Physical Therapy for Swimmer's Shoulder

If you’re an avid swimmer, shoulder pain can put a serious damper on your time in the water. One of the most common overuse injuries affecting swimmers is swimmer’s shoulder—a broad term often used to describe inflammation, tendonitis, or impingement in the rotator cuff. Whether you swim competitively or recreationally, chronic shoulder pain can make it tough to maintain proper form or even finish a workout. Fortunately, physical therapy offers targeted strategies to relieve discomfort, promote healing, and help you get back to doing what you love.

What Causes Swimmer’s Shoulder?

The shoulder joint is one of the most mobile joints in the body, but it’s also one of the most unstable. Swimming involves repetitive overhead motions that can strain the muscles, tendons, and ligaments supporting the joint. Over time, this can lead to inflammation or micro-tears in the rotator cuff—especially if you’re training with poor posture, muscle imbalances, or limited flexibility.

Pain, stiffness, clicking sounds, or weakness in the arm may all indicate an underlying rotator cuff issue. If left untreated, it can worsen and affect your ability to perform daily activities, not just swimming. That’s why getting the right treatment for rotator cuff pain early on is so important.

How Physical Therapy Can Help Treat Rotator Cuff Pain & More

Physical therapy is one of the most effective ways to manage swimmer’s shoulder. A skilled therapist will assess your mobility, strength, and movement patterns to identify the root cause of the issue. From there, they’ll create a customized plan to reduce pain and restore shoulder function.

Strengthening exercises are a major component of rehab, targeting the rotator cuff and surrounding muscles to improve joint stability. Stretching can help release tightness and improve your range of motion. Manual therapies and modalities like ultrasound or electrical stimulation may also be used to reduce inflammation and promote tissue healing.

Most importantly, your therapist will help correct biomechanical issues that contributed to the injury in the first place so you can avoid future setbacks. And you can pair rehab with other services like chiropractic adjustments and massage therapy to maximize recovery. 

Don’t Let Shoulder Pain Keep You Out of the Pool

Whether you’re recovering from an injury or hoping to prevent one, physical therapy is a smart, proactive way to support your shoulder health. At Markson Chiropractic & Medical, we provide comprehensive care for athletes and active individuals, including custom rehab plans for those dealing with rotator cuff pain and overuse injuries caused by swimming.