Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain or restricted movement can make reaching, lifting, dressing, sleeping, working, and exercising difficult. Sometimes loss of motion or weakness can be just as limiting as the pain itself.

At Spine Align Chiropractic & Wellness in Huntsville, AL, we evaluate your symptoms, shoulder movement, and functional limitations to develop an individualized treatment plan focused on improving comfort, mobility, strength, and function.

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What Can Cause Shoulder Pain?

The shoulder depends on the coordinated movement of multiple joints, muscles, and tendons. Problems involving these structures can cause pain, weakness, stiffness, or limited range of motion.

Common contributing factors may include:

  • Rotator cuff and tendon irritation
  • Muscle strain or overuse
  • Reduced shoulder joint mobility
  • Bursitis or surrounding soft-tissue irritation
  • Osteoarthritis and degenerative changes
  • Sports or work-related injuries
  • Repetitive reaching or lifting
  • Problems involving movement of the shoulder blade and upper back

Because shoulder symptoms can have different causes—and some symptoms may originate from the neck—an examination can help determine what may be contributing to your problem.

Our Approach to Shoulder Pain Treatment

Treatment is personalized based on your examination findings, symptoms, activity level, and functional goals.

Depending on your needs, care may include:

Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy may be used for certain tendon and soft-tissue conditions involving the shoulder. Acoustic pressure waves are applied to targeted tissues to stimulate a biological response and support tissue recovery.

Therapeutic Exercise

Individualized exercises may be used to improve shoulder mobility, strength, stability, and movement patterns. Exercise can also help restore function for reaching, lifting, work, and recreational activities.

Chiropractic Care

When appropriate, chiropractic care may be used to address mobility restrictions involving the shoulder, upper back, neck, or other areas that may affect shoulder mechanics and function.

Physiotherapy

Therapeutic ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation, manual therapy, and other supportive treatments may be incorporated when appropriate to address discomfort, muscle tension, and soft-tissue involvement.

Treatment Focused on More Than Shoulder Pain

Shoulder problems often become most frustrating because of what they prevent you from doing. Our approach considers both your symptoms and how well your shoulder is functioning.

Treatment may focus on helping you:

  • Reach overhead more comfortably
  • Improve shoulder range of motion
  • Improve strength and stability
  • Lift and carry with greater ease
  • Sleep more comfortably
  • Perform work and household activities
  • Return to exercise, sports, and recreational activities

Is the Pain Coming From Your Shoulder or Your Neck?

Pain felt around the shoulder doesn't always originate in the shoulder itself. Certain neck problems can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or other symptoms extending toward the shoulder and arm.

An examination can help determine whether the symptoms appear to originate from the shoulder, cervical spine, or another source.

When Should Shoulder Pain Be Evaluated?

Consider an evaluation if shoulder pain, stiffness, weakness, or restricted movement persists, repeatedly returns, or interferes with normal activities.

Significant trauma, obvious deformity, sudden inability to raise the arm, marked weakness, severe swelling, redness or warmth, fever, or symptoms suggesting a serious injury should receive appropriate medical evaluation.

Shoulder Pain Care in Huntsville, Alabama

Spine Align Chiropractic & Wellness provides personalized conservative musculoskeletal care for shoulder pain in Huntsville, AL. Our approach focuses on identifying factors that may be affecting your shoulder and developing care aimed at improving comfort, movement, strength, and function.

Spine Align Chiropractic & Wellness
7914 Memorial Parkway SW, Suite E-18
Huntsville, AL 35802

Ready to move your shoulder more comfortably? Schedule your new patient visit today.