Shoulder Pain Physical Therapy in Wilmington, NC
Stop letting shoulder pain keep you from the gym, the field, or the activities you love. At Conquer Movement, we help active adults in Wilmington overcome shoulder injuries and return to pressing, lifting, and overhead work with confidence—no generic exercises or one-size-fits-all approaches.
You're Ready to Move Beyond These Frustrations
Pain With Every Press or Lift
Your shoulder aches during overhead movements, bench press, or even reaching for something on a high shelf.
Workouts You Can't Finish
You're modifying exercises or skipping upper body days entirely because your shoulder just won't cooperate.
Fear of Making It Worse
You're holding back in training, worried that one wrong move will set you back even further or cause permanent damage.
Get Back to Full Strength Without Fear of Re-Injury
We don't just treat your shoulder pain—we identify why it's happening and build a plan to fix it for good. Our approach combines hands-on manual therapy with targeted strengthening to restore your range of motion, eliminate pain, and get you back to peak performance.
Pinpoint the root cause of your shoulder dysfunction, not just the symptoms
Keep you active during recovery with smart modifications to your training
Build strength and stability so your shoulder can handle the demands you place on it
"I came to Conquer Movement with extreme pain during shoulder pressing and was treated by Dr. Kylie!
Dr. Kylie looked at my shoulder press and showed me that I was missing mobility in my upper back and strength in my stabilizer muscles.
Now I am lifting heavier than ever on all of my upper body lifts! I cannot recommend coming here enough!"
Simple Steps to Get Back to You
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Discovery call to learn about your shoulder pain, your training goals, and see if we're the right fit.
Come In for an Initial Evaluation
Comprehensive 60-minute assessment where we analyze your movement patterns and create your personalized treatment plan.
Get a Custom Plan to Conquer Your Movement
Begin your guided journey back to pain-free pressing, lifting, and overhead work—stronger than before.
Common Shoulder Issues We Help Athletes Overcome
From rotator cuff injuries to impingement pain, we've helped hundreds of active individuals in Wilmington get back to the activities they love. Here are some of the most common shoulder conditions we treat:
Rotator cuff strains and tears
Shoulder impingement and bursitis
Pain with overhead pressing and lifting
Labral tears and instability
Frozen shoulder and limited range of motion
Post-surgical shoulder rehabilitation
Success Stories from Wilmington Athletes
Meet Our Team
Steven has spent the past 10 years treating in a sports medicine model, helping those suffering from sports and work related injuries. He is passionate about using his advanced background to help his clients reduce their risk of injury and perform at an optimal level. His goal is to help people relieve their pain, optimize performance, and ultimately become the best version of themselves. Dr. Solecki never wants a client to have to say “No, I can’t…” when it comes to performing an activity they love.
When Steven isn’t working you can find him training jiu-jitsu, working out, hanging at the beach, and exploring all Wilmington has to offer with his dog, Charli.
Dr. Cohen graduated summa cum laude from Northeastern University with her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and Sports Strength & Conditioning concentration in 2017. A former elite tennis player and certified personal trainer, she brings both athletic experience and clinical expertise to her practice.
Dr. Cohen's holistic approach examines movement patterns, functional strength, and lifestyle factors to identify the root cause of pain. She combines manual therapy techniques—including dry needling and soft tissue release—with targeted exercise programs to restore optimal movement and performance.
Since moving to Wilmington in 2021, Dr. Cohen has specialized in treating active individuals, including three years working inside a CrossFit gym. She's passionate about keeping athletes in their sport and helping them return stronger than before. When not in the clinic, you'll find her lifting weights, paddleboarding, or exploring Wilmington with her husband and dog, Piper.
Dr. Evan Langley is a passionate Physical Therapist dedicated to helping active adults return to the field and gym. With a deep-rooted passion for sports and movement, he combines his in-depth knowledge of strength and conditioning with his Physical Therapy expertise to provide a comprehensive approach to patient care.
A graduate of Wingate University, Evan holds both a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. His collegiate lacrosse career and subsequent certification as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) provide him with a unique perspective on injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance optimization.
Evan recently relocated to Wilmington, NC in March 2024 and is excited to serve the local community. Outside of the clinic, he enjoys an active lifestyle that includes weightlifting, gaming, and outdoor adventures.
After serving in the Marine Corps, Nick established himself as a certified personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach specializing in corrective exercise. At Conquer Movement, he serves as our Client Care Coordinator, overseeing daily operations and ensuring every patient receives exceptional care throughout their treatment journey.
Nick's focus on efficient scheduling, excellent customer service, and facility management creates a positive, supportive environment for all our clients. When not at work, he enjoys outdoor activities, volunteers at Cape Fear Equine Rescue, and pursues hobbies including hunting, leatherworking, and bushcraft.
Ready to Overcome Your Shoulder Pain?
Don't let shoulder pain keep you from the active life you want. Our team of movement experts in Wilmington is ready to help you get back to pressing, lifting, and training without limitations.
We're conveniently located near Wrightsville Beach and Mayfaire, just minutes from downtown Wilmington off Wrightsville Avenue.
Frequently Asked Questions
At Conquer Movement, our shoulder pain treatment is specifically designed for active adults and athletes who want to return to their sport or training. We don't just focus on reducing pain—we analyze your specific movements (like pressing, overhead lifting, or throwing) to identify the root cause of your shoulder dysfunction. Our approach combines hands-on manual therapy, including dry needling and soft tissue work, with performance-based strengthening exercises tailored to your goals. Every session is a full 60 minutes one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy who understands the demands of your activity.
Absolutely! We believe in keeping you as active as possible throughout your recovery. During your initial evaluation, we'll assess which movements are safe and which need to be modified temporarily. We'll provide specific guidance on how to adjust your training—whether that means changing grip width, reducing load, or substituting certain exercises. Our goal is to keep you in the gym or on the field while we fix the underlying issue. Many of our clients continue lifting and training throughout their entire treatment, just with smart modifications.
Recovery time varies based on the severity of your injury, how long you've had the pain, and your specific goals. On average, our patients see significant improvement within 4-8 sessions over 6-12 weeks. Some clients with acute injuries (like a recent rotator cuff strain) may feel better in just 3-4 weeks, while chronic shoulder issues or post-surgical cases may take 8-12 weeks. During your initial evaluation, we'll provide a realistic timeline based on your specific condition and what we find during our assessment.
No! In North Carolina, you have direct access to physical therapy, which means you can come see us without a physician referral. If you're experiencing shoulder pain, you can schedule directly with us and we'll get you started on your recovery right away. However, if we identify anything during your evaluation that requires imaging or additional medical intervention, we'll refer you to the appropriate specialist.
Your first appointment is a comprehensive 60-minute evaluation. We'll start by discussing your medical history, how your shoulder pain started, what activities make it worse, and what your specific goals are. Then we'll perform a thorough physical assessment that includes testing your shoulder range of motion, strength, stability, and movement patterns. We'll also look at related areas like your upper back, neck, and shoulder blade mechanics since these often contribute to shoulder pain. By the end of the session, you'll have a clear understanding of what's causing your pain and a personalized treatment plan to fix it. We'll often begin treatment during this first visit if appropriate.
Still have questions?
We're here to help you understand how our approach can work for your specific shoulder pain and goals.