Shoulder pain relief for athletes

Restore strength, stability & overhead control for training that feels confident.

  • Pain with overhead lifts, pressing, or reaching

  • Pinching pain when raising the arm

  • Weakness or loss of strength during pushing or pulling

  • Pain at night or trouble sleeping on that side

  • Clicking, catching, or a feeling of instability

  • Limited range of motion or stiffness

  • Pain spreading to the neck, upper arm, or shoulder blade

  • Rotator cuff strain, tendinopathy, or tearing

  • Impingement & painful overhead mechanics

  • Labral irritation & stability issues

  • AC joint sprains & contact-related pain

  • Shoulder stiffness & mobility loss

  • Post-surgical rehab & return-to-sport progression

  • Often triggered by: Baseball & throwing sports, weightlifting & overhead training, CrossFit, swimming, volleyball, tennis & racket sports, golf, BJJ & combat sports

  • Pain lasts longer than 1–2 weeks

  • Symptoms keep returning with throwing or training

  • You feel weakness, giving way, or instability

  • Overhead movement feels blocked, painful, or unsafe

  • Night pain affects sleep

  • You lost throwing velocity, accuracy, or endurance

  • Pain started after a fall, collision, or a sudden pop

Throwing Shoulder Pain, Built for Return to Sport

The shoulder needs mobility & stability at the same time, especially for baseball athletes where throwing demands speed, control, & repeatable mechanics. When pain shows up, it can limit training fast & linger if the true driver is not identified.
We start with a detailed assessment to pinpoint what is driving your symptoms, then combine targeted manual therapy with movement retraining & progressive strengthening to reduce pain & rebuild function. Whether your issue started from throwing volume, the weight room, or a single awkward moment, our Los Alamitos team builds a plan around your goals & your return to performance.

Your FREE First Visit

60min

Your first step is a low-pressure visit to understand your body mechanics, what will resolve it, and explain our approach.

  • Quick intake: what’s hurting, what triggers it, training goals
  • Movement: mobility, strength, control, and sport-specific patterns
  • Clear plan: observations, why it’s happening, best path forward

What You’ll Receive

  • A clear clinical direction and root-cause hypothesis
  • Recommended next steps, including a plan and projected timeline
  • Practical guidance on what to do, and what to avoid, in training right now

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What They’re Saying About Us

