Shoulder pain relief for athletes

Restore strength, stability & overhead control for training that feels confident.

  • Pain with overhead lifts, pressing, or reaching

  • Pinching pain when raising the arm

  • Weakness or loss of strength during pushing or pulling

  • Pain at night or trouble sleeping on that side

  • Clicking, catching, or a feeling of instability

  • Limited range of motion or stiffness

  • Pain spreading to the neck, upper arm, or shoulder blade

  • Rotator cuff strain, tendinopathy, or tearing

  • Impingement & painful overhead mechanics

  • Labral irritation & stability issues

  • AC joint sprains & contact-related pain

  • Shoulder stiffness & mobility loss

  • Post-surgical rehab & return-to-sport progression

  • Often triggered by: Baseball & throwing sports, weightlifting & overhead training, CrossFit, swimming, volleyball, tennis & racket sports, golf, BJJ & combat sports

  • Pain lasts longer than 1–2 weeks

  • Symptoms keep returning with throwing or training

  • You feel weakness, giving way, or instability

  • Overhead movement feels blocked, painful, or unsafe

  • Night pain affects sleep

  • You lost throwing velocity, accuracy, or endurance

  • Pain started after a fall, collision, or a sudden pop

Throwing Shoulder Pain, Built for Return to Sport

The shoulder needs mobility & stability at the same time, especially for baseball athletes where throwing demands speed, control, & repeatable mechanics. When pain shows up, it can limit training fast & linger if the true driver is not identified.
We start with a detailed assessment to pinpoint what is driving your symptoms, then combine targeted manual therapy with movement retraining & progressive strengthening to reduce pain & rebuild function. Whether your issue started from throwing volume, the weight room, or a single awkward moment, our Los Alamitos team builds a plan around your goals & your return to performance.

Your FREE First Visit

60min

Your first step is a low-pressure visit to understand your body mechanics, what will resolve it, and explain our approach.

  • Quick intake: what’s hurting, what triggers it, training goals
  • Movement: mobility, strength, control, and sport-specific patterns
  • Clear plan: observations, why it’s happening, best path forward

What You’ll Receive

  • A clear clinical direction and root-cause hypothesis
  • Recommended next steps, including a plan and projected timeline
  • Practical guidance on what to do, and what to avoid, in training right now

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What They’re Saying About Us

5.0
Nelson P.
8 months ago
Don't think of this as a typical review written for business--think it as genuine testimony! As a self-proclaimed athlete with a background in soccer and...
Chris S.
11 months ago
If you are looking for a Dr. who supports and treats, rather than giving a generic try this and that, then book the consultation with Dr. Alex Mak. With...
Ben G.
1 year ago
Dr. Mak is very knowledgeable and was able to address the issues I had been experiencing, specifically chronic pain in my foot along with knee pain when...

Quick Questions

It depends on your symptoms, history, and how the shoulder behaves with specific tests. We assess strength, range of motion, stability, and mechanics to identify the most likely driver.

Throwing loads the shoulder through high-speed rotation and deceleration. Pain often comes from poor load tolerance, restricted rotation, scap control issues, or irritated rotator cuff or labral tissue.

Pinching can be a sign of impingement-like mechanics, irritated tendon tissue, or limited joint motion. The goal is to restore positioning and movement so the shoulder clears smoothly.

Yes. Clicking can be normal, but pain, catching, or instability signals a need for evaluation. We work on stability, control, and strength through ranges that matter for sport.

Not always. Most athletes do better with smart modifications, reduced volume, and a plan that rebuilds capacity. We will tell you what to avoid right now and what you can keep training safely.

Impingement describes a pattern of painful overhead mechanics. Rotator cuff tendinopathy describes irritated tendon tissue. They often overlap, and treatment focuses on improving mechanics, strength, and load tolerance.

It varies by severity, duration, and goals. Acute issues may improve quickly, while chronic problems or return-to-throw programs often require a longer progression.

Yes. We coordinate rehab phases, restore mobility safely, and rebuild strength and control to support a confident return to training.

Night pain can be related to irritated tissues, sleeping position, or reduced tolerance in certain ranges. Addressing mechanics, inflammation sensitivity, and positioning usually helps.

Seek urgent care if you have a major loss of strength, sudden deformity, severe pain after trauma, progressive numbness or tingling, or symptoms that rapidly worsen.

Dr. Alex Mak, DC, CCSP, CSCS, QME

I was the kid who was told to quit after years of sports and constant injuries, so I became the provider I never had, earning a kinesiology degree at SDSU, graduating chiropractic school summa cum laude, and doubling my clinical hours to obsessively master human movement. Olympus Sports Therapy is built on identifying the root cause, building a real progression plan, and guiding athletes from pain and setbacks back to stronger performance.

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience:

Severe or worsening pain that doesn’t improve with rest Numbness or tingling spreading down both legs Loss of strength in your leg or foot Difficulty controlling bladder or bowel function Pain following a fall, accident, or trauma

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