Shoulder physiotherapy

The cost of follow-up appointments starts from £50.*

The cost of your total physiotherapy treatment will depend on various factors such as your condition, how many sessions you need and what type of treatment you are recommended. Some of our specialist treatments, such as steroid injection therapy, are priced separately, however you will be informed of any additional charges as part of your treatment planning. Your physiotherapist will always discuss your treatment options with you.

*This is a guide price and may vary. You’ll be told the exact cost before you book.

You might need physiotherapy to manage your shoulder pain if you have any of the following health concerns:

Shoulder impingement

If your rotator cuff tendon rubs against your acromion (the bony part of your shoulder blade) when you raise your arm, you probably have an impinged shoulder, also called shoulder impingement. A shoulder impingement can occur due to irritation or inflammation in the bursa (fluid-filled sac) located between your rotator cuff tendon and acromion or following a tear in your rotator cuff tendon (rotator cuff tear). The most common symptom is a dull and aching pain that might feel worse at night (when you have little distraction) or when you move your shoulder.

Frozen shoulder

It is not clear exactly why people get frozen shoulder, but it happens when the tissues around your shoulder joint become inflamed and get tighter, causing stiffness, weakness, pain, and limited mobility in your shoulder. Frozen shoulder can last for months or even years. Shoulder physiotherapy helps to improve your range of motion in your shoulder and can reduce the inflammation and tightness in the joint.

A dislocated shoulder

A dislocated shoulder happens when your upper arm bone comes out of place from your shoulder socket, causing significant pain and swelling or bruising. It typically happens through a direct blow to your shoulder, such as during a rugby tackle or a collision such as a car crash. Shoulder dislocation physiotherapy exercises help you restore strength and mobility in your shoulder either following a dislocation or after you have surgery to repair a severely dislocated shoulder.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a condition that develops when the smooth cartilage across the surface of your joint wears down over time. You'll sometimes hear it referred to as wear and tear arthritis, and it's more common the older we get. The wear and tear can make your joints very painful and stiff and can really reduce your mobility. This is the most common type of arthritis both in the UK and worldwide and it is one of the most common reasons why you might have physiotherapy.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) currently affects more than 400,000 people in the UK. It is an inflammatory joint condition caused by an autoimmune process, which happens when your body attacks its healthy cells by mistake. This often causes pain, swelling, and inflammation in your joints. Joints affected by RA are commonly surrounded by inflamed tissue, which often results in chronic pain. Rheumatoid arthritis in your shoulder can make moving extremely painful, preventing you from completing basic home tasks such as cooking and cleaning. Many people with RA find physiotherapy very helpful.

A fracture

This can happen due to a bad fall or a direct blow to your shoulder, causing one of the bones in your joint to crack and break. A broken shoulder can cause severe pain that worsens when you move it, as well as swelling, tenderness, and bruising.

Read more about shoulder pain and how to treat it

Other reasons you might need to have shoulder physiotherapy include:

• Bursitis (a different form of arthritis that causes the fluid-filled sacs that protect your joints from damage and friction to become inflamed)
• To restore strength and mobility to your shoulder following a replacement or another type of surgery to your shoulder
• General pain and inflammation caused by playing sport regularly or an injury that has occurred while playing sport

• Exercises
• Electrotherapy
• ESWT
• Acupuncture
• Steroid injection therapy
• Taping

Your physiotherapist will explain which form of treatment is the best for you before they begin building your bespoke treatment plan.

• Flexible appointment times and locations to fit your routine
• Freedom to choose your hospital and physiotherapist
• Specialist physiotherapy equipment and imaging facilities at your fingertips
• Specialist advice and exercises to follow in sessions and at home
• Tailored services (your physiotherapist will build your programme around your needs)

If you want to know more physiotherapy for elbow pain and find out if it's the right treatment for you, call a member of our team directly.

Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in November 2023. Next review due November 2026.

1. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, shoulder pain
2. National Institute for Health and Care Research, effective treatment for shoulder pain
3. NHS, shoulder pain
4. Versus Arthritis, shoulder pain