Shoulder Pain Physiotherapy in Bundoora

Shoulder pain is one of the most common reasons Australians visit a physiotherapist. The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body — and that mobility comes at the cost of stability, making it vulnerable to injury and degeneration. The good news is that most shoulder conditions respond very well to physiotherapy, often without surgery.

Common Shoulder Conditions We Treat

Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)

Frozen shoulder causes progressive stiffness and pain, typically unfolding across three phases: the freezing phase (increasing pain), the frozen phase (severe restriction of movement), and the thawing phase (gradual return of movement). Without treatment, this process can take 1–3 years. Physiotherapy significantly accelerates recovery by maintaining joint movement, reducing pain, and guiding you through each phase with appropriate treatment and exercise.

Rotator Cuff Tears and Tendinopathy

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that stabilise the shoulder joint. Rotator cuff injuries include partial and full-thickness tears, as well as tendinopathy (degenerative tendon changes without a clear tear). Symptoms include pain with overhead reaching, pain lying on the affected shoulder, and weakness. Many partial tears and tendinopathies respond excellently to a targeted physiotherapy strengthening program. Full tears in younger patients often require surgical repair followed by a structured rehabilitation program.

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Impingement occurs when tendons and bursa become pinched between the bones of the shoulder, causing pain with arm lifting and overhead movement. It is one of the most common shoulder presentations and typically responds well to physiotherapy within 6–10 sessions. Treatment focuses on correcting movement patterns, strengthening the rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles, and manual therapy to restore joint mobility.

Shoulder Bursitis

The subacromial bursa cushions the tendons of the rotator cuff. Inflammation of this bursa (bursitis) causes sharp shoulder pain, particularly with overhead and sideways lifting. Physiotherapy treatment reduces inflammation through manual therapy, exercise modification, and targeted strengthening to address the underlying cause.

AC Joint Injuries

The acromioclavicular joint connects the collarbone to the shoulder blade. AC joint injuries are common in contact sports (AFL, rugby) and falls. Mild to moderate sprains are managed very well with physiotherapy; severe separations may require surgical input.

Shoulder Instability and Dislocation Rehab

Following a shoulder dislocation, physiotherapy is essential to restore strength, proprioception, and confidence in the joint. A thorough post-dislocation rehabilitation program significantly reduces the risk of re-dislocation — particularly important in young, active individuals where recurrence rates are high without rehab.

How Physiotherapy Treats Shoulder Pain

Treatment at Better Physiotherapy Bundoora begins with a thorough assessment to identify the exact structure involved and contributing factors. Treatment typically includes:

• Manual therapy — joint mobilisation of the glenohumeral joint, acromioclavicular joint, and thoracic spine to restore movement and reduce pain
• Rotator cuff and scapular strengthening — progressive resistance exercises to address the underlying muscle imbalances driving most shoulder conditions
• Dry needling — targeting muscle trigger points in the rotator cuff, deltoid, and surrounding muscles for pain relief
• Postural correction — thoracic spine stiffness and forward head posture frequently contribute to shoulder impingement and are addressed as part of treatment
• Education and activity modification — understanding which movements to avoid in the short term and how to load the shoulder safely as you recover

How Long Does Shoulder Physio Take?

• Shoulder impingement / bursitis: 4–8 sessions over 4–6 weeks
• Rotator cuff tendinopathy (no tear): 6–10 sessions over 6–10 weeks
• Frozen shoulder: 10–16 sessions over 3–6 months
• Post-surgical rotator cuff repair: 16–24 sessions over 4–6 months
• Post-dislocation rehab: 8–16 sessions over 8–16 weeks

Do I Need Surgery?

The vast majority of shoulder conditions — including rotator cuff tendinopathy, impingement, bursitis, frozen shoulder, and many partial tears — are successfully managed with physiotherapy alone. Surgery is typically considered only after an adequate trial of conservative treatment has failed, or in cases of complete full-thickness rotator cuff tears in younger, high-demand patients. Your physiotherapist will advise if surgical referral is appropriate.