Shoulder pain in Eastbourne
Shoulder pain can make it difficult to reach a shelf, put on a coat, lift a bag or find a comfortable sleeping position. You may have noticed a recent change, increasing stiffness or a problem that keeps returning.
I am Andy Duckmanton, a GOsC-registered osteopath. I assess your symptoms, explain my findings and discuss suitable options with you.
First appointment: £70 · approximately 60 minutes
Follow-up: £60 · approximately 30 minutes
At Natural Fitness and Therapies, Royal Parade, beside the Redoubt Fortress.
Book a first appointment | Call 01323 335052
On this page
Medical help · Possible causes · Self-care · Assessment and treatment · Recovery · Scans and further help · Appointments
When to get medical help
Call 999 if sudden arm pain occurs with pressure, heaviness or squeezing across your chest.
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or contact NHS 111 for sudden or severe shoulder pain, inability to move your arm, an obvious change in shape, marked swelling, persistent tingling, loss of feeling, or an arm or shoulder that is hot or cold to touch. Pain after a fall or other injury, severe pain in both shoulders, or pain with fever or feeling unwell also needs urgent advice.
See a GP if the pain is worsening, is not improving after two weeks, or makes moving your shoulder very difficult.
Different reasons for shoulder pain
Similar symptoms can have different causes. These examples explain why the history and examination matter; they cannot establish a diagnosis on their own.
Pain when lifting or reaching
Rotator-cuff-related pain can affect the shoulder and upper arm, particularly when reaching overhead or behind your back. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that helps control shoulder movement. Symptoms can follow increased activity or develop gradually, and may disturb sleep.
Increasing stiffness and frozen shoulder
Frozen shoulder usually involves both pain and a substantial loss of movement. Everyday tasks such as dressing or washing your hair can become difficult. It can take months or years to settle, so management needs to reflect how painful and stiff the shoulder is.
Read the frozen shoulder guide
Joint symptoms or pain from the neck
Arthritis and other joint problems can contribute to pain and stiffness. Some pain felt around the shoulder comes from the neck, and symptoms extending into the arm may need a wider assessment. Tell me about any tingling, numbness or weakness.
Managing activity and sleep
For uncomplicated shoulder pain, keep the arm gently moving and continue activities you can manage. Temporarily reduce repeated heavy lifting or overhead work if it clearly aggravates symptoms. Build activity back up gradually rather than testing the shoulder with strenuous exercises.
Small adjustments can make daily tasks more manageable. These are options to try, not rules about one correct posture:
Dressing: try a looser top or a front-opening shirt if pulling clothing overhead is difficult.
Carrying: split shopping into lighter loads and keep them close to your body.
Reaching: move frequently used items to a comfortable height for now.
Desk work: keep the keyboard within easy reach, support your forearm if comfortable and vary your position.
Sleep: try a pillow supporting the arm and avoid lying directly on the painful shoulder.
A pharmacist can advise on suitable pain relief. If you have had an injury, surgery or specific medical advice, follow the guidance given for your situation. NHS shoulder self-care advice.
What your assessment involves
I will ask when the symptoms began, whether there was an injury, which movements are difficult and how your sleep, work and other activities are affected. We will also discuss your medical history, medicines and any previous treatment or investigations.
The examination may include shoulder movement, strength and relevant checks of your neck and arm. I will explain the findings, any uncertainty and whether care here, self-management or another medical assessment is appropriate.
Treatment and a plan you can follow
We will agree goals that matter to you, such as getting dressed more comfortably, reaching a shelf or returning to a hobby. For suitable shoulder problems, including many rotator-cuff-related symptoms, movement and gradually building strength are important parts of care. Hands-on treatment is optional; you can choose a plan based on advice and exercise.
I will explain the proposed approach, alternatives and relevant risks before asking for your consent. You can decline a technique or stop at any time. Follow-up appointments allow us to review progress and adjust the plan; the number needed varies.
I will explain how to practise the agreed exercises and choose a manageable starting point. We can adjust the movement, repetitions or resistance according to your response, then build up as it becomes easier. If an exercise causes a lasting increase in symptoms, reduce or pause it and ask for advice; new warning symptoms need the medical help described above.
The British Elbow & Shoulder Society exercise guide includes written instructions and demonstrations. Its programme is a resource to discuss after assessment, rather than a prescription for every painful shoulder.
Recovery and reviewing progress
Early improvement and complete recovery are different. Some symptoms begin to ease over the first few weeks, while regaining comfortable movement and activity can take months. Frozen shoulder often has a longer course. I will explain what seems realistic for your situation and review this as we learn how you respond.
We can review comfortable reach, putting on a coat, sleep and tolerance of an activity you want to regain, alongside pain. Progress is judged over time, not by one good or difficult day. A sustained setback or limited improvement means reconsidering the assessment and changing the plan.
These recovery times do not mean you should wait to seek help. See a GP if pain is worsening, has not improved after two weeks or makes moving the shoulder very difficult. Use the urgent or emergency routes above for warning symptoms.
Scans and further help
An X-ray or scan is not automatically the first step. Your history and examination help determine whether further investigation could change your care. I will explain if a GP or specialist assessment is advisable. Read why treatment can still help when the exact cause of pain is unclear.
What if it is not improving?
If progress is limited, we will reconsider the approach, including whether to change or stop treatment, try another rehabilitation option or seek medical advice. There is no fixed course that everyone must complete.
NHS physiotherapy is another option. The East Sussex MSK Community Partnership offers physiotherapy self-referral for eligible patients. Its current criteria include being aged 16 or over, having symptoms for at least six weeks and being registered with a covered GP practice. Check the current eligibility information. This is not a reason to delay GP or urgent advice when it is needed.
Appointments at the Eastbourne clinic
I am Andy Duckmanton, a GOsC-registered osteopath who qualified in 2007. The clinic is at Natural Fitness and Therapies, Royal Parade, Eastbourne BN22 7AQ, beside the Redoubt Fortress on the seafront promenade.
Check online booking for current appointment days and times.
There are three entrance steps and one internal step. Please call before booking to discuss access.
Book online | Call 01323 335052
About Andy | Your first appointment
Sources and further information
British Elbow & Shoulder Society: exercises for shoulder pain
NHS: shoulder pain and when to get medical help
East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust: shoulder and elbow advice
General Osteopathic Council: what to expect at an appointment
Institute of Osteopathy: muscle and joint conditions
Content updated: 16 October 2026. NHS shoulder advice, BESS exercises and local NHS referral information checked on this date. Other sources were checked on 10 October 2026.