Shoulder & hip pain

Understanding shoulder & hip pain

Because the shoulder and hip are such mobile joints, their problems rarely live in the joint alone. The shoulder depends on the shoulder blade and upper back moving well; the hip works in partnership with the pelvis and lower back. Effective care means assessing the whole system, not just where it hurts.

Common signs & symptoms

Pain reaching overhead, behind the back, or across the body
A deep ache in the shoulder or hip that disturbs sleep
Clicking, catching or a feeling of restriction with movement
Hip or groin pain with walking, stairs or getting out of the car
Pain that started after a change in training or activity

When to seek urgent care: A shoulder or hip that's hot, swollen and severely painful, follows significant trauma, or comes with fever needs prompt medical assessment.

Common causes

Rotator cuff and tendon issues

The shoulder's stabilising tendons commonly become overloaded and painful, especially with repetitive overhead work.

Joint restriction

Stiffness in the shoulder joint, upper back or hip limits movement and forces compensation elsewhere.

Bursitis and impingement

Irritated bursae and pinching of soft tissue with certain movements are frequent sources of sharp, positional pain.

Load changes

Sudden increases in training, lifting or repetitive activity are behind many shoulder and hip flare-ups.

How we help

Your care starts with a thorough consultation and physical assessment to identify what's driving your symptoms. From there, we build a plan around you — which may include chiropractic adjustments (traditional or low-force), soft tissue therapy, targeted home exercises, and practical advice for your daily routine. We review your progress regularly, explain everything in plain language, and refer you for imaging or to other practitioners whenever that's the better path.

Good to know

Shoulder & hip pain: your questions answered

Why assess my upper back for a shoulder problem?

Your shoulder blade glides over your rib cage, and it needs a mobile upper back to position the shoulder properly. A stiff thoracic spine is one of the most common hidden contributors to shoulder pain — treat only the shoulder and the problem often returns.

My hip pain is actually in my groin — is that normal?

Yes. True hip joint pain very often presents in the groin rather than the side of the hip. Pain over the outer hip more commonly relates to tendons and bursae. Where you feel it is a genuinely useful diagnostic clue we use in your assessment.

Will I need to stop training?

Usually not entirely. Complete rest often isn't the answer for shoulder and hip issues — modified load typically works better. We'll tell you what to reduce, what to keep, and how to build back up as things improve.