Shoulder and Arm Pain
At East Devon Physical Therapy, we help people with shoulder and arm pain reduce discomfort, restore movement and rebuild strength so they can get back to daily life, work, exercise and sport with confidence.
Shoulder and arm pain can make simple things surprisingly difficult. Reaching overhead, lifting, carrying, sleeping, typing, gripping or training can all become uncomfortable when the shoulder, elbow, wrist or surrounding tissues are irritated.
We regularly help people with shoulder pain, frozen shoulder, subacromial shoulder pain, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, biceps tendinopathy and wrist pain related to overload or repetitive strain.
Our role is to assess properly, explain clearly and build a treatment plan that helps you make steady, meaningful progress.
Common shoulder and arm problems we treat
- Shoulder pain: Shoulder pain can come on gradually or after a specific strain, overload or sporting injury. It may affect lifting, reaching, sleep, gym work, throwing or everyday tasks.
- Frozen shoulder: Frozen shoulder often causes pain and significant stiffness, making it difficult to lift the arm, reach behind the back or carry out normal daily activities. Symptoms can be frustrating and often take time to settle, so the right advice and support are important.
- Shoulder impingement or subacromial shoulder pain: These are common terms people use when pain is felt around the top or front of the shoulder, especially during lifting, reaching or overhead activity. In many cases, the issue is more about irritated shoulder tissues and reduced load tolerance than something being trapped. That is why careful assessment is important.
- Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow: Pain around the elbow can develop gradually with gripping, lifting, racket sports, gym work, DIY, desk work or repeated hand and wrist use. Tennis elbow usually affects the outside of the elbow, while golfer’s elbow affects the inside.
- Biceps tendinopathy: Biceps tendon pain often causes discomfort at the front of the shoulder or upper arm, especially during lifting, pulling, gym work or repeated overhead activity.
- Wrist pain and RSI: Wrist pain can be linked to overload, repetitive strain, gym work, desk-based tasks or irritation of the tendons and surrounding tissues. Symptoms may include aching, weakness, stiffness or discomfort with gripping and typing.
Common symptoms of shoulder and arm pain
People with shoulder and arm problems may experience:
- Pain lifting the arm or reaching overhead
- Pain carrying, gripping or using the hand normally
- Stiffness in the shoulder, elbow or wrist
- Pain when lying on one side
- Weakness with lifting, pulling or gym work
- Elbow pain with gripping, typing or racket sports
- Wrist discomfort with desk work or repeated hand use
- Symptoms that flare with repeated loading
Not all shoulder and arm pain is the same, which is why a detailed assessment is important.
Our approach to shoulder and arm treatment
At East Devon Physical Therapy, we do not just focus on the painful area.
We look at how you are moving, how well the tissues are tolerating load, what is aggravating symptoms, and what needs to change to support recovery.
Your treatment plan may include:
- A detailed shoulder, elbow or wrist assessment
- Clear diagnosis and explanation
- Advice on activity modification and load management
- Manual therapy where appropriate
- Mobility work to improve movement
- Targeted exercises to improve strength, control and tolerance to load
- Rehabilitation for work, gym training, sport and daily activity
- Advice on pacing, ergonomics and flare-up management where appropriate
- PBM laser therapy where clinically appropriate to help calm irritation and support recovery
Our aim is to reduce pain, improve function and help you move with more confidence again.
Why shoulder and arm pain can linger
Shoulder and arm pain often becomes persistent when irritated tissues are not gradually reloaded in the right way, movement becomes guarded, or people continue to push through symptoms without a clear plan.
Rest alone may help temporarily, but if the underlying movement, strength and loading issues are not addressed, symptoms often return when normal activity increases again.
That is why effective treatment is not just about pain relief. It is about restoring strength, movement, confidence and resilience over time.
Why choose East Devon Physical Therapy?
We combine expert clinical assessment with practical, evidence-based rehabilitation tailored to the individual.
Some people need help settling a painful shoulder or elbow. Others need a more structured rehabilitation plan to return to work, gym training, sport or repeated upper limb activity. We adapt treatment to the person in front of us rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Our team focuses on honest advice, clear explanation and meaningful long-term improvement.
Common goals we help with
People often come to us because they want to:
- Reduce shoulder, elbow or wrist pain
- Lift and reach more comfortably
- Sleep with less discomfort
- Improve strength and control
- Return to work, gym training or sport
- Reduce flare-ups and repeated setbacks
- Feel more confident using the arm normally again
What to expect
Your first appointment gives us time to understand your symptoms, assess the problem properly and identify the key factors contributing to it.
We will explain what we think is going on, what is likely to help and how to start moving things forward.
You will leave with a clear plan, not vague advice or generic exercises.
