Swimmer's Shoulder: What’s Going On With My Shoulder?

Swimmer’s shoulder is a broad term that describes pain in the front or side of your shoulder, usually from overuse. It often happens to swimmers (shocking, right?), but also affects people who do a lot of repetitive overhead movements—think CrossFit, tennis, and even throwing a ball for your dog 47 times in a row. These sports that require repetitive overhead motion can contribute to common shoulder conditions such as impingement syndrome or even an internally rotated shoulder posture.

Here’s what we know: swimmer’s shoulder isn’t just a physical problem. Sure, there might be inflammation, muscle tightness, or weakness, but there’s often more to the story. Sometimes treating swimmer s shoulder also involves addressing muscle imbalances, posture issues, and overall technique.

That’s where the biopsychosocial model comes in. Sounds fancy, but it’s really just a smart way of looking at the body and how pain works.

• Bio = what’s happening in the body (like tight muscles or weak rotator cuff)

• Psycho = how your brain, stress, and thoughts affect pain

• Social = your environment, habits, team dynamics, and even training culture

Pain isn’t always about damage. Sometimes it’s your body’s way of waving a red flag and saying, “Hey! Something’s off!” And most of the time, that “something” includes poor training habits, especially in swimmers with painful shoulders who may lack proper scapular retraction or shoulder mobility.

The Real Culprit: Training Errors

Let’s talk about what usually causes swimmer’s shoulder. It’s not because you’re broken. It’s not because your shoulder is “out of alignment.” It’s because of how you're training.

Here are some common mistakes we see:

• Too Much, Too Soon: Going from one swim a week to five? Your shoulder isn’t a fan.

• No Rest Days: Even Michael Phelps took naps.

• Bad Technique: That weird arm thing you do when you’re tired? It adds up.

• No Strength Work: If your shoulder muscles are weak, your joints do more work than they should.

Add in some mental stress (“I have to qualify for regionals!”), poor sleep, or bad posture at school or work, and suddenly your shoulder's throwing a tantrum.

Enter: Physical Therapy (aka Shoulder Superheroes)

At The Health Lab in Carson City, we don’t just slap ice on it and send you out the door. We dig deep (sometimes literally—hello, dry needling) to figure out what’s really going on. If you're dealing with shoulder pain, stiffness, or limited range of motion, our team can help.

Here’s how we help:

Manual Therapy

• Dry Needling: Tiny needles = big results. This helps calm down cranky muscles and reduce tightness.

• Manipulation: A little snap, crackle, pop to improve joint movement.

• Myofascial Release: Like a deep-tissue massage that targets the knots and tension around the shoulder and upper back.

These techniques help reduce pain, improve movement, and get your shoulder back on speaking terms with your brain.

Strength Training: Your Long-Term Secret Weapon

Here’s the truth: manual therapy helps you feel better, but strength is what keeps you better.

That’s why we focus on:

• Rotator cuff strengthening

• Scapular (shoulder blade) control

• Core and posture work (because your shoulder is part of a bigger team)

• Endurance drills (so your shoulder doesn’t run out of gas halfway through practice)

We’ll even film your swim strokes (yes, really) to help correct the technique and make sure your shoulder isn’t secretly plotting against you mid-lap.

If your freestyle stroke or swimming form places increased stress on the shoulder joint, we’ll fix it before it leads to injury.

But What If My Pain Isn’t Just Physical?

Great question. Remember the psycho part of biopsychosocial? We check in on your stress levels, sleep, and even how you feel about your pain. Are you afraid to move? Worried about losing your spot on the team? We get it—and we help with that too.

Sometimes just knowing what’s going on and having a clear plan makes a huge difference in how fast you get better. Our physical therapist will work with you to develop a recovery plan tailored to your needs.

Why The Health Lab?

We’re not your average clinic. We’re not rushing you in and out. We give you 60 full minutes of one-on-one care. We listen, we test, we treat, and we teach. Whether you're a competitive swimmer, a weekend lap warrior, or just trying to prevent swimmer injuries and improve shoulder function, we’ve got you.

Oh—and we’re fitness-forward. That means we don’t just want your pain gone. We want you to come out of this stronger than before.

Let’s Wrap This Up Like a Swim Cap

Swimmer’s shoulder is frustrating, but it doesn’t have to last forever—and it definitely doesn’t mean your season is over. With the right mix of hands-on care and strength training, your shoulder can make a comeback.

At The Health Lab, we’re here to help you swim stronger, smarter, and pain-free.

Let’s keep your shoulders happy and your strokes smooth.

Ready to ditch the pain and get back in the pool?

Schedule your session with us at The Health Lab in Carson City today. Your shoulder will thank you (and so will your coach).