Shoulder pain physiotherapy
The shoulder joint has sacrificed stability for mobility. It’s a ball and saucer joint. Great if you want to scratch behind your back. Bad if you can’t lie on it at night because you strained it. There are lots of soft tissues around the shoulder to keep it in its socket. The rotator cuff muscles and tendons, the glenoid labrum to deepen and help suck that head of your humerus into the socket. The subacromial bursa to help slide and glide the supraspinatus tendon. Ageing is not kind to the shoulder. There’s more, but you get the idea. There’s plenty to go wrong.
In Mawson Lakes Physiotherapy we deal with the shoulder problems of office workers, the elderly, and elite swimmers and strength athletes.
Our shoulder treatment focuses on helping you regain comfortable, full-range movement – whether you’re reaching overhead, lifting groceries, or playing sports. Drawing on over 20 years of experience treating shoulder conditions, we understand how shoulder pain can limit your daily activities and disturb your sleep. Our approach combines thorough assessment, hands-on therapy, and personalised exercise programs to help you recover and prevent future problems.
Bursitis
Shoulder bursitis occurs when a small fluid-filled sac (bursa) in your shoulder becomes irritated and inflamed. This condition typically causes an aching pain at the front of your shoulder, making it difficult to lift your arm or lie on the affected side at night.
What Causes It?
Shoulder bursitis can develop from:
- Repetitive overhead movements
- Poor shoulder posture
- Overuse during work or sports
- Sudden increase in activity
- Injury to nearby structures
- Prolonged pressure on the shoulder
- Abnormal shoulder mechanics
- Age-related changes
Our Treatment Approach
Our comprehensive treatment includes:
- Detailed assessment of shoulder movement patterns
- Hands-on therapy to reduce inflammation, ease pain and improve movement
- Targeted exercises for shoulder blade control, rotator cuff strength and movement correction
- Dry needling or acupuncture
- Activity modification advice
- Sleeping position guidance
- Workplace ergonomic tips
- Prevention strategies for long-term shoulder health
Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder is a painful condition where your shoulder joint becomes inflamed and stiff, severely limiting your arm movements. It can make simple tasks like reaching up to a shelf, putting on a coat, or washing your hair extremely difficult, and the pain can extend from your shoulder down your arm.
What Causes It?
Frozen shoulder can develop from:
- No obvious cause (idiopathic)
- Period of shoulder immobility
- Previous shoulder injury
- Diabetes or cardiovascular disease are risk factors
- Recovery from surgery
- Long-term poor posture
- Age-related changes
- Extended period of guarding the arm
Our Treatment Approach
Our evidence-based treatment includes:
- Comprehensive assessment
- Staged treatment approach for pain management, mobility exercises, and strength
- Hands-on therapy to improve range of motion and release tight tissues
- Acupuncture or dry needling
- Practical strategies for daily activities, sleep positioning and work modifications
- Home exercise program
- Prevention of neck problems
Supraspinatus Tendinopathy
Supraspinatus tendinopathy affects one of your key shoulder muscles that helps lift your arm outward. When this muscle’s tendon becomes irritated or worn, it typically causes pain down your upper arm or an ache at the front of your shoulder, making movements like reaching sideways particularly painful.
What Causes It?
This condition commonly develops from:
- Repetitive overhead activities
- Poor shoulder blade control
- Lifting with poor technique
- Prolonged desk work
- Sports involving throwing
- Sleeping on the affected side
- Sudden increase in activity
- Age-related tendon changes
Our Treatment Approach
Our comprehensive treatment includes:
- Detailed assessment of shoulder mechanics
- Hands-on therapy to improve shoulder movement and release tight muscles
- Staged exercise program for shoulder blade control, rotator cuff strength and movement pattern correction
- Activity modification guidance
- Work posture advice
- Sleep position recommendations
- Prevention strategies
- Acupuncture or dry needling