5.0
Stephanie C.
3 months ago
Dr. Alex Mak developed an excellent program to improve my mobility and stay on track to improved health. After starting a work from home job, I lost sight of maintaining a balanced lifestyle. I pushed myself too hard after living a sedentary lifestyle. What was meant to be a short walk resulted in an injury that resulted in months worth of hip pain. Dr. Mak’s experience in athletics was a game changer to helping me get back on track. Growing up as an athlete and swimming division 1, my instinct is to push myself hard to get back into shape. Dr. Mak helped me realize the importance of measured goals to achieve better outcomes. Knowing my history as a swimmer, he pointed out ways in which my body developed that I should keep an eye out for when lifting weights, running and more. He developed a recovery and strength training plan that considered my work travel schedule and preferred methods of exercise. Dr. Mak has a keen eye for identifying small details that can make a big difference in achieving recovery. I would recommend his services to anyone seeking support after an injury.
Alexander H.
4 months ago
If you want the best Physical Therapy come to Olympus. Movements that actually work.
Mordox S.
5 months ago
As a former competitive swimmer during highschool. I had a chance to work with Dr. Alex Mak and he helped a lot. My flexibility was very bad and that hindered my swimming. Alex was able to give me routine that helped my flexibility ultimately helping my swimming. Pretty much he knows his stuff and I highly recommend.
Nelson P.
6 months ago
Don’t think of this as a typical review written for business—think it as a genuine testimony! As a self-proclaimed athlete with a background in soccer and track (though you DONT have to be an athlete), this experience was truly a self investment in body mobility, agility, performance, endurance, strength, and—most importantly—optimal function. And if you think you’re already fine in these areas, you probably aren’t if you’re reading this. Dr. Alex Mak will quickly humble you and help you realize that many of our injuries stem from imbalances, mechanics, and not functioning optimally. As I mentioned, this is a true investment in yourself. You have to put in the work to see results—my pain didn’t disappear instantly or overnight. Through a constant desire to grow, feel better (with little to no pain), and consistent training both in and out of the his gym and office real progress happens. Dr. Alex Mak is young, easygoing, polite, and extremely professional and informative, which makes the entire process more comfortable which felt amazing! You never feel alone during the rehabilitation journey. Having someone on your side who truly understands what you’re feeling—at your worst pain and at every stage of recovery—is incredibly reassuring. He explains what you should be feeling throughout recovery, so you know you’re not only healing but progressing. I stubbornly learned that pain doesn’t go away overnight—it’s a process. The body works as one complete unit, and everything must be kept in check and aligned. After completing my sessions, I can confidently say I came out pain-free, stronger, and far more knowledgeable—allowing me to live a more optimal life. If you’re experiencing pain, don’t hesitate to work with Dr. Alex Mak. He genuinely helps you understand your body, your injuries, and how to overcome them!
Nelson P.
6 months ago
Don't think of this as a typical review written for business--think it as genuine testimony! As a self-proclaimed athlete with a background in soccer and...
Polina D.
6 months ago
Dr. Mak is truly exceptional. His expertise goes far beyond simply addressing pain—he takes the time to deeply understand the unique challenges of each patient. In my case, he carefully assessed the long‑term impact of my back injury and multiple surgeries, dedicating quality time to listen, evaluate, and design a treatment plan tailored specifically to my needs. What impressed me most was his holistic approach: he didn’t just focus on temporary relief, but created a structured program of strengthening exercises and supportive routines to help rebuild my stability and resilience. Through his guidance, I not only regained physical strength but also developed the confidence to continue working out independently, something I never thought possible given my history of trauma. Beyond his professional skill, Dr. Mak brings an approachable, down‑to‑earth energy that makes every session feel encouraging and motivating. He’s knowledgeable, compassionate, and genuinely invested in his patients’ progress. Simply put, he’s not only knows his craft inside and out—he’s also a genuine person to be around.
Fernando B.
7 months ago
After my medical doctor referred me to Physical Therapy, I thought my back pain and sciatica pains would eventually heal. After months, I finally “came to gribs” about my situation. My pain was becoming disabling and I needed help. I started searching my area,and what I wanted from physical therapy. Strength and mobility needed to be important to my therapy. My pain needed to be gone or at less become more manageable from therapy. After finding a few practices I started looking through their respective social media accounts. I found and followed Dr.Alexmax on instagram. I found the account informative and helpful. To my surprise, a Direct message from the account was sent to me and they invited me to have a consultation. Long story short, I signed up and after a few sessions I started feeling real relief from sciatica pains. I’m about to have my 15th session and I can confidently state I’ve been giving a foundation to continue a more hopeful and healthy life with less pain and more energy. Highly recommend this practice with anyone who need help with physical therapy
Jeffrey L.
8 months ago
I have gone to countless chiropractors and physical therapists searching for answers to the issues within my body. But no one has given me a deeper and in-depth understanding like Dr. Mak. When I first started seeing Dr. Mak back in July, I did not know what to expect and if he had the answers I was looking for. The first few weeks were investigative and it definitely took some time to figure out the roots of my problems. However, just three months later and I don't recognize the person I've become, most of all the lingerering issues I had been experienced at the start of my journey have seemingly subsided and I feel like a brand new person! Dr. Mak is very knowledgeable helping me not only understand the issues I was facing but also the areas I need to improve to better my condition. I admit I was skeptical in the beginning due the great deal of commitment it would require to get better, but now that I'm at the end I can happily say I have no regrets and would highly recommend Dr. Mak to anyone who is serious about not only feeling better but anyone who wants to function properly into their later years. There's so much I thought I knew that Dr. Mak helped to clarify and I've definitely gained a great deal of knowledge from my time spent with Dr. Mak. I hope him the best as he builds his practice and encourage anyone who wants to grow and learn to reach out to Dr. Mak. He likely has all the answers to your issues and if he doesn't he will figure it out if you give him the time!
chris S.
8 months ago
I’ve been dealing with back pain, tight hips, sciatica pain, and right foot mobility for a couple years. Finding Dr. Alex, I set up the initial consultation meeting to address my issues. In this meeting Dr. Alex Mak answered all my questions, provided solutions, and expressed his knowledge on the different areas of my pain. He explained with an honest tone, that identifying the root cause of my pain, and building a personalized treatment plan can help me achieve my goal, of finding relief and mobility. I moved forward with his program that was designed directly for me. Having the ability to talk to Dr. Alex for the full session, allowed him to study my progress and adapt the program to the speed of my progression. I believe this is what separates Dr. Alex Mak from other PT. His ability to motivate, inform, study, adapt, and treat the client is top class. He is distinguished in that he listens, explains, cares, and organizes proper exercises to achieve results in a timely manner. If you are looking for a Dr. who supports and treats, rather than giving a generic try this and that, then book the consultation with Dr. Alex Mak.
Alejandra P.
8 months ago
I had a really good experience at Olympus Sports Therapy and working with Dr. Alex Mak. He's very knowledgeable about his craft. He guides you through the exercises so that you do them safely and correctly. I referred a friend to Olympus Sports Therapy and Dr. Alex Mak with a confidence that he would be able to help them with their particular issues because I saw clear improvement in myself very quickly. I'm glad I went there.

