Shoulder Rehab
Let’s be real — shoulder injuries are frustrating. They sneak up during bench press, show up after a surf session, or flare up in the middle of your sleep for no apparent reason. Maybe it started with a little pinch. Maybe you’ve been nursing it for months, hoping it would just go away.
At Athletic Edge Physical Therapy, we specialize in figuring out why your shoulder’s hurting — and what to actually do about it.
Common Shoulder Injuries We Treat
We’ve worked with everyone from competitive lifters to weekend paddlers to new parents with aching rotator cuffs. Whatever stage you’re at — we’ve probably seen it.
Some of the most common shoulder issues we treat include:
Rotator cuff tears (surgical + non-surgical)
Shoulder impingement
Labral tears
Biceps tendonitis
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
Post-op shoulder rehab
AC joint injuries
Shoulder instability and dislocations
Pain with overhead movement (lifting, throwing, reaching)
“It hurts but my MRI says I’m fine” pain (yep, that’s a real category)
And if your diagnosis isn’t listed here — no stress. If it’s shoulder-related, we can help.
Why Shoulder Pain Is So Common AND So Tricky
The shoulder is a pretty incredible joint. It’s mobile, dynamic, and lets you do everything from overhead presses to hugging your kid. But all that movement comes with a cost: it relies on dozens of muscles, joints, and timing mechanisms to stay stable.
When even one part of the system isn’t working quite right, your shoulder starts compensating. That’s when pain creeps in — and hangs around longer than it should.
We take a full-body approach to shoulder rehab. Because the real problem? It’s often not just the shoulder.
What to Expect at AEPT
Whether you’re post-op or still figuring out what’s going on, your first session is all about getting clarity.
Here’s what it typically includes:
A deep dive into your injury history, daily movement, and goals
Functional movement screening — how your shoulder moves in real life, not just on a table
Targeted shoulder and scapular mobility assessments
Full kinetic chain evaluation (we’re looking at your spine, ribcage, core — not just the joint)
Then we get to work — together.
Your Personalized Shoulder Rehab Plan
At Athletic Edge Physical Therapy, your treatment will feel different — because it’s designed around you. Not your insurance. Not a printed protocol.
You’ll get:
1-on-1 sessions with a Doctor of Physical Therapy
Manual therapy to calm things down (and improve mobility)
Progressive strength training — starting where you’re at
Neuromuscular re-education to restore coordination
Real-world movement training (for your gym, your sport, or your life)
A clear, evolving plan with no fluff or guesswork
We stay in touch between sessions, update your programming, and make sure you’re never left wondering, “Am I doing this right?”
What Our Clients Say
“I found Athletic Edge PT after dealing with over 6 months of shoulder pain. Despite trying to rehab it on my own, nothing was really helping. I was honestly shocked by how quickly it started feeling better and the continual progress I’ve made. Dr. Natasha and the team are incredibly knowledgeable and what really stood out was how they tailored the rehab program to my specific body and goals. The focused bodywork is excellent, and they have a careful eye for spotting imbalances and dialing in form. Plus, sessions are actually fun! If you’re looking for a team that really knows their stuff, I highly recommend Athletic Edge!”
— Erin K.
“The entire team at Athletic Edge are absolutely incredible. I have been dealing with an on and off shoulder injury for years, and without long term solutions. Natasha is the first therapist who I am confident will set me up for long term success. She took the time to listen to all my concerns and understand how my pain was impacting my day to day life as well as my ability to participate in CrossFit. She set me up with a long term plan to prevent my injury from recurring as well as short term solutions to get my pain under control.”
— Jaime T.
Who This Is For
You had shoulder surgery and want focused, hands-on rehab
You’ve been dealing with pain during lifting or training
Your shoulder “clicks,” “catches,” or feels unstable
You’ve stopped doing what you love because of shoulder pain
You’ve tried rest, stretches, and Google — and you’re still stuck
We work with athletes, active adults, recreational lifters, parents, desk workers, and anyone in between. If your shoulder is holding you back, we’re here to help move you forward.
Why Choose AEPT for Shoulder Rehab?
Cash-based model = more time with your PT, less waiting room time
Deep experience with both surgical and non-surgical shoulder care
60-minute sessions focused entirely on you
Sports performance knowledge + real-world movement coaching
Care that doesn’t stop at “you’re discharged” — we support you all the way back
Frequently Asked Questions About Shoulder Rehab at Athletic Edge
-
No! Not necessarily. Many shoulder issues — even partial tears or chronic impingement — respond extremely well to conservative rehab. If you've had surgery, we can guide your recovery. If you're trying to avoid surgery, we focus on building strength, restoring mobility, and improving neuromuscular control to help you heal without going under the knife.
-
Usually, yes. At Athletic Edge PT, we’re not here to bench your entire training plan. We’ll help you:
Modify lifts to reduce stress
Train around the issue while it heals
Build shoulder-friendly strength and mobility
Correct movement patterns that may have contributed to the injury
Our goal is to keep you moving, not just tell you to rest and wait.
-
Each session includes:
1-on-1 time with a Doctor of Physical Therapy
Functional movement analysis (not just lying on a table)
Hands-on manual therapy
Progressive strength training tailored to your sport or lifestyle
Coordination, control, and scapular stability work
Real-time feedback and form coaching to dial in mechanics
We don’t do cookie-cutter protocols. Every plan is personalized based on your injury, goals, and how your body responds.
-
This is surprisingly common. Pain often stems from movement dysfunction, poor stability, or muscular imbalance — not just structural damage. You could have perfect imaging and still experience pain due to how your body is moving (or compensating). We specialize in finding the real source of your discomfort and building a plan to fix it.
-
It depends on your injury, goals, and how consistently we’re working together — but here’s a general framework:
Minor strains or movement issues: 3–6 sessions
Chronic shoulder pain or instability: 6–12 sessions
Post-surgical or complex cases: 12–20+ sessions
At Athletic Edge PT, we offer 10- and 20-session packages that are designed to support full recovery and long-term performance — without expiring for a full year. That gives you flexibility to pace your care based on your training schedule, travel, or flare-ups. Whether you're rehabbing intensively or spreading sessions out for maintenance and performance work, we've got you covered.