Shoulders earn their pain the slow way: hunched desk hours, one-sided bag carrying, overhead lifting at the gym, or simply years of asking a very mobile joint to behave. When a shoulder starts waking you at night or stopping you reaching a shelf, it rarely fixes itself by being ignored.
What we see most often
- Frozen shoulder — deep, constant ache with movement that keeps shrinking. Getting the diagnosis right early changes everything about how it is managed.
- Shoulder and upper-arm pain linked to the neck and upper back — the shoulder complains, but the restriction driving it lives next door.
- Overuse from training or work — pressing, painting, lifting overhead; irritation that flares each time you repeat the movement.
Assessment that looks at the whole picture
The shoulder never works alone: it borrows movement from the shoulder blade, upper back and neck. Our assessment covers that whole chain, and where it is genuinely useful we use diagnostic ultrasound in clinic to look at the tissue rather than guess. Treatment then combines gentle joint mobilisation, soft-tissue work and a staged plan for restoring movement — with shockwave therapy available for stubborn, long-standing tendon problems.
When a shoulder needs a doctor first
A shoulder that is hot, red and swollen with fever, pain following a fall or accident with visible deformity, or pain spreading into the chest, jaw or left arm needs urgent medical attention — not manual therapy. Screening for these is part of every consultation.
Find us in NW6
OsteoRise is at 51 Mill Lane, minutes from West Hampstead station. If your shoulder trouble comes with neck stiffness or headaches, our neck pain page is worth a read; if it started at the gym, see sports injuries. Or skip ahead and book an assessment.
Shoulder stopping you sleeping, reaching, lifting?
Same-day and evening appointments are often available at our West Hampstead clinic.
Book an appointment Call 020 4620 6458Common questions
What is frozen shoulder?
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is a condition where the capsule around the shoulder joint becomes inflamed and tight, causing pain and a marked loss of movement. It develops in stages and can last many months without the right management — early, accurate diagnosis makes a real difference to how it is handled.
Why does my shoulder hurt when I have not injured it?
Shoulder pain often builds gradually from how the joint is used: long desk hours that round the shoulders, repetitive overhead work, or stiffness in the neck and upper back that forces the shoulder to compensate. Assessment looks at that whole chain, not just the sore spot.
Will I need a scan for my shoulder?
Often not — but when imaging is useful, we can look at the shoulder with diagnostic ultrasound in clinic during your appointment. If your shoulder needs imaging beyond that or a specialist opinion, we tell you and refer you on.