Shoulder Pain: How Can a Physio Help? | Physiotherapy in Glasgow

Shoulder pain can be frustrating, limiting, and often confusing. It can affect your work, training, sleep, and everyday activities.

Shoulder pain is one of the most common reasons people seek physiotherapy. In fact, it is the third most common musculoskeletal (MSK) condition requiring further medical care (Meakins et al., 2018).

If you’re dealing with shoulder pain and wondering whether physiotherapy can help, this article explains what a physio actually does, why modern physio has moved away from outdated diagnoses like “impingement”. and what to expect from an assessment at one of our physiotherapy clinics in Glasgow.

What to Expect from a Shoulder Physiotherapy Assessment

When you attend a shoulder physiotherapy appointment at one of our clinics in Glasgow, your session will begin with a detailed subjective assessment.

This is a structured conversation where your physiotherapist will ask about:

• Your pain history and symptoms

• Daily activities, work demands, and sport or gym training

• Lifestyle factors and previous injuries

• What movements or loads aggravate or ease your symptoms

This stage is crucial. Research suggests that 60–80% of an accurate diagnosis can be identified from the subjective assessment alone (Gibson, 2024).

The Physical (Objective) Assessment

Your physio will then carry out a hands-on examination, which may include:

• Active and passive shoulder range of movement

• Strength testing of key shoulder and upper-limb muscles

• Specific tests to identify pain-provoking positions or patterns

• Neck screening, which is essential because up to 40% of subacromial shoulder pain can be referred from the cervical spine (Meakins et al., 2018)

  
  

This thorough assessment allows your physiotherapist to understand why your shoulder hurts, not just where it hurts.

Your Personalised Shoulder Rehabilitation Plan

After your assessment, your physiotherapist will develop a tailored rehabilitation plan based on your diagnosis, goals, and current ability. This typically includes:

• Progressive strengthening and movement exercises

• Guidance on load management (work, sport, gym, daily life)

• Education around pain, recovery timelines, and expectations

• Advice on symptom management between sessions

How Physiotherapists Classify Shoulder Pain

Rather than relying on outdated labels, shoulder specialist physio Adam Meakins suggests that shoulder pain can be broadly classified into three useful categories:

1. Stiff and painful

2. Unstable or loose

3. Weak and painful

   
   

Your physiotherapist will determine which category best fits your symptoms and guide treatment accordingly. Correct classification helps streamline rehab and improves outcomes (Meakins et al., 2018).

“I’ve Been Told I Have Shoulder Impingement…”

Many people come to physiotherapy having been told they have shoulder impingement. Historically, this diagnosis suggested that the rotator cuff tendons were being “pinched” under the acromion during arm movement.

However, modern research has strongly challenged this idea. Studies have found limited evidence that the acromion mechanically compresses the rotator cuff (McFarland et al., 2013; Dhillon, 2019). As a result, many clinicians now prefer terms such as:

• Subacromial pain

• Anterolateral shoulder pain

• Rotator cuff–related shoulder pain

  
  

If you’ve been told your shoulder pain is simply due to “impingement” and your treatment hasn’t helped, a new physiotherapy assessment may be worthwhile.

Looking for Shoulder Physiotherapy in Glasgow?

If shoulder pain is stopping you from training, working, or enjoying daily life, physiotherapy can help you understand your pain and recover with confidence.

At SPG, our Glasgow-based physiotherapists provide:

• Evidence-based shoulder assessments

• Individualised rehab programmes

• Clear explanations — no confusing jargon or fear-based diagnoses

Book a shoulder physiotherapy appointment in Glasgow or contact our team to discuss how we can help you move better and feel stronger.

References

Meakins, A., May, S., Littlewood, C. (2018); Reliability of the Shoulder Symptom Modification Procedure and association of within-session and between-session changes with functional outcomes, BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 4(1). Available at: Reliability of the Shoulder Symptom Modification Procedure and association of within-session and between-session changes with functional outcomes | BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine

Consigliere, P., Haddo, O., Levy, O., Sforza, G. (2018); Subacromial impingement syndrome: management challenges, Orthopedic Research and Reviews, pp. 83- 91. Available at: Subacromial impingement syndrome: management challenges

Dhillon, K.S., 2019. Subacromial Impingement Syndrome of the Shoulder: A Musculoskeletal Disorder or a Medical Myth? Malays Orthop Journal. 13(3):1-7. doi: 10.5704/MOJ.1911.001.

McFarland, E.G., Maffulli, N., Buono, A.D., Murrell, G.A.C., Garzon-Muvdi, J., Petersen,

S.A., 2013. Impingement is not impingement: the case for calling it ‘Rotator Cuff Disease’.

Muscles Ligaments Tendons Journal. 11;3(3), pp. 196-200. Available at: Impingement is not impingement: the case for calling it “Rotator Cuff Disease” - PMC

Gibson, j., 2024. Podcast; 172. Shoulder pain assessment & clinical reasoning. Physio Edge Shoulder Success podcast with Jo Gibson. Available at: Clinical Edge - 172. Shoulder pain assessment & clinical reasoning. Physio Edge Shoulder Success podcast with Jo Gibson