Struggling with Shoulder Pain That Flares Up Every Time You Lift Your Arm?

If you’ve noticed a sharp pinch in your shoulder when reaching overhead, pressing weights, or even just grabbing something out of the cabinet, you might be dealing with shoulder impingement.

It’s one of the most common issues we treat at Off The Block Performance Physical Therapy—and it’s also one that tends to hang around way too long when it’s not addressed correctly.

The good news? It’s very fixable. You just have to treat the root of the problem, not just the pain.

What Is Shoulder Impingement?

Shoulder impingement happens when the space between the top of your arm bone (humerus) and your shoulder blade gets too tight. This crowding can pinch the rotator cuff or surrounding tissues, causing:

- A sharp pain when lifting your arm overhead

- Weakness or fatigue with pushing motions

- Pain that worsens with activity and lingers afterward

- Trouble sleeping on your side

It often stems from things like poor posture, tight lats or pecs, weak shoulder stabilizers, and limited upper back mobility—not just the shoulder itself.

Why Generic Stretches and Bands Don’t Work for Everyone

A lot of people try stretching, banded rotator cuff work, or rest—but the issue often comes back. That’s because impingement isn’t just about one weak muscle or tight spot. It’s about how your whole upper body is moving.

That’s why we take a full-body approach to shoulder pain at Off The Block PT.

A Local Success Story: How We Helped Derek from Pickens

Derek, a 38-year-old recreational weightlifter from Pickens, came to us after months of shoulder pain that made overhead presses miserable. He had tried rest, ice, and shoulder exercises from YouTube, but nothing made a lasting difference.

When we assessed Derek, we found:

- His thoracic spine (upper back) was stiff and limiting proper overhead motion

- His scapular muscles (shoulder blade movers) weren’t activating well

- His lat and pec tightness was pulling the shoulder out of good position

- He had no idea how to brace or use his core during pressing movements

Over 6 weeks, we helped him restore thoracic mobility, improve shoulder blade control, strengthen his rotator cuff in more functional positions, and relearn how to move overhead without pain.

Derek is now back to pressing confidently—and no longer wakes up at night with shoulder pain.

What We Do Differently

At Off The Block PT, we don’t throw generic exercises at you and hope they stick. We:

✅ Assess how your whole body is contributing to shoulder mechanics
✅ Restore motion in the spine, shoulder, and ribs
✅ Rebuild strength and control in the right places
✅ Guide your return to lifting, training, and daily activity—pain-free

Whether you’re a lifter, a weekend warrior, or just someone tired of shoulder pain slowing you down, we’re here to help.

Ready to move overhead without pain again?

We help active adults in Easley, Central, Pickens, and nearby areas stay strong and pain-free—without cookie-cutter rehab plans.

📞 Call or text (864) 633-9272 to schedule your visit. No referral needed.