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Shoulder Pain

Active PT & Sports

Shoulder Pain

Get a FREE Pain Or Injury Screening

A free pain or injury screening gives you the opportunity to meet with one of our physical therapists at no charge. Learn more about your condition, get a fast assessment of the severity, and learn treatment options.

The anatomy of the shoulder joint causes it to be very susceptible to pain and injury. At a young age, repetitive injuries from sports can plague athletes. As we approach mid-life, the years of wear and tear on the shoulder cause it to be prone to rotator cuff pain. The shoulder joint is the most flexible joint in the body, which makes eliminating shoulder pain a unique challenge. The good news is that shoulder pain is very treatable. Every situation is unique, which is why we will examine your injury in detail before determining the best treatments for you. The shoulder treatment programs at ActivePT are designed to reduce your pain quickly, typically within the first week, and empower you with self-treatment techniques to reduce the chances of your problem returning.

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can result from a number of different things. Commonly shoulder injuries are the result of repetitive use or incorrect use of the upper extremity along with injuries that result from sports such as football, baseball, tennis and swimming. While in some cases shoulder pain may require surgery, at ActivePT we strive to be a great first option to avoid surgery if possible. In the event your problem with not improve without surgery, we can refer you to one of our preferred surgeons. With your permission, the therapist may even observe your surgery to ensure the surgeon and therapist have a common plan for your post-surgical rehabilitation.

Some of the more common shoulder problems we see at ActivePT include:

  • Impingement syndrome
  • Rotator cuff pain and rotator cuff tear
  • Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
  • Labral tear (torn labrum, slap tear, Bankart tear, cartilage tear)
  • Separated shoulder (AC joint sprain)
  • Rehabilitation after shoulder surgery
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder Pain

Managing Shoulder Pain

You need your shoulder to function right for nearly every task every day. From putting on your clothes in the morning to moving your laundry from the washer to the dryer, opening the car door or lifting the children into bed – all of these things require your shoulder.  If you are experiencing shoulder pain, these everyday activities can be painful or impossible. Many people do not realize how important of a role their shoulder plays in daily life until it is injured. Shoulder pain has a tendency to persist if not managed correctly. While you can always turn to medication and hope the pain goes away on its own, it’s always best to address the underlying problem first.

These simple tips can help most types of shoulder pain:

  • Sit upright in your car when reaching for your radio or steering wheel. Add lumbar support if needed to improve sitting posture in the car.
  • Before reaching up into the cupboard for a plate, squeeze your shoulder blades together while lifting your arm.
  • Don’t work through the pain (or even the low-level discomfort), this prolongs the recovery process
  • If it’s safe for you to apply ice, use ice as a local anti-inflammatory. Leaving ice on too long produces frost bite and can damage skin. Diabetics and those with circulatory disorders or impaired sensation to cold should seek medical advice before deciding whether to use ice as a self-treatment.
If your shoulder pain is swimming-related, we have an expert to help. Courtney Hilmanowski, DPT, is our resident expert at treating swimming-related shoulder pain. To meet with Courtney in-clinic or via a Video Visit, schedule a free 15-minute swimmer’s shoulder pain screening today.

Your shoulder pain is unique. We always recommend attending a free 15-minute screening appointment to learn specific tips and tricks to resolve your specific issue. Once the therapist has examined your shoulder, they can provide you with specific tips and tricks to resolve your own shoulder pain or help you understand whether or not you need to see a doctor.

If you are having pain or problems, contact ActivePT at 507-322-3460 or click for a free 15-minutes screening to meet with a shoulder specialist.

Contact Us Today for a FREE 15 Minute Screening

Clinicians who help with Shoulder Pain

Our clinical team focuses on your goals to help you achieve success.  The team includes physical therapists and physical therapy assistants who are specially trained to help get you back to the life you love.  Many of our clinicians are board certified orthopedic clinical specialists.  We don’t just hand you a packet of exercises and expect you to fix yourself.  Instead, we provide a hands-on approach to care in order to get you the best possible results.  When you receive care from one of our clinicians, we hope to exceed your expectations. 

Get Help With Shoulder Pain

Experience a hands-on approach to treating your shoulder pain. Our clinicians use your personal goals, the best research, and what works best for your body to create a personalized treatment plan. Our goal is to get you back to the life you love. Schedule a free 15-minute screening to meet with one of our specialists and get your questions answered today.

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Get In Touch

Schedule a FREE 15-minute screening to meet with one of our specialists and get your questions answered today.

Are you an existing patient or previous patient?
You can message our team directly via your patient portal.


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