Shoulder Pain in Essex

Specialist Shoulder Pain Assessment and Treatment in Billericay, Essex

Shoulder pain can affect your ability to work, exercise, sleep and carry out everyday activities such as dressing, reaching, lifting or driving.

At The Arthritis Clinic in Billericay, Essex, we provide specialist assessment and treatment for a wide range of shoulder problems. Our approach is focused on identifying the likely cause of your symptoms and developing an individual treatment plan based on your clinical findings, movement, strength, lifestyle and goals.

Shoulder pain can originate from the shoulder joint, rotator cuff tendons, bursa, muscles, ligaments, nerves or the neck, and different conditions can produce very similar symptoms. A thorough clinical assessment is therefore an important first step.

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

There are many potential causes of shoulder pain, including:

• Rotator cuff-related shoulder pain
• Rotator cuff tendinopathy
• Rotator cuff tears
• Frozen shoulder
• Shoulder osteoarthritis
• Acromioclavicular (AC) joint problems
• Shoulder bursitis
• Shoulder instability
• Sports and activity-related injuries
• Muscle and tendon injuries
• Calcific tendinopathy
• Post-operative shoulder problems
• Referred pain from the neck

Shoulder pain can develop gradually without an obvious injury or occur following a fall, sporting injury, repetitive activity or sudden increase in physical activity.

Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, can cause significant shoulder pain and stiffness.

People often experience difficulty with movements such as:

• Reaching overhead
• Putting on a coat
• Reaching behind the back
• Washing or brushing their hair
• Sleeping on the affected side
• Reaching for objects

Frozen shoulder can develop gradually and recovery can take considerable time. Treatment is generally focused on managing pain, maintaining and gradually improving movement, and restoring function.

A personalised physiotherapy programme can help you understand the condition and work towards improving shoulder movement and function.

Rotator Cuff Shoulder Pain

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that help control movement and stability of the shoulder.

Rotator cuff-related problems can cause:

• Pain when lifting the arm
• Pain reaching overhead
• Pain when reaching behind your back
• Night pain
• Weakness
• Difficulty with sporting activities
• Pain when dressing or performing everyday tasks

Rotator cuff problems can range from tendinopathy and irritation through to partial or full-thickness tears. Rotator cuff tears may develop gradually or occur following an injury. Ultrasound or MRI may be used when imaging is clinically indicated.

Shoulder Impingement and Subacromial Pain

Pain during arm elevation has traditionally been described as shoulder impingement or subacromial impingement.

Symptoms can include pain around the outer shoulder or upper arm, particularly when lifting the arm overhead, together with weakness or night pain.

Modern assessment considers the wider picture rather than assuming that pain is simply caused by a structure being “pinched”. Your movement, strength, activity levels and overall clinical presentation are all important when developing a treatment plan.

Shoulder Arthritis

Osteoarthritis can affect the shoulder and may cause:

• Pain
• Stiffness
• Reduced range of movement
• Difficulty reaching overhead
• Difficulty dressing
• Pain during activity
• Reduced strength and function

Shoulder arthritis is not necessarily a reason to stop using your shoulder. Appropriate movement and strengthening can help maintain physical function.

Where appropriate, treatment may include physiotherapy, exercise rehabilitation, pain management and selected injection treatments.

Shoulder Pain After an Injury

Shoulder pain following a fall, collision, lifting injury or sporting incident may involve the rotator cuff, ligaments, joint, muscles or other structures.

If you experience sudden severe pain, major swelling, significant loss of movement or a change in the shape of your shoulder following an injury, urgent medical assessment may be required.

For less severe injuries, physiotherapy and progressive rehabilitation may be appropriate once serious injury has been excluded.

Shoulder Pain at Night

Night pain is common with several shoulder conditions and can make recovery particularly frustrating.

Pain may be worse when:

• Lying on the affected shoulder
• Turning in bed
• Moving the arm during sleep
• Reaching overhead during the day
• The shoulder becomes stiff after periods of inactivity

Persistent night pain that is affecting your sleep and quality of life is a reason to seek assessment.

Shoulder Pain When Raising Your Arm

Pain when lifting your arm can occur with several different shoulder problems, including rotator cuff-related pain, bursitis, shoulder arthritis and other conditions.

The location of your pain, the range of movement available, muscle strength and the activities that reproduce your symptoms can all help determine the likely cause.

It is therefore important not to assume that pain when raising your arm automatically means you have a rotator cuff tear or “impingement”.

