Symptoms
If you have shoulder impingement or frozen shoulder you may experience:
- Pain at front of your shoulder which can spread down to the elbow
- Pain and discomfort that increases over time
- Pain and weakness when lifting the arm
- Difficulty sleeping or lying on the arm
Causes
Impingement is when the muscles surrounding your shoulder (the rotator cuff) become irritated and inflamed. Some of the reasons that this may happen include:
- Poor posture or control of the shoulder muscles
- Sleeping on the same side every night
- Overtraining – weight lifting or racket sports
- Repetitive strain – for example lifting the arm at work
- Wear and tear to the tendons in older age
- Conditions that affect inflammation, such as arthritis
Frozen shoulder occurs when the tissue surrounding your shoulder joint (the capsule) become inflamed and thickened. Anyone can experience frozen shoulder, but your chances are increased by:
- Injuries to the shoulder area
- Surgery around the shoulder area
- Diabetes
- Conditions that affect inflammation, such as arthritis
Treatment with us
Step by step we can help you to feel better.
Your physiotherapist will discuss a treatment plan with you, which is likely to include:
- Soft-tissue massage
- Joint mobilisation
- Exercise therapy
- Heat and ice to relieve pain and swelling
- In some cases referral for injection therapy
