Sore, stiff or slumped shoulders? Relieve pain and realign posture with non-invasive chiropractic care.
Shoulder pain, whether it manifests as a dull ache, a shooting sensation, or a tingle that travels down your arm, is a common condition – but it doesn’t have to get in the way of your day-to-day life. A chiropractor for shoulder pain can help you to feel better naturally.
At Chiropractic Plus, we understand the intricate network of muscles, bones, nerves, and ligaments within your shoulders. That’s why our team takes a holistic approach to caring for shoulder pain, recognising the interconnectedness of your body’s systems. We don’t just focus on the symptoms; we delve deep to find the root cause of your discomfort, whether it’s due to a traumatic injury, degenerative conditions, or even poor posture.
Causes of shoulder pain
Strains & sprains
Shoulder injuries are the most common cause of shoulder pain. Activities like strenuous gardening, contact sports and heavy lifting carry a risk of accidents that can involve physical trauma. If you strain, sprain or damage your shoulder in any way, you may experience significant pain that worsens over time without appropriate care.
Frozen shoulder
Frozen shoulder, also known as Adhesive capsulitis, occurs when the shoulder’s connective tissue thickens and constricts around the joint. This condition typically develops following an injury that limits shoulder mobility over time.
Swelling, tightening, or thickening of tissues in this area leads to painful stiffness that restricts shoulder movement. In turn, you might struggle with basic tasks, and in severe cases, lose the ability to move your shoulder at all.
Dislocated shoulder
The shoulder joint is made up of the humerus, scapula, and clavicle, and it’s supposed to fit together like a ball and socket. Common in contact sports, a dislocated shoulder is when your upper arm bone (the humerus) pops out of its socket.
This can cause intense pain, tingling & numbness, especially if your nerves are affected. Sometimes, your shoulder might click or lock. Importantly, once your shoulder has popped out once, it is more likely to happen again. If it does not fit right or is unstable, your shoulder may slip out or become completely dislocated. To avoid this, consider seeking chiropractic care.
Uneven shoulders
When one shoulder sits higher than the other, they’re considered to be uneven. Ranging from practically indiscernible to very noticeable, this difference can be caused by poor posture, muscle imbalances, nerve injuries and physical trauma.
In turn, you might feel pain in your neck, shoulders, and lower back, especially if you have other body imbalances. Your higher shoulder could feel tight or strained. You might notice your shoulders rolling forward and your head not aligning with your pelvis. Conditions like headaches, bursitis, and tendonitis can also develop. A chiropractor for uneven shoulders may be able to help you realign your posture and relieve pain.
Pinched nerve
Injury, illness & poor posture in the neck or shoulder joint can cause nerves to get caught or compressed. When this happens, whether it’s the main branching nerve or the smaller ones stemming from it, you may experience pain, numbness, & a tingling sensation in your hands, arms, & shoulder.
Arthritis
Arthritis can occur as a result of wear and tear, as seen in osteoarthritis, or stem from an autoimmune disorder, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Irrespective of its origin, arthritis often leads to pain and inflammation in your shoulder, hindering movement and reducing the range of motion.
Rotator cuff injury
One of the most common causes of shoulder pain, a rotator cuff injury can vary from a slight irritation to a complete tear. This injury may develop gradually due to mechanical wear and tear on the muscles, or happen suddenly due to trauma, like in a car accident. Whatever the cause, rotator cuff injuries can spark persistent pain that a chiropractor for shoulder pain may be able to alleviate.
Shoulder bursitis
Bursitis develops when the fluid-filled capsule in your shoulder is inflamed or irritated. This often happens at the joint between the humerus and glenoid cavity. The pain from bursitis can escalate over time, severely limiting the movement of your shoulder. Restricted mobility might even result in a frozen shoulder. Thankfully, a chiropractor for shoulder bursitis can help you to target the cause, improve your range of motion and restore your comfort.
Tendonitis
Shoulder tendonitis refers to inflammation and irritation of the tendons in either your biceps or rotator cuff. It tends to affect people with jobs involving repetitive movements, as well as professional athletes who frequently repeat certain motions during practice or games. Tendon injuries are known for being exceptionally painful and taking a long time to heal, but our chiropractors for shoulder pain are here to help.
Chiropractic care for shoulder pain
Not sure what’s causing your discomfort?
Your shoulder pain chiropractor will perform a physical assessment to pinpoint its source and prepare a personalised care plan that includes suitable chiropractic adjustments.
Articulatory technique
The articulatory technique attempts to improve your shoulder’s mobility by guiding the joint through its current range of motion and then applying a gradual force to extend it further. Pain may gradually subside as you expand this range of motion over time.
Myofascial release
Tight connective tissues can play a role in painful conditions like frozen shoulder. Myofascial release is a soft tissue technique that can release tension around the shoulder joint, enhance the range of motion and soothe pain. It involves applying continuous pressure to the tissue barrier, followed by stretching of tense or stiff areas.