Shoulder Physiotherapy in Essex

Physiotherapy is an important treatment option for many shoulder conditions.

Your rehabilitation programme may include:

• Rotator cuff strengthening
• Shoulder and upper-limb strengthening
• Range-of-motion exercises
• Scapular control and movement
• Progressive resistance training
• Mobility exercises
• Activity modification
• Movement retraining
• Return-to-sport rehabilitation
• Post-operative rehabilitation
• Education and self-management

The programme is tailored according to your diagnosis, symptoms, physical capacity and goals.

NHS guidance recommends staying active and gently moving the shoulder rather than completely stopping shoulder movement, while appropriate exercises can help recovery and reduce the likelihood of symptoms returning.

Musculoskeletal Ultrasound for Shoulder Pain

MSK ultrasound can be useful when assessing selected shoulder conditions.

It can provide information about structures such as:

• Rotator cuff tendons
• Biceps tendon
• Subacromial-subdeltoid bursa
• Selected muscles and soft tissues
• Joint-related abnormalities
• Tendon tears and tendinopathy
• Calcific deposits

Ultrasound is not required for every shoulder problem. In many cases, a detailed clinical assessment is sufficient to guide treatment, while MRI or other investigations may be appropriate when more detailed assessment is required.

At The Arthritis Clinic, imaging is considered according to your clinical presentation rather than automatically performed for every patient.

Ultrasound-Guided Shoulder Injections

For selected patients, injection treatment may form part of a non-surgical shoulder management plan.

Depending on your diagnosis and individual circumstances, options may include:

• Corticosteroid injections
• Hyaluronic acid injections for selected joint problems
• Other specialist injection treatments where clinically appropriate

Ultrasound guidance can be used to visualise relevant anatomy and assist with injection procedures.

An injection is not a substitute for rehabilitation. Where appropriate, injection treatment can be used alongside physiotherapy to help manage symptoms and facilitate participation in exercise.

Shoulder Pain and Rehabilitation

Our approach is centred around restoring movement, strength and function, rather than simply treating pain.

Your rehabilitation programme may be progressed according to how your shoulder responds. This can involve gradually increasing resistance, range of movement and functional activity.

The goal is to help you return to the activities that matter to you, whether that means sleeping comfortably, working, exercising, playing sport or performing everyday tasks.

Why Choose The Arthritis Clinic for Shoulder Pain?

The Arthritis Clinic provides specialist musculoskeletal physiotherapy, rheumatology, MSK ultrasound and non-surgical treatment from our clinic in Billericay, Essex.

Our approach combines clinical assessment with appropriate imaging and rehabilitation where required.

Rather than assuming that all shoulder pain has the same cause, we consider the individual’s:

• Symptoms
• Clinical history
• Movement
• Strength
• Functional limitations
• Activity requirements
• Previous treatment
• Imaging where appropriate
• Treatment goals

This allows us to develop a personalised management plan.

Shoulder Pain Treatment in Essex

Depending on your diagnosis, your treatment plan may include:

Clinical assessment → Diagnosis → Rehabilitation → Additional treatment where appropriate → Review and progression

This may involve physiotherapy, exercise rehabilitation, MSK ultrasound, ultrasound-guided injection treatment or referral to another specialist where required.

When Should I Seek Help for Shoulder Pain?

You should consider professional assessment if your shoulder pain:

• Has persisted for several weeks
• Is getting worse
• Is affecting your sleep
• Is interfering with work or everyday activities
• Is limiting your ability to exercise
• Is associated with significant stiffness
• Is associated with weakness
• Keeps returning

NHS guidance advises seeking medical help if shoulder pain is getting worse, does not begin improving or makes it very difficult to move the arm or shoulder.

When Is Shoulder Pain Urgent?

Seek urgent medical assessment if you have sudden or severe shoulder pain, cannot move your arm, your shoulder has changed shape or is badly swollen, or you develop persistent numbness or pins and needles.

A hot or cold arm/shoulder, fever or feeling generally unwell alongside shoulder pain also warrants urgent assessment.

Following a significant injury, particularly if you cannot move the arm or the shoulder appears deformed, urgent assessment is required because a fracture or dislocation may have occurred.

Shoulder or arm pain accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath or pain spreading towards the jaw can indicate a medical emergency and should not be assumed to be a musculoskeletal problem.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shoulder Pain

What is the most common cause of shoulder pain?

