Say Goodbye to Shoulder Pain! A Complete Guide to Prevention, Causes & Treatment.

Shoulder pain is a common issue that can affect anyone—whether you’re an athlete, a gym-goer, or someone with a desk job. If left untreated, it can restrict movement and affect daily life. At Seventeen Physio, we specialise in treating shoulder pain through physiotherapy, osteopathy, and advanced treatments like Tecar Therapy to help you recover faster.

Let’s explore the causes, prevention, and treatment options for shoulder pain.

Why Does Shoulder Pain Happen?

The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, but its flexibility makes it vulnerable to injury. Common causes include:

✅ Poor posture (Cools et al., 2014)

✅ Overuse or repetitive movements (Kibler et al., 2013)

✅ Weak or imbalanced muscles (Escamilla et al., 2009)

✅ Sudden trauma (falls, accidents)

Common Sports & Workouts That Cause Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder pain frequently affects athletes and fitness enthusiasts involved in repetitive or high-intensity movements, including:

🏋️‍♂️ Weightlifting (bench press, overhead press)

🏀 Basketball (shooting, rebounding)

🏊 Swimming (freestyle, butterfly strokes)

🎾 Tennis & Badminton (serving, smashing)

🔥 CrossFit, Hyrox & HIIT classes (overhead lifts, kettlebell swings, burpees)

Studies show that sports and workouts with high shoulder loads increase the risk of rotator cuff injuries and impingements (Reinold et al., 2013).

Common Shoulder Injuries

If you experience stiffness, weakness, or sharp pain, you may have one of these common injuries:

🔹 Rotator cuff injuries – Tears or inflammation of shoulder tendons (Tashjian, 2017)

🔹 Shoulder impingement – Painful pinching of tendons under the acromion (Neer, 1983)

🔹 Dislocations & subluxations – Joint instability due to ligament damage (Owens et al., 2010)

🔹 Frozen shoulder – Severe stiffness and limited mobility (Neviaser & Neviaser, 1987)

How to Prevent Shoulder Pain?

🚨 Prevention is always better than treatment! Try these shoulder health tips:

✔️ Warm up properly before workouts (McCrary et al., 2015)

✔️ Strengthen your rotator cuff & scapular muscles (Reinold et al., 2013)

✔️ Maintain good posture (avoid slouching)

✔️ Stretch regularly to improve mobility

✔️ Avoid overloading & allow proper recovery time

Diagnosing Shoulder Pain – What Tests Might You Need?

A physiotherapist or doctor might recommend:

🔍 X-ray – To check for fractures or arthritis

🔍 MRI or Ultrasound – To assess soft tissue injuries (rotator cuff tears, impingements)

🔍 Physical examination – To analyse movement & pain triggers (Hegedus et al., 2012)

Best Treatments for Shoulder Pain

If you’re experiencing persistent shoulder pain, it’s essential to get professional treatment.

🔥 Tecar Therapy for Shoulder Pain 🔥

Tecar Therapy (Transfer of Capacitive and Resistive Energy) is an advanced physiotherapy treatment that:

✔️ Speeds up healing by improving circulation (Benítez-Martínez et al., 2020)

✔️ Reduces pain & inflammation instantly

✔️ Relaxes muscles for better mobility

✔️ Enhances tissue repair for long-term recovery

🩺 Physiotherapy for Shoulder Pain 🩺

A physiotherapist will create a customised treatment plan that may include:

💪 Manual therapy – Mobilisation & massage to relieve tightness

🦾 Strength exercises – To restore stability & function

🧘‍♂️ Stretching & mobility drills – To improve range of motion

⚡ Electrotherapy or ultrasound – To accelerate healing

Seventeen Physio – Your Shoulder Pain Experts

At Seventeen Physio, we specialise in treating shoulder pain through physiotherapy and osteopathy. Whether you have a sports injury, chronic pain, or postural issues, our expert team will help you recover safely and effectively.

📅 Book your appointment today! DM us or visit our website to schedule a session.

References:

1. Benítez-Martínez, J. C., Valera-Garrido, F., & Minaya-Muñoz, F. (2020). Effects of Tecar Therapy on Tissue Repair and Pain Reduction. Journal of Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation.

2. Cools, A. M., et al. (2014). Rehabilitation of scapular dyskinesis: from the office worker to the elite overhead athlete. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48(8), 692-697.

3. Escamilla, R. F., et al. (2009). Shoulder muscle activity and function in common shoulder rehabilitation exercises. Sports Medicine, 39(8), 663-685.

4. Hegedus, E. J., et al. (2012). Physical examination tests of the shoulder: a systematic review with meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 46(14), 964-978.

5. Kibler, W. B., et al. (2013). Current concepts: scapular dyskinesis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 47(14), 875-882.

6. McCrary, J. M., et al. (2015). A systematic review of flexibility, stretching, and warm-ups in exercise. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 29(8), 2390-2403.

7. Neer, C. S. (1983). Impingement lesions. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 173, 70-77.

8. Neviaser, T. J., & Neviaser, R. J. (1987). The frozen shoulder diagnosis and management. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 223, 59-64.

9. Owens, B. D., et al. (2010). Shoulder injuries in US armed forces: epidemiology and outcomes. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 38(6), 1144-1153.

10. Reinold, M. M., et al. (2013). Current concepts in the evaluation and treatment of the shoulder in overhead athletes. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 8(5), 554-578.

11. Tashjian, R. Z. (2017). Epidemiology, natural history, and indications for treatment of rotator cuff tears. Clinics in Sports Medicine, 36(4), 497-513.