Many many people get aches and pains in their shoulders. Similar to neck ache, and often associated with neck ache, shoulder problems are generally treated readily with osteopathic treatment and exercise.

Shoulders may ache across the top of the shoulder, across the joint and/or down into the upper arm. In your consulatation, orthopaedic testing will be undertaken to establish the cause(s) and the tissues involved. This might be muscular, rotator cuff tendons, a frozen shoulder, arthritis etc.

In some situations, an ultrasound scan may be undertaken to assist diagnosis.

Rotator Cuff
The rotator cuff is formed from a group of 4 tendons and their associated muscles. They have the important role of stabilising the ball of the humerus onto the rather flat ‘socket’ of the scapula. These are often strained or even ruptured during sporting activities and or age related degenaration. There is a lot that can be done to improve your shoulder health before resorting to more invasive procedures.

Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder has an almost mythically stubborn status with many believing that nothing can be done to help. This could not be further from the truth! There is a great deal that can be done and the earlier the better. Ignoring the frozen shoulder will surely result in it becoming more deeply ‘frozen’ and increasingly long term and difficult to treat. Through a process of hands-on treatment, exercises, diet, and adaptations we can begin the process of improving movement and reducing pain.