Who We Help
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder
Does your shoulder click, pop, or catch when you reach or lift?
Shoulder clicking, also called crepitus, is common. If it is painless, it is often harmless and may come from gas bubbles in the joint fluid or tendons moving over bone.
- pain or swelling
- catching or locking
- a loose or unstable feeling
- stiffness or weakness
- limited range of motion
- symptoms after an injury
Clicking can sometimes be related to rotator cuff irritation, shoulder impingement, tendon snapping, or labral issues.
If your shoulder feels “off,” Connect Physical Therapy can help evaluate what is going on and build a plan forward.
What helps can depend on where it hurts
Different shoulder symptoms often respond better to different types of movement.
- Front of the shoulder
Often with reaching forward, lifting, or pushing movements.
Rotator cuff strength, shoulder mobility, and controlled movement.
- Top of the shoulder
Often with overhead activity, carrying, or sleeping on that side.
Shoulder blade control, posture work, and gradual strengthening.
- Back of the shoulder
Often with reaching behind your back, throwing, or rotational movements.
Rotator cuff exercises, mobility work, and upper back strength.
- Stiff or painful shoulder
Often worse after avoiding movement or when daily activities become difficult.
Gentle mobility, hands-on therapy, and progressive strengthening.
Symptoms can offer clues, not a diagnosis. A shoulder that feels stiff, weak, or painful may need a different approach depending on what is causing the problem.
What the first visit looks like
Alison listens first
She’ll learn when your shoulder pain started, what movements trigger it, what activities have become difficult, and what you have stopped doing because of your shoulder.
A shoulder movement assessment
Alison looks beyond where it hurts. She evaluates how your shoulder, neck, and upper body move, what may be contributing to the problem, and where movement is limited.
A plan you leave with
You’ll leave with a clear plan focused on improving shoulder movement, reducing symptoms, and helping you return to the activities that matter to you through hands-on care and specific exercises.
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No referral needed in North Dakota. Call or text 701-318-4731.