Shoulder & Elbow Pain Treatment in Islington
The shoulder trades stability for range of movement, which is what makes it so useful and so vulnerable. When it stops working properly, everyday actions like reaching a shelf, fastening a coat or sleeping on that side become difficult.
Signs and symptoms
- Reduced range of movement in the shoulder
- Difficulty lifting the arm overhead or behind the back
- Pain that disturbs sleep, particularly lying on the affected side
- Pain over the outer or inner elbow, often when gripping
- Weakness on lifting or carrying
- Symptoms spreading into the arm or hand
What we assess and treat
Frozen shoulder. Also called adhesive capsulitis. Progressive stiffening and pain, typically moving through freezing, frozen and thawing phases over many months.
Rotator cuff injury. Involving the four muscles that stabilise the shoulder joint, ranging from tendinopathy through to partial tears.
Bicipital tendinitis. Irritation of the long head of the biceps tendon at the front of the shoulder.
Shoulder bursitis. Inflammation of the bursa that reduces friction beneath the acromion, often producing a painful arc on lifting the arm.
Tennis elbow. Lateral epicondylitis, felt on the outside of the elbow.
Golfer’s elbow. Medial epicondylitis, felt on the inside of the elbow.
Our treatment approach
Chiropractic care here covers shoulder complaints and soft tissue disorders of the shoulder, along with elbow pain and tennis elbow arising from associated musculoskeletal problems of the back and neck. Physiotherapy focuses on restoring range and then rebuilding rotator cuff and scapular control through progressive loading, which is the part that determines whether the improvement lasts.
Acupuncture may be used for musculoskeletal pain, and massage for the surrounding soft tissue tension that commonly develops when a shoulder has been guarded for months.
Frozen shoulder in particular takes patience. Treatment aims to maintain what movement you have, work within irritability rather than through it, and keep the rest of the arm and shoulder girdle functioning while the condition runs its course.
Get medical advice if
Your shoulder is deformed after an injury, you cannot move the arm at all, you have significant swelling or bruising following trauma, or you have chest pain or breathlessness alongside left shoulder or arm pain. The last of these needs emergency assessment.
Practitioners
Qualifications, registration numbers and clinical interests are set out on each team member’s profile.
Fees
A first appointment with a chiropractor or physiotherapist costs £99 and lasts 45 minutes. Follow-ups are available at 15 or 30 minutes. Every rate, along with package options, appears on the fees page.
Questions
How long does frozen shoulder last?
It is typically a lengthy condition, often measured in many months rather than weeks, and it moves through distinct phases. Your practitioner will explain where you appear to be in that process and what is realistic at each stage.
Why does my shoulder hurt most at night?
Lying on the shoulder compresses irritated structures, and the absence of daytime distraction makes the pain more noticeable. Sleeping on the other side with a pillow supporting the affected arm often helps.
Can I keep training with shoulder pain?
Usually yes, with modification. Your practitioner will identify which movements to hold back on and which you can continue, rather than asking you to stop altogether.
