Understanding Shoulder Impingement

By: Dr. Evan Steinke, D.C., B.Sc — Active Sports Therapy Westman Village

Shoulder pain is very common, and most people experience it at some point whether from working out, playing sports, or simply reaching overhead for something on a shelf. One frequent cause is shoulder impingement, which often couples shoulder pain with a decreased or painful range of motion.

This limited mobility can make everyday tasks difficult and frustrating. The good news is shoulder impingement is very treatable, especially when addressed early.

What Is Shoulder Impingement?

Shoulder impingement occurs when the muscles and tendons in your shoulder become compressed or irritated within the narrow space between your upper arm bone and the top of your shoulder blade.

When you lift your arm overhead, this space naturally narrows. In a healthy shoulder, there’s still enough room for tendons to move freely. However, in the case of an injury, such as a fall or muscle strain, this already narrow space can be reduced even further. This leads to the tendon being “pinched” during movement.

That pinching triggers inflammation and swelling, which further decreases the available space. Over time, this creates a cycle of increasing pain and decreasing mobility, making early treatment important.

Common Causes

● Repetitive overhead movements (e.g., throwing, swimming, weightlifting)
● Poor posture or improper exercise form
● Muscle imbalances or weakness in the rotator cuff and shoulder stabilizers
● Trauma, such as falls or sports-related impacts

Common Symptoms

● Pain when reaching overhead or behind your back
● Discomfort when lying on the affected shoulder
● Limited range of motion or stiffness
● Weakness or fatigue in the arm
● Reduced pain when the arm is at rest

Treatment Options

At Active Sports Therapy Westman Village, a movement-based approach is used to treat shoulder impingement and restore function.

Treatment plans are tailored to each individual and may include:

● Chiropractic care to address joint and soft tissue restrictions
● Postural correction to avoid exacerbation and inflammation
● Rehabilitation exercises and stretching to improve strength and stability
● Active Release Techniques (ART) to support muscle and tendon recovery
● Therapeutic modalities such as laser therapy or IFC to aid healing

Together, these methods help reduce inflammation, restore mobility, and improve long-term shoulder function.

Take the Next Step

If shoulder pain is limiting your daily activities or workouts, early treatment can make a big difference.

Book an appointment with Dr. Evan Steinke, at Active Sports Therapy Westman Village, Mahogany, Calgary to start your recovery and get back to moving comfortably.

Laser Therapy: Relief for Midlife Women's Musculoskeletal Pain

Written by: Dr. Fiona Lovely, DC

Midlife brings significant changes for women, and often, increased musculoskeletal pain. The hormonal shifts of perimenopause and menopause don't just affect hot flashes; they impact joint health, muscle recovery, and inflammation levels. Laser therapy (photobiomodulation) offers evidence-informed relief for this often-overlooked population.

The Classic Midlife Presentations

Women in their 40s and 50s commonly present with three specific conditions: gluteal tendinopathy (hip and buttock pain), frozen shoulder, and plantar fasciitis (heel pain). While some women experience all three, many present with one or two of these issues. Declining estrogen affects collagen synthesis, joint lubrication, and inflammatory response, making these tissues particularly vulnerable. New-onset pain without prior injury is a direct result of hormonal transition.

How Laser Therapy Helps

Laser therapy stimulates cellular energy production at the mitochondrial level, accelerating tissue repair and reducing inflammation. For midlife women struggling with gluteal tendinopathy, frozen shoulder, or plantar fasciitis, this means faster recovery from everyday activities, improved joint function, and decreased pain.

Why Laser Therapy is Ideal for This Population

-Targets specific conditions: Particularly effective for the presentations women commonly experience

-Complements chiropractic care: Enhances adjustment effectiveness and extends relief

-Natural approach: Aligns with women seeking non-invasive options

-Quick sessions: Fits busy midlife schedules

-No contraindications: Safe alongside other health management strategies

Real-World Results

Women report improved shoulder mobility, reduced hip and heel pain during exercise, and better sleep quality—often within weeks. Many notice that combined chiropractic adjustments and laser therapy create sustainable relief they haven't experienced elsewhere.

Reclaim Your Vitality

Midlife doesn't mean accepting chronic pain. Laser therapy offers a science-backed path to the
mobility and comfort you deserve during this transition. Your best years are ahead—let's keep you moving pain-free.

You can find Dr. Fiona Lovely at AST Willow Park in Calgary.

Frozen Shoulder Explained

Written By : Dr. Evan Steinke, B.Sc, DC

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is characterized by pain and a progressive loss of motion in your shoulder joint. You may have experienced this as beginning with shoulder pain from an unknown cause that made your sleep difficult and became increasingly painful over the coming weeks. Frozen shoulder is caused by inflammation of the shoulder joint resulting in adhesions and stiffening of the surrounding structures. As a result, the shoulder begins to become painful and lose its mobility. This is more commonly seen in people over the age of 40 and is slightly more common among women with both diabetes and thyroid disease being known risk factors.

Frozen shoulder is known to have a particularly long recovery time without treatment of 18-24 months. Due to the long duration of the condition is often divided into three phases.

Phase 1 – Freezing: Pain in the shoulder as it begins to tighten over several months. It may be particularly noticeable at night and progress to being painful at rest.

Phase 2 – Frozen: The structures around the shoulder are now adhered to each other and mobility is limited in most or all directions, however, pain may begin to diminish in this phase. This phase can last for up to a year.

Phase 3 – Thawing: The structures around the shoulder begin to loosen and allow for a gradual return of shoulder mobility over 6+ months.

Your doctor will be able to determine which phase you are in with a physical examination, there is no need for x-rays or other forms of imaging. Management of frozen shoulder depends on the phase you are currently in but will often include a wide range of physical therapy approaches aiming to improve your range of motion and providing relief. These can include the following:

Muscle release techniques: These techniques aim to help ease pain in the surrounding shoulder muscles and reduce muscle tension to allow for improved movement.

Exercises and Stretches: A variety of programs can be performed at home that aim to improve muscle strength, improve flexibility, and provide improved joint stability.

Mobilization: Working with the shoulder joint directly your therapist will help mobilize the joint to improve range of motion.

Activity Modification: Depending on your specific needs your doctor may also make modifications to your daily routines and activities to ease the load and stress on your shoulder joint.

In severe cases that do not respond to conservative care your therapist will be able to evaluate and direct you for a shoulder injection or discuss other options for your particular situation.

If you think that you have frozen shoulder symptoms suffer now longer and book with Dr. Evan Steinke at AST Westman Village today!