Shoulder Impingement Treatment in Nevada City & Grass Valley
Shoulder pain when lifting overhead? Pain with pressing, throwing, or reaching into a cabinet?
You may be dealing with shoulder impingement — one of the most common causes of shoulder pain in active adults and athletes.
At Radius Physical + Sports Rehab, we provide customized shoulder impingement treatment in Nevada City and Grass Valley, helping you restore pain-free movement and return to training, work, and daily activities with confidence.
If you’re searching for physical rehabilitation for shoulder pain near you or wondering why your shoulder hurts overhead, here’s what you need to know.
What Is Shoulder Impingement?
Shoulder impingement (also called subacromial pain syndrome) occurs when tissues in the shoulder become irritated during overhead movement.
Commonly affected structures include:
Rotator cuff tendons
Subacromial bursa
When space in the shoulder becomes limited, these tissues can become compressed — leading to pain, weakness, or a “pinching” sensation.
Most importantly:
Shoulder impingement is usually a movement problem — not just a shoulder problem.
Who Gets Shoulder Impingement?
We commonly treat shoulder impingement in:
Overhead athletes (baseball, volleyball, swimming, tennis)
CrossFit athletes and gym-goers
People performing overhead lifting or pressing
Manual laborers
Parents lifting children
Desk workers with prolonged posture strain
If your work, sport, or workouts involve overhead activity, your shoulder mechanics matter.
Why Shoulder Impingement Happens
Shoulder impingement usually develops over time due to movement dysfunction and overload.
Common contributing factors include:
Limited Mid-Back (Thoracic) Mobility
A stiff mid-back forces the shoulder to compensate during overhead motion.
Poor Shoulder Blade Control
Weakness or poor coordination of the stabilizing muscles can increase stress on the rotator cuff.
Compensation Patterns
Forward shoulder posture
Overuse of upper traps
Weak rotator cuff
Arching the low back instead of moving through the mid-back
Over time, these patterns lead to irritation and pain.
How Long Does Shoulder Impingement Take to Heal?
Recovery depends on how long symptoms have been present and whether the underlying mechanics are addressed.
Typical timelines:
Mild cases: 2–4 weeks
Moderate cases: 4–8 weeks
Chronic cases: 8–12+ weeks
Rest alone may reduce pain temporarily, but without correcting movement patterns, symptoms often return.
How We Treat Shoulder Impingement at Radius
At Radius Physical + Sports Rehab, we combine hands-on care with progressive rehabilitation to restore full shoulder function.
Manual Therapy
We address tight or irritated tissues, including:
Pectorals
Posterior shoulder
Upper trapezius
Rotator cuff
This helps reduce pain and improve movement quality.
Joint Mobilization
We restore motion where it matters most:
Shoulder joint
AC joint
Thoracic spine
Cervical spine
Improving mobility reduces compensation and stress on the shoulder.
Active Rehabilitation
Your program progresses through:
Phase 1: Mobility & Control
Thoracic mobility drills
Scapular control exercises
Pain-free rotator cuff activation
Phase 2: Strength
Rotator cuff strengthening
Serratus anterior and lower trap work
Progressive resistance training
Phase 3: Return to Performance
Overhead pressing progressions
Return-to-throw programs
Sport- or job-specific training
Our goal isn’t just pain relief — it’s confident, strong overhead movement.
When Should You Schedule an Evaluation?
Consider an evaluation if:
- Shoulder pain lasts more than 1–2 weeks
- Pain occurs with overhead movement
- Your shoulder feels weak or unstable
- You notice a “pinching” sensation
- You want to return to lifting or sport safely
Early treatment often leads to faster recovery and helps prevent chronic issues.
Don’t Wait for Shoulder Pain to Get Worse
Ignoring shoulder impingement can lead to:
Chronic rotator cuff irritation
Decreased strength and performance
Compensatory movement patterns
Longer recovery times
The sooner movement mechanics are corrected, the better your outcome.
Shoulder Impingement Treatment Near You
Radius Physical + Sports Rehab provides expert care for shoulder pain and sports injuries in:
Nevada City, Grass Valley, Penn Valley
Serving patients throughout Nevada County and surrounding areas
No referral required. Most insurance plans accepted.
Ready to Get Back to Pain-Free Overhead Movement?
If you’re dealing with shoulder pain, overhead discomfort, or suspected shoulder impingement, our team can help.
Schedule your shoulder evaluation today and start a personalized recovery plan.
Book online to see available appointments, if you don’t see a time that works for you, Call or text: (530) 955-0065 and let our front desk work their scheduling magic!
📍 Radius Physical + Sports Rehab
Nevada City & Grass Valley
📞 (530) 955-0065
Book online anytime.