Shoulder pain often eases within weeks: the NHS says it usually improves after about two weeks of self-care, though full recovery can take six months or more. If it is no better after two weeks, or the arm is hard to move, get it checked.

How common is shoulder pain?

Very common. The 2026 Hungarian professional guideline on frozen shoulder describes shoulder pain as the third most common musculoskeletal pain after low back pain and knee pain, with a global average prevalence of 16 percent. The same guideline puts primary frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) at 2–5.3 percent of the general population, peaking between the ages of 40 and 60.

According to MedlinePlus, from the US National Library of Medicine, the shoulders are the most movable joints in the body. That is also why they can be unstable: the ball of the upper arm is larger than the socket that holds it, so muscles, tendons and ligaments keep it in place. This explains why the joint is easy to injure and why the muscles around it matter.

What can cause shoulder pain?

The NHS lists several possible causes, grouped by symptoms:

  • pain and stiffness lasting months: frozen shoulder or arthritis;
  • pain that gets worse when you use the arm: tendonitis, bursitis or impingement;
  • a tingling, weak arm, or a shoulder that clicks or locks: shoulder instability;
  • pain on top of the shoulder, where the collarbone meets the joint: an acromioclavicular joint problem.

The NHS is clear, though, that you should not try to diagnose the cause yourself. MedlinePlus explains that diagnosis is based on your medical history, a physical exam and, where needed, imaging; a doctor does this, and a physiotherapist adds an assessment of movement and load tolerance.

What is frozen shoulder?

The Hungarian guideline defines it as a condition in which pain appears on its own and movement of the joint becomes gradually restricted in several directions. The NHS describes two main symptoms: pain, which can be worse at night and disturb sleep, and stiffness that makes the shoulder hard to move. It is often unclear why it happens; it can follow an injury or operation that stopped you moving your arm normally, and it is linked to diabetes.

The NHS says frozen shoulder can take months or years to get better, but the pain and stiffness usually go away eventually. Physiotherapy for it usually lasts at least six weeks, and the physiotherapist decides the number of sessions depending on how quickly it improves.

What can you do at home in the first weeks?

The NHS advises staying active and gently moving your shoulder: stopping using it completely can stop it getting better. Do not make up your own strenuous exercises or use heavy gym equipment. For heat or cold packs and pain relief, follow the NHS shoulder pain page; check any medicine with a pharmacist or doctor.

Which movement is the right starting point for you is decided by the examination, so we give no exercise routine here.

What does the physiotherapist check?

At the 60-minute assessment you talk through when the pain started, which movements and times of day are worse, and your work and sport. The examination can include:

  • active and passive range of movement of the shoulder, direction by direction;
  • movement of the shoulder blade and mobility of the upper back;
  • strength of the shoulder girdle muscles, and which load brings on the pain;
  • the neck, because pain from the neck can spread into the shoulder.

If the findings suggest you need a medical work-up, the physiotherapist will tell you. Bring any reports you have, such as an ultrasound or X-ray.

Who works with shoulder problems at the two clinics?

Which treatment may be suggested?

After the examination the physiotherapist makes a recommendation, and treatment starts in the same session. Options include manual therapy to improve restricted movement, physiotherapy to rebuild strength and movement control in the shoulder girdle, or both together in combined therapy. The plan follows the MozgásPiramis®. How many sessions you will need cannot be said in advance: it depends on your starting point and how you respond.

If the pain comes with neck pain, the article on neck pain may help; if your elbow hurts too, see the article on tennis elbow.

When is shoulder pain urgent?

With shoulder pain, do not wait for physiotherapy if

According to the NHS, get medical help the same day (your GP or an out-of-hours service) if:

  • the pain is sudden or very bad, or you cannot move your arm;
  • the arm or shoulder has changed shape or is badly swollen;
  • you have pins and needles that do not go away, or no feeling in the arm;
  • the arm or shoulder is hot or cold to touch;
  • the pain started after a fall or accident;
  • both shoulders are very painful, or you feel feverish or unwell.

These can be signs of a broken or dislocated bone or a torn ligament or tendon. In an emergency, call 112.

What is the next step?

If it is no better after two weeks, or keeps hurting, book an assessment at Retek utca 26 or Házmán utca 4. No referral is needed. Treatments and prices are on the shoulder pain page.

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