Up to 2 in 3 people will experience shoulder pain at some point in their lifetime.
(Healthdirect, 2023)
Musculoskeletal conditions
How Bupa can help you manage shoulder pain
Shoulder pain can affect your sleep, mood and daily routine. But there are steps you can take to manage or even resolve your injury, with the right help.
You might be experiencing short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic) discomfort. While it’s true our joints change with age, there’s also ways we can prevent pain by tweaking our exercise routines, or sitting posture.
Using your cover to help manage shoulder pain
Visit a Members First physiotherapist (physio) for shoulder pain treatment
Bupa has thousands of registered Members First providers across Australia. As a Bupa member, you may pay less on physiotherapy services when you visit a Members First provider.*
Physios can help you manage a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions in the body, including conditions related to shoulder pain. They assess and treat your condition through various techniques such as hands-on treatment, movement and exercise.
You can check your cover for physio treatments on the myBupa app.
Speak to your general practitioner (GP) if your shoulder pain doesn’t improve or gets worse
A GP can help direct you to the right treatment pathway if physiotherapy isn’t helping the pain go away.
If you’re looking for an online appointment, eligible^ Bupa health insurance members can access a Blua online doctor 24/7 to request a prescription, referral, or general medical advice, on demand.
Visit other health providers who treat shoulder pain
Some other health providers who can help treat and manage your shoulder pain are:
- Osteopath
- Remedial massage therapist
- Myotherapist
- Occupational therapist
- Sports and exercise physician
- Orthopaedic surgeon
Depending on your level of extras cover, you might be able to get money back when you see these providers. You can check your cover on the myBupa app.
Talk to a Bupa health professional to help manage your condition
If you're living with a long-term medical condition such as osteoarthritis or diabetes, need support to get back on track, or just want to find a healthier you, Bupa’s health coaching program is here to help. Get information or advice from a qualified nurse or dietitian at times that suit you.
Call 1300 030 238 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) to speak with our team of nurses and dietitians about your health goals or to register for a call back.
How to check what your policy covers
How you’re covered
We know understanding your health insurance is a lot to take in, as even a basic hospital or extras policy can cover hundreds of individual services.
You can see what's included under your policy on the myBupa app.
How to check your health insurance cover:
1. Log in to your myBupa account.
2. Select cover.
3. See membership details, what you’re covered for, and who’s included in your policy.
4. Download your policy statement as a PDF if you need.
2. Select cover.
3. See membership details, what you’re covered for, and who’s included in your policy.
4. Download your policy statement as a PDF if you need.
Please contact us if you need more specific information about individual services, especially if you're going into hospital.
Explore our going to hospital resources
Sometimes, when treatment doesn’t bring relief anymore, you might require surgery. Explore our going to hospital resources to help make your hospital experience as simple as possible.
Explore more resources on shoulder pain
Rotator cuff injury: Symptoms, causes and treatment
A rotator cuff injury is an injury affecting the muscles and tendons in your shoulder. It’s a common cause of shoulder pain, especially in older and active people.
[Video] Stretches to ease aches and pains
For most of us, modern life isn’t designed with our backs, shoulders, and necks in mind. We might spend many hours sat at a desk, driving, or using devices that strain our upper body.
Frozen shoulder: Symptoms, causes and treatments
Frozen shoulder is a condition where your shoulder becomes painful and stiff. Its medical name is ‘adhesive capsulitis’. Taking painkillers and doing exercises can help ease your symptoms.
*Depending on your level of cover, for most services at our Members First extras providers covering dental, physiotherapy, chiropractic and podiatry consultations. Bupa has Members First providers for these services. Not available in all areas. Yearly limits, benefit claiming restrictions, waiting periods, fund and policy rules apply.
^Waiting periods, fund and policy rules apply. For international members: 100% of the consultation fees will be covered for Blua online doctor appointments. Yearly limits apply to Essential Lite Visitors cover, but these limits will be waived (only in relation to Blua consultations) until further notice. For domestic eligible members: 100% of the consultation fees will be covered for Blua online doctor appointments and a yearly service limit of 3 or 6 appointments per person applies depending on the eligible extras product. Members will only be able to book general doctor appointments via Blua. Appointments with specialists cannot be booked via Blua. Members who are under 18 years old may need to attend the appointments with a parent or guardian. Available on all eligible extras and combined products that include Blua online doctor appointments. Service provided by third party partner. See blua.bupa.com.au for more details.
To book online doctor appointments once you've reached your yearly service limit, you'll need to book directly with another provider such as Doctors on Demand.
Members’ preferred language may not be available 24/7.