Shoulder Pain: Why it Hurts & When to Worry (Bursitis & Beyond)

Shoulder pain can be a common part of your everyday experience, or it can be a real cause for concern. The only way to really know what is and what isn’t going to cause a persistent problem is by seeking out professional care, both from your GP and an accredited shoulder pain physio! Physiotherapy is great for treating the cause as well as the effect, meaning that your issue will be targeted holistically and effectively, making for long term solutions and the minimisation of pain or risk of reinjury down the line. Here is everything you need to know about physiotherapy for shoulder pain and why it is so effective…

What causes shoulder pain?

Shoulder pain is the third most common type of bodily pain, and therefore it can be caused by a vast variety of different conditions, lifestyle factors and concerns. You might be suffering from a more common condition that comes about naturally from daily wear and tear or you might be experiencing one of the rarer types of shoulder injury that require specialist attention. The only way to really know? Consulting the expertise of a professional specialist. Common conditions will often come about due to run of the mill repeated lifestyle inevitabilities such as carrying a bag on one side, hunching over at a desk and mis-aligned sleeping positions. 

What to do?

Your best bet at treating all causes of shoulder pain is seeking treatment sooner rather than later. Diagnosis and treatment will repair the cause of your pain and put a stop to any potential progressions in more serious cases of shoulder pain or injury. Visit your GP and start searching for a physiotherapist if you do not already see one to start your journey towards a happier, pain free day to day experience.

What treatments do physiotherapists use? 

Once you are all booked in at your chosen physiotherapist for shoulder pain, you’ll find that you will receive a range of different treatments used to effectively diagnose, treat and target your shoulder issues. You will experience a diverse range of treatment methods including dry needling, ultrasound, ice and heat therapy, stretching, pilates and take home exercises as well as more specialised care that will be provided upon an assessment of your unique concerns. One of the biggest benefits of undergoing physiotherapy for your shoulder pain (however mild or intense it might be) is that you are receiving customised care that is tailored to you and you alone. You’ll also learn about adjustments that you can make to your day to day life that will prevent your shoulder pain from bothering you again down the line. 

How to find the right physio

Finding the right physiotherapist should be simple through the help of your doctor. You can also consult Google, your nearest and dearest or seek out a local professional to find someone who is going to be able to treat your pain potentially for the long term. You don’t want to have to travel for hours every time you need a session! 

And there you have it. If you are experiencing shoulder pain and it is becoming cause for concern, it is imperative that you start your process for physiotherapy. This might be visiting your practitioner, booking in for an appointment or doing further research. Whatever the start of your process looks like, you’re going to need it to start it as soon as you possibly can.