Shoulder pain hits 38% of pickleball players over 50 in Niagara.
It’s not age – it’s Upper Crossed Syndrome, keep on reading to find out how St. Catharines chiropractor Dr. David Harper will
fix it for good!
Imagine, you finish a great morning of pickleball at the St. Catharines YMCA or Grantham Lions Park, high-five your partner, and
then… ouch. That deep ache in your shoulder kicks in. By evening you can barely lift your arm overhead to grab a plate. Sound
familiar? You’re not "just getting old.” You’ve got Upper Crossed Syndrome (UCS) – the silent posture killer that 38% of
pickleball players over 50 battle every season.
And Why Pickleball Makes It Worse?
UCS happens when daily life plus pickleball create a vicious cycle:
Tight & overactive muscles
- Chest (pecs)
- Upper traps & levator scapulae
- Neck extensors
Weak & inhibited muscles
- Deep neck flexors
- Lower traps
- Serratus anterior & rhomboids
Result? Forward head posture (every inch forward = +60 lbs of stress on your neck), rounded shoulders, and a pinched rotator
cuff every time you swing.
Pickleball accelerates the damage because:
- You’re constantly reaching, flicking, and serving with one arm dominant
- Poor thoracic (mid-back) rotation forces your shoulder to do extra work
- Fatigue → slumped posture between points → even less scapular control
Left alone, it leads to rotator cuff tears, impingement, frozen shoulder, and months off the court.
The St. Catharines Chiropractic Fix That Actually Works (Not Just Ice & Rest)
The chiropractor worth their salt won’t adjust your neck and call it a day. They attack UCS from all angles and Dr. Harper’s
has an exact protocol proven protocol.
- Restore thoracic spine mobility – gentle adjustments + mobility drills open up mid-back rotation so your shoulder stops
compensating
- Release the tight muscles – Active Release Technique®, Graston, or dry needling on pecs, upper traps, and levators
- Wake up the weak ones – targeted lower trap, rhomboid, and serratus activation exercises (Y-W-T raises, scapular wall
slides)
- Re-train movement patterns – video analysis of your serve + on-court posture resets
- Maintenance tune-ups – monthly or bi-weekly visits during the season keep you moving freely
Players who follow this full program report 80–90% pain reduction in 4–6 weeks and dramatically better overhead power.
Maverick Health Centre – Dr. David Harper is the shoulder guru!
Your 30-Day "Pain-Free Overhead” Home Plan (Start Tonight)
- Pec doorway stretch – 3 × 30 seconds each side, twice daily
- Chin tucks – 3 × 10 reps to fire deep neck flexors
- Y-W-T raises on floor – 3 × 12 (no weights first week)
- Foam roll mid-back – 2 minutes nightly
- Posture check every time you sit down – ears over shoulders, shoulders over hips
Do this and book an initial assessment - most players feel major relief in 2–3 weeks.
So what are you waiting for? Fix the pattern, free the shoulder, and get back to smashing overheads like you’re 35 again.
Visit Dr Harper without delay!