Top 5 Causes of Shoulder Pain & How Physiotherapy Can Help

Shoulder pain is a common condition that can interfere with work, sleep, and sport. Whether you're a tradie, swimmer, office worker, or new parent, shoulder pain can impact your ability to live and move comfortably.

At Body Fit Physiotherapy in North Adelaide, we specialise in the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of shoulder injuries, using the latest evidence and hands-on expertise.

🩻 The 5 Most Common Causes of Shoulder Pain

1. Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy

• Often presents as a dull ache in the upper arm or a sharp stabbing pain on movement

• Pain with overhead movements or sleeping on your side

• Common in overuse, poor posture, or muscle imbalances

• 
  

🧠 Evidence insight: Progressive loading is key (Malliaras et al., 2013).

2. Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

• Painful arc during arm elevation

• Often caused by poor scapular control or tight structures

• Common in swimmers, lifters, and overhead workers

🧠 Evidence insight: Manual therapy + motor control training = better outcomes than passive modalities alone (Holmgren et al., 2012).

3. Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)

• Gradual onset of pain and stiffness

• More common in people aged 40–60 and those with diabetes

• Can take 12–24 months to resolve without intervention

🧠 Evidence insight: Early physio with stretching, education, and gentle mobilisation improves pain and function (Page et al., 2014).

4. Shoulder Instability or Dislocation

• Often occurs after trauma or repetitive overuse in younger athletes

• May involve clicking, “dead arm” sensation, or dislocation episodes

🧠 Evidence insight: Neuromuscular rehab improves dynamic stability and can reduce need for surgery in some cases (Warby et al., 2016).

5. AC Joint Injury (Acromioclavicular Joint)

• Common in contact sports like football or cycling falls

• Pain at the tip of the shoulder, worse with horizontal pushing or lifting

🧠 Evidence insight: Most AC joint sprains respond well to conservative treatment—manual therapy + progressive loading.

🧠 How Physiotherapy Helps Shoulder Pain

At Body Fit, we provide a comprehensive shoulder rehab approach including:

✅ 1. Accurate Diagnosis

• Detailed assessment of posture, shoulder mechanics, scapula control, and muscle imbalances

• Special tests to differentiate rotator cuff, labral, or joint-based conditions

  
  

✅ 2. Hands-On Treatment

• Joint mobilisation to improve range

• Soft tissue release for tight muscles

• Taping or dry needling to reduce pain and inflammation

  
  

✅ 3. Strength & Motor Control Rehab

• Specific exercise programs targeting:

  • Rotator cuff activation

  • Scapular stabilisation

  • Thoracic mobility

• Loaded rehab shown to be more effective than passive rest (Littlewood et al., 2013)

✅ 4. Sport or Job-Specific Conditioning

• Return-to-play or return-to-work protocols

• Functional strength & mobility in our onsite rehab gym

📍 Why Choose Body Fit Physio for Shoulder Pain in North Adelaide?

• ✔️ Longer consults for thorough care

• ✔️ Sport & gym-focused rehab programs

• ✔️ Onsite rehab gym for progressive strengthening

• ✔️ Experienced in treating tradies, gym-goers, athletes, and office workers

• ✔️ Convenient location near Prospect, Walkerville & Medindie

🗓 Book Your Shoulder Pain Assessment

Shoulder pain doesn’t have to be something you just “put up with.” The sooner you start rehab, the sooner you’ll restore function and avoid chronic issues.

📞 Call us today or book onlineServing North Adelaide, Prospect, and surrounding suburbs.

📚 References:

• Holmgren T, et al. Effect of specific exercise strategy on need for surgery in subacromial impingement syndrome: RCT. BMJ. 2012;344:e787.

• Malliaras P, et al. Isometric exercise to reduce pain in tendinopathy. Br J Sports Med. 2013;47(20):1174–1178.

• Page MJ, et al. Manual therapy and exercise for adhesive capsulitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(8):CD011275.

• Warby SA, et al. Management of traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation. Br J Sports Med. 2016;50(18):1124–1131.

• Littlewood C, et al. Exercise and load progression in rotator cuff-related shoulder pain. Phys Ther Sport. 2013;14(4):231–238.