Shoulder pain treatment in Wokingham, Berkshire

Shoulder pain can make dressing, reaching and sleeping difficult, and often comes from the rotator cuff, the joint or the surrounding muscles. At the Wokingham Therapy Clinic, our therapists offer effective treatments to relieve pain, restore movement and address the underlying cause.

On this page

1. Common causes of shoulder pain
2. Symptoms
3. How we treat shoulder pain
4. Research and evidence
5. Self-help advice
6. Our acupuncturist

1. Common causes of shoulder pain

• Rotator cuff problems – tendinopathy, tears or impingement
• Shoulder impingement, where tendons are pinched on movement
• Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
• Bursitis – inflammation of the fluid-filled sac in the shoulder
• Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint
• Referred pain and tension from the neck and upper back

2. Symptoms

• Pain on the outside or top of the shoulder, sometimes radiating down the arm
• Pain when reaching overhead, behind the back or out to the side
• Difficulty sleeping on the affected shoulder
• Weakness when lifting or carrying
• Stiffness and reduced range of movement
• Clicking or catching with movement

3. How we treat shoulder pain

Acupuncture

Acupuncture relieves shoulder pain by reducing inflammation in the tendons and bursa, releasing tight muscles around the shoulder and neck, improving blood flow and stimulating the body's own pain-relieving mechanisms. It is particularly effective for rotator cuff pain and impingement.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy uses progressive rotator cuff strengthening and mobility exercises, which have strong evidence for shoulder pain, along with assessment of posture and movement.

Osteopathy

Osteopathy treats the shoulder together with the neck, upper back and shoulder blade, freeing restrictions and improving the mechanics that contribute to shoulder problems.

Sports massage

Sports massage releases tight muscles around the shoulder, upper back and neck and treats the trigger points that refer pain into the shoulder.

4. Research and evidence

A systematic review and meta-analysis published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders found that acupuncture provided pain relief and functional improvement for shoulder pain, including rotator cuff disease and impingement. Exercise therapy is strongly supported by clinical guidelines as a first-line treatment for most shoulder problems.

5. Self-help advice

• Keep the shoulder gently moving within comfortable limits – avoid complete rest
• Avoid prolonged overhead activity during a flare-up
• Strengthen the rotator cuff with appropriate exercises
• Use a pillow to support the arm when sleeping
• Apply heat to ease muscle tension and stiffness
• Review your desk and posture if you work at a computer

Our acupuncturist

Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto BM (Beijing), BSc (Hons) TCM, MBAcC, MRCHM

Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto has been practising acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for over 25 years. He is passionate about empowering people with the ancient knowledge of Chinese medicine through lifestyle and diet.

Dr (TCM) D'Alberto graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine from Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in China – a full-time, five-year degree programme that included six months of clinical internship at two of the largest hospitals in Beijing.

Dr (TCM) D'Alberto practises acupuncture, moxibustion and cupping from his own acupuncture clinic in Wokingham. He is a member of the British Acupuncture Council and practises traditional Chinese acupuncture.