Physio Edge podcast with David Pope4 Sep 2025

174. ACJ - The hidden culprit behind stubborn shoulder pain? Physio Edge Shoulder Success podcast with Jo Gibson

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:

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