Pain in your shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist or hand can make everyday activities surprisingly difficult. Problems may develop suddenly following an injury, gradually through repeated activity or overuse, or sometimes without an obvious cause.
At Corsham Physiotherapy, we will assess your symptoms, movement and medical history to help understand what may be contributing to your problem. Treatment will be tailored to you, with the initial aim of helping to relieve your symptoms before addressing any factors that may be contributing to the problem.
Shoulder pain
Shoulder pain can have a number of different causes and may affect your ability to reach, lift, dress, sleep comfortably or take part in work and sport.
Problems can involve the muscles, tendons, joints and other structures around the shoulder. Some conditions cause pain mainly with particular movements, while others may result in significant stiffness or loss of movement.
Some of the shoulder problems we commonly see include:
Rotator cuff and tendon problems • Frozen shoulder • Shoulder impingement-related pain • Arthritis • Strains and injuries
Read more about frozen shoulder here
Elbow & forearm pain
Pain around the elbow and forearm can develop following an injury or as a result of repeated loading through work, hobbies, gym training or sport.
Two common tendon problems are tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow. Despite their names, you don’t need to play either sport to develop them.
Read more about Tennis Elbow
Read more about Golfer’s Elbow
Wrist and hand pain
The wrist and hand contain many small joints, muscles, tendons and nerves, and problems in this area can have a significant effect on everyday tasks, work and hobbies.
We can assess a range of wrist and hand problems, including pain following injury, tendon problems, repetitive strain symptoms, reduced movement and problems affecting the fingers or thumb.
Where appropriate, physiotherapy may help with pain, movement, strength and gradually returning to normal activities. If we think your symptoms require further investigation or assessment by another healthcare professional, we can advise you on the appropriate next steps.
Carpal Tunnel, RSI & Repetitive Strain
Repeated or sustained activities can sometimes be associated with pain or other symptoms in the forearm, wrist or hand. Symptoms may also arise from irritation or compression of a nerve, including conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Because pain, tingling or numbness in the hand can have several possible causes, including problems originating further up the arm or from the neck. An assessment can help establish what may be contributing to your symptoms.
Trigger Finger & Hand Tendon Problems
Tendons in the hand and fingers can become painful or irritated, affecting everyday use of the hand. Conditions such as trigger finger can cause pain, stiffness, clicking or a catching sensation when bending or straightening a finger or thumb.
Following assessment, treatment will depend on your individual symptoms and may include advice, exercises and other physiotherapy treatments. We may also use therapeutic laser as part of the treatment of trigger finger and other appropriate tendon problems.
Depending on your individual needs and condition, we may also use treatments such as medical acupuncture, therapeutic laser, other electrotherapy or shockwave therapy alongside your rehabilitation.
Recurring shoulder or arm problems
If a shoulder, elbow, wrist or hand problem keeps returning, it can be helpful to look beyond the immediate symptoms.
Your physiotherapist can assess factors such as movement, strength and how the area responds to the activities that are important to you. Exercise and rehabilitation may then help you gradually restore function, build strength and return more confidently to work, hobbies, exercise or sport.
Read more about exercise & rehabilitation
How Can Physiotherapy Help Shoulder & Arm Pain?
Your treatment will depend on your assessment, symptoms and individual circumstances. It may include hands-on techniques such as mobilisation, massage or other manual techniques, alongside movement and individually tailored exercises.
Depending on your individual needs, we may also use treatments such as medical acupuncture, electrotherapy, therapeutic LASER, shockwave therapy to help manage particular conditions and symptoms.
Exercise and rehabilitation can help restore movement and strength and gradually return you to your usual activities.
If your assessment suggests that physiotherapy isn’t appropriate, or that further investigation or medical assessment may be needed, we can advise you on the most appropriate next steps.
Pilates & Shoulder/Upper Body Strength
Pilates can also help develop whole-body strength, mobility and control as part of an ongoing exercise programme. Exercises can be adapted where appropriate to take account of shoulder, arm or other injuries, both within individual sessions and our classes.
Read more about Pilates
Book an Appointment for shoulder or arm pain
Whether you have a new injury, an ongoing problem or pain that keeps returning, our physiotherapists can assess your shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist or hand and help you decide on the most appropriate way forward.
Please either contact our reception or book online to make an appointment.