Shoulder Pain Physical Therapy in Ann Arbor
Pressing overhead, doing pull-ups, reaching the top shelf, sleeping on your side: your shoulder should let you do all of it. Dr. Joe finds what’s really behind the pain and rebuilds a shoulder you can trust.
Rest, Ice and Injections Don’t Rebuild a Shoulder
You’ve been dealing with shoulder pain for months, maybe years. You’ve tried stretching, rest, maybe even a cortisone shot, but nothing fixes it long-term. That’s because rest takes load away, and a shoulder that isn’t loaded gets weaker and less tolerant of the very things you want to do.
Shoulder pain is often about more than the shoulder joint. Mid-back stiffness, how your shoulder blade moves, rotator cuff strength and how quickly you ramped up training all play a role.
We assess the whole chain, calm the irritation, and then progressively load your shoulder, using the pull-up rigs, barbells and dumbbells right outside our door, until overhead feels normal again.
Shoulder Conditions We Treat
From a nagging pinch at the top of a press to rehab before and after surgery.
Rotator Cuff Injuries & Tears
Tendinopathy, partial tears and pre- and post-surgical rehab. Many rotator cuff problems do well with conservative care.
Shoulder Impingement & Bursitis
That pinching pain when you lift your arm. We improve how the shoulder moves and build tolerance to overhead work.
Frozen Shoulder
A painful, stiff shoulder that loses motion over time. We guide you through each phase with the right amount of stretch and load.
Shoulder Instability
A shoulder that feels loose, shifts or has dislocated. We build the strength and control to keep it stable.
Overhead & Lifting Pain
Pain with pressing, snatches, kipping, pull-ups, throwing or swimming.
Post-Surgical Rehab
Structured rehab after rotator cuff, labrum or other shoulder surgery, coordinated with your surgeon’s protocol and your goals.
Shoulder Pain When Lifting Your Arm?
Pain partway through raising your arm, especially between shoulder and head height, is one of the most common things we see. It often means the tissues around the shoulder are irritated and less tolerant of load, not that something is permanently damaged.
The fix is rarely total rest. It’s usually finding the range and load your shoulder tolerates today, then building from there.
Hands-on work and dry needling to reduce pain and restore comfortable motion.
Mid-back mobility, shoulder blade control and rotator cuff strength are assessed and addressed.
A progressive plan from easy ranges to full overhead lifting, pull-ups and sport.
What to Expect at Your First Shoulder Visit
A full 60 minutes, one-on-one with Dr. Joe. Treatment usually starts the same day.
Your history and goals
How it started, what hurts, what you’ve tried, and what you want back: overhead lifting, sport, or simply sleeping through the night.
A thorough shoulder exam
Motion, strength and specific tests to identify whether it’s the rotator cuff, impingement, a stiff joint, instability or compensation from somewhere else.
Treatment starts
Manual therapy or dry needling to reduce pain, targeted exercises, and a plan with clear milestones.
How We Treat Shoulder Pain
Relief first, then the strength and control that keeps your shoulder healthy for the long haul.
Dry Needling
Releases trigger points in the rotator cuff, upper traps and surrounding muscles to ease pain.
Learn more →Soft Tissue Mobilization & Cupping
Soft tissue work and cupping to improve mobility around the shoulder and shoulder blade.
Learn more →Strength Training
Progressive rotator cuff and overhead strength, from bands to barbells and pull-up bars.
Learn more →Mobility Programming
Thoracic spine and shoulder mobility so you can get overhead without compensating.
Learn more →I saw Joe for shoulder pain I’d been having off and on for years. After a thorough assessment he identified my problem. We did a dry needling session (which is not as scary as it sounds) and he gave me some exercises to help strengthen my shoulder—which is feeling more stable and stronger than it has in quite some time! He did a great job of making me feel comfortable and talking me through his process.
Do I need an MRI for my shoulder?
Most shoulder pain can be evaluated and treated without an MRI. Imaging findings like partial tears are also common in people without pain. If your exam suggests a significant tear or another problem that needs imaging or a surgical opinion, Dr. Joe will refer you.
Can a rotator cuff tear heal without surgery?
Many people with rotator cuff tears, especially partial or degenerative tears, do well with a structured strengthening program. Some tears, particularly large ones from a traumatic injury, may need a surgical consult. We’ll help you understand which situation you’re in.
Should I stop lifting or doing CrossFit?
Usually not entirely. We’ll modify pressing, pulling and overhead work so you keep training while the shoulder recovers, then build you back to full intensity.
How long does shoulder recovery take?
It depends on the problem, how long you’ve had it and your goals. After your first visit, Dr. Joe will give you an honest estimate and a plan with clear checkpoints.
Do you take insurance?
OLO is cash-based and out-of-network. HSA/FSA cards are accepted, and we can provide a superbill for possible out-of-network reimbursement. See our FAQ.
When to see a physician first
Physical therapy is a great first stop for most shoulder pain. But some symptoms need a medical evaluation right away. Seek urgent care or call 911 if you have:
- Can’t lift your arm at all after a fall or injury
- A visible deformity or suspected dislocation that hasn’t been reduced
- Shoulder or arm pain with chest pain, shortness of breath or sweating
- A hot, red, swollen shoulder with fever
- Rapidly worsening weakness or numbness in the arm
- Unexplained night pain with weight loss
Not sure? Call us. If something in your evaluation doesn’t add up, Dr. Joe will tell you and point you to the right provider.
Related conditions we treat
Ready to Get Back Overhead?
Tell us what’s going on. We’ll call or text to get you scheduled, or set up a free consultation if you’d like to talk it through first.
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