Centre for Orthopaedics, Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy of Eastern Ontario
Centre for Orthopaedics, Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy of Eastern Ontario
Shoulder pain can make everyday movement difficult. You may notice discomfort when reaching overhead, lifting, carrying, getting dressed, sleeping, exercising, or using your arm at work. For some people, shoulder pain feels sharp or catching. For others, it may feel like a dull ache, stiffness, weakness, or tension around the shoulder and upper arm.
The shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in the body. It allows the arm to move in many directions, but that mobility also means it relies on good strength, control, and coordination. When the shoulder joint, muscles, tendons, or shoulder blade are not working well together, pain and movement limitations can develop.
Shoulder pain may begin after a fall, sports injury, awkward lift, or sudden movement. It can also develop gradually from repetitive reaching, lifting, desk posture, weakness, tendon irritation, joint stiffness, or changes in how the neck, shoulder blade, and upper back are moving.
At CORPEO, located in Gloucester Centre in Ottawa’s east end, our physiotherapy team takes a detailed approach to understanding what is contributing to your shoulder pain. The goal is to reduce discomfort, improve mobility, restore strength, and help you return to daily activities with more confidence.
Shoulder pain can develop when the muscles, tendons, joints, ligaments, or surrounding tissues become irritated, overloaded, stiff, or injured. Symptoms may also be influenced by posture, activity habits, strength, mobility, and how the shoulder blade moves with the arm.
Common contributors to shoulder pain include:
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that helps support and move the shoulder. Irritation, strain, or tearing in this area can cause pain, weakness, and difficulty lifting or reaching. Symptoms may be worse with overhead movement, carrying, or lying on the affected side.
Shoulder impingement can occur when tendons or soft tissues become irritated as the arm moves. This may cause pain with reaching overhead, lifting to the side, or moving the arm behind the back. It is often influenced by shoulder strength, mobility, posture, and movement control.
Tendons around the shoulder can become irritated from overuse, repetitive strain, or sudden increases in activity. This may affect the rotator cuff or biceps tendon. Symptoms may include aching, tenderness, weakness, or pain with lifting and reaching.
Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, involves progressive stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint. It can make it difficult to reach overhead, behind the back, or across the body. Physiotherapy can help support mobility, comfort, and function as the condition changes over time.
Arthritis or joint changes in the shoulder can lead to aching, stiffness, reduced range of motion, and discomfort with daily movement. Symptoms may be more noticeable after rest, with activity, or during certain arm positions.
A previous dislocation, fall, or sports injury can affect shoulder stability and confidence. Some people may feel the shoulder is weak, unreliable, or uncomfortable during lifting, pushing, throwing, or overhead activity.
Shoulder pain can vary depending on the cause, severity, and stage of recovery.
Symptoms may include:
Physiotherapy can help identify what is contributing to your shoulder pain and guide you through a personalized recovery plan. Your physiotherapist will assess the shoulder itself, while also considering how your neck, upper back, shoulder blade, strength, posture, and movement habits may be involved.
At CORPEO, your assessment may include a discussion about your symptoms, injury history, work demands, activity level, sleep positions, exercise routine, and the movements that make your pain better or worse. Your physiotherapist may also assess range of motion, strength, joint mobility, muscle tension, shoulder blade control, posture, and functional movements such as reaching, lifting, or pushing.
Based on your assessment, your physiotherapy plan may include:
Gentle mobility exercises can help reduce stiffness, improve shoulder movement, and support more comfortable use of the arm.
Targeted strengthening may focus on the rotator cuff, shoulder blade muscles, upper back, arm, and core. Building strength can improve support, control, and tolerance for daily activity.
Hands-on techniques may be used to improve joint mobility, reduce muscle tension, and support more comfortable movement through the shoulder, neck, or upper back.
Your physiotherapist may help improve how the shoulder blade moves and supports the arm. This can be important for reaching, lifting, overhead movement, and sport-specific tasks.
Your physiotherapist can help you adjust lifting technique, workstation setup, sleep positioning, exercise choices, and daily movement habits to reduce stress on the shoulder.
As symptoms improve, your physiotherapist can guide you through a gradual return to work tasks, exercise, sport, lifting, or other activities that rely on shoulder strength and mobility.
Your shoulder pain treatment plan is personalized to your symptoms, goals, and stage of recovery. Some people need help reducing pain and stiffness after a recent injury. Others need a progressive plan to rebuild strength, improve movement control, and return to activity.
As your symptoms improve, your physiotherapist will progress your exercises and activity plan safely. The goal is to help you reduce pain, restore mobility, improve shoulder strength, and move with more confidence.
Book Your Assessment
Receive a Personalized Shoulder Pain Treatment Plan
Improve Mobility, Strength, Control, and Function
Return to Daily Life with More Comfort and Confidence
Shoulder pain can interfere with work, sleep, exercise, and everyday movement, but physiotherapy can help you better understand your symptoms and take practical steps toward recovery. Contact CORPEO today to schedule a physiotherapy assessment at our Gloucester Centre clinic in Ottawa’s east end and learn how we can help with shoulder pain.