Frozen shoulder, rotator cuff tears, impingement — we treat the full spectrum, from acute injuries to chronic stiffness that's been there for years. Hands-on first, then strength to keep it gone.
A stiff or painful shoulder needs a plan, not rest.
Shoulders are complex — a shallow ball-and-socket joint that trades stability for range and relies entirely on the rotator cuff and shoulder blade to behave. When that system breaks down you get impingement, cuff pain, or the gripping stiffness of a frozen shoulder. Resting it usually makes stiffness worse.
We diagnose precisely first, because frozen shoulder, a cuff tear and impingement all need different timelines. Then we work hands-on to restore range and load the cuff progressively — the only approach with strong evidence behind it for lasting shoulder recovery.
Image — rotator cuff loading on the reformer
Why it happens
The root causes we look for.
01
Rotator cuff overload
Repetitive overhead work or training irritates and weakens the cuff tendons.
02
Scapular control
A shoulder blade that does not glide properly pinches the structures beneath it.
03
Frozen shoulder
The capsule thickens and contracts, often after a minor injury or a period of immobility.
04
Posture & stiffness
A rounded upper back robs the shoulder of the room it needs to lift freely.
Symptoms we treat
Recognise any of these?
Cannot lift the arm overhead
Pain reaching behind the back
Night pain on the affected side
Weakness on lifting or carrying
Clicking or catching on movement
Stiffness that started gradually
Our Approach
How we'll actually treat it.
WEEK 1
1
Identify the driver
Differentiate between capsular, rotator cuff, and scapular causes. Same-session pain reduction.
Frozen shoulders take patience and cuff problems take loading — but with a structured programme nearly nine in ten of our shoulder patients get back to full overhead function without surgery.
89%
Recovery & satisfaction rate
89%
Recover full range without surgery
6–10 weeks
Typical programme
60 min
Per session
Common questions
Your questions, answered.
Still unsure? Our clinicians answer the questions patients ask most. You can always call the HSR Layout clinic for a straight answer first.
Frozen shoulder is defined by stiffness — you cannot move it far even if someone else tries. A cuff problem is usually weakness and a painful arc but with range still available. Our assessment tells the two apart, because they need different treatment.
Most shoulder problems — including many partial cuff tears and nearly all frozen shoulders — respond well to structured physiotherapy. Surgery is the exception, not the rule. If we think you need a surgical opinion, we will say so early.
Frozen shoulder moves through phases and can take several months to fully resolve. Good physiotherapy shortens the painful phase, keeps your range from collapsing, and gets you using the arm again much sooner.
Night pain is classic for both cuff irritation and frozen shoulder — lying on it compresses the inflamed structures. We will give you positioning advice that usually improves sleep within the first week or two.
Almost always, yes — we just modify what and how you load. Complete rest tends to stiffen shoulders, so we keep you moving in safe ranges while the irritated tissue settles.
Generally not while it's irritated — lying directly on an inflamed shoulder compresses the structures inside it and is a common reason for night pain. We usually suggest sleeping on the other side with a pillow hugged in front, or on your back with the arm supported, until the irritation settles.
Often yes, with the stroke or throw modified rather than stopped completely. Overhead athletes tend to do worse with total rest, since the shoulder stiffens and surrounding strength drops. We'll tell you which ranges and loads are safe to keep and which to park until the irritated structure settles.
A cortisone injection can dampen pain and inflammation quickly, which sometimes helps us treat more comfortably, but it doesn't fix weakness, stiffness or poor scapular control on its own — physiotherapy does. We occasionally recommend an injection alongside rehab for the right case, but it's a tool to enable progress, not a substitute for it.