Physio for shoulder pain
A physio can help if shoulder pain has not started to ease after 2 weeks of self-care, if lifting your arm is hard, or if the pain keeps coming back. The NHS says treatment often includes physiotherapy or exercises to do at home.
Recovery can be slow: the NHS says it can take 6 months or longer, so a clear plan matters. Some shoulder pain needs NHS 111 or an urgent GP appointment, so check the warning signs on this page first.
- When to get it looked at
- See a GP or a physio if it is getting worse, or has not improved after 2 weeks.
- How long it tends to take
- The NHS says you usually need to do self-care for 2 weeks before shoulder pain starts to ease, and that it can take 6 months or longer to recover.
- Getting a physio
- In many areas you can refer yourself to NHS physiotherapy without seeing a GP, or you can pay privately.
Does this sound familiar?
- It hurts to lift your arm above your head, for example to reach a shelf or hang up washing.
- Your shoulder has been stiff and sore for months and will not move as far as it used to.
- It is hard to get comfortable lying on that side at night.
- The pain is on top of the shoulder, where the collarbone meets it.
- It clicks or catches, or does not feel quite stable.
These are common ways people describe shoulder pain. They are not a diagnosis. If you recognise them, check where it hurts to see a suggested next step.
Common causes of shoulder pain
The NHS links these symptoms with these possible causes. Do not try to diagnose yourself: a physio or GP can assess it.
| What people notice | What the NHS lists as a possible cause |
|---|---|
| Pain and stiffness that do not go away over months or years | Frozen shoulder, or arthritis (osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis) |
| Pain that is often worse while you use your arm or shoulder | Tendonitis, bursitis or impingement |
| A shoulder that feels as if it clicks or locks, sometimes with a weak or tingly arm | Shoulder instability, sometimes because of hypermobility |
| Pain on top of the shoulder, where the collarbone and shoulder joint meet | A problem in the acromioclavicular (AC) joint, such as stretched or torn ligaments |
When to get help first
If you have shoulder pain and any of these, do not wait to see a physio. This is the same list our check asks, taken from the NHS pages below. If you are not sure, call 111.
Call 999 or go to A&E
If you have shoulder pain and:
- Sudden pain, pressure or tightness in your chest that does not go awayIncluding chest pain that spreads to your arm, neck, jaw or back, or comes with sweating, feeling sick, light-headed or short of breath.
Get help from NHS 111, or ask for an urgent GP appointment
If you have shoulder pain and:
- You feel hot, cold or shivery, or generally unwell, as well as the pain
- You cannot move your arm, or your arm or shoulder has changed shape or is badly swollen
- Sudden or very bad shoulder pain, or severe pain in both shoulders
- No feeling in your arm or shoulder, pins and needles that do not go away, or it feels hot or cold to touch
- The shoulder pain started after an injury or accident, like a fall
- The joint is hot and swollen, or the skin around it has changed colour
See a GP
If you have shoulder pain and:
- You have lost weight without trying to
What you can do now
If none of the warning signs apply, the NHS suggests:
- Stay active and move your shoulder gently. Stopping using it completely can slow recovery.
- Stand up straight with your shoulders down and gently back.
- Put a heat or cold pack wrapped in a tea towel on it for up to 20 minutes at a time.
- Do not make up your own strenuous exercises or use heavy gym equipment.
See a GP or a physio if it is getting worse, or has not improved after 2 weeks.
What a physio usually does
Treatment often includes physiotherapy or exercises to do at home, and advice on what to avoid so the pain does not come back.
- At a first appointment, a physio asks about your symptoms, your health and your daily life, and may check how you move, your strength and your balance.
- Treatment may include exercises to improve movement and build strength, and manual therapy, where the physio uses their hands to massage and move the area.
- You usually get advice on managing your symptoms and exercises to do at home between sessions.
In many areas of England you can refer yourself to NHS physiotherapy through community musculoskeletal (MSK) services, without seeing a GP first. Waiting times can be long. You can also pay to see a physio privately. The NHS says to check they are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
How long shoulder pain tends to take
The NHS says you usually need to do self-care for 2 weeks before shoulder pain starts to ease, and that it can take 6 months or longer to recover. Everyone is different, and a physio or GP can tell you more once they have assessed you.
Questions people ask about shoulder pain
Can a physio help with shoulder pain?
Yes. The NHS says treatment for shoulder pain often includes physiotherapy or exercises to do at home, plus advice on what to avoid so the pain does not come back. The number of sessions depends on the cause. A physio checks how your shoulder moves and what makes it worse before suggesting a plan.
Should I rest my shoulder or keep moving it?
Keep it moving gently. The NHS says not to stop using your shoulder completely, because that can stop it getting better. It also says not to do things that seem to make it worse, and not to make up your own strenuous exercises or use heavy gym equipment. A physio can show you which movements suit your shoulder.
How long does shoulder pain take to get better?
It depends on the cause. The NHS says self-care usually takes about 2 weeks before shoulder pain starts to ease, and full recovery can take 6 months or longer. It suggests seeing a GP or a physio if the pain is getting worse or has not improved after 2 weeks.
What exercises help shoulder pain?
The NHS points to video exercises from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, and suggests keeping up shoulder exercises for 6 to 8 weeks to stop the pain returning. Stop any exercise that makes it worse. A physio can choose exercises for your shoulder and check you are doing them in a way that helps.
Sources
- NHS: Back pain page reviewed
- NHS: Shoulder pain page reviewed
- NHS: Elbow and arm pain page reviewed
- NHS: Hip pain in adults page reviewed
- NHS: Knee pain page reviewed
- NHS: Chest pain page reviewed
- NHS: Septic arthritis page reviewed
- NHS: Unintentional weight loss page reviewed
- NHS: Physiotherapy page reviewed
- NHS: Get NHS help for back or joint problems page reviewed
This is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. A physio or GP can assess your own situation.