Neck & Shoulder Pain
At Big Cat Performance & Physical Therapy, we’ve helped countless individuals and athletes navigate these issues, especially those who rely on overhead movement.
What Is Neck & Shoulder Pain?
Neck and shoulder pain often go hand in hand – and when they do, they can be incredibly frustrating. At Big Cat Performance & Physical Therapy, we’ve helped countless individuals and athletes navigate these issues, especially those who rely on overhead movement. Whether it’s throwing, pressing, lifting, or even reaching into a cabinet, pain in this area can limit your ability to live, train, and work the way you want.
These regions of the body are closely connected both anatomically and functionally. Tightness or dysfunction in the neck can directly impact the shoulder, and vice versa. That’s why treating them effectively requires more than just surface-level symptom relief – it requires finding and addressing the true source of the issue.
What Are The Symptoms Of Neck & Shoulder Pain?
Symptoms can vary, but common complaints include sharp or dull pain in the neck, discomfort in the shoulder joint, reduced range of motion, or tightness that radiates into the upper back or down the arm. For many, symptoms become more noticeable when reaching overhead, sleeping in certain positions, lifting weights, or even driving.
In some cases, pain may radiate down the arm or into the hand – signs that nerve involvement could be present. Others may experience tension headaches or stiffness that builds throughout the day. For overhead athletes, lifters, and active individuals, this kind of discomfort can be especially disheartening. Not being able to throw, press, or lift pain-free doesn’t just affect performance – it can affect motivation, identity, and mental well-being.
What Is Our Approach To Fixing/Treating Neck & Shoulder Pain?
At Big Cat, we don’t just chase symptoms – we solve the problem at the source. That starts with a full assessment to determine whether your pain is coming from a muscular imbalance, a rotator cuff issue, nerve irritation, a disc problem in the neck, or something else entirely.
Once we identify the root cause, we craft a plan specific to your body, goals, and sport or lifestyle. Every patient works one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy – no being passed off to aides or techs – and every visit happens inside a performance-focused environment designed to get you back to the things you love.
But our approach doesn’t stop when the pain stops. In fact, that’s when we level up. After addressing the source of pain and restoring movement, we focus on building strength, improving control, and preventing re-injury. Our goal isn’t just to get you pain-free – it’s to make you more resilient and capable than you were before the injury.
Whether it’s helping a pitcher throw harder without pain or guiding someone to press overhead with full strength and stability, we help our patients return better than they were before the injury.
Download Free Report
If you’re struggling with neck or shoulder pain and don’t know where to start, we’ve created a free resource to help. This downloadable guide is filled with expert tips, common mistakes to avoid, and practical strategies to begin reducing discomfort and regaining control over your movement. Whether your pain is new, chronic, or something you’ve been told you just have to live with – this guide will show you that a better way is possible.