Shoulder pain in
Chillicothe, Ohio and Waverly, Ohio
Premium physical therapy for active adults and athletes
The Shoulder Joint
The glenohumeral joint, commonly known as the shoulder joint, is a ball-and-socket joint that provides an exceptional amount of motion, allowing the arm to lift, rotate, reach overhead, throw, and move behind the body. This mobility is supported by a coordinated system of ligaments, tendons, muscles, and the surrounding joint capsule, all of which work together to provide stability.
What Causes Shoulder Pain
Because the shoulder is built for movement rather than rigidity, it is one of the most complex joints in the body and is especially vulnerable to injury. Throwing athletes, weightlifters, and even people performing routine daily tasks can develop shoulder pain or dysfunction when the joint is overloaded, irritated, or not moving efficiently.
Rotator cuff tears and tendonopathy: The rotator cuff helps to stabilize the shoulder joint but can become damaged with overuse, improper mechanics, lifting, and throwing. Damage to these tendons can cause pain and weakness of the shoulder.
Impingement: Compression or irritation of the rotator cuff tendons and/or subacromial bursa as they pass through the subacromial space during arm elevation. It typically causes pain with overhead activity, reaching, or lifting, and may lead to weakness and reduced shoulder function over time.
Arthritis: An inflammatory process of bone that is a relatively normal part of the aging process that can contribute to stiffness and pain in a joint.
Biceps tendonopathy:Biceps tendinopathy is an overuse condition involving irritation of the biceps tendon, often causing pain in the front of the shoulder. It’s commonly aggravated by repetitive lifting, overhead activity, or poor shoulder mechanics.
Scapular dyskinesis: Inefficient movement and mechanics of the scapula can produce stress on the shoulder joint leading to pain and dysfunction. It can also be a sign of an underlying injury.
Shoulder instability: Shoulder instability is a condition where the shoulder joint feels loose, slips partially out of place, or fully dislocates because the structures that keep it stable are not working properly. It can cause pain, weakness, and a feeling that the shoulder may “give way,” especially during overhead or reaching activities.
Shoulder bursitis: Bursitis occurs when muscles or tendons rub over cushion like structures called bursae, which can become irritated or painful
Labral tears: Labral tears involve damage to the cartilage (labrum) of the shoulder socket, which helps stabilize the shoulder joint and deepen the socket for the humeral head. They often cause pain, catching or clicking sensations, instability, and reduced performance with overhead or throwing activities.
How do I fix my shoulder pain?
Not all, or even most, shoulders injuries require surgery. With proper physical therapy management you can alleviate your shoulder pain and optimize your performance in the process so you can get back to doing the things you love. Our process begins with a comprehensive assessment to identify the root cause of your symptoms, not just where it hurts, but why it’s happening.
From there, we develop a personalized plan based on your specific needs, goals, and activity level. Whether you’re dealing with daily discomfort or limitations in exercise, your treatment is tailored to help you move better as efficiently as possible.
Sessions typically combine hands-on techniques, such as soft tissue work, joint mobilization, dry needling, or cupping, to help reduce pain and improve mobility, followed by targeted exercises designed to restore strength, stability, and movement quality. As you progress, we shift the focus toward building resilience and preventing future issues.
The goal isn’t just short-term relief—it’s long-term results that keep you moving confidently.
Get a jump on fixing your shoulder pain with these short videos below!
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