Your shoulder is the most mobile joint in your body. That range is what lets you reach overhead, throw, swim and lift, and it is also what makes the shoulder easy to irritate. Shoulder pain is one of the most common problems we see at our Pimpama clinic, and rotator cuff issues are behind a large share of it.
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Most shoulder pain settles well with physiotherapy, and many people get there without surgery or injections. At Pimpama Physiotherapy we assess and treat shoulder and rotator cuff pain for desk workers, tradies, swimmers, gym-goers and people recovering from surgery. You can see us at our Pimpama clinic or at home across the Gold Coast, Logan and Brisbane.
What Is The Rotator Cuff?
The rotator cuff is a group of four small muscles and their tendons that wrap around the shoulder and keep the ball of the joint centred and stable. When one of these tendons is irritated, overloaded, torn or weak, lifting your arm can hurt, especially reaching overhead, putting on a seatbelt, doing up a bra or lying on that side at night. Night pain that wakes you is one of the most common reasons people finally book in.
Common Causes Of
Shoulder And Rotator Cuff Pain
Shoulder pain can come from the rotator cuff and its tendons, the joint and its capsule, the surrounding muscles or sometimes from the neck. A good assessment works out which of these is driving your symptoms.
These are the most common causes we see at our Pimpama clinic:
Rotator cuff-related shoulder pain
Irritation or tendinopathy of the cuff tendons, often called impingement, with pain on reaching and overhead movement.
Shoulder impingement and bursitis
Pinching and irritation of the tendons and the bursa under the tip of the shoulder.
Biceps tendon pain
Pain at the front of the shoulder that often sits alongside rotator cuff problems.
Rotator cuff tears
Partial or full-thickness tears that may follow a fall or heavy lift, or come on gradually with age.
Shoulder instability and dislocations
A shoulder that feels loose, slips or has come out of the joint.
Referred pain from the neck
Neck issues that send pain into the shoulder and upper arm (see our neck pain and whiplash page).
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
A painful, stiff shoulder that gradually loses movement (especially rotation) and is more common in your 40s to 60s and in people with diabetes.
AC (acromioclavicular) joint sprains
Pain right on top of the shoulder, often after a fall onto the shoulder or an outstretched arm.
Post-surgical shoulder pain
Recovery after rotator cuff repair, shoulder stabilisation or shoulder replacement.
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​How Physiotherapy Helps Shoulder And Rotator Cuff Pain
Most shoulder pain responds well to physiotherapy, and the evidence is strong. Exercise-based physiotherapy is recommended as first-line care for rotator cuff-related shoulder pain in clinical guidelines (JOSPT), and for many people it works as well as surgery, with fewer risks and less time off. It does not suit everyone. Research suggests around 1 in 3 people still have some symptoms after a course of rehab, and some shoulders do need surgery or a specialist opinion. We will be straight with you about which camp yours is likely to be in.
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The shoulder does not work in isolation. What is happening at the neck, upper back and shoulder blade all feeds into how the joint moves, so a good plan looks at the whole picture rather than the sore spot alone. Treatment usually combines:
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Hands-on techniques and guided movement to settle pain and restore range of motion early on.
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Targeted strengthening for the rotator cuff and the shoulder blade muscles that control the joint.
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Graded loading that builds the shoulder back up to the tasks you care about, whether that is swimming, lifting at work or sleeping through the night.
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Practical advice on activity, posture and load so you can stay as active as possible while the shoulder settles.
If imaging or a specialist review is needed, we will tell you and help coordinate it.
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Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
Frozen shoulder is its own beast. The shoulder becomes painful and then progressively stiff as the capsule around the joint tightens. Left alone it often settles on its own, but that can take 1 to 3 years, which is a long time to lose sleep and movement.
Physiotherapy will not rush the natural timeline, but it helps you manage pain, hold on to as much movement as possible and rebuild range and strength faster once the painful stage eases. The right exercises depend on the stage you are in, which is why a tailored plan beats generic stretches off the internet.
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Rehab After Shoulder Surgery
If you are heading for or recovering from shoulder surgery, structured rehab makes a real difference to the result. We guide post-operative rehabilitation after rotator cuff repairs, shoulder stabilisation and shoulder replacements, following your surgeon’s protocol and timeframes.
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Early rehab protects the repair while keeping the rest of the arm moving. From there we rebuild range, then strength, then the specific movements you need for your sport, your job or daily life.
​When Should You See A Physio For Shoulder Pain?
It is worth getting your shoulder assessed if pain has not started to ease within a week or two, keeps coming back or stops you sleeping or doing your normal activities. Earlier help usually means a quicker, smoother recovery.
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Some signs need prompt medical attention. See a physiotherapist or doctor without delay if you have:
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A shoulder that came out of joint, or that cannot move at all after an injury.
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Significant weakness, such as not being able to lift the arm after a fall.
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Numbness, pins and needles or a cold or pale arm or hand.
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A lump or an obvious change in the shape of the shoulder after a knock.
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Fever with heat and redness around a swollen shoulder, which can point to infection.
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Shoulder pain alongside chest pain, shortness of breath or sweating, which needs urgent care.
If you are not sure how serious your shoulder pain is, give us a call. We would rather help you find the right next step than have you wait and worry.
​​Shoulder Physiotherapy In Clinic Or At Home
You can see us for shoulder pain at our Pimpama clinic at 29 Dixon Drive, or we can come to you. Home visits suit people who are early in recovery, who find travel difficult or who simply prefer to be seen at home. We cover the northern Gold Coast, Logan and Brisbane.
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We also work with a range of funding options, so cost is not the only thing standing between you and getting started. Depending on your circumstances you may be able to use:
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Medicare, for eligible patients on a chronic disease management plan from their GP.
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NDIS, for self-managed and plan-managed participants.
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DVA, for eligible veterans.
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WorkCover, if your shoulder was injured at work.
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Private health funds with extras cover for physiotherapy.
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If you are a participant of the National Injury Insurance Scheme Queensland (NIISQ), you may be eligible for rehabilitation services under the scheme. Contact us to discuss your situation. Eligibility for any funding pathway depends on your individual circumstances and plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book A Shoulder Physio Assessment In Pimpama
Ready to get your shoulder moving again? Book an assessment online or request a home visit across the Gold Coast, Logan and Brisbane. If you are not sure where to start, get in touch and we will point you in the right direction.
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Phone 0432 730 386 or email admin@pimpamaphysio.com.au.