Overhead athletes such as cricketers, volleyball players, swimmers, badminton and tennis players, throwers, and CrossFit athletes use their shoulders in repeated high-speed and high-force movements.
Because of this, the shoulder is one of the most commonly injured joints in sport.
Many athletes do not have a major tear or fracture, yet they feel pain, weakness, clicking, or loss of power.
This is called functional shoulder pain — meaning the shoulder is not working properly even if scans look normal.
Basic Shoulder Anatomy (Simple Explanation)
The shoulder is not just one joint — it is a team of joints and muscles.
It includes:
• Ball and socket joint (humerus and glenoid)
• Shoulder blade (scapula)
• Collar bone (clavicle)
• Rotator cuff muscles
• Big power muscles like deltoid, chest, and back
The rotator cuff keeps the ball centred in the socket,
while the shoulder blade provides a stable base.
If either of these stops working properly, pain develops.
What Happens in Overhead Sports?
When you throw, smash, or serve, the shoulder moves through extreme range at very high speed.
This puts stress on:
• Tendons
• Capsule
• Muscles
• Shoulder blade control
If:
• Muscles are weak
• Movement pattern is poor
• Or training load is too high
→ The shoulder becomes overloaded, even without injury.
This leads to:
• Pain while throwing or hitting
• Loss of speed or power
• Feeling of stiffness or instability
• Pain after training
Common Functional Problems
Most overhead athletes suffer from:
1. Poor shoulder blade control
The scapula should move smoothly.
If it doesn’t → the shoulder joint is stressed.
2. Weak rotator cuff
This causes poor control of the ball in the socket → leading to irritation and pain.
3. Tight posterior shoulder
This alters throwing mechanics and causes internal joint stress.
4. Core and hip weakness
Power should come from legs and trunk.
If not → shoulder overworks.
Why Scans Often Look Normal
Many athletes are told:
“Your MRI is normal.”
But pain still exists because the problem is how the shoulder moves, not how it looks.
This is where physiotherapy is essential.
Physiotherapy Management
A physiotherapist does more than give exercises. We analyse movement.
Step 1 – Detailed Assessment
We check:
• Shoulder movement
• Scapular control
• Strength
• Posture
• Core and hip function
• Sport-specific technique.
Step 2 – Pain Control & Mobility
• Soft tissue release
• Joint mobilisation
• Stretching of tight areas
This reduces pain and restores normal movement.
Step 3 – Stability & Strength
We focus on:
• Rotator cuff strengthening
• Shoulder blade muscles
• Core and pelvic control
This creates a stable base for powerful arm movement.
Step 4 – Sports-Specific Rehab
Athletes don’t just lift weights — they throw, smash, and serve.
So we include:
• Plyometrics
• Resistance band drills
• Throwing mechanics
• Return-to-sport training
Why Early Physiotherapy Matters
Ignoring functional shoulder pain can lead to:
• Tendon tears
• Labral injuries
• Long-term weakness
• Surgery
Early physiotherapy:
✔ Prevents serious injury
✔ Improves performance
✔ Increases career longevity
Final Message
Shoulder pain in overhead athletes is not just injury — it’s usually a movement problem.
With the right physiotherapy:
• Pain reduces
• Strength returns
• Performance improves
• Confidence comes back
