Shoulder Pain When Throwing: Common Causes & How to Fix It

If your shoulder hurts when throwing a baseball (or any overhead motion), you’re not alone. Shoulder pain from throwing is common among athletes and weekend players alike, and often comes from muscle imbalance, joint strain, or repetitive motion.

Common Causes of Shoulder Pain When Throwing

• Rotator cuff strain. The small stabilizing muscles of the shoulder get overworked, especially with poor throwing mechanics.

• Shoulder impingement. Repetitive overhead movement can cause tendons to rub or get pinched under the shoulder blade.

• Labrum irritation. The cartilage ring that stabilizes the shoulder socket can become strained or torn from repetitive throwing.

• Poor posture. Rounded shoulders and forward head posture limit shoulder mobility and create extra stress.

• Spinal misalignment. Restricted motion in the upper back or neck can change shoulder mechanics, leading to pain.

How to Fix It

• Rest and recovery. Avoid overuse and give the shoulder time to heal.

• Stretching and strengthening. Focus on the rotator cuff, shoulder blades, and upper back.

• Posture correction. Keeping the spine aligned reduces strain on the throwing shoulder.

• Chiropractic care. Adjustments restore mobility in the neck and upper back, improving shoulder motion and healing.

• Gradual return. Once pain improves, reintroduce throwing with proper warm-up and technique.

The Chiropractic Perspective
Shoulder pain rarely exists in isolation, it’s often linked to how the neck, spine, and shoulder work together.

“Most throwing shoulder pain starts higher up, in the neck or upper back. When those joints move properly again, the shoulder follows and pain often fades quickly.” — Dr. Kaden Hurst