Shoulder Impingement Syndrome – Symptoms & Treatment in Bromley

Key Points

• Shoulder impingement happens when the tendons or bursa in your shoulder get compressed or irritated.

• It’s common in people who do repetitive overhead movements such as lifting, swimming, or tennis.

• Symptoms include sharp pain when reaching overhead, a painful arc of movement, and weakness.

• At Bromley Sports Injury Clinic, we provide osteopathic assessment, ultrasound imaging, blood testing, and tailored rehab to help restore shoulder health.

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What is Shoulder Impingement?

Shoulder impingement occurs when the rotator cuff tendons or the subacromial bursa (a small fluid sac) are compressed in the narrow space beneath the acromion bone. This causes pain, inflammation, and sometimes progression to tendon damage.

It’s often linked with:

• Repetitive overhead activity

• Poor posture (rounded shoulders)

• Weakness or imbalance in the rotator cuff and upper back muscles

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Symptoms of Shoulder Impingement

• Sharp pain when reaching overhead, behind the back, or across the body

• A painful arc of movement (especially between 60–120 degrees of lifting)

• Weakness when lifting or rotating the arm

• Night pain, especially when lying on the affected shoulder

• Shoulder stiffness or restricted motion

• Clicking or catching sensation

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Causes & Risk Factors

• Sports with repeated overhead movements (swimming, tennis, volleyball, weightlifting)

• Poor posture, rounded shoulders, or prolonged desk work

• Weakness or imbalance in rotator cuff and scapular stabilisers

• Previous shoulder injuries (rotator cuff tendinopathy, bursitis)

• Bone shape variations that reduce subacromial space

• Metabolic factors (e.g. diabetes, high cholesterol) may reduce tendon resilience

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Diagnosis of Shoulder Impingement

At Bromley Sports Injury Clinic, diagnosis includes:

• Osteopathic assessment – orthopaedic tests (painful arc, Hawkins-Kennedy, Neer’s) to confirm impingement

• Ultrasound imaging – to check for bursitis, rotator cuff tendinopathy, or partial tears

• Blood tests – if there is suspicion of underlying metabolic or inflammatory issues that may be contributing to tendon weakness (e.g. diabetes, cholesterol, thyroid problems)

• Referral for MRI if severe tendon or labral injury is suspected

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Self-Help for Shoulder Impingement

• Avoid painful overhead lifting or repetitive reaching

• Apply ice packs if pain is acute

• Try gentle shoulder mobility and posture exercises

• Use good ergonomic setup if working at a desk

• Pain relief (paracetamol or short-term NSAIDs if tolerated)

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Treatment Options at Bromley Sports Injury Clinic

✅ Osteopathic treatment – joint mobilisation, soft tissue therapy, and postural correction

✅ Exercise rehabilitation – strengthening of rotator cuff and scapular muscles, flexibility drills

✅ Sports massage – reducing muscle tension in the neck, shoulder, and upper back

✅ Ultrasound imaging – to track tendon and bursa health

✅ Blood testing & health review – identifying underlying systemic contributors to tendon issues

✅ Referral if needed – for consultant review or advanced imaging if symptoms persist

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Prevention

• Maintain strong rotator cuff and upper back muscles

• Warm up before sport and lifting

• Avoid overtraining or rapid increases in gym load

• Keep good posture, especially at a desk

• Address metabolic risk factors (blood sugar, cholesterol, thyroid)

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FAQs – Shoulder Impingement

Q: Do I need a scan for shoulder impingement?
Often no, but ultrasound is excellent for checking tendons and bursa in real time.

Q: Can osteopathy help with shoulder impingement?
Yes – manual therapy, postural correction, and rehab exercises are effective in restoring function and reducing pain.

Q: How long does recovery take?
Milder cases may improve in weeks. More persistent cases may take several months of structured care.

Q: Why are blood tests important?
They help detect metabolic contributors such as diabetes or thyroid issues that may slow tendon healing.

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Book Your Appointment

Don’t let shoulder impingement limit your training or daily life. Book your Shoulder Impingement assessment in Bromley today and start your recovery.