A glenohumeral dislocation or subluxation can be a traumatic and debilitating injury—especially if it becomes recurrent. If you’ve experienced a dislocated or partially dislocated shoulder, proper rehabilitation is essential to restore full function and reduce your risk of future episodes.
At Adaptive Physiotherapy & Massage in Booragoon, we specialise in evidence-based shoulder rehabilitation, helping clients recover from shoulder instability through manual therapy, strength and control exercises, and individualised return-to-activity programs.
What Is a Glenohumeral Dislocation or Subluxation?
The glenohumeral joint—your shoulder joint—is where the head of the humerus (upper arm bone) sits in the shallow socket of the scapula (shoulder blade) called the glenoid. Due to its anatomy, the shoulder has great mobility but less stability, making it vulnerable to dislocations and subluxations.
🔹 Dislocation
A shoulder dislocation occurs when the humeral head completely pops out of the glenoid socket. Most commonly, this happens in an anterior direction (forward) due to trauma, such as a fall, tackle, or sudden forceful movement.
🔹 Subluxation
A subluxation is a partial dislocation where the humeral head slips out of place momentarily but relocates spontaneously. Subluxations often happen with overhead sports, repetitive strain, or ligamentous laxity.
Common Causes of Glenohumeral Instability
Clients at Adaptive Physiotherapy & Massage in Booragoon often present with instability due to:
Trauma: Falls, tackles, or direct shoulder impact
Overhead sports: Swimming, tennis, volleyball, weightlifting
Hypermobility syndromes: e.g. Ehlers-Danlos
Poor scapular control or rotator cuff weakness
Previous dislocations not adequately rehabilitated
Symptoms of a Dislocated or Subluxed Shoulder
If you’ve had a shoulder dislocation or repeated subluxation episodes, you may experience:
Intense pain and deformity (with full dislocation)
Loss of function or fear of movement
Apprehension with overhead or throwing motions
Shoulder instability or “looseness”
Muscle weakness, especially in the rotator cuff
Swelling, bruising, or nerve symptoms (if severe)
If you’ve recently dislocated your shoulder, it’s vital to seek assessment and begin physiotherapy in Booragoon to avoid chronic instability or re-injury.
Diagnosis at Adaptive Physiotherapy & Massage
Our shoulder rehab specialists will conduct a thorough assessment including:
Apprehension and relocation tests
Range of motion and strength testing
Scapular control and movement analysis
Joint position sense and neuromuscular control tests
History of instability episodes
Imaging (X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound) may be needed if it’s your first dislocation or there’s suspected labral tears, bone damage, or rotator cuff injuries.
Treatment Approach for Shoulder Dislocation/Subluxation
At Adaptive Physiotherapy & Massage in Booragoon, we follow a stage-based, evidence-informed rehabilitation process tailored to your injury severity, goals, and activity demands.
Initial Phase – Protect and Stabilise
Goals:
Reduce pain and inflammation
Protect damaged structures
Begin neuromuscular re-education
What we do:
Immobilisation (brief, if required) for 1–3 weeks using a sling
Pain-free range of motion exercises
Isometric muscle activation (rotator cuff, deltoid, scapular stabilisers)
Postural correction and trunk engagement drills
Education on movement restrictions and avoiding risky positions
Manual Therapy – Is It Recommended?
Manual therapy is used cautiously and only after acute inflammation has settled. At Adaptive Physiotherapy & Massage, we may incorporate:
Scapular mobilisation to restore shoulder blade rhythm
Thoracic spine and rib mobilisation to enhance posture and shoulder mechanics
Soft tissue release for overactive compensating muscles (e.g. upper traps, pec minor)
Proprioceptive input to enhance neuromuscular control
We avoid any manual techniques that stress the anterior capsule or replicate the dislocation mechanism.
Exercise Rehabilitation – Restoring Strength & Stability
This is the cornerstone of shoulder recovery. Our Adaptive Physiotherapists in Booragoon design structured programs including:
Phase 1: Controlled Mobility & Muscle Activation
Pendulum swings
Scapular setting
Isometric rotator cuff contractions
Active-assisted shoulder elevation
Phase 2: Strength & Endurance
Theraband external and internal rotation
Sidelying and prone rotator cuff strengthening
Closed-chain stability drills (e.g. wall push-ups)
Scapular retraction and serratus anterior activation
Phase 3: Neuromuscular Control & Proprioception
Ball-on-wall drills
Rhythmic stabilisation exercises
Unstable surface training
Controlled perturbations
Phase 4: Return to Function and Sport
Overhead pressing progressions
Medicine ball and plyometric drills
Change of direction and deceleration training (for athletes)
Position-specific or job-specific conditioning
All exercises are progressed based on function, not time, to avoid flare-ups or re-injury.
Stretching and Mobility
While aggressive stretching is avoided early, we address mobility in the surrounding structures as recovery progresses:
Thoracic mobility drills
Pectoral stretches
Posterior capsule release (if tight)
Latissimus dorsi mobility
Mobility work is tailored to individual deficits and integrated with strength work for balanced control.
Preventing Future Dislocations or Subluxations
At Adaptive Physiotherapy & Massage in Booragoon, our goal is not just recovery—but resilience.
Our prevention strategies include:
Ongoing rotator cuff and scapular strength maintenance
Neuromuscular control and proprioceptive drills
Technique coaching for sport and gym activities
Education on safe return-to-play timelines
Collaboration with coaches or GPs as needed
Why Choose Adaptive Physiotherapy & Massage in Booragoon?
🏋️♂️ Specialists in shoulder rehab and sports physiotherapy
✅ Evidence-based, one-on-one physiotherapy care
💡 Focus on both short-term relief and long-term injury prevention
🧠 Thorough education and empowerment at every step
📍 Located conveniently in Booragoon, Perth
If you’ve suffered a shoulder dislocation or feel like your shoulder is unstable, early intervention is key. Book your appointment with an Adaptive Physiotherapist in Booragoon and start your rehab the right way.
Ready to Begin Your Recovery?
Shoulder instability doesn’t resolve on its own—and the risk of recurrence increases after each episode. Contact Adaptive Physiotherapy & Massage in Booragoon to book your assessment and get a structured plan toward strength, control, and confidence.
References
Olds, M., et al. (2015). “Risk factors for primary and recurrent anterior shoulder dislocations: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” British Journal of Sports Medicine, 49(14), 913–922.
Warby, S. A., et al. (2016). “Physical therapy intervention following shoulder dislocation.” Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 46(7), 558–578.
Møller, M., et al. (2012). “Rehabilitation following first-time traumatic anterior dislocation of the shoulder: A systematic review.” British Journal of Sports Medicine, 46(9), 717–722.
Hayes, K., et al. (2002). “Shoulder instability: Management and rehabilitation.” Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 400, 54–64.
Wilk, K. E., et al. (2009). “Rehabilitation of the overhead throwing athlete: There is more to it than just external rotation/internal rotation strengthening.” PM&R, 1(4), 301–308.
