Non-Surgical Orthopedics

Shoulder Impingement

Serving the greater Phoenix Valley Area including Phoenix, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Maricopa County and beyond.

Call 480-306-6627 to Schedule Now!

Dedicated to Medical Excellence for Over 15 Years.

Booking

OVERVIEW

ABOUT Shoulder IMPINGEMENT

Some days the shoulder feels fine. Then you reach up to grab a jacket off a hook, or throw a bag into the back seat, and there's that sharp catch right around shoulder height and it keeps showing up in the same spot.

That catch is shoulder impingement. Your rotator cuff tendons pass through a narrow space at the top of the shoulder, and when you raise your arm, that space tightens. If the tendons are already irritated, they get pinched against the bone above them.

It rarely comes from one bad moment. More often it's the slow result of posture, muscle imbalance, and doing the same overhead motion again and again, until the shoulder finally starts protesting. Painters, swimmers, and desk workers all end up here by different roads.

Most impingement clears up without surgery once you fix what's causing the pinch. At Modern Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine of Phoenix, AZ, we go after the mechanics behind it, not just the sore tendon.

BOOKING APPOINTMENTS

Getting in is easy. Call our office to grab a spot with our team, or fill out the online booking form whenever it suits you. We'll match you with the right provider and get your shoulder looked at soon.

Call 480-306-6627 to Schedule Now!

Request An

Appointment

SCHEDULE

REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT

Pick a time by phone or online. We work around your week and get you in without a long wait.

DIAGNOSE

EXAM & IMAGING

We watch how your shoulder moves, check your strength, and pinpoint what's pinching. Imaging comes in only when we truly need it.

TREATMENTS

CUSTOM TREATMENT PROGRAM

Therapy rebuilds your rotator cuff and shoulder blade control, opens the pinched space, and calms the pain so you reach overhead again.

FOLLOW UP

WE CALL TO CHECK IN

We track your progress, adjust the plan as you improve, and give you home exercises so the shoulder holds up long term.

Feedback

Customer Reviews

Testimonials for
The MODERN Approach

At MODERN, we take tremendous pride in making our customers happy above and beyond their expectations. We invite you to read what a few of our customers have to say about their MODERN experience.

450+

5 Star Reviews

13

Locations

100+

Different Services Offered

20+

Orthopedic Experts

I have had a great experience with Dr. Patrick O’Brien . He is very thorough and takes time to explain the detail of every step in each exercise. I also appreciate that each office visit is truly one on one with him. And most importantly -after just one very first session- I felt tremendous relief from lower back pain that had been bothering me for 2 months. I’m grateful for his expertise and highly recommend him.

Kathy C.
Google review

Patrick and the team are outstanding! They are very skilled in their field; they incorporate practices that root out the pain or discomfort; they do a great job of crafting programs and exercises to solve the symptoms being experienced; their customer service is excellent; and, their facility is perfect for the individualized care a person wants. I'm so glad I found them for my particular issues, and I highly recommend them.

Robert L.
Google review

This is my 2nd stint at rehab with Dr Patrick. He’s very knowledgeable and works with you 1 on 1. I would never go to a cookie cutter P/T clinic ever again. I recommend him without reservation.

Susan M.
Google review

What Are You Experiencing?

You may not know specifically what type of treatment you would require. What you do know is that you hurt, and right now that’s really what is most important. To better know how to serve you, please take a few minutes to fill out this brief form describing the discomfort or pain you are experiencing. With a clearer idea, we will contact you to discuss what may be occurring and how we may be able to assist.

LOW HIGH

SEVERE PAIN

If you are experiencing severe or unbearable pain, don’t wait. Call 911 or proceed directly to your nearby hospital. When the emergency is treated, we will then be prepared to work together to assist you in gaining longer-term relief.

MODERATE PAIN / DISCOMFORT

Maybe your pain isn’t keeping you back, but it is making daily living a bit harder than it has to be. If it’s sharp, annoying, or keeps coming back, let us know what you’re dealing with. We can start together to investigate why it’s happening and how we can make it better.

MINOR PAINS & ACHES

Minor aches may not seem significant, but sometimes they are your body’s way of telling you it needs a helping hand. The stiffness, soreness, or occasional pains are great things to bring to our attention. Let us know what you’ve been experiencing, and we’ll point you in the direction of care that prevents small issues from turning into large ones.

Quick Diagnosis Form

Answering Your Questions

How is impingement different from a rotator cuff tear?

They're related but not the same. Impingement is the tendon getting pinched and irritated. A tear is actual damage to the tendon itself. Impingement left alone can lead to a tear over time, which is one reason not to sit on it. We check which one you've got.

Why does it hurt more at night?

Lying on that side presses right on the irritated tendons, and most people cannot help doing this while sleeping. Plenty of people say the ache is strongest when they're trying to fall asleep, or it wakes them when they roll over.

Can I keep exercising while it heals?

Usually, with some swaps. Overhead pressing and certain lifts tend to aggravate it, so we steer you around those for a while and keep the rest. You don't have to shut everything down, just ease off what's feeding the pinch.

How long does it take to get better?

Many people notice a real difference in four to six weeks with steady work. Full strength takes longer. The ones who keep up with their home exercises tend to turn the corner sooner.

Will posture changes really make a difference?

For a lot of people, yes. Rounded, forward shoulders narrow the very space the tendons pass through, so every reach pinches a little. Opening that posture back up takes pressure off the tendons, which is why it's part of the plan and not an afterthought.

"Our goal is to help you solve some of your most painful life experiences."

Josh Adams

MODERN PHYSICAL THERAPY & SPORTS MEDICINE
CEO

"When an athlete gets injured, a team of doctors and therapists evaluates them, orders imaging, and decides the best path forward. If surgery is needed, they go straight to surgery; if not, they get condition-specific physical therapy and targeted injections to speed healing. This is the same process pro athletes use to get back on the field quickly—and at Modern, you can access that same level of care for the same cost as any other physical therapy clinic." - Josh Adams

Without Advanced Imaging

Your PT

is Operating Blindly.

WHY WE'RE DIFFERENT

CHOOSING THE MODERN WAY

What sets MODERN PHYSICAL THERAPY & SPORTS MEDICINE apart is that our physical therapists and orthopedists utilize advanced imaging technology to enable them to SEE what they are doing. That means care is guided by what we can actually see, not guesswork.

ADVANCED IMAGING + TREATMENT = MODERN

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