The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the human body, enabling a huge range of movement through the coordinated function of the shoulder girdle, including the ball-and-socket joint, shoulder blade, collarbone, and upper spine. Because of this complexity, shoulder pain can arise from many different causes including muscle weakness, rotator cuff injuries, joint stiffness, scapular dysfunction, or even lifestyle and health factors.
Research supports physiotherapy as an effective treatment for common shoulder conditions such as rotator cuff-related pain, shoulder instability and frozen shoulder. Exercise and manual therapy have been shown to improve pain and function, with structured strengthening programs demonstrating meaningful improvements in both short- and long-term outcomes.
At North Shore Physiotherapy in Takapuna, we provide evidence-based assessment and treatment to help restore shoulder mobility, strength, and everyday function.
The shoulder is one of only two ball-and-socket joints in the human body. Unlike the hip which prioritises stability, the shoulder is designed for maximum mobility, allowing us to reach overhead, behind our back, across our body, and in almost every direction.This exceptional mobility comes from the coordinated movement of the entire shoulder girdle, including:The glenohumeral joint (ball-and-socket)
The scapula (shoulder blade)
The clavicle (collarbone)
The thoracic spine (mid-back)
For optimal shoulder function, all these regions must work together: muscles must stabilise the shoulder blade, the upper back must move freely, and the rotator cuff must maintain strength and control.When any part of this system is impaired, shoulder pain can develop.
Shoulder pain can arise from many physical, mechanical, or systemic factors. During your assessment at North Shore Physiotherapy in Takapuna, your physiotherapist will identify which factors are contributing to your symptoms.
Common contributors include:
These muscles stabilise the ball of the shoulder joint. Weakness can cause poor control and strength which can lead to pain and reduced function.
Muscles such as the lower trapezius and serratus anterior guide shoulder blade movement. When they underperform, the ball-and-socket joint compensates, often resulting in pain and reduced function.
Stiffness in the glenohumeral joint or thoracic spine restricts movement, altering load on the shoulder.
Repetitive overhead activity, slouched posture, and prolonged sitting all affect mechanics.
Research shows that shoulder pain is influenced by more than just the local tissues. Factors include:High stress levels
Poor sleep
Metabolic health
Reduced physical activity
General health conditions
Mood and psychological wellbeing
A holistic assessment helps identify all relevant contributors.
Research supports physiotherapy as an effective, first-line treatment for a range of shoulder issues. The most common include:
Perhaps the most common, and often caused by tendon irritation, poor biomechanics, or muscular weakness. A strength based approach to the shoulder girdle is often effective.
This occurs when the ball of the shoulder moves excessively. Strengthening and neuromuscular retraining help stabilise the joint.
Many people with rotator cuff tears respond very well to physiotherapy, even when surgery is not an option.
A condition involving pain and progressive stiffness. Guided mobility exercises can be effective in improving movement whilst this condition takes its natural course. Sometimes manual therapy can also be of benefit.
Physiotherapy is not just routinely recommended, it is strongly supported by robust clinical research.
Research shows physiotherapy, specifically structured exercise and manual therapy is effective for treating subacromial shoulder pain (see here).
Benefits include:Reduced pain
Improved strength
Better function
Greater shoulder mobility
Studies suggest that 6 weeks of structured exercise is more effective than no treatment or placebo across short, medium, and long-term outcomes.
For inoperable rotator cuff tears, research shows that 12 weeks of progressive strengthening can significantly:Improve pain
Improve function
Increase shoulder control
This reinforces the importance of a structured physiotherapy programme before considering surgical options (see here).Furthermore, this study demonstrated that physiotherapy is effective in treatment of atraumatic full thickness rotator cuff tears in up to 75% of patients at a 2 year follow up (see here).
At our Takapuna clinic, we take a comprehensive, evidence-based approach tailored to your specific condition and goals.
Thorough shoulder joint examination
Strength and movement testing
Scapular assessment
Posture and biomechanics evaluation
Thoracic mobility analysis
Lifestyle, injury history, and activity review
Identification of contributing factors
Focusing on rotator cuff, scapular stabilisers, and upper back muscles.
Techniques such as joint mobilisation and soft tissue therapy to reduce stiffness and improve movement.
Improving joint and upper-back range of motion.
Enhancing shoulder blade and upper limb coordination.
Useful for office workers and anyone performing repetitive tasks.
Clinic-based and home-based plans tailored to your condition.
Education and strategies to manage symptoms and prevent flares.
If imaging or further medical assessment is required, we work closely with North Shore and wider Auckland healthcare providers.
Evidence-based treatment
Tailored rehabilitation programmes
Experienced clinicians with expertise in shoulder conditions
Focus on long-term function, not temporary relief
Convenient location in Takapuna for all North Shore residents
Collaborative approach with GPs and orthopaedic specialists
Our goal is not only to relieve your pain, but to address the underlying cause and restore full shoulder strength, control, and confidence.
1. Do I need a referral to see a physiotherapist?
No. You can book directly with our Takapuna clinic at any time.
2. How long does it take to see improvement?
Many patients notice improvements within 4–6 weeks, especially with consistent exercise, although it may take up to 12-16 weeks of strength training.
3. Can physiotherapy fix shoulder pain without surgery?
In many cases, yes. Research supports physiotherapy as effective for rotator cuff-related pain, inoperable rotator cuff tears, shoulder instability and frozen shoulder.
4. Will manual therapy help my shoulder?
Manual therapy can reduce stiffness and improve movement, but it is most effective when combined with an exercise programme.
5. What shoulder conditions do you treat?
We treat rotator cuff injuries, frozen shoulder, impingement, instability, tendinopathy, bursitis, arthritis, post-surgical conditions, and more.
6. Do you treat athletes and overhead workers?Yes, our clinicians specialise in both sports and occupational shoulder rehabilitation.
