozen shoulder – the joint capsule thickens and the shoulder becomes very stiff. Read frozen shoulder explained.
- Referred pain from the neck – often with neck stiffness or arm tingling
- Arthritis of the shoulder or collarbone joint
What a shoulder pain assessment involves
We start by asking how and when the pain started, which movements hurt and how it affects your sleep, work and sport.
Then we test shoulder movement and strength, check the neck and upper back, and look at how your shoulder blade moves. If X-ray is clinically indicated it is available onsite. Sometimes an ultrasound through your GP is the better test, and we will tell you if so.
Shoulder pain treatment options
Settle the irritation
Modify the movements that flare it – often reaching overhead or behind you – without stopping use of the arm altogether.
Rebuild strength
Rotator cuff and shoulder blade exercises are the core of most shoulder pain treatment. They start gently and build week by week.
Hands-on care
Soft tissue work, joint mobilisation of the shoulder, neck and upper back, and dry needling can reduce pain and help you move.
Look at the bigger picture
Desk set-up, sleeping position and training load all matter. Small changes there make exercises work better.
Sleeping with shoulder pain
Try lying on your back with a pillow under the sore arm, or on the good side hugging a pillow so the sore shoulder is supported.
Who at Bodyline Health can help with shoulder pain?
Because our practitioners work under one roof, your care can be shared between people who talk to each other.
- Dr Phillip Mifsud (Chiropractor): assessment of the shoulder, neck and upper back, onsite X-ray when indicated and hands-on care.
- Mary Fleming (Physiotherapist): rotator cuff and shoulder rehabilitation.
- Keryn Arrowsmith (Myotherapist): myotherapy and dry needling for tight shoulder and neck muscles.
- Jack Robertson (Remedial Massage Therapist): remedial massage for the upper back and shoulders.
When to seek urgent medical help
Seek urgent care if shoulder pain comes with chest pain, shortness of breath or sweating, if you cannot lift your arm at all after a fall, or if the shoulder is hot and swollen and you feel unwell. In an emergency, call 000.
Further reading: Shoulder pain (Healthdirect Australia).
Common questions
How long does shoulder pain take to get better?
It depends on the cause. Minor strains often settle in a few weeks, while rotator cuff problems and frozen shoulder can take months.
Should I use heat or ice on a sore shoulder?
Ice can help a fresh injury in the first day or two; heat often feels better for ongoing stiffness. Use whichever eases your pain.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed for a standard appointment at Bodyline Health.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for individual medical advice. If you are unsure, see your GP or book an assessment.
