From pulleys to patches and pillows, which remedies really WILL ease painful shoulders?

Two thirds of people in the UK will suffer from shoulder pain at some point. The most common causes are rotator cuff syndrome, where muscles that stabilize the shoulder become inflamed; and frozen shoulder, where the tissue around the joint becomes tight. A number of gadgets claim to help relieve shoulder pain. Adrian Monti asked experts to rate a selection, which we then rated.

SHOULDER REST SUPPORT

£19.99, orthorex.uk

REQUIREMENTS: Made of a thin stretchy material, this shoulder brace can be worn under clothing for everyday use or during exercise. Held securely over the injured shoulder and tightened with a Velcro strap, it has ‘three points that hold the joint in place’ while allowing the wearer to ‘move freely with confidence’ and ‘achieve a better position for your arm’.

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘The best thing a brace does is physically remind you that you have a shoulder problem and so you’re more aware of how you’re moving it as you recover,’ says Leanne Antoine, physiotherapist at Distinct Physiotherapy in Radlett, Herts.

“However, braces do not adequately stabilize the shoulder, so they do not help manage pain or increase functional range of motion. They are also often uncomfortable.

‘If you have a lot of pain, it’s better to use something to take the weight off your arm, such as a supportive collar and sling or a pillow to rest your arm on when you’re sitting.’

2/10

SHOULDER SURGERY PAD

£29.99, amazon.co.uk

REQUIREMENTS: This small, heart-shaped vacuum-packed pillow (below) is placed under the armpit and held in place by a strap. It ‘raises and decompresses the shoulder joint’ and, by keeping the arm away from the body, ‘helps speed recovery from shoulder injuries’. Recommended for people with limited shoulder movement, rotator cuff tears or for use after surgery.

EXPERT VERDICT: “Moving the elbow away from the body to take the weight off the tendons (which connect muscles to bones) is something that many surgeons recommend postoperatively—after rotator cuff surgery, for example,” says Carlos Cobiella, a consultant orthopedic surgeon at University College London Hospitals and The Shoulder Practice, in London.

“But we would generally fit a shoulder abduction splint — a sling-style support — not a pillow. Where I see it being helpful is if you tapped your shoulder and needed something beyond ice and rest.

‘But remember to be properly examined by a doctor or physiotherapist if there is still pain after ten to 14 days. I am not convinced that this will significantly speed up healing and recovery.’

5/10

VIVE SHOULDERS THRESH

£11.99, amazon.co.uk

REQUIREMENTS: A simple pulley system that attaches to interior doors – the user holds both foam-covered handles to train the shoulders. The manufacturer claims it offers ‘effective training’ for ‘shoulder rehabilitation, tendonitis, frozen shoulder and a rotator cuff injury’ – and ‘complete recovery of shoulder health’.

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘Physiotherapists commonly use pulleys to help patients rehabilitate and they are usually quite effective because they allow movement without straining the muscles,’ says Mr Cobiella.

‘Moving your arm above shoulder height with a damaged rotator cuff, for example, is very painful. But a pulley means you can maintain full range of motion passively and helps avoid long-term stiffness.

‘But first check with a physiotherapist that using this is suitable for your condition – so start by using it once a day for five or ten minutes.’

8/10

ORTHOPRO ELECTRIC HEATING CUSHION

£79.99, orthojointrelief.com

CLAIM: Another shoulder brace, this one has a rechargeable battery attached that heats jade stone beads inside the fabric which ‘provide continuous heat to warm and relax the muscle’ and provide a vibrating massage.

‘Accelerates recovery’ from shoulder arthritis, shoulder dislocation, rotator cuff tears and tendinitis (inflamed tendons). Not recommended for use more than twice a day for a maximum of 15 minutes each time.

EXPERT VERDICT: Physiotherapist Tim Allardyce of Surrey Physio says: ‘Heat can be very effective in reducing pain – warmer joints tend to feel less pain and have more range of motion.

