Shoulder pain doesn’t whisper — it screams. When you can’t lift your arm to shampoo your hair, reach behind your back, or God forbid, toss a ball or swing a paddle without wincing, your shoulder’s trying to tell you something: you’ve been ignoring the rules of movement, strength, and recovery for too long.

If that sounds harsh, good. Because your shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in your body… and one of the easiest to mess up.

Common Culprits (and the Real Underlying Issues)

When people come into my clinic complaining of shoulder pain, they usually fall into one of these categories:

• The Weekend Warrior: Active and strong, but with more power than control.

• The Overachiever: Working hard, training hard, carrying kids and groceries — but never slowing down to recover.

• The Desk Dweller: Spending 6–10 hours a day hunched forward, then asking their shoulder to suddenly perform overhead movements in the gym or on the court.

What do all these people have in common?
👉 A shoulder that’s been asked to do too much, too soon, without proper prep.

Sometimes we blame the rotator cuff. Other times we think it’s bursitis, tendonitis, or frozen shoulder. But 90% of the time, the real problem is this:

Your shoulder is taking the heat for poor coordination between your neck, mid-back, ribs, core, and shoulder blade.

In other words — your shoulder is the scapegoat for the rest of your body’s dysfunction. (Pun fully intended.)

Here’s What I Want You to Know

Pain is a request for change. And if you listen, your body will tell you exactly what it needs.

In my practice, we focus on solutions, not just symptoms. That means we zoom out before we zoom in. I want to know:

• How are you sleeping?

• What does your movement routine look like?

• Are you eating anti-inflammatory foods or pounding processed junk?

• How stressed is your nervous system?

• And are you using your muscles in the order they were meant to fire?

Because if your shoulder hurts, chances are your habits, not just your hardware, need attention.

My 3 Favorite Shoulder Moves (That You’re Probably Not Doing)

Want to stay off my treatment table? Try these three moves to build strength, stability, and mobility:

1. Wall Angels – Great for posture, scapular control, and reminding your upper body how to coordinate.

2. 90/90 External Rotations with a Towel Roll – Targets your rotator cuff in a joint-friendly position.

3. Quadruped Shoulder Taps – A core and shoulder stability two-for-one. If your trunk wobbles, your shoulder won’t stand a chance.

(And if these moves feel impossible or painful? That’s your body telling you it needs help. Don’t ignore it.)

The Shoulder Fix Isn’t a Quick Adjustment — It’s a Lifestyle Shift

Real healing requires time, attention, and intention. It’s not about chasing a diagnosis or slapping on a brace. It’s about understanding the full picture.

That’s why I offer solutions-based recovery plans — not one-size-fits-all sessions or quick-fix gimmicks. My clients don’t just want to get out of pain… they want to get back to living.

Whether that means serving on the pickleball court, lifting your grandkids, or finally sleeping on your side again without waking up in agony — we get clear on your goals and reverse engineer a plan to get you there.

Because you weren’t made to suffer.
You were made to move.

Ready to Take the Weight Off Your Shoulder?

If your shoulder pain is holding you back, it’s time to do something about it.

🟢 Book a visit at my clinic in West Caldwell, NJ
🟢 Come to my next Mobility for Pickleballers workshop
🟢 Or start with one of my digital shoulder courses (coming soon!)

Whatever path you choose, just don’t keep ignoring the pain and hoping it goes away on its own. Spoiler alert: it won’t.

Keep Moving,
Dr. Kelli
Dr. Coach Kelli Physical Therapy
185 Fairfield Ave. 1A
West Caldwell, NJ 07006
Phone: 973-791-8318