Shoulder pain has many possible causes, including tendon problems, rotator cuff-related pain, bursitis, frozen shoulder, arthritis, injury and referred pain from the neck. A clinical assessment is often needed to establish the likely cause.

Why does my shoulder hurt when I raise my arm?

Pain when raising your arm can occur with rotator cuff-related shoulder pain, bursitis, tendon problems, arthritis and several other conditions. The movement that causes pain does not, by itself, identify the underlying diagnosis.

Why does my shoulder hurt at night?

Night pain can occur with several shoulder conditions, including rotator cuff-related pain, frozen shoulder and arthritis. Persistent night pain that affects sleep should be assessed.

What is a frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder is a condition characterised by shoulder pain and significant restriction of movement. It can develop gradually and recovery may take considerable time. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and progressively restoring movement and function.

How do I know if I have a rotator cuff tear?

Rotator cuff tears can cause pain and weakness, particularly when lifting the arm. Tears can occur following an injury or develop gradually. Clinical assessment can help determine whether a tear is suspected, and ultrasound or MRI may be used where appropriate.

Do I need an MRI for shoulder pain?

Not necessarily. Many shoulder conditions can initially be assessed clinically. Depending on your symptoms and examination, ultrasound, X-ray or MRI may be appropriate.

Can an ultrasound scan diagnose shoulder problems?

MSK ultrasound can assess many of the soft tissues around the shoulder, including the rotator cuff tendons, biceps tendon and bursae. It cannot identify every shoulder problem, so the findings need to be interpreted alongside your clinical assessment.

Can physiotherapy help shoulder pain?

Yes. Physiotherapy can be an important treatment for many shoulder conditions and may include strengthening, mobility exercises, progressive loading, movement retraining and education.

Can physiotherapy help a rotator cuff tear?

Physiotherapy can be an important component of management for many rotator cuff tears, particularly when surgery is not required or is not appropriate. The rehabilitation approach depends on the severity of the tear, symptoms, strength and functional requirements.

Can physiotherapy help frozen shoulder?

Physiotherapy can help with symptom management and restoring movement in frozen shoulder. The appropriate approach depends on the stage of the condition and the individual’s symptoms.

Can a steroid injection help shoulder pain?

Corticosteroid injections may be considered for selected shoulder conditions and can provide symptom relief in some circumstances. They should be considered alongside the wider management plan rather than as a replacement for rehabilitation.

Can I have an ultrasound-guided shoulder injection?

Yes. Ultrasound can be used to visualise relevant structures and assist with accurate injection placement where clinically appropriate.

Can shoulder arthritis be treated without surgery?

Many people with shoulder arthritis can initially be managed non-surgically. Treatment may include exercise, physiotherapy, activity modification, pain management and selected injection treatments.

What should I do if my shoulder pain started after a fall?

If the injury caused severe pain, significant swelling, deformity or an inability to move the arm, seek urgent medical assessment. These symptoms can occur with fractures or dislocations.

How long does shoulder pain take to improve?

Recovery depends on the underlying condition. Some shoulder problems improve over several weeks, while conditions such as frozen shoulder can take considerably longer. Persistent or worsening symptoms should be assessed rather than simply ignored.

Should I rest my shoulder completely?

Usually, completely stopping shoulder movement is not recommended for ordinary musculoskeletal shoulder pain. Gentle movement and appropriately prescribed exercises can help maintain mobility. However, the appropriate level of activity depends on the diagnosis and severity of your symptoms.

Can shoulder pain come from the neck?

Yes. Problems affecting the neck can sometimes cause pain around the shoulder blade, shoulder or arm. Nerve irritation may also cause symptoms such as tingling, numbness or weakness.

When should I worry about shoulder pain?

Urgent assessment is appropriate for severe or sudden pain, inability to move the arm, significant deformity or swelling, persistent numbness, or a hot/red shoulder accompanied by fever or feeling unwell. Chest pain or symptoms suggesting a cardiac problem require emergency assessment.

Shoulder Pain Assessment in Billericay, Essex

If shoulder pain is affecting your sleep, work, exercise or everyday activities, The Arthritis Clinic in Billericay, Essex, provides specialist musculoskeletal assessment and treatment.

We see patients from Billericay, Basildon, Wickford and surrounding areas of Essex, providing physiotherapy, rehabilitation, MSK ultrasound and selected non-surgical treatment options.

Our aim is to establish the likely cause of your shoulder pain and develop a treatment plan tailored to your symptoms, your shoulder and your goals.

Book a specialist shoulder pain assessment at The Arthritis Clinic.