Summer often brings more opportunities to swim, play sports, work in the yard, travel, and spend time outdoors. However, a sudden increase in physical activity can also place added stress on the shoulders. If you are experiencing summer shoulder pain, repetitive movements, poor mechanics, muscle tension, or an activity-related injury may be contributing to your discomfort.
The shoulder is designed to move in many directions, but that mobility also makes it vulnerable to irritation and injury. Pain may begin after one awkward movement, or it may gradually develop after days or weeks of repeated activity.
At Wetherington Chiropractic Clinic, patients in Savannah and Pooler can have their shoulder movement, posture, and related areas evaluated to better understand what may be contributing to their discomfort.
Why Shoulder Pain May Increase During the Summer
Many people become more active during the warmer months without giving their bodies enough time to adjust. Someone who has not exercised regularly may suddenly begin swimming several times a week, playing pickleball every weekend, completing outdoor home projects, or lifting heavy vacation gear.
When activity levels increase too quickly, the muscles, tendons, and joints around the shoulder may become strained or irritated. Common causes of shoulder pain include muscle strains, tendinitis, bursitis, impingement, rotator cuff problems, joint instability, and pain connected to the neck or surrounding soft tissues.
Swimming and Repetitive Overhead Motion
Swimming is a low-impact form of exercise, but it requires the shoulders to complete the same overhead movements repeatedly. Freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, and other strokes can place substantial demands on the shoulder joint, particularly when technique, strength, or mobility is limited.
“Swimmer’s shoulder” is a general term used for shoulder pain and irritation associated with repetitive overhead movement. Symptoms may include:
- Pain during or after swimming
- Shoulder weakness
- Reduced range of motion
- A feeling of instability
- Discomfort when lifting the arm overhead
Although frequent swimming is a common cause, similar symptoms may develop during any activity involving repeated overhead movement.
Poor posture may also affect swimming mechanics. Rounded shoulders, tight chest muscles, limited upper-back mobility, or restricted neck movement can change how the shoulder blade and upper arm move together. Over time, these movement patterns may place additional stress on the surrounding muscles and tendons.
Pickleball and Shoulder Strain
Pickleball continues to attract players of different ages and experience levels. While it may appear less demanding than some court sports, repeated serves, overhead shots, quick reaches, and forceful swings can still affect the shoulder.
Shoulder pain from pickleball may be related to:
- Repeated overhead serves or shots
- Swinging with excessive force
- Poor paddle technique
- Playing for longer than usual
- Inadequate warmups
- Limited shoulder or upper-back mobility
- Returning to activity too quickly after a break
Overuse injuries are among the injuries associated with pickleball, and poor technique can increase strain on the body.
The shoulder may not be the only area involved. Tightness or restricted movement in the neck, upper back, shoulder blade, elbow, or wrist can cause the body to compensate during a swing. Evaluating the full movement pattern may help identify why the shoulder is being overloaded.
Other Summer Activities That Can Cause Shoulder Pain
Swimming and pickleball are not the only seasonal activities that can contribute to shoulder discomfort.
Yardwork and Home Projects
Raking, trimming branches, washing siding, painting, pressure washing, and using outdoor tools may require repetitive lifting or prolonged overhead movement. These activities can fatigue the shoulder muscles, particularly when they are performed for several hours without rest.
Kayaking and Paddleboarding
Paddling requires coordinated movement through the shoulders, arms, upper back, and core. Poor technique or limited trunk rotation may cause the shoulders to perform more work than necessary.
Baseball, Softball, and Recreational Sports
Throwing, catching, serving, and swinging can irritate the shoulder when the body is not properly conditioned. Repeated overhead motions are a recognized risk factor for rotator cuff irritation and other tendon problems.
Travel and Lifting
Lifting suitcases, loading coolers, carrying beach equipment, and placing bags into overhead compartments can lead to muscle strain. Sleeping in a different bed or sitting for long periods during a road trip may also contribute to neck and upper-back tension that affects the shoulder area.
Gym and Outdoor Workouts
Pushups, overhead presses, pullups, and resistance-band exercises may cause pain when performed with poor form or too much resistance. Increasing workout intensity too quickly can also irritate tissues that have not had time to adapt.
Signs Your Shoulder Needs Attention
Mild soreness after a new activity may improve with rest, but persistent or worsening pain should not be ignored. Symptoms that may indicate a more significant problem include:
- Pain that lasts for several days
- Pain that becomes worse instead of improving
- Difficulty raising or rotating the arm
- Weakness when lifting or carrying objects
- Swelling or bruising
- Clicking, catching, or grinding
- Pain that interferes with sleep
- Numbness or tingling in the arm or hand
- Sudden pain following a fall, collision, or forceful movement
Severe pain, visible deformity, significant weakness, swelling, or an inability to move the arm should be evaluated promptly by an appropriate healthcare provider. Persistent shoulder pain that limits normal activities also warrants professional attention.
Can Chiropractic Care Help with Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder discomfort does not always begin within the shoulder joint itself. Movement restrictions, muscle tension, posture, and joint mechanics in the neck, upper back, ribs, and shoulder blade may influence how the shoulder functions.
A chiropractor may evaluate:
- Shoulder range of motion
- Neck and upper-back mobility
- Posture and shoulder positioning
- Muscle tension and imbalance
- Shoulder blade movement
- Activities that aggravate the symptoms
- Previous injuries or repetitive movement patterns
Depending on the findings, chiropractic care may include adjustments, soft-tissue techniques, mobility work, therapeutic exercises, posture guidance, and recommendations for modifying aggravating activities.
Chiropractic care is not appropriate for every type of shoulder injury. If an examination suggests a fracture, dislocation, significant tendon tear, or another condition requiring additional testing or specialized care, the patient may be referred to the appropriate medical provider.
How to Reduce Your Risk of Summer Shoulder Pain
A few practical habits may help protect your shoulders while you remain active:
Increase Activity Gradually
Avoid going from little activity to several hours of swimming, pickleball, yardwork, or exercise in one weekend. Give your muscles and joints time to adapt.
Warm Up Before You Begin
Use gentle arm circles, shoulder blade movements, trunk rotations, and light practice swings before participating in sports or strenuous activities.
Focus on Technique
Swimming strokes, pickleball swings, paddling mechanics, and weightlifting form all matter. Proper instruction may reduce unnecessary stress on the shoulder.
Take Regular Breaks
Repetitive activity can cause fatigue, which may lead to poor movement patterns. Pause periodically to rest, stretch, hydrate, and change positions.
Avoid Working Through Sharp Pain
Mild muscle fatigue is different from sudden, sharp, or increasing pain. Stop the activity if your shoulder begins to hurt rather than trying to push through it.
Pay Attention to the Neck and Upper Back
Shoulder movement depends partly on mobility and control throughout the upper body. Addressing stiffness in the neck and upper back may help the shoulder move more efficiently.
Find the Cause of Your Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain can make it difficult to swim, play sports, exercise, complete household projects, or even perform everyday tasks. Rather than repeatedly avoiding certain movements or waiting for the discomfort to worsen, consider having the area evaluated.
Wetherington Chiropractic Clinic provides chiropractic care for patients in Savannah and Pooler. The team can assess your shoulder movement, posture, neck and upper-back mobility, and other factors that may be contributing to your symptoms. Contact Wetherington Chiropractic Clinic to schedule an appointment and learn what treatment options may be appropriate for your summer shoulder pain.
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