Shoulder pain

Pain felt in the shoulder and arm can sometimes be coming from the neck, which is essentially sciatica in the arm. As with sciatica, it is very painful and can lead to a few sleepless nights. Symptoms can be caused by a whiplash type injury, but could equally come on gradually for no reason you can put your finger on.

Physiotherapy will assess your neck and shoulder to confirm the cause. If you have had an injury, treatment will focus on promoting healing. Symptoms of a more gradual onset are often related to sustained or poor postures. Your therapist will explain this and offer advice and exercises to help the underlying issues causing your pain. Manual treatment includes soft tissue release of tight muscles, joint mobilisations of the neck and upper back, taping and acupuncture.

Neil's symptoms resolved after 4 sessions and he was advised to continue the exercises long-term to ensure his pain did not return.