Physio Edge podcast with David Pope

Author: David Pope at Clinical Edge

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174. ACJ - The hidden culprit behind stubborn shoulder pain? Physio Edge Shoulder Success podcast with Jo Gibson
Episode 174
Thursday, 4 September, 2025

Have any of your shoulder patients improved and then plateaued, unable to regain their full range of movement, or get rid of their painful arc? Sometimes it’s not the cuff, capsule, nerves or neck—it’s the acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) holding things back. In this episode, Jo Gibson sheds light on this often-overlooked contributor to persistent shoulder pain. From real patient case studies to the latest research and simple clinic-ready symptom modification tests, Jo shares practical strategies you can use immediately. Learn how to identify ACJ involvement, and use targeted rehab exercises, symptom modification and treatment strategies to help patients break through their plateau and regain their confidence and range. Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 02:59 - Case study: Patient with shoulder pain 03:29 - Recent research around the ACJ 06:37 - Psychosocial or biomedical factors influencing the ACJ and shoulder pain 06:53 - Role of the ACJ 07:06 - Pain and movement patterns indicating ACJ involvement 08:34 - Protective movement strategies that may affect the ACJ 09:18 - Symptom modification tests 10:08 - Exercises for the ACJ 12:43 - Manual therapy for a stiff ACJ? 15:40 - Summary: When to look at the ACJ Join the free 7-day Shoulder assessment bootcamp with Jo Gibson and Clinical Edge Click on an image below to access these free resources from Jo Gibson and Clinical Edge The handout for this podcast consists of a transcript associated with this podcast. Shoulder: Steps to Success online course with Jo Gibson Improve your assessment and treatment of shoulder pain with the Shoulder: Steps to Success online course with Jo Gibson, now available for enrolment at clinicaledge.co/shouldersuccess Free trial Clinical Edge membership Use a fresh approach to your musculoskeletal and sports injury treatment with a free trial Clinical Edge membership at clinicaledge.co/freetrial Links associated with this episode: Join the free 7-day Shoulder assessment bootcamp with Jo Gibson and Clinical Edge Free video series - How to be a shoulder detective: Solving acute shoulder pain with Jo Gibson Get your access to the free video series “Frozen shoulder assessment & treatment” with Jo Gibson Improve your shoulder assessment & treatment with the Shoulder: Steps to Success online course with Jo Gibson Improve your confidence and clinical reasoning with a free trial Clinical Edge membership Join Jo Gibson live on Facebook & ask your shoulder related questions every Monday Download and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes Download the podcast now using the best podcast app currently in existence - Overcast Listen to the podcast on Spotify Jo Gibson on Twitter Let David know what you liked about this podcast on Twitter Review the podcast on iTunes Infographics by Clinical Edge