Is My Shoulder Pain a Rotator Cuff Injury?
Rotator cuff injuries are a common cause of shoulder pain.
The rotator cuff is a group of tendons connecting your upper shoulder muscles to the adjacent bones. This combination of tendons and muscles work together to lift and rotate your upper arm.
However, these tendons and muscles are very prone to trauma and injury. You can tear the rotator cuff through a sudden traumatic incident. Or you can develop tears over time (hence why reaching back from the front seat of your car and grabbing heavy things from the back seat is a bad idea).
An injury to your rotator cuff will mean you find it hard to lift or easily rotate your arm and you will also experience pretty acute pain when using your arm. It’s often felt at night and commonly radiates down your arm.
What is a Frozen Shoulder?
If you have a so-called “frozen” shoulder it means your shoulder has become both extremely painful and stiffened up.
Frozen shoulder is caused by inflammation of the lining of the shoulder joint, known as the ‘capsule’.
This capsule is usually very flexible and elastic, giving your shoulder a wide range of motion.
But if it becomes inflamed and contracted, that elasticity is lost, and this causes both the pain and stiffness.
Frozen shoulder can appear from nowhere or it might be triggered by a seemingly mild injury. Unfortunately, it can take several years to get back full movement.
Which Shoulder Injuries are Common in Sport?
Anyone involved in sport knows how frequently players and participants at all levels suffer from shoulder injuries.
We’ve treated everyone from elite athletes to amateur sportspeople who have variously suffered dislocations, Acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) injuries, rotator cuff injuries, labral tears, thrower’s shoulder, biceps injuries, bursitis, fractures…a seemingly endless list!
The type of injury we see tends to vary by sport.
Dislocations and ACJ injuries are more common in contact sports (rugby is a prime example) while biceps lesions are more typical of sports such as weight-lifting.
And anyone familiar with cycling will know how often a crash results in a shoulder fracture, whether on the track, road or trail.
How Do You Treat Shoulder Injuries?
Shoulder injuries can be very difficult to diagnose; a simple muscle strain, for example, can present with similar symptoms to a far more serious injury.
The best course of action is for you to get an early assessment from a doctor or one of our osteopaths, and if a serious injury is suspected, then we will refer you for x-rays and/or scans.
Thereafter, we can provide elite level care and treatments, from osteopathy to infra-red sauna sessions, rehabilitative exercises, yoga and Pilates, to help restore your shoulder to full movement.
Prices:
Principal Osteopath:
Initial Consultation: £65
Follow-up Consultation: £60
Osteopath:
Initial Consultation: £55
Follow-up Consultation: £50
View our Services & Treatments
Osteopathy
Osteopathy aims to improve the function of the body and reduce pain using a variety of evidence-based techniques including soft tissue massage, gentle-focused manipulation and rehabilitation advice.
Great for:
Low back pain & Sciatica | Neck & Shoulder pain | Knee pain | Foot & ankle pain | Jaw pain | Elbow pain
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapists help people affected by injury or illness by using a variety of techniques such as movement and exercise, manual hands-on therapy, education and advice.
Great for:
Low back pain & Sciatica | Neck & Shoulder pain | Knee pain | Foot & ankle pain | Jaw pain | Elbow pain | Sports Injuries
Sports Therapy & Sports Massage
Sports therapists are experts in musculoskeletal disorders, treating pain and injury through hands-on techniques and rehabilitation. Sports massage works on deeper tissues than therapeutic massage and is highly effective at both treating and preventing injuries.
Great for:
Promotes healing | Faster recovery | Enhances endurance | Increases flexibility | Injury prevention
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is a cutting-edge treatment that uses an acoustic wave to carry high levels of energy to painful spots and musculoskeletal tissues suffering from a range of injuries and other conditions.
Great for:
Tendon problems | Frozen shoulder | Calcified tendons | Shin splints | Hip pain | Plantar fasciitis | Osteoarthritis
Dry Needling
Dry needling stimulates the body’s healing process by targeting trigger points that have been activated in response to pain, causing surrounding muscles to tighten.
Great for:
Relaxation | Reduces stress and tension | Reduces pain | Injury recovery
Therapeutic Massage
Therapeutic massage treatment uses less pressure than a sports massage and is a combination of relaxation massage and remedial massage.
Great for:
Relaxation | Reduces stress and tension | Reduces pain | Injury recovery
Kinesiology Taping
Kinesiology taping is a highly successful technique used by our expert therapists to help support the body’s own healing process.
Great for:
Joint, muscle & ligament support | Tennis & golfer’s elbow | Shoulder injuries | Bursitis | Postural issues | Lower back pain
Nutritional Therapy
Nutritional Therapy is the use of foods, diets, fasting, supplements, functional foods and dietary counselling, assessment and support to help people reach their health goals.
Great for:
Better sleep | Relieve joint pain | Relief for muscle soreness | Recovery | Relaxation | Improves circulation
Reflexology
Reflexology is a deeply relaxing, non-invasive treatment, applying pressure to areas on the feet (or the hands), which heals at a physical and emotional level.
