Shoulder pain can range from a nagging ache that stops you sleeping to a sharp pain that makes it impossible to lift your arm. Whatever the cause, it has a way of affecting almost everything you do. At Chiro Pro we treat a wide range of shoulder conditions — finding the underlying cause and building a treatment plan to get you back to full function.

You might benefit from chiropractic care if you’re experiencing:

• Pain when lifting your arm overhead or reaching behind your back
• A dull ache in the shoulder that worsens at night
• Stiffness and restricted movement in the shoulder joint
• Weakness in the arm or shoulder
• Clicking, grinding or catching in the shoulder
• Pain radiating from the shoulder into the neck or down the arm
• A shoulder that was injured and never fully recovered

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The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that stabilise the shoulder joint. Rotator cuff injuries — including tears, tendinopathy and impingement — are among the most common shoulder problems we see. They typically cause pain with overhead movements and weakness in the arm.

Frozen shoulder is characterised by progressive stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint, often developing gradually over months. It can be severely debilitating, limiting the ability to perform everyday tasks. Chiropractic care combined with specific mobilisation and rehabilitation exercises can help restore movement and reduce pain throughout the stages of frozen shoulder.

The acromioclavicular (AC) joint sits at the top of the shoulder where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade. AC joint injuries and degeneration cause localised pain at the top of the shoulder, particularly with overhead and cross-body movements.

Bursitis involves inflammation of the bursa — a small fluid-filled sac that cushions the shoulder joint. It causes pain and tenderness in the shoulder, particularly with movement, and often develops alongside rotator cuff problems.

Not all shoulder pain originates in the shoulder itself. The cervical spine frequently refers pain into the shoulder and upper arm — and treating the neck rather than the shoulder is sometimes the key to resolving what appears to be a shoulder problem. Chris assesses both the shoulder and neck at every appointment.

Shoulder pain is rarely caused by one thing alone. In most cases there’s a combination of factors — a joint that’s not moving properly, muscle imbalances, postural load from the neck and upper back, and compensatory patterns from old injuries. Common contributing factors include:

• Rotator cuff dysfunction or degeneration
• Poor shoulder blade (scapular) control and stability
• Cervical spine dysfunction referring pain into the shoulder
• Postural problems placing excessive load on the shoulder
• Repetitive overhead work or activity
• Previous injuries that weren’t fully rehabilitated
• Age-related degeneration of the joint or tendons

Chris takes a whole-body approach to shoulder pain — assessing the shoulder joint, shoulder blade, cervical spine and thoracic spine together to identify all the factors contributing to your problem. Treatment at Chiro Pro may include chiropractic adjustments to the shoulder, neck and upper back, dry needling for rotator cuff and surrounding muscle tension, joint mobilisation and a tailored rehabilitation program to restore strength and stability long term.

Chris will take a thorough history of your shoulder problem and perform a comprehensive physical examination including assessment of your shoulder movement, strength, joint integrity and neck. He’ll explain his findings clearly and recommend the most appropriate treatment approach before anything begins.

Shoulder problems rarely resolve on their own without addressing the underlying cause. Book online today and take the first step towards lasting relief.

Shoulder pain often has a cervical component — read more about our neck pain treatment. We commonly use dry needling and rehabilitation exercises as part of shoulder pain management at Chiro Pro.

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Chiropractic care can be very effective for partial rotator cuff tears and rotator cuff tendinopathy. For full thickness tears, surgery may ultimately be required — but chiropractic care can help manage pain and maintain function in the interim. Chris will assess your situation and give you an honest recommendation after your first appointment.

Frozen shoulder typically progresses through three stages — freezing, frozen and thawing — and can take anywhere from one to three years to fully resolve without treatment. With appropriate chiropractic care, mobilisation and exercise, the recovery process can often be significantly accelerated.

In most cases both need to be assessed and treated together. The neck and shoulder are closely connected and problems in one area frequently contribute to symptoms in the other. Chris assesses both at every appointment and treats whichever structures are contributing to your pain.

It depends on the nature and severity of the injury. Chris will advise you on what to modify and what to avoid during your recovery — the goal is always to keep you as active as possible rather than putting everything on hold. In many cases training can continue with appropriate modifications.

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Did you know most private health insurance extras covers chiropractic? We have HICAPS for on the spot claiming — no paperwork required.