Our Bromley Clinic
Here at Hicks Health, we understand how persistent pains and discomfort can disrupt your everyday life. Many of us suffer in silence dealing with such discomfort, often going back and forth to the GP and taking painkillers, only for the underlying issue to return. We offer manual therapies designed to alleviate these pains and get you back your confidence and range of motion.
Out expert clinicians will tailor a bespoke treatment plan that suits your individual needs, utilising osteopathy, sports massage and acupuncture to target your specific areas of discomfort. Whether you're suffering from a bad shoulder, back pain, a sports injury, a chronic condition such as arthritis or sciatica, or a condition such as plantar fasciitis, we can help. To find out how our practitioners can help you, book an appointment now using the quick and easy online booking system, or contact us now.
"Oliver has helped to reduce my chronic low back pain significantly! He is really knowledgeable, explains your difficulties well, and gives you helpful advice. I'm pleased to say that the effects have been long-term, and would recommend him to anyone."
Pooja, Bromley
"My mum woke up one morning with crippling back and leg pain and Oliver squeezed her in for an appointment at short notice. I'm pleased to say just over a month later, mum is happily walking around again and just in time for our holiday too. Oliver was very professional, kind and compassionate. We can't recommend him enough, thank you so much!"
Elise, Google Review
"Robert was extremely professional, kind and knowledgeable. I got a brilliant treatment with my first session and excellent exercises to practise at home. I highly recommend Robert."
Alicia, Google Review
"I have been seeing Oliver for a year now since I started getting difficulties with my neck and I have not regretted this one bit. He has encyclopaedic knowledge about his field and a great passion for what he does. He always explains what he is doing and he is so well researched and up to date on the different methodologies used. 1 year on and I feel more confident and pain free. Thank you Oliver!"
Hasti, Google Review
"I've been treated by Oliver for years for neck, back and calf tension. Very effective treatment. Recommended him to my mum who was also impressed and sees Oliver regularly now. Recently she had a course of acupuncture and was very pleased with the results. Recommended."
Sophia, Google Review
"It had been recommended to me to see an Osteopath and was very happy to locate one close by. I’m so glad to have met Oliver who has literally given me my life back by sorting out my back pain in as little as three sessions! I have never felt so much better and have exercises that I can do myself at home. Oliver is a lovely person and always enjoyed our chats during the sessions."
Nicky, Google Review
"A visit to Oliver is a regular event in my calendar. I was advised by a fitness instructor that my exercise regime would benefit from a monthly sports massage. Each session Oliver sorts out any particular joint/soreness issues, I am in my 60’s so there are a few, and then I have a sports massage. Oliver is knowledgeable, professional and an extremely nice person. I would, and do, highly recommend him."
Teresa, Bromley
Shoulder Conditions and Therapies
The shoulder joint is one of the most complex joints in the body. No matter your age or level of physical activity, there is always a risk of developing persistent pain, as the shoulder joint is almost always in use. Consisting of bones, muscles, ligaments and nerves, the complexity of the joint makes it potentially susceptible to a variety of injuries and conditions. We are going to go into greater detail below about the various causes, conditions and treatments we provide to alleviate the pain from a shoulder condition.
“Shoulder pain is a common problem that responds well to osteopathic treatment. Whether you have a rotator cuff injury, sports injury, nerve impingement or a more serious frozen shoulder, physical therapy treatment will help to relieve your pain and get you back to normal motion and strength as soon as possible.”
Oliver Hicks M.Ost, Clinic owner
What Can Cause Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder pain can have a number of potential causes, including degenerative conditions, injuries from accidents or sporting activities or simply from repetitive movements and overuse. Some of the more common causes are listed below.
Overuse and Repetitive Motion
The shoulder joint is in routine use every day of our lives, whether that be lifting heavy objects at home or at work, throwing, driving or straining to reach something. Repetitive movements like these over time can place excessive strain on the muscles and tendons inside the joint, leading to swelling, inflammation and pain.
Trauma or Injury
Whether it's from a fall, a traffic accident, a sporting injury or any other reason, an accident involving an excessive amount of shock to the shoulder can cause damage to the joint. Damage to the muscle and tendons, dislocation, soft tissue injuries and fractures are all potential outcomes of a shoulder injury.
