Why Your Shoulder Pain Isn’t Going Away—and What to Do About It

That nagging shoulder pain you feel during workouts, while lifting groceries, or reaching behind your back? It’s more common than you think—and no, it’s not something you should just “push through.”

Shoulder pain affects everyone from overhead athletes and lifters to new parents and desk workers. If you’ve tried resting, stretching, or Googling your way out of it without relief, it’s time to get to the root of the problem.

Why Shoulders Get Cranky

The shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in the body—but that mobility comes at a price: less stability. When your shoulder isn’t properly supported by the muscles and joints around it, stress and strain build up fast.

Common causes of lingering shoulder pain include:

- Rotator cuff issues (tendinitis, strain, or tears)

- Shoulder impingement

- Poor posture or forward head position

- Muscle imbalances between the chest and upper back

- Overhead lifting with poor mechanics

- Lack of thoracic spine mobility

Why Rest Alone Doesn’t Work

Taking a few days off might make your shoulder feel better temporarily—but if you don’t fix what caused the problem in the first place, the pain will keep coming back.

Pain is often the result of dysfunction elsewhere: a stiff upper back, a weak rotator cuff, or poor control of the shoulder blade. Rest doesn’t change any of that.

What you need is a plan tailored to your body—and your goals.

Physical Therapy Can Help You Avoid Injections and Surgery

At Off The Block Performance Physical Therapy, we work with active individuals of all kinds—CrossFitters, golfers, teachers, nurses, and busy parents—who want real, lasting solutions for shoulder pain.

Our approach includes:

- A full-body movement assessment (not just looking at the shoulder)

- Targeted mobility and strength work

- Manual therapy and dry needling (if appropriate)

- Education on what to avoid—and what to keep doing safely

- A clear plan to get you back to what you love, pain-free

You Don’t Have to Live With Shoulder Pain

Whether it’s been bothering you for a few days or a few years, shoulder pain is treatable. You don’t need a referral, and you don’t need to wait until it’s “bad enough.” Getting ahead of the issue now can save you from downtime later.

Let’s fix it for good.

At Off The Block Performance Physical Therapy, we help active people get out of pain and back to performance—without surgery or medications.

📍 Located in Easley, SC and Central, SC
📞 Call or text us at (864) 633-9272 to schedule your first visit.