Every Shoulder Injury Is Different. We Treat Them That Way.
The shoulder is the most mobile and most complex joint in the body. Our board-certified OCS Physical Therapy specialists treat the root cause, not just where it hurts.
Whether you're dealing with a weekend-warrior strain, a competitive throwing injury, or recovering from surgery, our board-certified OCS specialists build a program around your specific anatomy, activity level, and goals.
Rotator Cuff Tears & Tendinopathy
Partial and full-thickness tears, as well as chronic tendinopathy from repetitive overhead activity. Research shows structured PT often produces outcomes equivalent to surgery for many tear profiles. We assess the severity and build a progressive loading program to restore strength and function — with or without a surgical approach.
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
A cycle of progressive stiffness and pain that can last 1–3 years if poorly managed. Skilled manual therapy, targeted capsular stretching, and graded loading break the cycle faster and more completely than stretching alone. We've helped dozens of East Bay patients regain full overhead mobility.
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
Pain when lifting the arm — typically caused by poor scapular mechanics or a weakened rotator cuff allowing the humeral head to encroach on the subacromial space. We correct the movement dysfunction at its source rather than treating the symptom with passive modalities.
Labral Tears (SLAP & Bankart)
The labrum stabilizes the shoulder joint and is commonly injured in throwers, swimmers, and contact sport athletes. We treat both conservatively-managed tears and post-surgical labral repairs with protocols matched to your surgery type, timeline, and sport-specific return goals.
Rotator Cuff Repair Rehab
The quality of post-surgical rehabilitation determines your final outcome as much as the surgery itself. We follow evidence-based protocols — respecting tissue healing timelines while progressing strength and function as quickly as safely possible. We coordinate directly with your surgeon.
Total Shoulder Replacement Rehab
Anatomic and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty each require distinct rehabilitation approaches. We understand the biomechanical differences and build structured recovery programs to restore range of motion, strength, and daily function after joint replacement.
Shoulder Dislocation & Subluxation
Recurrent instability after a dislocation is largely preventable with the right rehabilitation. We rebuild dynamic stability through progressive rotator cuff and periscapular strengthening, reducing recurrence risk whether you choose surgery or conservative management.
AC Joint Sprains & Separations
Acromioclavicular injuries from falls, collisions, or direct contact. We manage Grades I–III conservatively with structured rehabilitation that restores pain-free overhead function and protects the joint from re-injury.
Postural & "Tech Neck" Shoulder Pain
Hours at a screen in Oakland's tech corridor create predictable patterns: rounded shoulders, elevated traps, and anterior capsule tightness. We address posture, thoracic mobility, and scapular stability together — because isolated shoulder stretches don't fix a whole-body posture problem.
How We Treat Shoulder Pain at OSO
Full Kinetic Chain Assessment
We don't just look at your shoulder — we look at your thoracic spine mobility, scapular control, hip rotation, and cervical mechanics. The shoulder is the end point of a long kinetic chain, and dysfunction anywhere along it shows up as shoulder pain. This is the assessment most clinics skip because it takes time they don't have.
Precise Manual Therapy
Joint mobilization of the glenohumeral joint, sternoclavicular joint, and thoracic spine — combined with soft tissue work and neural mobilization — to restore pain-free range of motion quickly. Manual therapy is a tool that creates a window for better movement, not a passive treatment you need indefinitely.
Scapular Stability & Rotator Cuff Loading
The scapula is the platform the rotator cuff works from. Without proper scapular control — serratus anterior, lower trapezius, rhomboids — rotator cuff strengthening produces incomplete results. We train both in the right sequence, using The Training Station's full facility for cables, bands, and free weights.
Returning to paddling on San Francisco Bay, pitching in an East Bay adult baseball league, swimming at Encinal Beach, or pressing overhead in the weight room all require different end-stage progressions. We don't discharge you at "functional" — we get you all the way back to performing.
We Speak Your Sport
Every sport places unique demands on the shoulder. Our OCS specialists have treated competitive and recreational athletes across the full East Bay sporting community.
