Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain can make everyday activities, reaching overhead, lifting, even sleeping, uncomfortable and frustrating. It often develops slowly from posture issues, overuse, or muscle imbalance, but can also follow an injury. At KIRO, our chiropractors focus on restoring shoulder mobility, improving alignment, and helping you move without pain so you can stay active and strong.
Why does should pain occur?
Shoulder pain often comes from irritation of the muscles, tendons, and joints that support the shoulder’s wide range of motion. Repetitive overhead work, long hours at a desk with rounded shoulders, or sudden strain from sports and lifting can overload the tissues. Over time, this can cause inflammation, tightness, or small tears, and may lead to impingement or frozen shoulder.
What are the common symptoms of shoulder pain?
Aching or sharp pain when lifting the arm, reaching behind the back, or lying on the affected side. Stiffness, weakness, clicking or popping, and pain that worsens with activity or at night are also common.
Who is most at risk of getting shoulder pain?
People with poor posture, especially forward head and rounded shoulders from desk work or phone use. Athletes who throw, swim, or lift overhead, and those who’ve had past shoulder injuries or instability. Aging also increases risk as tendons and joints naturally wear and become less flexible.
How do KIRO doctors treat shoulder pain?
On your first visit, we perform a thorough exam, assessing your shoulder, neck, and upper back, and capture a baseline Nervous System Scan. Using these findings, we design a personalized care plan and guide you through it.
Early care (1–2 times per week) focuses on pain relief and restoring motion. This includes precise adjustments to the cervical, thoracic, and rib joints as needed, plus gentle mobilization of the shoulder to bring back normal joint play. We add targeted muscle activation for the rotator cuff, lower traps, and serratus to improve support, along with posture and ergonomic coaching to reduce daily strain.
Each month we rescan your nervous system to track changes and adjust your plan. Our doctors rotate throughout your care, giving you multiple expert perspectives and ensuring safe, effective treatment.
How long does treatment for should pain take?
Most people notice pain relief within the first few weeks. Restoring full shoulder function and preventing flare-ups typically takes about two to three months of consistent care, depending on how long the problem has been present and activity level.
What are the benefits of chiropractic care for shoulder pain?
Chiropractic care for shoulder pain provides several important benefits, including:
Faster pain relief and reduced muscle tension
Improved joint mobility and shoulder range of motion
Better posture and mechanics for daily activities
Lower risk of re-injury through stability and strength training
A non-drug, non-surgical approach to healing
These benefits help you return to normal movement, stay active, and protect your shoulders from future strain.
FAQs
Why does my shoulder hurt at night?
Shoulder pain often feels worse at night because lying down changes how your shoulder is supported and can increase pressure on irritated tissues. Inflammation and fluid can also build up when you’re still, making the joint feel stiffer and more sensitive. Conditions like rotator cuff irritation, bursitis, or poor sleep posture can all contribute. Using proper support, avoiding sleeping directly on the sore side, and addressing the underlying cause usually help.
Can I workout if I have shoulder pain?
It depends on the cause and severity of your pain. Light, pain-free movements and exercises that don’t irritate the shoulder are usually safe and can even help maintain mobility. Avoid heavy lifting, overhead presses, or anything that causes sharp or worsening pain. If discomfort persists or limits your range of motion, get checked before continuing your workouts.
Do I need x-ray or imaging for shoulder pain?
Most shoulder pain doesn’t need imaging at first. X-rays or MRIs are usually only recommended if pain is severe, lasts more than a few weeks, follows a significant injury, or comes with numbness, tingling, or weakness. A physical exam can often identify the problem and guide safe treatment without immediate imaging.
What exercises help with shoulder pain?
Gentle, controlled movements work best early on. Pendulum swings help loosen the joint, while scapular retractions and wall slides strengthen the muscles that stabilize the shoulder blade. Isometric external and internal rotations build safe support without straining the joint. As pain improves, you can progress to light resistance bands or dumbbell work, but stop if pain increases or range of motion feels blocked.
Why does my shoulder click?
A clicking or popping sound in the shoulder is often caused by tendons or ligaments moving over bony areas as you raise or rotate your arm. This is usually harmless if there’s no pain. However, clicking with pain, catching, or weakness can signal irritation, inflammation, or a labral or rotator cuff injury. If the clicking is persistent or uncomfortable, it’s a good idea to get it checked by our chiropractors.
Can posture cause shoulder pain?
Yes. Slouching with rounded shoulders and a forward head position puts extra strain on the muscles and joints that support the shoulder. Over time, this can lead to tightness, inflammation, and pain, especially with reaching or lifting. Improving posture and strengthening the upper back can help relieve pressure and prevent shoulder problems.
Are chiropractic adjustments safe for shoulder pain?
Yes, when performed by a trained and licensed chiropractor. Adjustments are tailored to your shoulder and spine to restore normal joint motion and reduce strain on surrounding muscles. Most people tolerate them well, but our chiropractors will check for underlying issues and avoid techniques that could aggravate injury.
Do I need surgery for shoulder pain?
Most shoulder pain does not require surgery. Many issues, like muscle strain, rotator cuff irritation, or mild impingement, improve with rest, posture correction, exercise, and manual care such as chiropractic or physical therapy. Surgery is usually considered only for severe injuries, large tears, fractures, or when months of conservative treatment haven’t helped. A thorough exam and, if needed, imaging can help determine the best path.
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