Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain gets in the way of things you never thought twice about. Reaching for your seat belt, putting on a jacket, washing your hair, or lifting a bag into the back seat. Sleeping on that side might be out of the question. At Hanson Chiropractic Center, we see a lot of sore shoulders, and most of them come from a handful of common problems we can work on.

Where does it hurt?

Where the pain shows up tells us a lot. Pain on the outside of your shoulder that gets worse when you reach overhead usually points to the rotator cuff, the group of tendons that holds the joint together. Pain across the top of the shoulder or along your shoulder blade often comes from your neck or upper back. And a shoulder that feels stuck, so you can't raise your arm even when you try, may be a frozen shoulder.

Some people feel all of it at once, which is why we check your neck, upper back, and shoulder blade along with the shoulder itself.

What causes shoulder pain

The shoulder moves in more directions than any other joint, so it's easy to strain. Painting a ceiling, throwing a ball, a weekend of yard work, or a new workout can all irritate the tendons. So can years of sitting with your shoulders rounded forward at a desk, which pinches the space the tendons slide through.

Falls and old injuries play a part too. And sometimes a stiff shoulder sneaks up slowly with no injury at all. That's common with frozen shoulder, and it's one reason not to wait too long to get it looked at.

How we treat shoulder pain

We start by watching how you move. How high can you lift your arm? Which motions hurt? Does your shoulder blade glide the way it should? We also test your strength and check your neck for anything sending pain down into the shoulder.

Then we put together a plan. That usually includes gentle adjustments to the shoulder, upper back, and neck so they move together again. Our massage therapist works on the tight muscles around the shoulder blade and chest. For sore, inflamed tendons we may add laser therapy, and for a tendon that's stayed painful for months, shockwave therapy is sometimes an option.

You'll also go home with a few exercises. Strengthening the small muscles that steady your shoulder is a big part of keeping the pain from coming back.

Taking care of a sore shoulder at home

Keep it moving, gently. Resting a sore shoulder completely for weeks can make it stiffer. Let your arm hang down and swing it in small circles, like a pendulum, a few times a day. Hold off on heavy lifting and overhead reaching for now.

At your desk, sit back in your chair and bring your keyboard and mouse closer, so your shoulders can relax down instead of hunching forward. At night, sleep on the other side and hug a pillow to support the sore arm.

When shoulder pain needs a doctor right away

Call 911 if pain in your left shoulder or arm comes with chest pressure, shortness of breath, sweating, or nausea. That can be a heart attack. Go to the ER if your shoulder looks out of place after a fall, if you suddenly can't lift your arm at all after an injury, or if the shoulder is hot, red, and swollen with a fever. You can learn more about shoulder injuries on MedlinePlus.

Questions about shoulder pain

Can a chiropractor help with rotator cuff pain?

Often, yes, when the tendon is irritated or strained rather than badly torn. We work on how your shoulder blade and shoulder joint move together, ease the tight muscles around them, and give you exercises to strengthen the rotator cuff. If your exam points to a major tear, we'll tell you and send you to the right doctor. Results vary from person to person.

Why does my shoulder hurt more at night?

Lying on a sore shoulder squeezes the tendons, and even lying on your back can let the shoulder sag into a position that irritates it. Try sleeping on the other side and hugging a pillow, so your sore arm rests on top of it.

What's a frozen shoulder?

It's when the joint slowly gets so stiff you can't raise your arm very far, even with help. It tends to come on over weeks or months and is most common between about 40 and 60. It takes patience, but gentle care and the right stretches help many people get their motion back.

Is my shoulder pain coming from my neck?

It might be. Pain across the top of your shoulder or along your shoulder blade, especially with tingling down your arm, often starts in the neck. We check your neck at the same visit so we don't miss it.

Should I use ice or heat on my shoulder?

Ice usually feels better in the first couple of days after you strain it. After that, many people like heat before stretching. Use whichever feels better, and never put ice straight on your skin.

Do I need an MRI first?

Usually not. Most shoulder pain can be sorted out with a hands-on exam. If something points to a bigger problem, we'll let you know whether imaging makes sense.

This page is general information and doesn't replace advice from your doctor. Results vary from person to person. If your shoulder pain comes with a stiff neck, see our page on neck pain and stiffness. For other sore joints, visit our joint pain page, or fill out your new patient paperwork before your first visit.