Broadly, treatment works in 3 main steps:

1. Pain relief – avoid movements that cause you pain. Only move your shoulder gently. Use paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease the pain.
2. Stronger pain and swelling relief – prescribed painkillers. Maybe steroid injections in your shoulder to bring down the swelling.
3. Getting movement back – shoulder exercises once it's less painful. This can be at home or with a physiotherapist.

You may get a mix of these treatments depending on how painful and stiff your shoulder is.

Stronger pain relief is usually only used for a short time because it can cause side effects.

Do

• follow the exercises from your GP or physiotherapist
• keep an upright posture and your shoulders gently back
• move your shoulder – keeping it still will make the pain worse
• try heat or cold packs on your shoulder

Don't

• do not make up your own strenuous exercises – for example, gym equipment can make the pain worse
• do not slouch when sitting – do not roll your shoulders and bring your neck forward