Episode #95 How We Reset Pain Patterns After a Crushing Shoulder Hit

A real NFL shoulder case gets broken down in real time, and the takeaway is bigger than imaging. When an athlete gets hit on the same side as a previous clavicle and AC joint repair, but X-ray and CT come back negative, what actually explains the pain? Dr. Pawen Dhokal and Dr. Dustin Glass map out the mechanical, muscular, and nervous system pieces that can keep an athlete hurting long after the “structural” tests say he’s fine.They trace how a clean-looking hit can still trigger posterior shoulder and front-of-clavicle pain, why deep breathing can reproduce symptoms, and how old injuries can change scapular mechanics in ways that are easy to miss if you only chase the obvious spot. You’ll hear them work through range of motion, trigger points, first rib findings, bicep involvement, scapular dyskinesis, and why the long thoracic nerve test matters when the shoulder blade starts winging. Dr. Glass shares what he found on exam, what he ruled out, and how he approached treatment with adjustments, active release, and targeted homework to restore motion and calm the pain pattern. Dr. Dhokal adds the broader clinical lens, including how soft tissue work, breathing, and reassurance can change the experience of pain as much as the physical treatment itself.You’ll discover:   - Why negative imaging does not always mean the problem is gone   - How to think about pain mechanically after an old injury gets reinjured   - What scapular dyskinesis can look like in a high-level contact athlete   - How to tell the difference between a new nerve issue and an old compensated pattern   - Why explaining safety to the nervous system can unlock better movement   This episode is a must-listen for sports medicine clinicians, chiropractors, PTs, athletic trainers, and anyone who works with injured athletes who keep saying, “I know something is off.” If you want a realistic, practical look at how to think beyond the scan and into the mechanics of pain, this conversation delivers. Available on all platforms including Apple & Spotify.  Follow and watch us on Instagram, Tik Tok, & You Tube!  IG & Tik Tok: @SecondOpinionSportsMed