WHAT I TREAT / SHOULDER PAIN
Shoulder Pain
Whether you're an overhead athlete dealing with chronic flare-ups, a lifter who can't press without pain, or recovering from a surgical repair — shoulder pain is usually about how the joint loads, not just where it hurts.
Apply to Work with MeSYMPTOMS
What you may be experiencing.
- 01Pain reaching overhead or behind your back
- 02Aching at night that wakes you up
- 03Loss of strength in pressing or pulling
- 04Recurring 'tweaks' that come back when you train hard
- 05Post-surgical stiffness and weakness
COMMON CAUSES
What might be behind it.
- 01Rotator cuff strain or tear
- 02Subacromial impingement
- 03Labral injury (SLAP, Bankart, post-stabilization)
- 04Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
- 05AC joint pain
- 06Post-surgical rehabilitation
- 07Bench press, overhead press, or throwing pain in athletes
MY APPROACH
How I treat shoulder pain.
Assess
Comprehensive shoulder exam plus a look at thoracic mobility, scapular control, and how the whole upper body loads under your training. We find what's contributing — and what's protecting it.
Treat
Hands-on care to restore range of motion and reduce tissue restriction. Joint mobilization and soft tissue work when appropriate.
Build
Progressive loading — rotator cuff, scapula, and full upper-body strength work — built around your sport or training, not generic shoulder exercises.
FROM A GOOGLE REVIEW
2025
“This was my first time ever working with someone like this, and Dr. Alex Chau set the bar high. I’ve been athletic my whole life—mostly bodybuilding the past few years, now getting into jiu-jitsu and boxing. He immediately spotted issues in my shoulder and hip that were limiting my performance. After one session, my left shoulder felt way better, and my hips were moving more freely during training. He’s smart, intentional, and actually explains how everything ties back to your goals.”View on Google
RELATED
Other areas I work in.
SERVICE
Sports Physical Therapy
→Rehab that treats you like an athlete, not a patient — built to get you back to your sport and keep you there.
SERVICE
Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
→ACL, shoulder, hip, and more — structured rehab that takes you from the OR back to your sport.
CONDITION
Rotator Cuff Injury
→Cuff strains, tears, and tendinopathy — rebuilding a shoulder that presses, pulls, and reaches without pain.
CONDITION
Shoulder Impingement
→Pain at the top of a reach or press. The evidence favors exercise over surgery, and this is how that program looks.
CONDITION
Neck Pain
→Postural pain, cervicogenic headaches, mobility limitations from desk work.
START HERE
Not sure if this is your situation?
Tell me what’s going on through a short application — no pressure, no pitch. If it looks like a fit, I’ll reach out about working together.
Apply to Work with Me