What Causes Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder pain can come from the shoulder joint itself, the muscles and tendons around it (including the rotator cuff), or from the neck and upper back referring discomfort into the shoulder. Common contributors include repetitive overhead work, sports, poor posture, sleeping awkwardly, and past injuries. Evaluating which of these applies to you changes what care makes sense.
What Are Common Shoulder Symptoms?
- Pain with reaching, lifting or overhead movements
- Stiffness and reduced range of motion
- Weakness or a sense of instability
- Aching that wakes you at night
- Pain that seems to travel from the neck into the shoulder blade
When Should You Seek Medical Care?
Seek care promptly for shoulder pain after a significant injury, an inability to lift the arm, visible deformity, or progressive weakness. Shoulder pain with chest pain, shortness of breath or fever requires urgent medical attention.
How Does Evaluation Work?
An evaluation reviews your activities and history, then tests how the shoulder moves, where it is painful and how the neck participates. The team explains what the findings suggest and whether chiropractic care, potentially including adjustments of the shoulder and spine, is appropriate for you.
What Treatment Approaches May Be Used?
Mobility and adjustment. Gentle techniques to improve movement where the shoulder and spine are restricted.
Rehabilitation. Targeted strengthening and movement retraining, especially for the rotator cuff and scapular muscles, supports lasting improvement.
Supportive therapies. Shockwave therapy and cold laser therapy can help with stubborn soft tissue problems as part of a broader plan.
What Should You Expect?
Shoulder problems are rarely fixed in one visit. A realistic plan usually involves consistency over several weeks, with clear milestones. The team will tell you what is realistic for your condition and adjust the plan based on your response.
The clinic serves patients from downtown Orlando, SoDo, Lake Nona, Winter Park, Conway, Belle Isle, Edgewood and Maitland. See the Orlando location page for directions.