Anyone who has experienced shoulder pain knows how painful and debilitating it can be!

It can:

• Disturb your sleep
• Restrict everyday activities due to pain and stiffness
• Affect all age groups
• Limit your ability to play sport or work

Types of shoulder problems that are treated effectively
with physiotherapy:

AC Joint Injury

The AC joint is the point where the clavicle (collar bone) meets the scapular (shoulder blade). This joint can be injured by falling on the shoulder, elbow or onto an outstretched arm.

This injury is common – in football and other contact sports

Treatment – rest, ice and strapping and review with physiotherapist to treat and assess return to sport.

Rotator Cuff Injury

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles that work together to provide stability to the shoulder and to rotate the shoulder joint. This injury is common in:

• Athletes who throw or play tennis, swimmers of all ages 
• Workers doing repetitive actions with or without load 
• People aged between 40 – 70 with wear and tear of the tendons

Rotator cuff degeneration and injury is a very common condition. It can be a difficult condition to manage and people often 'put up with it' for many months until they decide to seek attention for it.

In some instances, physiotherapy can preclude the patient from requiring shoulder surgery which is good news given that shoulder surgery can sometimes incur a year long recovery.

We will perform a thorough assessment to determine the type and extent of your injury and to design a treatment plan. You will be taught exercises to improve range-of-motion and strengthen the shoulder. 

Unstable / Dislocated Shoulder

Shoulder pain from an unstable shoulder occurs when the shoulder moves around a lot more than it should especially when the person is active, for example while swimming or throwing.

Treatment is determined after thorough assessment of the direction of the instability and the extent of the injury / damage.

The rehabilitation of any shoulder injury requires skilled management from health professionals and an earnest commitment to recovery from the patient.

Patients are referred from throughout southern Queensland to Downs Physiotherapy where experience and the latest techniques are combined to maximise positive results for patients including those requiring pre-operative and post-operative shoulder surgery treatment.

If shoulder pain has been getting you down, trained Downs Physiotherapy staff can help.
Remember, shoulder rehabilitation requires a high level of motivation and compliance to achieve the best outcome.

Are you up to the challenge?

Our physio Jackie Robertson has a special interest in shoulders - call to make an appointment today.