Shoulder Physical Therapy in Northwest Indiana
One-on-one rehab for shoulder pain and injuries, from overhead athletes to active adults. We find what’s driving your pain, rebuild strength and control, and get you back to throwing, lifting and reaching without limits.
Book Your EvaluationQuestions first? Call (219) 533-7322Sound familiar?
We treat shoulders at every level, from youth and high school throwers to collegiate and professional athletes, lifters and active adults. Not an athlete? That’s okay. Everyone gets the same athlete-minded approach.
Pain reaching overhead
Reaching up, getting dressed or grabbing something off a shelf hurts more than it should.
Throwing or serving hurts
Your arm hurts when you throw, pitch, serve or swing, and it’s affecting how you play.
Pain when you lift
Pressing, pulling or carrying weight brings on shoulder pain that holds back your training.
Feels loose or unstable
Your shoulder feels like it slips, shifts or can’t be trusted in certain positions.
Can’t sleep on it
Shoulder pain wakes you up at night or keeps you from lying on that side.
Recovering from shoulder surgery
You want a clear plan from day one and someone guiding you all the way back.
Pain that keeps coming back
Rest helped for a while, but the pain returns as soon as you get back to it.
Not sure what to do next
Feeling lost or confused, with no clear plan or approach from another provider.
Shoulder conditions we treat
We treat shoulder pain and injuries of all kinds, before and after surgery.
Rotator cuff
- Rotator cuff strains & tears
- Rotator cuff tendon pain
- Shoulder impingement
- Bursitis
Instability
- Dislocations & subluxations
- Labral tears
- Loose or unstable shoulders
- AC joint sprains
Overhead athletes
- Throwing shoulder pain
- Pitcher & thrower arm care
- Volleyball & swimmer’s shoulder
- Elbow pain in throwers
Stiffness & surgery
- Frozen shoulder
- Rotator cuff & labrum repair rehab
- Shoulder replacement rehab
- Neck-related shoulder pain
Strength and control, not just rest
Most shoulder pain isn’t just about the shoulder. It often comes from weakness in the rotator cuff and shoulder blade, poor control overhead, or the way your whole body produces force. Rest can calm it down, but it doesn’t solve the root problem. We test your strength side to side, look at how you move, and build the strength and control that keeps you throwing, lifting and reaching.
Book your evaluation →How we treat it
A full hour, 1-on-1
Every visit is a full hour with your clinician, never split between multiple patients.
VALD ForceFrame testing
Measure rotator cuff and shoulder strength side to side so we know exactly what to work on.
In-house MSK ultrasound
Look at tendons and soft tissue right in the clinic, at rest and while you move.
Hands-on treatment
Soft tissue work, joint mobilizations, dry needling and more, when they fit your plan.
Overhead progressions
A step-by-step plan back to throwing, serving, swimming or lifting overhead.
Data-driven return
Testing tells us when your shoulder is ready, not just a date on the calendar.
Hear it from our patients
Real Proven Performance patients, in their own words.
Functional athlete · From ER-level neck and low back pain to pain-free
Firefighter · Shoulder replacement recovery
How getting started works
Book your evaluation
Send us your details. Our patient coordinator will reach out to answer questions and get you on the schedule.
1-on-1 evaluation
A thorough assessment of the injured area, how you move and how you train, so we understand what's going on and why.
Your plan back to sport
You'll leave with a clear, individualized plan to get back to running, lifting, training or competing.
Have insurance? Most of our patients do.
They use their out-of-network benefits with us, so every visit is a full hour, one-on-one with your therapist, never split between multiple patients. We provide detailed receipts you can submit to your insurance for possible out-of-network reimbursement paid directly to you, and after your first visit you’ll know your plan of care and total investment up front.
- HSA
- FSA
- HRA
- Cherry financing
- CareCredit
- In-house payment plans
Patients travel to us from all over
We’re based in Merrillville, and patients come to us from across Northwest Indiana, Chicagoland and Southwest Michigan. Some travel from as far as Milwaukee and the Indianapolis area.
Shoulder physical therapy questions
Do I need a doctor’s referral?
No. Indiana lets you see a physical therapist directly, so you can book your evaluation and get started without a referral. If your care continues past 42 days, Indiana requires a referral to keep going, and we’ll coordinate that with your doctor for you.
I’m not an athlete. Can you still help me?
Yes. We work with active adults, weekend warriors and people recovering from surgery, not just competitive athletes. Everyone gets the same athlete-minded approach: a clear goal, objective testing and a plan built to get you back to the things you love doing.
Do I need an MRI before starting?
No. You don’t need imaging to get started. We’ll do a thorough evaluation, and if something needs a closer look, we’ll help you get to the right provider.
Can you help after shoulder surgery?
Yes. We follow your surgeon’s guidelines and communicate with them directly, so we can get you started as soon as possible and guide you all the way back to full strength.
How long is each visit?
Every session is a full hour, one-on-one with your clinician.
Do you take insurance?
We’re an out-of-network clinic. Most of our patients have insurance and use their out-of-network benefits with us. We accept HSA, FSA and HRA, offer Cherry financing, CareCredit and in-house payment plans, and provide detailed receipts you can submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement.
Where are you located?
5210 E 81st Ave, Merrillville, IN 46410. Patients travel to us from all over Northwest Indiana, Chicagoland and Southwest Michigan, including Crown Point, Valparaiso, Dyer, Schererville, St. John, Cedar Lake, Lowell, Hobart, Portage, Chesterton, La Porte, Rensselaer and Chicago.
Book your evaluation
Leave your name, phone and email and our Patient Care Coordinator will reach out within 3–5 minutes during business hours, often sooner, to answer your questions and get you scheduled.
Proven Performance Physical Therapy
5210 E 81st Ave, Merrillville, IN 46410
Serving Northwest Indiana