The shoulder is a mobile, complex joint, and pain there can affect sleep, work and sport. We assess what is driving your symptoms and tailor treatment to you.
Common symptoms
- Pain at the top or outer part of the arm, sometimes spreading towards the elbow
- A sharp catch when you reach overhead, behind your back, or out to the side
- Aching at night, particularly when you lie on the affected side
- Stiffness that makes everyday reaches feel limited or blocked
- Weakness when you lift or carry, or a sense the arm might give way
- Clicking, grinding, or a feeling of the joint not moving smoothly
What causes it
- Rotator cuff problems: irritation, wear or a tear in the muscles and tendons that steady the joint
- Subacromial pain (impingement), where tissues are pinched or irritated as you lift the arm
- Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), a painful, stiff phase where the joint capsule tightens
- Shoulder instability, where the joint feels loose or slips, often after a dislocation
- Osteoarthritis, the gradual wear of the joint surfaces
- Neck-related pain, referred from the neck rather than the shoulder itself
How we help at PhysioFlexx Falkirk
A thorough assessment first
We take time to hear the story of your shoulder: when it started, what aggravates it, how it affects your sleep and day. We watch how it moves, test strength and range, and check the neck where relevant, then agree a plan together.
Hands-on therapy where it helps
Treatment might include manual therapy to ease stiffness and improve movement, soft-tissue work, and techniques to settle pain. We can talk through whether sports massage, acupuncture and dry needling, or shockwave therapy might support your case.
Exercise built around you
For most shoulder problems, the right exercise is what makes the difference over time. We give you a manageable programme at the right load for your stage, and adjust it as you progress, whether you are recovering from surgery or building strength to avoid it.
What to expect
What your first appointment looks like
Your first visit is mostly a conversation and a physical assessment. Wear something that lets us see and move the shoulder; a vest top works well. You talk through your history, then your physiotherapist examines how the shoulder moves and where the limits are. You usually start treatment in that same session and leave with a couple of exercises to begin. Bring any relevant scan results or letters if you have them.
Recovery and what to expect
Shoulders tend to be patient projects. Some irritable ones quieten within a few weeks; rotator cuff and frozen shoulder cases often take longer, sometimes several months, and progress rarely runs in a straight line. We will be honest about a realistic timescale for your situation, and we will tell you plainly if we think a GP referral, a scan, or another opinion would serve you better.
When to seek urgent medical help
Most cases are not serious, but please do not wait for a physiotherapy appointment. Contact your GP, call NHS 111, or go to A&E if you have any of the following:
- A shoulder that looks out of shape or out of joint after a fall or injury, or that you cannot move at all
- Severe pain after significant trauma, or a suspected fracture
- Redness, heat and swelling around the joint with a fever or feeling generally unwell, which can point to infection
- Sudden weakness, numbness, or pins and needles spreading down the arm
- Chest pain, pressure, or jaw or arm pain with breathlessness, sweating or nausea, which can be a sign of a heart problem
Frequently asked questions
No referral needed; you can book directly with us. Most shoulder problems are diagnosed from a good history and a hands-on examination, and scans are not always necessary. If we think imaging or a GP referral would help, we will point you in the right direction.
For most shoulder pain, complete rest is not the answer. Gentle, guided movement usually helps more than stopping altogether. We show you what is safe to do and what to ease off for now.
Yes, we work with Bupa. If you are covered by another insurer, get in touch and we will talk you through your options and what self-funded appointments involve.