Shoulder pain is one of the most common issues we see in active adults and recreational athletes. Whether you’re lifting weights, swimming, playing tennis, or doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, your shoulders do a lot of work – and they’re prone to injury if overloaded or poorly stabilised.
At Recovery Physiotherapy in Rydalmere, we help you diagnose, treat, and rehab shoulder injuries so you can return to sport, work, and everyday movement without pain.
Common Shoulder Injuries in Active Adults
Recreational athletes often present with:
- Rotator cuff injuries – including tendinopathy, partial tears, or impingement
- Shoulder bursitis – inflammation that causes sharp or achy pain
- Shoulder instability or dislocation – common in contact sports or overhead sports
- AC joint sprain – often from a fall or direct impact
- Labral tears – especially in repetitive overhead movements
- Postural shoulder pain – linked to desk work and poor scapular control
Shoulder Injury Symptoms to Watch For
You might notice:
- Pain lifting your arm or reaching overhead
- Clicking, catching, or instability in the shoulder
- Weakness during push-ups, presses, or pull movements
- Pain at night when lying on the shoulder
- Loss of range or stiffness, especially after rest
➡️ Book a physio appointment now
➡️ Explore our sports injury rehab services
How Physiotherapy Can Help Shoulder Injuries
At Recovery Physiotherapy Rydalmere, we take a comprehensive, movement-based approach. Our physios will assess how your shoulder moves, what’s causing the pain, and what strength or control deficits need addressing.
Your treatment may include:
✅ Manual therapy to reduce pain and restore mobility
✅ Rotator cuff and scapular strengthening
✅ Taping or strapping for support in early rehab
✅ Postural correction strategies
✅ Return-to-sport or gym programming
✅ Dry needling or soft tissue release where appropriate
We tailor your rehab to your sport, lifestyle, and goals – whether you’re back at the gym, chasing your kids, or prepping for a comp.
Why Active Adults Are at Risk of Shoulder Injuries
Your shoulder is highly mobile but inherently unstable. Without the right strength and coordination in the surrounding muscles (especially the rotator cuff and scapular stabilisers), you’re at risk of strain, inflammation, or compensation elsewhere (like the neck or elbow).
Recreational athletes often skip warm-ups, ignore early signs of fatigue, or train through pain – leading to avoidable injury.
Preventing Shoulder Pain in Recreational Athletes
To protect your shoulders long-term:
✔️ Warm up with activation exercises before training
✔️ Prioritise scapular and rotator cuff strengthening
✔️ Monitor and modify overhead or pushing volume
✔️ Work on thoracic spine mobility and posture
✔️ Don’t ignore pain – early treatment makes a big difference
➡️ Check out our guide to bulletproofing your body for sport
➡️ See how taping and bracing can support injury recovery
Why Choose Recovery Physiotherapy Rydalmere?
We work with a wide range of recreational athletes across Rydalmere, Ermington, Parramatta, Silverwater, and Dundas. Our approach is hands-on, evidence-based, and personalised to your needs.
We support:
🏋️♀️ Gym-goers and lifters
🥋 Combat athletes (like BJJ or MMA)
🎾 Racket sport players
🏊♂️ Swimmers
🏃♀️ Runners and cross-trainers
Book a Shoulder Assessment Today
Don’t let shoulder pain hold you back. Whether you’re recovering from an old injury or noticing new discomfort, we’re here to help.
📞 Call 0421 867 437
💻 Book Online Now
📍 Visit us at 7 Brodie St, Rydalmere NSW 2116
✔️ Supporting Parramatta, Ermington, Silverwater & Dundas
