Physiotherapy
Neck and shoulder pain
Everyday postural strain, frozen shoulder and rotator cuff problems.
4 min read
What it is
Neck and shoulder pain frequently comes from sustained positions rather than a single injury: hours at a screen, long drives, or sleeping awkwardly. Shoulder problems specifically tend to fall into a few patterns — rotator cuff irritation, frozen shoulder, and joint-related pain — and they respond to quite different treatment, so assessment matters.
What to look for
Ache at the base of the neck or across the top of the shoulder, worse late in the day
Pain lifting the arm overhead or reaching behind your back
Headaches starting at the back of the head
Frozen shoulder: stiffness that limits movement even when someone else moves the arm
Sensible things to do at home
- Break up long screen or driving sessions every 30 to 40 minutes
- Set the screen at eye level and support your forearms
- Gentle range-of-movement exercises daily; complete rest stiffens a shoulder further
- Heat before activity, and avoid sleeping on the painful shoulder
When to see us
- Pain persisting beyond two to three weeks
- Pain, pins and needles or weakness travelling into the arm or hand
- You cannot lift the arm at all after an injury
- Neck pain after a car accident or fall
To book, phone the practice on 058 813 2777 or send us a message. In an emergency, go to the nearest emergency department or call 10177.