Quick Questions

It depends on your symptoms, history, and how the shoulder behaves with specific tests. We assess strength, range of motion, stability, and mechanics to identify the most likely driver.

Throwing loads the shoulder through high-speed rotation and deceleration. Pain often comes from poor load tolerance, restricted rotation, scap control issues, or irritated rotator cuff or labral tissue.

Pinching can be a sign of impingement-like mechanics, irritated tendon tissue, or limited joint motion. The goal is to restore positioning and movement so the shoulder clears smoothly.

Yes. Clicking can be normal, but pain, catching, or instability signals a need for evaluation. We work on stability, control, and strength through ranges that matter for sport.

Not always. Most athletes do better with smart modifications, reduced volume, and a plan that rebuilds capacity. We will tell you what to avoid right now and what you can keep training safely.

Impingement describes a pattern of painful overhead mechanics. Rotator cuff tendinopathy describes irritated tendon tissue. They often overlap, and treatment focuses on improving mechanics, strength, and load tolerance.

It varies by severity, duration, and goals. Acute issues may improve quickly, while chronic problems or return-to-throw programs often require a longer progression.

Yes. We coordinate rehab phases, restore mobility safely, and rebuild strength and control to support a confident return to training.

Night pain can be related to irritated tissues, sleeping position, or reduced tolerance in certain ranges. Addressing mechanics, inflammation sensitivity, and positioning usually helps.

Seek urgent care if you have a major loss of strength, sudden deformity, severe pain after trauma, progressive numbness or tingling, or symptoms that rapidly worsen.

Dr. Alex Mak, DC, CCSP, CSCS, QME

I was the kid who was told to quit after years of sports and constant injuries, so I became the provider I never had, earning a kinesiology degree at SDSU, graduating chiropractic school summa cum laude, and doubling my clinical hours to obsessively master human movement. Olympus Sports Therapy is built on identifying the root cause, building a real progression plan, and guiding athletes from pain and setbacks back to stronger performance.

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience:

Severe or worsening pain that doesn’t improve with rest Numbness or tingling spreading down both legs Loss of strength in your leg or foot Difficulty controlling bladder or bowel function Pain following a fall, accident, or trauma