Volleyball Shoulder: The Overhead Athlete's Most Common Complaint

Volleyball players, particularly setters and outside hitters, develop a very specific pattern of shoulder dysfunction from repetitive overhead loading. At Franklin Lakes Chiropractic and Sports Medicine in Franklin Lakes, NJ, we call this pattern "volleyball shoulder" and we see it in athletes as young as 14.

What Repetitive Overhead Work Does to the Shoulder

Every spike and serve loads the rotator cuff, the glenohumeral joint, and the muscles of the upper back and neck. Over hundreds of repetitions per practice, small amounts of joint wear, muscle fatigue, and tissue irritation accumulate. Without adequate recovery and maintenance, this leads to:

• Rotator cuff tendinopathy - inflammation in the tendons of the rotator cuff
• Shoulder impingement - compression of soft tissue in the subacromial space
• Posterior shoulder tightness and internal rotation deficit (GIRD)
• Bicipital tendinitis - pain at the front of the shoulder

Signs Your Athlete's Shoulder Needs Attention

• Pain during or after serving or spiking
• Reduced range of motion, especially reaching across the body or behind the back
• Clicking or catching sensation in the shoulder
• General achiness that doesn't resolve with rest days

Our Treatment Approach

We focus on restoring full shoulder range of motion, correcting strength imbalances between the internal and external rotators, and adjusting the thoracic spine, which directly impacts shoulder mechanics. Many volleyball shoulder cases respond quickly when caught early.

📍 Ready to Feel Better? Call Us Today!

If you're dealing with running-related pain or want to stay injury-free, the team at Franklin Lakes Chiropractic and Sports Medicine in Franklin Lakes, NJ is here to help. We specialize in sports chiropractic care for runners of all levels.

📞 Call us: 201-891-6065

🌐 Visit: www.franklinlakeschiro.com