Shoulder niggles can easily be ignored—until they start affecting your sleep, your ability to lift your arm, or your confidence in the gym. Early intervention can prevent a minor issue from becoming a long-term problem.
Whether you’re hypermobile, spend long hours at a desk, hit the gym regularly, or simply enjoy being active on weekends, your shoulders do a lot of heavy lifting. Unfortunately, that also makes them vulnerable to strain, injury, and discomfort.
So, what’s behind your shoulder pain? And more importantly, what can you do about it?
Common causes of shoulder pain
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, which allows for a wide range of motion. But with this mobility comes less stability—making the joint prone to injury and dysfunction.
Some of the most common causes of shoulder pain we see include:
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- Rotator cuff injuries – including tears, strains, or tendinopathy
- Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) – a painful and progressive loss of motion
- Shoulder bursitis – inflammation of the small fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joint
- Instability – often due to hypermobility or previous dislocations
- Referred pain – from the neck or upper back, which can mimic shoulder pain.
Shoulder pain is one of the most common issues we treat at Bodyfit Physio—and for good reason. Your shoulder is involved in almost everything you do, from getting dressed or cooking to reaching up to cupboards and pushing doors open.
We look to address the root of the cause rather than just the symptoms.
When to seek help:
1. Pain when lifting your arm or reaching behind your back
2. Pain that disrupts your sleep
3. Clicking, catching, or grinding sensations
4. A feeling of weakness, instability, or giving way
5. Reduced range of motion.
How physiotherapy can help:
- Hands-on manual therapy to reduce stiffness and alleviate pain
- Targeted strengthening exercises to support your shoulder and improve function
- Posture and movement re-training to optimise how you use your shoulder in daily life and prevent recurrence
- Education around load management and recovery to prevent re-injury.
Our goal is to help you move better, feel stronger, and get back to doing what you love—pain-free. Shoulder pain is common, but that doesn’t mean you have to put up with it. The earlier you get it assessed, the quicker and more effective your recovery will be.
If shoulder discomfort is limiting your lifestyle, book an appointment with the Bodyfit Physio team today. We’re here to help you move with confidence.
For more complex issues, we can refer you to Richard Pennington, Orthopaedic surgeon and shoulder specialist, who consults regularly from Bodyfit Physio to advise on surgical approaches to shoulder management.