Cervical spinal manipulation
An imbalance in the cervical spine can lead to referred shoulder pain. Cervical spinal manipulation aims to restore balance to the cervical vertebrae and reduce pressure on pinched nerves. In turn, this can relieve pain and promote a quicker recovery.
Functional technique
The functional technique can combat stiffness and enhance your shoulder’s range of motion. A chiropractor will gently move your shoulder to its maximum range and hold it in this position. This subtle pressure eases your joint capsule to reduce rigidity and pain.
Direct thrust technique
If they feel it may be beneficial for reducing your discomfort, a chiropractor for shoulder pain might use the direct thrust technique on another area of your body. This short, swift and safe movement can help to realign your spine.
Shoulder stretches
Stretching extends your muscles to ease pain and release tension. With a prescribed routine from a chiropractor for shoulder pain, these controlled movements can help you alleviate discomfort and improve flexibility at home.
Improve range of motion and alleviate pain naturally with a chiropractor for shoulder pain
Book AppointmentMeet our team
Meet our friendly team of massage therapists, chiropractors & support / management staff!
Dr John Bricker
Chiropractor
Dr Clairemarie Wilson
Chiropractor
Dr Peter Collins
Chiropractor
Dr Matthew Hoffmann
ChiropractorFrequently Asked Questions
Have questions about your next visit? We have you covered!
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Can a chiropractor help with shoulder popping?
Yes. A chiropractor may be able to help with shoulder popping in some cases, depending on its cause. As well as performing appropriate adjustments, our highly-trained shoulder chiropractors may recommend routine exercises that are easy to perform at home or work.
To make an appointment with a chiropractor for shoulder pain, call our friendly team today in New Lambton or Warners Bay.
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Can a chiropractor help with shoulder pain?
Yes, a chiropractor can help with shoulder pain in many cases. Shoulder pain is often due to irritation or tension in your nerves, ligaments, tendons and muscles. Depending on the cause, chiropractic care is a natural, non-invasive and specific way to alleviate pressure and discomfort in these areas.
A 2011 review¹ suggests that manual and manipulative therapy can target a range of conditions that impact the shoulder, including rotator cuff and soft tissue disorders.
Additionally, a 2012 study² reports that patients with frozen shoulder syndrome experienced a reduction in symptoms after receiving chiropractic care.
Meanwhile, myofascial therapy has been shown to lessen symptoms of chronic shoulder pain in some patients³. Research also indicates that a chiropractor for shoulder pain may be able to help lower the risk of repeated shoulder dislocation⁴.
To learn more about chiropractic care for shoulder pain, book an appointment with the highly qualified team at Chiropractic Plus today.
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What happens in a chiropractic appointment for shoulder pain?
At your first visit to a chiropractor for shoulder pain, we’ll review your full medical history and conduct a thorough physical examination to assess the joint’s range of motion and identify any misalignments. If required, we might also request X-rays to check for any underlying issues that could affect your care.
Then we’ll discuss the findings with you and, if necessary, propose a personalised treatment plan tailored to alleviate your symptoms and support your spinal health.
Your comfort is our priority throughout this entire process. We’ll explain the recommended techniques in detail and answer any questions you may have.
To book an appointment for chiropractic care, get in touch with our dedicated team in Newcastle today.
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How long will it take to feel better after visiting a chiropractor for shoulder pain?
Generally, our patients tend to notice a reduction in pain within one to four weeks of chiropractic shoulder adjustments. That said, how soon you experience pain relief will depend on a range of factors, such as:
- The specific condition in question
- The frequency of your sessions
- Any additional health issues you may be experiencing
- Your overall health when beginning chiropractic care
- Whether you are undergoing physical therapy or other modalities
During your first appointment, your chiropractor will discuss your needs, assess your shoulder and recommend a personalised care plan. We can also provide you with an estimated timeline for pain relief.
References
- James W. Brantingham, Tammy Kay Cassa, Debra Bonnefin, Muffit Jensen, Gary Globe, Marian Hicks, Charmaine Korporaal. Manipulative Therapy for Shoulder Pain and Disorders: Expansion of a Systematic Review. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Volume 34, Issue 5, 2011, ISSN 0161-4754, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2011.04.002
- Francis X. Murphy, Michael W. Hall, Louis D’Amico, Anne M. Jensen. Chiropractic management of frozen shoulder syndrome using a novel technique a retrospective case series of 50 patients. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, Volume 11, Issue 4, 2012, ISSN 1556-3707, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcm.2012.07.001
- Guy Hains, Martin Descarreaux, François Hains, Chronic Shoulder Pain of Myofascial Origin: A Randomized Clinical Trial Using Ischemic Compression Therapy. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Volume 33, Issue 5, 2010, ISSN 0161-4754, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2010.05.003
- Murthi, A. M. & Ramirez, M. A. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Volume 20, Issue 10, 2012, 615-622. https://doi.org/10.5435/JAAOS-20-10-615
