Shoulder Pain
Expert Treatment in Bromley & Shortlands
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body — and that mobility comes at the cost of stability. Shoulder pain is common across all ages, from overuse injuries in active adults to degenerative and stiffness-related conditions that develop with age. Because the shoulder relies on a complex balance of muscles, tendons, and control from the shoulder blade, accurate diagnosis is essential to effective treatment.
At Physio Squared, shoulder assessment looks beyond the joint itself to include shoulder blade positioning, posture, and movement control — factors that are frequently the true source of the problem.
What Causes Shoulder Pain?
Repetitive overhead activity Sports and occupations involving repeated overhead movement — swimming, throwing sports, painting and decorating, certain manual trades — place cumulative strain on the rotator cuff and surrounding structures.
Strength imbalances Weakness in the rotator cuff or the muscles stabilising the shoulder blade changes how load is distributed through the joint, often leading to impingement-type symptoms.
Poor posture Prolonged forward-shoulder posture, common with desk-based work, alters shoulder blade positioning and can compress structures within the shoulder during overhead movement.
Acute injury Falls, direct trauma, or a sudden forceful movement can injure the rotator cuff, labrum, or joint capsule, and require careful assessment to determine severity.
Common Shoulder Conditions Treated
Rotator cuff tendinopathy Irritation or degeneration of the rotator cuff tendons, causing pain with overhead movement and often at night. One of the most common causes of shoulder pain in adults over 40.
Shoulder impingement Compression of soft tissue structures during shoulder movement, often linked to poor shoulder blade control or rotator cuff weakness rather than a structural problem alone.
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) A condition causing progressive stiffness and pain, often developing over months. Physiotherapy plays an important role in managing pain and restoring movement through each phase of recovery.
Instability Where the shoulder joint moves excessively or partially dislocates, often related to ligament laxity or previous injury. Targeted strengthening is central to management.
How Shoulder Pain is Treated
Hands-on therapy Manual therapy techniques to reduce pain, improve joint mobility, and address soft tissue restriction around the shoulder and shoulder blade.
Strengthening of the shoulder and shoulder blade muscles Targeted rehabilitation of the rotator cuff and scapular stabilisers — essential for both recovery and preventing recurrence.
Movement retraining Correcting compensatory movement patterns that develop when the shoulder has been painful, restoring efficient and pain-free movement.
Guided return to activity A structured plan for returning to sport, gym training, or overhead work, paced according to how your shoulder is responding to treatment.
Serving Shortlands, Bromley & Surrounding Areas
Physio Squared is based in Shortlands and sees patients from across the Bromley borough including Beckenham, Hayes, West Wickham, Sundridge Park, Penge, Orpington, and Crystal Palace.
This information is for general education only and does not constitute medical advice. A personalised assessment is recommended for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
