Shoulder Pain and Massage: How Massage Therapy Can Help You Heal

At Active Edge Massage & Wellness in Urbandale, we see every day how shoulder pain can affect people’s lives. Early in my massage therapy career, I experienced it myself — pain radiating down my arm, limited mobility, and a deep fear that I wouldn’t be able to keep doing the work I love.

Determined to heal, I committed to learning everything I could about shoulder recovery. Through specialized massage techniques, focused stretching, and support from other professionals in our wellness community, I was able to reduce my pain and regain full range of motion.

How Massage Therapy Helps Shoulder Pain

Receiving massage therapy in the right way can make a tremendous difference for shoulder pain relief. It supports healing, improves mobility, and enhances overall quality of life. Over time, I’ve helped many clients — and even other therapists — understand the importance of slow, mindful movement and consistent stretching, both during and between massage sessions.

The shoulder is one of the most complex areas of the body, involving many muscles that work together:

• Muscles at the front of the shoulder

• Those along the scapula (shoulder blade)

• Muscles that extend up the neck and down the arm

  
  

When any of these areas tighten or become strained, the result can be pain, stiffness, or numbness. That “simple” headache might actually be caused by shoulder tension. Pain running down your arm can originate in the shoulder — and sometimes even from tightness in the forearm.

Common Causes of Shoulder Pain

One often-overlooked contributor is tight pectoral (chest) muscles, especially if you spend hours at a computer, lean forward to look at devices, or care for a new baby. Many new mothers experience shoulder and chest tension from feeding and carrying their infants. A thoughtful gift for a new mom is a therapeutic massage, helping her relax and release those overworked muscles before they cause long-term discomfort.

Other key muscles — including the trapezius and latissimus dorsi (lats) — also play major roles in shoulder movement and stability. When these muscles are tight, they can pull on surrounding structures and create significant pain.

Find Shoulder Pain Relief in Urbandale

A licensed massage therapist can assess which muscles are contributing to your shoulder pain and apply targeted techniques to relieve tension and restore balance. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing daily stress, or trying to prevent future shoulder issues, regular massage therapy can help you move more freely and comfortably.

If you’re struggling with shoulder pain or tension, the team at Active Edge Massage & Wellness in Urbandale is here to help. Contact us today to schedule your next shoulder massage and start feeling better — one session at a time.