Swimmers - Freestyle, butterfly, and overuse injuries from pool volume
Throwers & Pitchers - Baseball, softball, and overhead mechanics for arm health
Tennis & Pickleball - Serve mechanics, lateral epicondyle, and shoulder health
Weightlifters & CrossFit - Overhead pressing, snatches, and pain-free bench mechanics
The Difference One-on-One
Specialist Care Makes
Most shoulder pain takes longer to resolve than it should — not because it's complicated, but because the treatment model doesn't allow enough time for proper assessment and active rehabilitation.
| OSO Physical Therapy | Typical In-Network PT | |
|---|---|---|
| Time with PT per visit | 60 full minutes | 15–20 minutes |
| Board certification (OCS) | Both therapists OCS certified | Rarely available |
| Same PT every visit | Always | Varies, often aides |
| Full gym access for rehab | The Training Station facility | Mat table & therabands |
| Scapulature Muscle Strength Testing | Every evaluation | Rarely, not enough time |
| Sport-specific return programming | Built into every plan | Discharge at "functional" |
The Team Behind Your Recovery
Both OSO physical therapists are Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialists (OCS) with 10 years of combined shoulder experience. You see the same specialist, every visit, start to finish.
Dan Hirai, PT, DPT, OCS
Board Certified Orthopedics · 10 Years · Alameda Resident
Dan has served the East Bay for over a decade, working alongside leading orthopedic surgeons on complex shoulder cases including total shoulder arthroplasty, multi-ligament instability, and elite throwing athletes. His manual therapy expertise and kinetic chain assessment approach set OSO's clinical standard.
Ben Fedewa, PT, DPT, OCS
Board Certified Orthopedics · Overhead & Throwing Specialist
Ben's shoulder expertise spans post-surgical rotator cuff and labral repair, weightlifting mechanics, and return-to-sport programming for overhead athletes. As a competitive weightlifter himself, he understands what it takes to get back under the bar — and builds programs that get you there safely and completely.
Patient Reviews
What Our Patients Say
"Dan has been a great fit for my challenging rehab case and a pleasure to work with. He shows such kindness and patience in listening to his patient's concerns, while also being extremely knowledgeable in putting together a recovery plan and updating it during sessions. From every single session, I come away amazed with how much I learn."
"Dan is incredibly knowledgeable and truly understands the mechanics of the human body. He adapts every session in real-time based on how I'm feeling, rather than just following a generic routine. He understands that everything is connected and isn't afraid to work on different parts of the body to get to the root of the issue."
"OSO is an easy drive from Orinda. The team is very customer-focused and really takes the time to understand what's going on instead of running you through a routine. They focus on fixing the root of the issue, not just the symptoms. Highly recommend."
Common Questions About
Shoulder Physical Therapy
Do I need a referral to see a shoulder specialist?
No. California allows direct access to physical therapy — you can start treatment without a physician referral. During your free phone screen, our OCS specialists will determine whether PT is the right first step for your specific condition and whether imaging is warranted.
Can physical therapy fix a rotator cuff tear without surgery?
For many rotator cuff tears — particularly partial-thickness tears and smaller full-thickness tears — physical therapy is highly effective and can avoid surgery entirely. Research shows structured PT produces outcomes comparable to surgical repair for a significant portion of patients. A board-certified OCS will assess your specific tear profile and recommend the most appropriate path.
How long does shoulder physical therapy take?
Impingement and minor rotator cuff strains typically see significant improvement in 4–8 sessions. Post-surgical rehab (rotator cuff repair, labral repair, total shoulder replacement) generally requires 12–24 sessions depending on the procedure and your goals. OSO's 60-minute one-on-one model delivers more therapeutic work per visit than a standard clinic, meaning faster overall progress with fewer total visits.
Is physical therapy better than a cortisone injection for shoulder pain?
They serve different purposes and work well together. An injection reduces acute inflammation and provides a window of reduced pain. Physical therapy addresses the underlying mechanical cause — poor scapular control, rotator cuff weakness, movement dysfunction — that created the problem. Combining an injection to reduce pain with immediate active PT often produces better and more lasting outcomes than either alone.
Do you treat overhead athletes and throwers?
Yes — this is one of our specialties. Throwers, swimmers, volleyball players, and weightlifters place demands on the shoulder that require sport-specific assessment and programming. We evaluate the full kinetic chain from hip rotation to scapular control to arm path, and build return-to-sport programs specific to your activity and competition level.
Do you accept insurance?
OSO is an out-of-network provider. We don't bill insurance directly, but provide a detailed superbill for you to submit for potential reimbursement. FSA and HSA payments are accepted. Most patients find that fewer, higher-quality sessions with a board-certified specialist costs less overall than an extended course of in-network care.
