Shoulder Impingement Treatment in West Chester, Ohio: Why Your Shoulder Hurts — And How to Fix It
- Kristen Zumberger DC, FIAMA
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
If you train hard, work out consistently, or play sports regularly in West Chester, Ohio and the surrounding Cincinnati area, there’s a good chance you’ll deal with shoulder pain at some point. One of the most common shoulder conditions we see in active patients is shoulder impingement.
Shoulder impingement can limit your strength, restrict your range of motion, and keep you from doing the exercises and activities you enjoy. The good news? With proper evaluation and targeted treatment, most cases respond extremely well.
In this article, we’ll explain:
What shoulder impingement is
Common causes
Symptoms to watch for
How sports chiropractic care helps
What you can do to prevent it
What Is Shoulder Impingement?
Shoulder impingement occurs when the tendons of the rotator cuff become compressed, irritated, or inflamed as they pass through the narrow space at the top of the shoulder joint.
When this space becomes too tight — due to poor movement mechanics, muscle imbalances, or joint restrictions — normal shoulder motion becomes painful.
This often leads to:
Pain when lifting the arm overhead
A pinching or catching sensation
Weakness during pressing or pulling movements
Difficulty sleeping on the affected side
Reduced shoulder mobility
Left untreated, shoulder impingement can progress into more serious problems, including chronic tendon irritation, tendon degeneration, bursitis, and rotator cuff tears.
Common Causes of Shoulder Impingement
In athletes and gym-goers, shoulder impingement is rarely just a "shoulder problem." It is usually a movement system issue involving multiple joints and muscle groups.
Some of the most common contributors we see include:
Poor lifting technique
Muscle imbalances around the shoulder blade
Weak upper back and scapular stabilizers
Tight chest, shoulders, and lats
Limited thoracic spine (upper back) mobility
Repetitive overhead training
Prolonged desk posture combined with intense training
Prior shoulder injuries
When these factors combine, they alter shoulder mechanics, reducing the available space for the rotator cuff tendons and increasing irritation.
Signs and Symptoms of Shoulder Impingement
Common symptoms include:
Pain when reaching overhead
Sharp pain during pressing movements
Dull aching pain at rest
Pain reaching behind your back
Shoulder stiffness
Weakness during workouts
Night pain, especially when lying on the shoulder
If you experience any of these symptoms, especially if they persist for more than a few days, it’s important to address them early to prevent chronic issues.
How Sports Chiropractic Care Helps Shoulder Impingement
At Performance Health Chiropractic & Acupuncture in West Chester, Ohio, we take a sports-focused, movement-based approach to shoulder injuries. Our goal is not just pain relief — we focus on correcting the underlying cause of the problem.
Your personalized care plan may include:
Chiropractic Adjustments
Targeted adjustments to the shoulder, neck, and thoracic spine help restore normal joint motion, reduce mechanical stress, and improve movement quality.
We use advanced soft tissue techniques to release tight, restricted muscles and improve tissue healing, including:
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)
Therapeutic ultrasound
Rehabilitation & Corrective Exercise
We design targeted rehab programs to:
Improve shoulder stability
Restore proper movement patterns
Strengthen weak muscle groups
Improve mobility where restrictions exist
Movement Analysis & Training Guidance
We assess how you move and train, identifying faulty mechanics that may be contributing to your pain — and show you how to correct them.
Our mission is to help you recover faster, prevent future injury, and return to training with confidence.
Pro Tip: Don’t Push Through Shoulder Pain
Pain is not weakness — it’s valuable feedback from your body.
Pushing through shoulder pain often leads to:
Slower recovery
Compensatory injuries
Longer time away from training
Increased risk of long-term damage
Addressing shoulder impingement early allows for:
Faster healing
Fewer missed workouts
Better long-term shoulder health
When Should You Get Your Shoulder Checked?
You should schedule an evaluation if you experience:
Shoulder pain lasting longer than 3–5 days
Pain that worsens during workouts
Difficulty lifting overhead
Decreasing shoulder strength
Night pain that interrupts sleep
Early care often leads to quicker recovery and better outcomes.
Schedule Your Shoulder Evaluation in West Chester, Ohio
If shoulder pain is limiting your workouts, sports performance, or daily activities, our team at Performance Health Chiropractic & Acupuncture in West Chester, Ohio is here to help.
We specialize in helping active individuals stay healthy, move better, and perform at their best.
👉 Schedule your evaluation today: https://performancehealthcincy.janeapp.com/
📍 Serving West Chester, OH, Liberty Township, Mason, Fairfield, and the greater Cincinnati area
Comments