If your child plays a sport that involves throwing or overhead movements — cricket, tee-ball, baseball, softball, tennis, netball, basketball, or water polo — you’ve probably seen them out there training hard, trying their best, and giving everything they’ve got.
But over the past few weeks, maybe you’ve noticed something else.
They’ve started rubbing their shoulder more often.
Complaining after training.
Wincing after a serve or a throw.
Or they’ve simply said, “My shoulder is a bit sore.”
As a parent, it’s confusing.
Is this just normal growing pain?
Should they push through it?
Or could this be something that affects their long-term development or time in sport?
You want to make the right call — one that protects their health without holding them back unnecessarily.
The good news is: shoulder pain in young throwers is extremely common — and very treatable — when addressed early.
This article will help you understand why it happens, what signs to look for, and how physiotherapy can assist your child to recover, build resilience, and continue playing the sport they love — safely and confidently.
Why Shoulder Pain Happens in Young Athletes
The shoulder is a remarkable joint — designed to move in many directions, rotate, reach overhead, throw, and generate power.
But in kids and teens, the shoulder is also still developing.
Muscles, tendons, growth plates, and coordination patterns are all adapting as they grow. When a sport involves repetition of the same powerful overhead movement, like:
Bowling a cricket ball
Serving in tennis
Throwing and pitching in baseball/softball/tee-ball
Overhead passing/shooting in netball or basketball
Repeated throwing in water polo
… the shoulder can become overloaded faster than it can recover.
This isn’t usually a “one big moment” injury — it’s more like the shoulder quietly saying:
“I’m doing too much, too soon, without enough support.”
That’s where pain begins.
Common Causes of Shoulder Pain in Young Throwers
1. Too Much, Too Soon
Sudden increases in training load — more sessions, more throws, more competitions — place stress on the shoulder that the body hasn’t yet adapted to.
2. Weak Supporting Muscles
Throwing power doesn’t just come from the shoulder — it comes from the shoulder blade, core, and hips working together.
If these areas aren’t strong enough, the small muscles around the shoulder try to do all the work — and get irritated.
3. Growth Spurts
When bones lengthen faster than muscles strengthen, coordination temporarily changes. Movements can feel harder or less controlled — leading to strain.
4. Technique or Posture Issues
Forward-rolled shoulders (common from school and screen time) make overhead movement more stressful.
Small technique errors in serving, bowling, or throwing can also accumulate into irritation.
5. Lack of Rest and Recovery
Young athletes often play multiple sports or train year-round. Without rest days or off-season strength development, tissues fatigue and become more vulnerable.
The important message:
These issues are not signs your child is weak or doing something wrong.
They are signs their body is working hard and needs support.
When It’s More Than Just “Growing Pains”
Some soreness after activity can be normal.
But if pain is:
Persistent for more than a few days
Getting worse instead of improving
Limiting their ability to throw, serve, or lift their arm overhead
Causing them to change how they move
Leading to clicking, weakness, or loss of power
…it’s time to have it assessed.
Kids rarely complain to stop sport — they complain when something is genuinely bothering them.
Early physio intervention helps avoid:
Long-term irritation
Compensated movement patterns
Missed training time
Loss of confidence in play
How Physiotherapy Helps Young Throwers Recover and Stay Strong
At Adaptive Physiotherapy & Massage, we work with many young athletes from Booragoon, Melville, Myaree, Applecross, and surrounding areas, especially those in cricket, tennis, netball, basketball, and tee-ball.
Here’s how we support them:
1. Thorough Assessment
We look at:
Shoulder strength and control
Scapular (shoulder blade) stability
Core and hip contribution to throwing
Throwing/serving/bowling mechanics
Posture, movement habits, and recovery routines
This ensures we treat the cause, not just the pain.
2. Hands-On Treatment
To reduce irritation and improve mobility:
Soft tissue release
Joint mobilisation
Massage to overworked areas
Dry needling if appropriate
3. Targeted Strength & Stability Training
This is where the real change happens.
We build the muscles that protect the shoulder:
Rotator cuff strength
Scapular stabilisers
Core and hip strength for throw power
This improves both performance and durability.
4. Technique & Movement Coaching
We help the child understand how to use their shoulder safely — without relying on pain-masking or guesswork.
5. Gradual Return-to-Sport Plan
No abrupt stopping unless necessary.
We guide them back to play with:
Clear progressions
Load adjustments
Coach-friendly communication
Confidence building along the way
Many of our young athletes return to sport stronger than before they were injured.
Simple Shoulder-Protection Strategies Parents Can Use Today
Make sure your child has at least 1–2 rest days per week
Encourage movement variety — not just the same sport drills over and over
Warm-ups should include activation, not just jogging
Resistance band shoulder exercises
Scapular control drills
Strength training is good for kids — especially under physio supervision
If pain persists more than a few days, get it checked early
Early support is prevention, not overreacting.
Why Parents Trust Adaptive Physiotherapy & Massage with Their Child’s Recovery
We work with kids and teens every week across cricket, tennis, basketball, netball, water polo, and tee-ball
We understand the psychology of young athletes — and how important sport is to them
We communicate with parents, coaches, and (if needed) schools to create a coordinated plan
Our clinic environment is supportive, encouraging, and not intimidating
We focus on both recovery and performance, so your child returns with confidence and strength
This is what bridging the gap between rehab and performance looks like.
Conclusion: Early Support Keeps Kids in the Game
Shoulder pain doesn’t have to mean time away from sport — but ignoring it can.
If your child is complaining of shoulder discomfort, or if you’ve noticed subtle changes in how they throw or move, now is the ideal time to address it.
We’re here to help your young athlete:
Recover safely
Build lasting strength
Return to play with confidence
Book a physiotherapy assessment today at our Booragoon clinic.
Let’s help them feel strong, safe, and ready to play.
→ Call us or book online.
