Shoulder Pain Physiotherapy in Saskatoon
If your shoulder pain is stopping you from training, sleeping comfortably, or doing normal day-to-day stuff (reaching, carrying, pushing, pulling), you’re not alone — and you’re not “fragile.”
At Vigour Physiotherapy, I help people in Saskatoon get out of the cycle of “it flares → I rest → it flares again” by building a plan that combines:
a thorough physiotherapy assessment
the right kind of movement and exercise (not just “stretching it out”)
progressive strength + tendon capacity work
practical strategies for real life (work, kids, sport, gym training, life, etc.)
No referral required, direct billing available, 1-on-1 care, exercises sent to you after your visit
Most shoulder pain improves when we:
calm sensitivity down (especially if it’s cranky/irritable)
restore or work around motion (without forcing painful positions)
build strength and control (rotator cuff + shoulder blade + upper back)
progress back to your goals (pressing, overhead work, throwing, work tasks)
If you’re not sure what’s going on, that’s fine — you don’t need a perfect diagnosis to start making progress..
When should you see a physiotherapist for shoulder pain?
Book an assessment if you’ve got any of the following:
Shoulder pain lasting more than 1–2 weeks with no clear improvement
Pain that’s waking you at night or making it hard to sleep on that side
Pain with overhead reaching (pull-ups, pressing, throwing, serving, putting dishes away)
Pain with pushing or lifting (bench, push-ups, dips, carrying groceries, lifting kids)
A noticeable loss of range of motion (reaching behind your back, seatbelt, back pocket)
Ongoing pain that keeps flaring up whenever you try to get back to the gym or sport
Shoulder pain after a “tweak” that never fully settled
You’re not sure what’s going on and you want a clear plan instead of guessing
If you’re unsure, book in or reach out. A good assessment will tell you what’s safe to keep doing, what to modify for now, and what to build back toward.
Types of shoulder pain we work with
If any of the following sounds familiar, we can most likely help:
pain with pressing, bench, push-ups, or dips
pain reaching overhead
pain sleeping on the affected side
pain reaching behind your back
sharp “pinchy” pain at the front/top of the shoulder
weakness, fatigue, or “giving way” with lifting
stiffness that seems to be getting worse over time
pain that started after “tweaking it” (but never fully settled)
What makes shoulder pain stick around?
A lot of shoulder pain isn’t just a “tight muscle” problem. It’s often a mix of:
load intolerance (your shoulder isn’t currently prepared for the demands you’re asking of it)
irritability/sensitivity (the system stays on high alert, especially after repeated flare-ups)
strength/endurance gaps (rotator cuff + scapular control + upper back)
mobility restrictions (sometimes shoulder joint, sometimes upper back/ribs)
training errors (too much, too soon, not enough recovery, sudden volume spikes)
work + life realities (repetitive tasks, stress, poor sleep, desk setup)
My goal is to reduce symptoms and rebuild capacity so you trust your shoulder again.
What your first appointment looks like
In your assessment, we’ll:
Clarify your story (what started it, what makes it better/worse, what you’re trying to get back to)
Screen for red flags and decide if anything needs referral
Test movement + strength relevant to your goals (daily tasks or performance)
Create a plan you understand:
what to do now
what to modify temporarily (and what you don’t need to avoid)
what we’re building toward over the next few weeks
You’ll leave with a clear next step, not just “come back and we’ll see.”
How we treat shoulder pain (what you can expect)
Treatment is individualized, but typically includes:
education + reassurance (what’s normal, what’s not, and how to navigate flare-ups)
mobility work (when it’s actually the right tool)
strength and control for trunk + hips
graded exposure to the stuff you care about (lifting, running, sport, work, life)
hands-on treatment when helpful (to calm symptoms and improve tolerance)
dry needling / IMS when appropriate (optional — not mandatory, not magic)
The long-term win is resilience: building capacity so your shoulder tolerates the life you want to live.
Common types of shoulder pain I see
People don’t fit neatly into boxes, but these are common patterns:
rotator cuff–related shoulder pain (painful arc, night pain, pain with lifting/reaching)
tendinopathy (rotator cuff or biceps tendon, often load/volume related)
“impingement” type symptoms (often a sensitivity + capacity issue, not a bone “pinching”)
AC joint irritation (top-of-shoulder pain, often with pressing or cross-body motions)
stiffness-dominant shoulder pain (including frozen shoulder patterns)
instability/“looseness” symptoms (clicking/shift feelings with certain positions)
referred pain from neck/upper back (shoulder symptoms driven by nearby regions)
No matter the label, the plan is usually the same: calm it down → rebuild tolerance → return to what you want to do.
Nick Allard, MPT: Your Shoulder Pain Physiotherapist
“I’m Nick Allard, a Saskatoon physiotherapist and the owner of Vigour Physiotherapy. I work with active adults and everyday humans dealing with shoulder pain — whether it’s a new tweak, a stubborn ‘pinchy’ shoulder, or stiffness that just won’t quit. My approach is straightforward: figure out what’s driving it, calm it down, and build your strength, mobility, and tolerance so you can get back to training, work, and life with more confidence. Read more about my bio here!”
Direct Billing to your insurance, 1-on-1 assessments and treatment, exercises sent to you following your visit, no waitlist
Shoulder Pain FAQs
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Often, no — especially early on. Many shoulder issues respond well to the right rehab plan. If your symptoms suggest a need for imaging or referral, I’ll tell you.
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Those labels can overlap. Lots of “impingement” symptoms improve with load management and progressive strengthening. If we suspect a significant tear (based on your story + testing), we’ll discuss next steps.
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Night pain can happen when the shoulder is more irritable and doesn’t tolerate compression or certain positions well. We’ll troubleshoot sleep positions and pick exercises that settle symptoms rather than poke the bear.
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Not always. Many shoulders click without a problem. We care more about pain, weakness, instability feelings, and functional limits — and we’ll test what your clicking actually means for you.
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That often points to a stiffness + irritation combo. We’ll find the right entry point (not forcing pain) and rebuild motion and strength over time.
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Yes. We’ll figure out what your shoulder currently tolerates and build back up with smart progressions, technique cues, and capacity work.
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Yes, when it fits. It can help reduce sensitivity and muscle guarding so you can move and load better — but the long-term win is rebuilding capacity with rehab.
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No referral is usually required to book physiotherapy. If your insurer needs one, check your plan.
Ready to get moving again?
If you’re tired of guessing and want a plan that actually fits your life (and your training), book an appointment. We’ll figure out what’s driving it and what to do next.
Reviewed by: Nick Allard, MPT (Registered Physiotherapist) • Last updated: [2025-12-19]
This page is for general information and is not medical advice. If you have severe or worsening symptoms, major loss of strength, numbness/tingling that is progressing, symptoms after significant trauma, fever, unexplained weight loss, or concerning swelling/redness, seek urgent medical care.
Conveniently Located in Saskatoon, SK
610 Queen Street #102
Saskatoon, SK
S7K 0M8
Directly across from City Hospital in the City Park neighbourhood