Shoulder Impingement Physical Therapy · Oceanside, CA
SHOULDER IMPINGEMENT
OVERHEAD AGAIN.
WITHOUT PAIN.
WITHOUT PAIN.
That painful arc when you lift your arm to the side — somewhere between 60 and 120 degrees, a sharp pinch that stops you cold. Shoulder impingement is a mechanics problem. Fix the mechanics and the impingement goes away.
Land & Sea PT
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Every session · 60 min
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Understanding the Condition
WHAT IS SHOULDER IMPINGEMENT?
Shoulder impingement occurs when the rotator cuff tendons or bursa are compressed in the subacromial space during arm elevation. This is almost always a mechanical problem — poor scapular mechanics, rotator cuff weakness, or capsular tightness reducing the functional space available. The compression itself causes tendon irritation and bursitis.
Primary Impingement: Structural narrowing of the subacromial space from a hooked acromion or bone spur. PT is still the first-line treatment — surgery reserved for cases that don't respond.
Secondary Impingement: Functional narrowing due to rotator cuff weakness, scapular dyskinesis, or capsular tightness. The most common type. Responds very well to PT.
Internal Impingement: Pinching of the posterior rotator cuff against the glenoid — common in overhead athletes (swimmers, throwers). Requires sport-specific assessment.
Subacromial Bursitis: Inflammation of the subacromial bursa from repetitive compression. Usually secondary to impingement mechanics — treat the mechanics, the bursitis resolves.
Treatment Approach
HOW WE TREAT IT
Shoulder impingement is one of the most reliably treatable shoulder conditions when the mechanics are properly addressed. Scapular position, rotator cuff activation, and posterior capsule mobility are the three levers that create space and eliminate the impingement.
01
Reduce Pain & Restore Mechanics
Manual therapy to the glenohumeral and AC joints, posterior capsule stretching, and specific rotator cuff activation to immediately improve impingement mechanics.
02
Rotator Cuff & Scapular Strengthening
Progressive rotator cuff and lower trapezius strengthening that maintains subacromial space during arm elevation. This is the core of impingement rehabilitation.
03
Return to Overhead Activity
Sport or activity-specific overhead loading, mechanics coaching, and the strength program that maintains the corrected movement pattern under load.
Typical Timeline6–10 weeks for most cases. Chronic cases with significant bursitis: 10–14 weeks.
Related Pages
RELATED CONDITIONS
& SERVICES
& SERVICES
Shoulder Injuries Hub
→
Rotator Cuff
→
Frozen Shoulder
→
Shoulder Labral Tear
→
AC Joint Injury
→
Athletes Hub
→
Also Consider
STEMWAVE SHOCKWAVE THERAPY
For shoulder impingement with calcific tendinitis or chronic rotator cuff tendinopathy, StemWave can break up calcium deposits and accelerate tissue healing significantly when combined with corrective PT.
Learn About StemWave →Ready to Get Started?
LET'S SEE IF
WE CAN HELP.
WE CAN HELP.
Submit a request and we'll call you to hear your situation. We'll give you an honest answer about whether we think we can help — before you ever step in the door.
📍 821 S Tremont St, Oceanside, CA · (760) 542-6666