Shoulder Injuries

From impingement to rotator cuff rehab: we combine manual therapy with dosed strength training in the gym — and treat whatever it takes to get your arm back overhead: controlled, resilient, pain-free.

Key facts

• First appointment within 48 hours
• KVG basic insurance, UVG accident insurance and self-pay
• Locations in Zurich West & Kloten

Typical complaints we treat

• Impingement — subacromial pain when lifting the arm
• Rotator cuff tear — partial or complete rupture
• Frozen shoulder — adhesive capsulitis
• Shoulder dislocation — after a fall, throw or serve
• SLAP lesion — labral tear, throwing and racket sports
• Biceps tendon problems — tenosynovitis, tendon rupture
• Calcific tendinitis — tendinosis calcarea
• AC joint osteoarthritis — acromioclavicular joint
• Subacromial bursitis — inflamed bursa
• Scapular dyskinesis — impaired shoulder blade control
• Shoulder instability — recurrent subluxation
• Shoulder-neck syndrome — thoracic/cervical spine involvement, desk shoulder

When to see a physio about shoulder pain

Shoulder pain is rarely harmless — and rarely clear-cut. The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, relying on the finely tuned interplay of rotator cuff, scapula and cervical spine. When one component fails, the others compensate — and that is exactly where most complaints arise.

Come and see us if

• you haven’t been able to lift your arm above horizontal without pain for more than two weeks,
• night pain wakes you up when lying on the affected side,
• a loss of strength persists after a fall, throw or impact,
• a serve, pull-up or bench press suddenly no longer works.

In your initial assessment we carry out a structured movement screen with classic clinical tests (Hawkins, Jobe, apprehension) — and clearly classify the problem before we treat. Imaging doesn’t replace this, it complements it: an MRI shows structure, the assessment shows function.

Conservative or surgical — and where we come in

Most shoulder problems can be treated conservatively — and the evidence supports this as the right first choice. For subacromial impingement, study after study shows that twelve weeks of structured physiotherapy are not inferior to arthroscopy. Partial rotator cuff tears are also usually treated conservatively first, before surgery is considered.

If surgery does go ahead — rotator cuff repair, SLAP repair, stabilising procedures after dislocation — we support both phases. Before the operation we work on mobility and strength so the post-operative path is shorter («prehab»). After the operation we follow the aftercare protocol of the treating clinic to the letter, and if anything is unclear we speak directly with the surgical team. Our therapists regularly work with shoulder surgeons in the region, including the Schulthess Klinik.

What makes MTT different with us

With us, MTT doesn’t happen in a back room — it takes place in the main area of our Sport Performance Center, with the same equipment the pros train on. For the shoulder, that means a cable tower for isolated rotator cuff work, free weights for pressing movements under load, and a dynamic throwing set-up for return-to-sport in overhead athletes.

What you won’t get from us: three resistance-band exercises you could have done at home. What you will get: dosed load progression with objective monitoring — range of motion, isokinetic strength compared side to side, and symptom reproduction under load. That way we know when you can go back to full serving, climbing or pressing — and you don’t have to leave it to gut feeling.

Frequently asked questions

How long does shoulder physiotherapy take?

For an isolated impingement syndrome, therapy typically takes 8–12 weeks with one to two sessions per week. A frozen shoulder follows its own course over 6–12 months and can be significantly shortened by physiotherapy. After rotator cuff surgery, structured aftercare takes 4–6 months, depending on tear size and repair technique. The exact duration depends on the assessment, accompanying complaints and how consistently you train.

Does health insurance cover shoulder physiotherapy?

With a doctor’s prescription, basic health insurance covers 9 sessions of 30 minutes each; a follow-up prescription extends this by another 9 sessions. For a sports accident — such as a shoulder dislocation while skiing or a fall while climbing — Swiss accident insurance (UVG) covers 100 percent of the costs, even without a doctor’s prescription. We sort out the registration with the insurer directly.

Does a frozen shoulder heal on its own?

Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) passes through three phases — pain, stiffness and resolution — over 12 to 24 months and often resolves spontaneously. Structured physiotherapy, however, can significantly shorten the painful course, help prevent secondary movement restrictions in the cervical spine and the opposite shoulder, and make everyday life in the acute phase considerably easier.

What is the difference between MTT and conventional physiotherapy?

Medical training therapy (MTT) is active, dosed loading on training equipment — not a passive treatment. It complements manual therapy rather than replacing it. At Halle 41, MTT takes place in the Sport Performance Center — with the same equipment the pros use. For shoulder problems we combine manual techniques for the acute phase with progressive strength training for a resilient rebuild.

Do I need a doctor’s prescription for shoulder therapy?

For billing through basic health insurance (KVG), a doctor’s prescription with a diagnosis is required. For a documented sports accident covered by UVG accident insurance, no prescription is needed. Self-payers can book an appointment at any time without a prescription — often the fastest route when symptoms are fresh and don’t need medical work-up first.

Does Halle 41 also treat desk-related shoulder problems?

Yes. We treat shoulder and neck complaints from screen work or poor posture just like a sports shoulder — but the assessment is different. The focus is often on thoracic spine mobility, scapular control and building strength in the shoulder-neck complex. Ergonomic advice for your workplace is part of it when indicated.

Booking: book online (German interface) or call us in English — Kloten 044 803 91 19, Zurich West 044 814 23 20.