Boulder Sports Clinic

Shoulder Pain
When Lifting Your Arm?

Shoulder impingement syndrome is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain we see at Boulder Sports Clinic, especially in active adults, athletes, climbers, runners, lifters, and desk workers.

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Enjoy Your Life Without Arm and Shoulder Pain
Enjoy Your Life Without Arm and Shoulder Pain treatment
Arm and Shoulder pain

Shoulder Impingement Treatment in Boulder, CO

Get out of shoulder pain and back to lifting, climbing, working, and training—without guessing or delaying care.
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If you feel any of these symptoms below, you may be dealing with shoulder impingement, not just “tight muscles.”

  • Pinching or aching when lifting your arm overhead
  • Discomfort sleeping on your shoulder
  • A sharp catch during workouts or daily tasks

What Is Shoulder Impingement Syndrome?

Shoulder impingement occurs when the tendons or soft tissues of the shoulder become compressed during arm movement—most commonly when lifting overhead.This compression often involves:

  • The rotator cuff tendons
  • The bursa (a fluid-filled cushion)
  • Surrounding soft tissue structures

Over time, repeated irritation leads to pain, inflammation, weakness, and limited motion.

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Common Causes of Shoulder Impingement


Shoulder impingement rarely comes from one single issue. It’s usually a movement and mechanics problem.Common contributing factors include:

  • Poor shoulder or upper-back mobility
  • Muscle imbalances between the chest, shoulders, and upper back
  • Repetitive overhead activity (lifting, climbing, swimming, throwing)
  • Desk posture and prolonged sitting
  • Previous shoulder injuries that never fully resolved
This is why rest alone often doesn’t fix the problem.
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Why Shoulder Impingement Often Doesn’t Go Away on Its Own

Many people try:
  • Rest
  • Stretching
  • Ice
  • Modifying workouts
While these can help temporarily, shoulder impingement often returns because the underlying movement issue was never corrected. If the shoulder blade, spine, and rotator cuff aren’t working together properly, the impingement continues—even when pain improves briefly. That’s where a comprehensive, movement-based approach makes the difference.
Our Approach

How We Treat Shoulder Impingement at Boulder Sports Clinic

At Boulder Sports Clinic, we don’t treat shoulder impingement with a one-size-fits-all protocol. We take a multidisciplinary approach designed to relieve pain and prevent recurrence.
Your treatment plan may include:

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic Care:

Manual and low force adjustments to the spine and extremities to improve joint alignment and restore optimal range of motion.
Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy:

Personalized rehabilitation plans that promote injury healing, strengthen muscles, enhance flexibility, and prevent future injuries enabling a quicker return to daily activities.
Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy:

The application of hands-on therapy to address trigger points and tight muscles, improve lymphatic drainage, and reduce muscle and joint stiffness.
Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave Therapy:

A non-invasive treatment that utilizes high-energy sound waves to break down scar tissue and stimulate the body's natural healing process, promoting tissue regeneration, enhanced blood circulation, and effective pain relief.
Class 4 laser Therapy

Class 4 laser Therapy:

Leveraging dual-wavelength infrared light energy to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation, while accelerating tissue healing and boosting cellular regeneration through photobiomodulation.
Electrical Muscle Stimulation

Electrical Muscle Stimulation:

The use of superficial or intramuscular stimulation 
of muscles to help decrease muscle stiffness and improve range of motion.
PEMF Therapy

PEMF Therapy:

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy is a non-invasive treatment that utilizes electromagnetic fields to address neuromuscular injuries and reduce joint pain and stiffness.
Active Release Techniques

Active Release Techniques:

A non-invasive manual therapy technique designed to reduce muscle tightness and optimize the movement of muscles, ligaments, and nerves throughout the body.
Cupping Therapy

Cupping Therapy:

The use of fascial cups to release myofascial adhesions, alleviate trigger points, improve circulation, enhance lymphatic drainage, reduce fine lines, and diminish the appearance of cellulite.
Trigger Point Dry Needling

Trigger Point Dry Needling:

The use of fine needles to target trigger points in muscles, releasing tension and stimulating the body’s natural healing processes without the use of medication.
Graston Technique

Graston Technique:

Instrument-assisted soft tissue therapy that enhances circulation, reduces fascial adhesions, and restores range of motion in muscles and joints.
Kinesio Taping

Kinesio Taping:

The application of specialized tape to support muscles and joints, enhance circulation, reduce bruising and swelling, and promote healing—all without restricting movement.
Yoga Therapy

Yoga Therapy:

Targeted movements and breath work to enhance posture, increase flexibility, relieve muscle tension, alleviate stress, and restore balance to the central nervous system.
Postural Correction

Postural Correction:

Focused stretching and strengthening exercises designed to correct muscle compensation patterns, enhance posture alignment, and prevent future injuries.

What to Expect at Your First Visit


Your first visit includes:

  • A detailed history and movement assessment
  • Shoulder, neck, and upper-back evaluation
  • Strength and mobility testing
  • A clear explanation of what’s causing your pain
  • A personalized treatment plan with realistic timelines
You’ll leave knowing what’s wrong, why it’s happening, and how we’ll fix it.
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When Should You Seek Care for Shoulder Impingement?

We recommend scheduling an evaluation if:
  • Shoulder pain has lasted longer than 2–3 weeks
  • Pain limits lifting, climbing, or daily activities
  • Pain keeps returning despite rest or stretching
  • You experience weakness, catching, or loss of range of motion
Early treatment often means faster recovery and fewer visits.

Schedule Shoulder Impingement Treatment in Boulder
If shoulder pain is holding you back, you don’t have to push through it or guess your way out.
Schedule a shoulder evaluation or injury screen at Boulder Sports Clinic today and get a clear plan to move pain-free again.

Frequently Asked Questions


How long does shoulder impingement take to heal?
Recovery time varies, but many patients see improvement within a few weeks when movement issues are properly addressed.
‍Do I need imaging like an MRI?
Not always. Many cases can be diagnosed and treated based on a thorough physical exam. Imaging is only recommended when necessary.
‍Can I combine chiropractic care and physical therapy?
Yes—combining services is often the most effective approach for shoulder impingement.
‍Do you treat athletes and active adults?
Absolutely. We regularly work with runners, climbers, lifters, skiers, and active individuals throughout Boulder and the surrounding area.


Trusted Shoulder Care for Active Adults in Boulder


Boulder Sports Clinic has extensive experience helping athletes and active adults overcome shoulder pain and return to the activities they love.Whether your shoulder pain started in the gym, on the trail, at your desk, or over time, we’re here to help you move forward—confidently and pain-free.
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Boulder Sports Clinic
Will Mitigate Your Shoulder and Arm Pain

Why continue to live with arm and shoulder pain when there is a solution? Call Boulder Sports Clinic at 303-444-5105 or complete our easy online contact form. One of our knowledgeable therapists will gladly discuss how we can treat your arm and shoulder pain. So, banish that nagging pain and get back to living your life.

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