Shoulder pain treatment in Bishop Auckland
Shoulder pain is one of the most common things I see at The Body Fix Clinic in Bishop Auckland. Lifting at the gym, a job that keeps your arms up, a fall, or months of sitting hunched at a desk. Here is what usually causes it, what you can do at home, and when to have it looked at properly.
Book an appointment →Why your shoulder hurts
Your shoulder is the most mobile joint you have. It is held in place mostly by muscle, not bone, so it relies on the small muscles around it, the rotator cuff, and on your shoulder blade and upper back moving well. When one part stops doing its job, another part takes the strain. That is why pain at the front of the shoulder often starts somewhere else: a stiff upper back, a shoulder blade that does not move, or a cuff that has got weak.
The most common shoulder problems I treat
Impingement, where it pinches when you lift your arm out to the side or overhead. Rotator cuff problems, from a sore tendon to a tear. A stiff, aching shoulder that has slowly lost movement. Pain when pressing, benching or doing pull ups. And shoulders that never felt right after an old injury. Each one needs a slightly different plan, which is why I always assess before I treat.
What you can try at home
Keep moving it within a range that does not hurt. Complete rest usually makes a shoulder stiffer. Cut back on whatever sets it off for a week or two, rather than stopping training altogether. Heat can ease a stiff, achy shoulder. If it is no better after two weeks, or it keeps coming back, it is worth getting it assessed.
How I treat shoulder pain
First I watch how you move and test the shoulder, the shoulder blade and your upper back, to find what is actually causing the pain. Then hands-on treatment on the muscles and joint to get you moving with less pain. Then the part most people skip: I coach you through the strength work that keeps it fixed, right there on the gym floor at Admire Club. Most people start with The Movement Reset, or the Upper Reset if it is just the shoulder.
When to see a doctor first
See your GP or call 111 if your shoulder pain came with a fall and the shoulder looks out of shape, if you suddenly cannot lift your arm at all after an injury, if the joint is hot and swollen and you feel unwell, or if the pain comes with chest pain or shortness of breath. Call 999 for chest pain. These need ruling out before any treatment.
Treatments for this
Questions
Do I need a referral to see you for shoulder pain?
No. You can book straight in online. I will assess your shoulder at your first session and tell you if anything needs checking with a doctor first.
How many sessions will my shoulder need?
It depends on what is causing it and how long you have had it. Some people feel a big difference after one session; longer standing problems take a few sessions plus the exercises you do in between. I will tell you what I expect after your first assessment.
Can I keep training at the gym with shoulder pain?
Usually yes, with changes. I will show you what to keep, what to swap and what to drop for now, so you stay strong while the shoulder settles.
What should I book for shoulder pain?
The Movement Reset | Upper focuses on the shoulders, neck and upper back. If the pain is part of a bigger picture, The Movement Reset covers the whole body.
Where are you?
The Body Fix Clinic is at Admire Club, Unit 6A, Catkinway, Bishop Auckland, DL5 7BH.