⚽ Shoulder Injuries in Soccer: Causes, Treatment & Why You Should See an Osteopath
Soccer is a dynamic and high-impact sport. While we often associate soccer injuries with knees and ankles, shoulder injuries are surprisingly common — especially in competitive or high-contact play.
At Mixed Osteo, located in Kensington, Victoria, our osteopaths frequently treat soccer players with shoulder issues, ranging from dislocations to chronic instability and rotator cuff injuries. Here's what you need to know — and how we can help.
🩻 Common Shoulder Injuries in Soccer
Although soccer is primarily a lower-limb sport, shoulder injuries often occur during:
Falls or collisions with other players
Goalkeeper dives and landings
Slide tackles gone wrong
Shoulder-to-shoulder impacts or overuse during throw-ins
Common Conditions We Treat:
AC Joint Sprains
Shoulder Dislocations and Instability
Rotator Cuff Injuries
Labral Tears (SLAP lesions)
Fractures or contusions from impact
📊 What the Research Says
Research confirms that shoulder injuries are prevalent in soccer:
A 15-year hospital study found that shoulder dislocations in sport account for a significant portion of emergency admissions, particularly among males aged 20–29 (Rousseau & Magnan, 2018).
Del Cura-Barráz et al. (2021) highlight that shoulder injuries in soccer are more common than previously thought, especially in elite male players.
Merolla et al. (2020) stress the importance of targeted rehabilitation to prevent chronic instability and reinjury.
Early treatment and structured rehab are key.
🧠 Why See an Osteopath?
Osteopaths are uniquely trained to assess and treat the whole body — not just the site of pain. At Mixed Osteo, we:
✅ Provide hands-on manual therapy to relieve pain and restore movement
✅ Design personalised rehab plans to rebuild strength and stability
✅ Use functional assessments to identify and address underlying imbalances
✅ Offer advice on prevention strategies and return-to-play protocols
Whether you're a goalkeeper, defender, or weekend warrior, our osteopaths can help you recover faster and reduce the risk of re-injury.
📅 Don’t Let Shoulder Pain Sideline You
If you're struggling with shoulder pain after a match, don't wait.
➡️ Book online to see one of our friendly osteopaths at Mixed Osteo in Kensington, Victoria.
We’re here to help you get back to the field — stronger than ever.
📚 References
del Cura-Barráz, M.D. et al. (2021). Injuries of the Shoulder in Soccer. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine.
Rousseau, T. & Magnan, B. (2018). Epidemiology of shoulder dislocations in Australian sport: a 15-year hospital study. Sports Medicine Australia.
Merolla, G. et al. (2020). Prevention and rehabilitation of shoulder injuries in sports. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery.
