Core Physical Therapy
Shoulder Pain in Evansville
Shoulder Pain Treatment in Evansville: Restore Strength, Mobility, and Comfort—Without Surgery
Shoulder pain can start as a minor ache and quickly become a serious limitation, affecting your ability to work, exercise, and even perform simple daily tasks. At Core Physical Therapy, we go beyond symptom relief—we identify the root cause of your shoulder dysfunction and provide a customized, results-driven treatment plan that restores strength, improves mobility, and eliminates pain.
What’s Causing Your Shoulder Pain in Evansville?
Your shoulder is one of the most complex and mobile joints in the body, making it highly susceptible to injury and dysfunction. When key structures stop working together, pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion follow.
Common causes of shoulder pain include:
- Rotator cuff injuries – Tendon tears or strains affecting shoulder stability.
- Bursitis – Inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joint.
- Shoulder impingement – Compression of soft tissue causing pain with overhead movement.
- Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) – Progressive stiffness and loss of motion.
- Labral tears – Cartilage damage affecting joint function.
- Arthritis – Degenerative changes leading to pain and stiffness.
Even without a specific injury, poor posture, repetitive movements, and muscular imbalances can gradually wear down the shoulder, leading to chronic discomfort and restricted movement.
Comprehensive Shoulder Pain Assessment
An accurate diagnosis is key to long-term recovery. Our specialists perform a detailed movement analysis to pinpoint the exact source of your pain. This includes:
- Range of motion testing – Identifies mobility restrictions.
- Strength assessments – Detects muscle imbalances that contribute to instability.
- Joint mobility evaluation – Assesses flexibility and structural integrity.
- Neurological screening – Checks for nerve-related symptoms.
- Postural analysis – Identifies poor mechanics that put stress on the shoulder.
By understanding how your shoulder moves and where dysfunction occurs, we create a treatment plan customized to your condition, activity level, and recovery goals.
Targeted Treatment for Shoulder Pain Relief
We don’t believe in generic, one-size-fits-all therapy. Our rehabilitation programs focus on three essential pillars for lasting pain relief and long-term shoulder health:
1. Hands-On Manual Therapy
We use targeted manual techniques to restore movement, reduce stiffness, and relieve pain. Joint mobilization improves flexibility, soft tissue release eases muscle tension, and trigger point therapy alleviates pain in the neck, shoulder, and arm for better overall function.
2. Strength & Stability Training
Targeted exercises help protect and support the shoulder for long-term function. Rotator cuff strengthening reduces the risk of reinjury, while scapular stabilization improves posture and movement control. Progressive resistance training builds strength safely without overloading the joint.
3. Postural & Movement Re-Training
We correct faulty movement patterns that contribute to pain and discomfort, ensuring more efficient mechanics. Ergonomic adjustments help prevent strain at work and during daily activities, while a customized home exercise program reinforces recovery between therapy sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shoulder Pain Treatment in Evansville
How do I know if my shoulder pain is serious?
Seek immediate evaluation if you experience sudden, severe pain after injury, complete inability to lift your arm, visible deformity or swelling, numbness or tingling down your arm, or fever with shoulder pain (possible infection). See a physical therapist within a week if you have persistent pain lasting more than 2 weeks, pain that wakes you at night, weakness when lifting or reaching overhead, or catching, popping, or grinding sensations. At Core Physical Therapy in Evansville, we perform comprehensive assessments to determine severity and whether you need imaging, specialist referral, or can begin conservative treatment immediately.
Can physical therapy fix a torn rotator cuff without surgery?
Yes—many rotator cuff tears heal successfully with physical therapy alone, especially partial tears and small full-thickness tears. Research shows that 70-80% of patients with rotator cuff tears avoid surgery through structured rehabilitation. At Core Physical Therapy, we use progressive strengthening protocols, manual therapy, and movement retraining to reduce pain, restore function, and compensate for damaged tissue. Even when surgery is eventually needed, pre-surgical physical therapy (prehab) significantly improves surgical outcomes and speeds recovery.
Why does my shoulder hurt when I sleep on it?
Nighttime shoulder pain is commonly caused by rotator cuff tendonitis, shoulder bursitis, impingement syndrome, or frozen shoulder. Side-lying compresses inflamed tendons and bursa between bones, triggering pain. Poor sleeping positions can also strain the joint. At Core Physical Therapy in Evansville, we identify the specific structure causing nighttime pain and provide treatments including manual therapy, inflammation reduction techniques, strengthening exercises, and sleep positioning strategies to restore comfortable, uninterrupted sleep.
What’s the fastest way to heal a frozen shoulder?
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) typically progresses through three stages over 12-24 months, but aggressive physical therapy can significantly shorten recovery time to 6-12 months. At Core Physical Therapy, we use joint mobilization techniques, progressive stretching protocols, manual therapy to break up adhesions, and pain management strategies tailored to your stage of frozen shoulder. Early intervention in the “freezing” stage is critical—waiting allows the capsule to stiffen further, making treatment longer and more difficult.
Can shoulder pain be caused by neck problems?
Absolutely. Cervical radiculopathy (pinched nerves in the neck), muscle referral patterns from neck tension, and poor posture all commonly cause shoulder pain without actual shoulder injury. Approximately 30-40% of patients with “shoulder pain” actually have neck-originating symptoms. At Core Physical Therapy in Evansville, we evaluate both your cervical spine and shoulder during assessment to identify the true pain source. Many patients who failed previous shoulder-only treatment find relief once we address their neck dysfunction.
Why Choose Core Physical Therapy for Shoulder Pain Treatment in Evansville?
At Core Physical Therapy, we take a whole-body approach to shoulder rehabilitation—treating the underlying cause, not just the symptoms.
What sets us apart:
- One-on-one, patient-focused care—Your recovery plan is customized, never generic.
- Hands-on therapy from experienced specialists—Trained in advanced manual therapy techniques.
- Long-term solutions, not quick fixes—Our approach helps prevent reinjury and future pain.
Take the First Step Toward a Pain-Free Shoulder
Don’t let shoulder pain dictate your movement or limit your lifestyle. Shoulder pain doesn’t just go away on its own. Without proper treatment, it can worsen over time, leading to chronic stiffness, loss of mobility, and even long-term joint damage.
Schedule an evaluation today and take control of your recovery. Our specialists are ready to guide you every step of the way toward a stronger, pain-free shoulder.
Kim Johnsrud
Abigail Farnsworth