Here at The Hanham Clinic in Bristol, we regularly encounter shoulder, neck and arm pain among our patients.

Our experts at the clinic regularly diagnose, manage and treat a range of shoulder conditions, many of which can be painful and limiting in day to day life.

Shoulder pain is very common, however there are a number of different causes. Some more common causes of shoulder pain and injury include:

• Injuries involving the rotator cuff

• Muscle strains or tears

• Bursitis (an inflamed/enlarged fluid filled bursa within the shoulder)

• Shoulder impingement disorder

• Referred shoulder pain arising from a “trapped nerve” in the neck

• Tendonitis and/or tendonopathy

• Arthritis of the shoulder joint

• Recurrent dislocations or shoulder joint instability

• Forward rounded shoulder posture

What other symptoms can be linked to shoulder pain?

Sometimes pain from a shoulder injury is just one of several symptoms that you may not have linked together. Shoulder injuries may also result in:

• A pain in the upper, outer part of the arm
• Pins and needles in the arm, hand or fingers
• Weakness in the shoulder or arm muscles
• Pain in the shoulder when lying down
• Difficulty getting a coat or jacket on or off
• Stiffness in the shoulder when trying to raise your arm
• Neck stiffness when turning your head to the side

Diagnosis of Shoulder problems

Diagnosis of a shoulder problem is sometimes challenging but the most important step in the process. To diagnosis your shoulder injury we will follow a thorough process, carrying out a range of tests.

Diagnostic Ultrasound or other imaging can be very useful in diagnosis of a shoulder complaint. We have the option to carry out diagnostic ultrasound scans within the clinic, or can refer for other forms of imaging (Xray and MRI) locally if needed.

Treatment of shoulder pain

The appropriate shoulder treatment or rehabilitation depends on the specific injury that you have. However most shoulder problems that we encounter can be dealt with at our clinic, without the need for onward referral or more specialist opinion.

Shoulder treatment/management techniques may include:

• Massage of the shoulder and surrounding muscles
• Acupuncture to the rotator cuff muscles around the shoulder
• Specific rehabilitation to improve range of motion, strength and/or stability to the shoulder joint or shoulder blade region
• Mobilisation and/or manipulation to the shoulder (where appropriate)
• Treatment to surrounding regions where necessary- the neck or thoracic spine (upper back)
• IASTM (Instrument assisted soft tissue work)- where a practitioner uses a hand held tool to release surface tension or “fascial restrictions” around the shoulder