‘It’s a good idea to add a vibrating massage – massage increases blood flow to the area, relieving tension and pain.

“However, as with all shoulder injuries, this product should be used in conjunction with exercise if the shoulder is particularly stiff.

‘People might think it’s expensive and awkward to put on, plus its adjustable strap is a little fiddly. A hot water bottle would have a similar effect, but without the massage.’

7/10

MAGIC GEL SHOULDER ICE PACK

£18.99, gelpacks.co.uk

CLAIM: A reusable flexible ice pack that offers ‘unmatched pain relief with controlled compression and targeted cold therapy’. Suitable for shoulder sprains, strains, recovery after surgery and ‘relieving everyday pain’. It will stay cold for about 25 minutes and you should put a cloth/towel between the pack and your skin to prevent burns.

EXPERT VERDICT: Ice packs work well for acute shoulder injuries such as falling or hitting your shoulder against something hard, says Leanne Antoine.

‘They take the edge off any initial pain or aggravation of an old injury, so they can appeal to those who don’t like painkillers. They also reduce swelling and inflammation.

“Ice is also good after surgery, but a cryotherapy cuff, which provides controlled cold compression to reduce swelling, may work better but will cost more.”8/10

MASSAGE OIL FOR FROZEN SHOULDER

50ml, £19.99, avena.co.uk

CLAIMS: The oil is a “blend of powerful natural oils known to bring effective relief when used on a frozen shoulder”.

EXPERT VERDICT: Tim Allardyce says: ‘I haven’t seen any strong evidence – whether from studies or patient experience – that rubbing massage oil on a frozen shoulder reduces pain.

‘However, the ingredients, which include blue yarrow, have been shown to provide some mild anti-inflammatory relief – and the massage itself can also help some people.’

2/10

ACUMED ADVANCED PAIN PATCHES

Pack of eight, £11, acumed.co.uk

CLAIM: These patches contain zinc and copper and use magnetic therapy as a ‘natural method to stimulate pain relief’. Each patch ‘acts as a mini-transmitter that emits small energy fields that have a soothing effect and stimulate the body’s natural pain relief mechanism’.

Said to be suitable for joint, muscle or arthritic pain in the back, neck and shoulders.

EXPERT VERDICT: “There is some evidence that copper and zinc have healing properties,” says Mr Cobiella.

“But it’s a big leap to say that zinc helps create an energy field that relieves pain. I found no evidence to support this.

‘All I can say is that it wouldn’t have a negative effect, so it won’t cause any harm.’0/10

TRIGGER POINT THERA PRESSING TOOL

£9.90, massagewarehouse.co.uk

REQUIREMENTS: This simple tool (like a wooden dowel with a point) can be used to massage any part of the body, including the shoulders. It can ‘reduce muscle tension’ while ‘increasing blood circulation’ and relieving ‘aches and pains’.

EXPERT VERDICT: This is great for massaging painful muscles in and around the shoulder, says Tim Allardyce. “You can vary its pressure and the design of the tool allows you to get a good grip so you can actually massage your own shoulder,” he adds.

‘Yes, you could use your fingers, but it allows you to use stronger pressure. To get the most benefit, use it for about five minutes once or twice a day and combine it with some shoulder stretching exercises.

‘At under £10 this is well worth buying.’ 7/10

XEMZ OCCIPITAL RELEASE TOOL

£13.49, amazon.co.uk

REQUIREMENTS: This triangular device (above) is made of silicone plastic and rests under the neck when you lie down. It can soothe pain in various parts of the body, including the shoulders, as it ‘penetrates deep into the neck muscles’.

EXPERT VERDICT: Tim Allardyce says: ‘The suboccipital muscles are a group of four small muscles behind the base of the skull, several centimeters away from the shoulders, so working them will not have much impact on the shoulders.

‘But the device helped relieve the tension in my neck when I tried it.

‘The three different edges of this device work well to vary the amount of pressure on the muscles, although you might get the same effect by simply using your fingers to massage them instead.’ 4/10