Shoulder clicking, catching or aching? Here’s what helps
A click when you lift your arm, a catch reaching behind you, or an ache that wakes you at night. Our Hendon physios explain what is usually going on and how we get shoulders moving comfortably again.
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Quick answer: An occasional painless click in the shoulder is usually harmless. Clicking or catching that comes with pain, especially when lifting the arm, most often points to the rotator cuff or the muscles that control the shoulder blade and usually improves with a progressive exercise programme. Our Hendon clinic at 16 Parson Street, NW4 1QB can assess you, often the same day.
Is shoulder clicking a problem?
Many shoulders click, and if there is no pain it is rarely a concern. Clicking or catching becomes worth checking when it comes with pain, weakness or a feeling that the shoulder is not quite moving smoothly.
In most of our Hendon patients the cause is not damage that needs surgery. It is the rotator cuff and the muscles around the shoulder blade not controlling the joint as well as they should, often after a change in activity such as a new gym routine, decorating, more driving or a busy period at the desk.
A Hendon physio explains an exercise for shoulder pain
The common causes of shoulder pain
Rotator cuff related pain
Impingement, tendinopathy
Ache on the outside of the upper arm, worse lifting the arm out to the side or overhead and lying on that side.
Shoulder blade control
Scapular dyskinesis
The shoulder blade not moving in rhythm with the arm, often linked with clicking and catching.
Frozen shoulder
Adhesive capsulitis
Pain then stiffness in every direction, most common between 40 and 60.
Labral or joint problems
Often after injury or sport
Deep clicking, catching or a feeling of instability, sometimes after a fall or a dislocation.
Pain from the neck
Referred pain
Pain across the shoulder blade or down the arm can come from the neck, so we always check it.
Book a shoulder assessment in Hendon
No GP referral needed. Book online, call us or send a WhatsApp.
A quick self-check for over 60s
Our Hendon team often uses simple movement checks to see how a shoulder is coping. Can you lift your arm above your head, reach behind your back and hold a light weight out to the side without pain? If any of these are painful or weak, it is worth getting your shoulder assessed.
These checks are clues, not a diagnosis. At your appointment we test movement, strength and the neck, then explain exactly what we find.
A shoulder test for over 60s from our Hendon physio
What actually helps
- Keep the shoulder moving within comfort; rest alone tends to make it stiffer and weaker
- A progressive programme for the rotator cuff and shoulder blade, two to three times a week
- Adjust the activities that flare it for a few weeks rather than stopping everything
- Hands-on treatment to ease pain and stiffness so you can do the exercise
- For stubborn tendon pain, our Hendon clinic also offers shockwave therapy where it is a good fit
6-12 weeks
is a typical time frame for a strengthening programme to make a clear difference
Lewis, Man Ther 2016
No better
than placebo surgery: shoulder decompression surgery for subacromial pain in a large UK trial
Beard et al, Lancet 2018 (CSAW)
~5
sessions is typical for our patients to reach their goals
BOOST PHYSIO patient data
Clicking on its own is rarely the problem. Pain and weakness are what we treat, and most shoulders respond really well.
When to seek medical advice
- Shoulder pain with chest pain, breathlessness or sweating: call 999
- A shoulder that has dislocated or looks deformed after a fall
- Sudden inability to lift the arm after an injury
- A hot, swollen, very painful shoulder with fever
Meet your Hendon physios
Aaran has a particular interest in shoulder pain and offers shockwave and acupuncture, and every physio at Hendon treats shoulder problems each week.
Michael English
Specialist Physiotherapist
Michael was Lead Academy Physio at Brentford FC and now treats patients at our Hendon and Mill Hill clinics, from sports injuries to everyday aches and pains.
Aaran Purwaha-Sidhu
Senior Physiotherapist
Aaran treats knee, shoulder and back pain in Hendon and uses shockwave and acupuncture alongside exercise rehab where they are a good fit.
Sarah Shamia
Senior Physiotherapist
Sarah helps Hendon patients with persistent pain, sports injuries and recovery after surgery, taking time to understand the whole picture.
Micki Hammond
Senior Physiotherapist
Micki treats sports injuries and back pain in Hendon and has a particular interest in rehab after hip and knee surgery.
Soma Fershi
Chartered Physiotherapist
Soma treats sports and gym injuries at our Hendon and Hampstead Garden Suburb clinics, with a strong focus on getting you back to training safely.
What our Hendon patients say
★★★★★
“She was warm, attentive and incredibly helpful. Her calm, considered and reassuring approach was particularly appreciated at a time when there was some uncertainty about my health.”
★★★★★
“Very good session with Aaran. Detailed medical debrief, and he identified the problem very quickly.”
★★★★★
“Really happy with my treatment, and especially a huge thank you to Sarah!”
Watch: shoulder rehab from our physios
Short videos showing how we assess and rehab shoulders.
How physios examine what could be causing shoulder pain
Resistance band rotator cuff exercises
Why physios love this exercise for shoulder rehab
One clinic, the experience of a whole team
Something our patients don’t always realise is how much support sits behind each physio. Our team trains together twice a month and every physio has a dedicated mentor who reviews cases with them, so when you see us in Hendon you get the experience of the whole BOOST PHYSIO group.
- Same day appointments, seven days a week across our clinics
- No GP referral needed
- Recognised by Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality, WPA and Aviva
Prefer another clinic? Book at BOOST PHYSIO Hampstead Garden Suburb, Mill Hill or East Finchley, or read more about our Hendon clinic.
Get your shoulder moving again
Book at BOOST PHYSIO Hendon, 16 Parson Street, NW4.
Related reading
Shoulder pain physio
Frozen shoulder or rotator cuff?
Shockwave therapyRehab after shoulder surgery
Neck pain in HendonHow much does private physio cost?Your questions answered
Is clicking in my shoulder serious?
Usually not if it is painless. If clicking comes with pain, weakness or catching, it is worth getting it assessed.
What is the most common cause of shoulder pain?
Rotator cuff related shoulder pain, where the tendons that control the shoulder become irritated and less tolerant of load.
Do I need a scan for shoulder pain?
Most people do not. A scan helps if we suspect a significant tear after an injury, or if you are not improving as expected.
Do you offer shockwave for shoulder pain in Hendon?
Yes, shockwave is available at our Hendon clinic and may help some stubborn tendon problems alongside exercise. We will advise if it suits you.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book directly online, by phone or on WhatsApp. If you are claiming on health insurance, check whether your insurer needs a GP referral first.
Can I use my health insurance?
Yes. We are recognised by Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality, WPA and Aviva. Bring your authorisation code to your first appointment.
Written and clinically reviewed by Steven Berkman, BSc Physiotherapy (University of Cape Town), HCPC-registered chartered physiotherapist, MCSP, founder of BOOST PHYSIO in 2008, with Michael English, Aaran Purwaha-Sidhu, Sarah Shamia, Micki Hammond and Soma Fershi at BOOST PHYSIO Hendon. Last reviewed 12 November 2026.
References
- Lewis J. Rotator cuff related shoulder pain: assessment, management and uncertainties. Man Ther 2016;23:57-68.
- Beard DJ et al. Arthroscopic subacromial decompression for subacromial shoulder pain (CSAW). Lancet 2018;391:329-338.
- Kibler WB et al. Clinical implications of scapular dyskinesis in shoulder injury: the 2013 consensus statement. Br J Sports Med 2013;47:877-885.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis. If you are unsure what is causing your symptoms, book an assessment or speak to your GP. If you have severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, call 111 or 999.
