Where Active People Go for Shoulder Pain Relief
If you’ve ever tried to wash your hair, throw a ball, or grab a coffee mug and felt that sharp pinch, you know how shoulder pain can effect quality of life. At Iron PT in Caldwell and Midland Park, you’ll work one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy who finds what’s really causing your pain, whether it’s from lifting, sports, or surgery. Then we’ll help you rebuild motion, strength, and confidence.
Physical Therapy for Knee Pain in NJ That Actually Works
Why does my Shoulder hurt?
Shoulder pain can come from overuse, poor movement mechanics, or a specific injury. Because it’s such a mobile joint, even a small issue can affect how you lift, throw, or reach.
Common causes include:
Sports injuries: Sprains, strains, or tears from lifting, throwing, or impact. See how Iron helps athletes here.
Subacromial bursitis: Inflammation that causes pain when raising your arm.
Shoulder tendonitis / rotator cuff tendonitis: Overuse or irritation from repetitive motion.
Rotator cuff pain or tear: Weakness or sharp pain with overhead movement or sleep.
Shoulder impingement syndrome: A “pinching” feeling when you reach or lift.
Dislocation or subluxation: When the joint slips out of place, creating instability.
Shoulder instability: A loose or “giving out” feeling, especially during sports.
Labral / SLAP tear: Deep pain, clicking, or catching in the joint, common in throwers.
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis): Gradual stiffness and loss of motion.
Arthritis (osteoarthritis or rheumatoid): Stiffness or grinding that limits daily activity.
Broken or fractured shoulder / collarbone: Pain and loss of strength after trauma or a fall.
Swimmer’s shoulder: Repetitive strain from overhead strokes or training volume.
Shoulder surgery or replacement recovery: Post-surgical stiffness, weakness, or scar tissue.
Whether your pain came from a workout, a game, or just everyday wear and tear, physical therapy can help you restore strength, motion, and confidence in your shoulder.
Common Signs & Symptoms of Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain can start as a dull ache after practice or a sharp pinch during a workout — then gradually make everyday movement harder. You might notice:
Pain on the outer side or tip of your shoulder, especially after throwing, pressing, or swimming.
Tenderness when you touch or lean on the joint.
Sharp or pinching pain when lifting your arm to the side, like during tennis serves, volleyball spikes, or overhead presses.
Pain when rotating your arm, such as swinging a bat, golfing, or reaching behind your seatbelt.
Shoulder pain that gets worse during bench press, push-ups, or pull-ups.
Pain that wakes you up at night or makes sleeping on one side impossible.
Weakness or heaviness when carrying weights, holding your child, or racking a barbell.
“Popping,” “clicking,” or “catching” when you move your arm — common with throwing or lifting.
A feeling that your shoulder might “give out” during snatches, overhead lifts, or serves.
Shoulder pain that radiates down your arm or causes tingling after long training sessions or repetitive motion.
Stiffness that makes daily tasks like brushing your hair, fastening a bra, or reaching overhead painful.
A dull, achy pain in the front of the shoulder after CrossFit, swimming, or weight training.
If these sound familiar, it’s time to stop guessing and start healing. Booking an evaluation with one of our physical therapists can help you find lasting relief and get back to full strength.
Stronger Before (and After) Shoulder Surgery
If you’re facing shoulder surgery — rotator cuff repair, labrum work, or replacement — the clock doesn’t start the day of the operation. It starts now.
In many cases, physical therapy can help you avoid surgery altogether by strengthening weak muscles, improving shoulder mechanics, and easing pain. But when surgery is the best move, pre-hab makes a big difference. Working with a PT beforehand helps you go in stronger, recover faster, and reduce the risk of complications.
At Iron PT, your Doctor of Physical Therapy will:
Build a plan to prep your shoulder for surgery, improving mobility and strength before you go under.
Help you understand what to expect and how to protect your shoulder post-op.
Get you back to lifting, throwing, and living without pain once your surgeon clears you for rehab.
We work side-by-side with your surgeon to help you recover faster, move better, and rebuild long-term strength.
Your Shoulder Pain Questions, Answered
Can physical therapy fix my Shoulder pain?
Yes. Most shoulder pain improves with physical therapy, especially when it’s caused by rotator cuff injuries, impingement, or tendonitis. We find what’s limiting your movement, then rebuild your strength, stability, and mobility so your shoulder actually works the way it should.
Do I need physical therapy for shoulder surgery?
Absolutely. After rotator cuff repair, labrum surgery, or shoulder replacement, PT is essential for regaining motion, preventing stiffness, and rebuilding strength. The right plan can make the difference between limited motion and a full recovery.
When can i get back to training?
Coming back from shoulder pain or surgery takes patience and hard work, but we can work together to get you moving, lifting and training again better than before. No shortcuts, just progress.
Is it safe to lift weights with shoulder pain?
Shoulder pain doesn’t always mean you have to stop training, but it does mean something’s not right. Our fellow athlete DPTs will find out what’s causing it and get you back to lifting smarter, not just harder.
When should I see a physical therapy for back pain?
If pain keeps you from lifting, throwing, sleeping, or daily tasks like dressing or reaching overhead, it’s time to see a PT.
If you’re still unsure whether you need PT, we put together a 12 question quiz that can help. Take the Quiz ➔
Real Stories: How Our Patients Beat Shoulder Injury
Chris, Crossfitter
I was diagnosed with shoulder tendonitis from a repetitive exercise I performed with poor form earlier this year. I couldn’t lift my arm above my head, put on a shirt, or pick up my 4-year-old daughter without pain. I was feeling depressed and discouraged.
Walking into Iron PT, I had my doubts my shoulder would ever feel better. I can’t tell you how encouraging my DPT has been and how much I’ve learned about myself. Everyone, including the doctor who diagnosed me, told me to rest. My DPT felt otherwise. I needed to move and strengthen it. Little by little, she had me doing the movements again. She had me believing I would get better.
Rafael, Police Officer
A few months ago I suffered a second injury to my left shoulder. It was a another dislocation after having had a previous surgery to repair it.
I feel better and more dedicated to my long term well being. PT has given me the push I needed to recover and begin to move past what was once a weakness.