Posture
Poor posture refers to the position you take when sitting, walking or standing. Over time, keeping your shoulders rounded and forward or slouching can put stress and strain on the muscles and tendons in the shoulder. This can lead to imbalance, reduced movement and in more extreme cases pain in the shoulder, upper neck and back.
How do I book?
To book an appointment at the Bromley Clinic, use our quick and easy booking system, or call us on 0208 088 0442 for a free 15-minute non-committal chat.
Shoulder Conditions
There are a number of shoulder conditions that are commonly associated with shoulder pain.
Frozen Shoulder
Frozen Shoulder, otherwise known as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that manifests as pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint. The condition limits movement, as the shoulder “capsule” becomes thicker and tightens. This condition usually develops slowly over time and without proper treatment, can persist for years.
Rotator Cuff Injuries
Four muscles and their tendons make up what is known as the rotator cuff. Their job is to stabilise the shoulder joint through movement. The rotator cuff can become irritated and even tear, causing pain, discomfort and conditions like tendonitis and bursitis. Rotator cuff injuries are most commonly associated with sports injuries or in individuals who perform exertive repetitive movements with their arms and shoulders. Tears can occur suddenly when the shoulder is presented with trauma, but a tear can also present itself gradually due to degeneration.
Trapped Nerve and Impingement
There are a number of important nerves in the shoulder, including the cervical nerves and brachial plexus. Stress, compression or irritation can potentially lead to these nerves becoming painful, reducing movement and causing discomfort, this is known as impingement. Typically, pain caused by nerve impingement presents as a sharp, shooting pain, sometimes accompanied by a tingling sensation and numbness.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that causes the cartilage inside a joint to break down. Cartilage acts as a “cushion” during movement inside a joint and when this begins to break down, it can cause pain, stiffness and a decrease in range of motion. Osteoarthritis most commonly affects older individuals, however it can also develop due to previous trauma or injuries to the shoulder.
Ready to find out more?
If you aren't sure if we can help? We provide a free 15 minute chat, either by phone or at the clinic to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Available Treatments for Shoulder Pain
Depending on the specific nature of your shoulder injury and other factors such as severity, location of the pain, previous treatments or lifestyle, there are a variety of treatments available.
Rest with Ice/Heat Therapy
Resting is absolutely crucial, whether as part of a recommended sports massage/osteopathy treatment plan or simply after an intense workout or sports session. Using ice packs on areas of pain can potentially reduce the risk of a worse injury by reducing inflammation in the muscles. Using heat therapy is a great way to relax stiff or cramping muscles, as it increases blood flow and circulation within the affected area. Alternating between the two can provide relief and help prevent further injury.
Manual Therapies and Osteopathy
Using physical or manual therapies, including osteopathy, is one of the most common ways to treat injuries such as a shoulder condition. Our practitioners will design a personalised treatment and exercise plan in order to alleviate pain and discomfort, and to improve movement and flexibility. Strengthening exercises, targeted stretching and manual techniques aimed at specific areas of inflammation or pain can help to reduce the severity of a condition, while work on posture and changes you can make in everyday life can also help in reducing the potential for future injuries.
Sports massage
Hands-on techniques, such as deep tissue massage or myofascial release can relieve muscle tension and improve blood flow to the shoulder area, or area of injury or discomfort. Our sports massage therapists use various sports massage techniques in order to promote improved flexibility and joint movement, which in turn can lead to a reduction in shoulder pain.
Acupuncture and Dry Needling
Acupuncture and Dry Needling are therapies aimed at identifying painful areas known as “trigger points” or “knots” in the muscles. An application of acupuncture needles to the affected areas can elicit a healing response in damaged or painful tissues, increasing blood flow and potentially leading to reduced pain and greater quality of life.
Whether you suffer from a brachial plexus injury, frozen shoulder, reduced movement and pain or any other shoulder condition, we can help. Contact us now to find out how our practitioners can help you to reduce your pain and alleviate your discomfort, or use the quick and easy online booking system to book your first appointment.
Our Bromley Clinic
Our Bromley Clinic is conveniently situated in a peaceful location in South Bromley. We offer a range of treatments including osteopathy, sports massage, pregnancy massage and acupuncture, and our helpful staff are on hand to give you any advice you require.
You can find all the information you need for your visit, including parking, public transport and accessibility, on our Bromley clinic information page.
This page was reviewed by Oliver Hicks M.Ost on the 4th October 2024