Chiropractic Care for Shoulder Pain: A Chiropractor’s Helpful Ways

Posted on: June 4, 2025

Chiropractic Care for Shoulder Pain: A Chiropractor’s Helpful Ways

Chiropractic Care for Shoulder Pain: A Chiropractor’s Helpful Ways

Shoulder pain is common and affects people of all ages and activity levels. Whether you’re an athlete, an office worker, or someone recovering from an injury, experiencing shoulder pain can significantly limit your daily activities and reduce your quality of life. Fortunately, chiropractic care for shoulder pain offers effective, non-invasive solutions tailored to your specific needs.

In this blog, we’ll explore the many possible causes of shoulder pain, how a chiropractor can help, and why chiropractic care is one of the most effective ways to treat shoulder pain naturally.

a man massaging a woman's arm

Causes of shoulder pain

There are many possible causes of shoulder pain, and identifying the cause of the pain is crucial for proper treatment. Some of the most common shoulder injuries include:

  • Rotator cuff tear or injury

  • Shoulder impingement or impingement syndrome

  • Shoulder bursitis and arthritis

  • Ligament or tendon inflammation

  • Pinched nerves in the spine or cervical area

  • Musculoskeletal misalignment

If you feel pain in the shoulder joint, especially with movement, or notice stiffness, sharp pain, or limited range of motion, you may be dealing with one or more of these issues. Sometimes, shoulder pain may even stem from issues in the back and neck, particularly if the spine is misaligned.

Initial assessment

When visiting a chiropractor for shoulder pain, the process begins with a comprehensive initial assessment. A chiropractor for shoulder pain will:

  • Conduct a comprehensive physical examination

  • Evaluate your posture and spinal alignment

  • Perform range of motion tests for the shoulder joint and surrounding muscles

  • Assess your back, neck, and spine for any misalignment or musculoskeletal issues

This initial step helps identify the type of injury, the possible causes of shoulder pain, and the best treatment for shoulder conditions you may have.

Common shoulder conditions a chiropractor can help

1. Rotator Cuff Injuries

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint. A rotator cuff injury can result from overuse, trauma, or aging. These injuries often cause pain, inflammation, and limited range of movement.

2. Shoulder Impingement

Shoulder impingement occurs when the tendons of the rotator cuff are compressed during movement. This condition is a common cause of shoulder pain, and chiropractic adjustments can alleviate impingement and restore mobility.

3. Shoulder Bursitis and Tendonitis

Bursitis and tendonitis both involve inflammation in the shoulder. A chiropractor may also use soft tissue therapy and chiropractic adjustments to reduce inflammation and promote healing.

Chiropractic treatment techniques for shoulder pain

Once your chiropractor identifies the cause of shoulder pain, your personalized treatment plan may include:

Spinal and Shoulder Adjustments

Misalignments in the spine or shoulder can lead to shoulder pain. Chiropractic adjustments correct these issues, helping to reduce pain, restore alignment, and enhance the body’s natural healing ability.

Soft Tissue Therapy

Techniques like the Active Release Technique (ART) help reduce tension and pain in the shoulder muscles. These therapies target adhesions in tendons, muscles, and fascia to help relieve chronic tightness and shoulder damage.

Rehabilitative Exercises

To treat shoulder pain and restore strength, your chiropractor will likely incorporate exercises to improve range of motion and support joint pain recovery. This is especially effective for rotator cuff tendons and impingement-related issues.

Postural Correction Strategies

Poor posture is a common cause of shoulder injuries. Chiropractors use training and ergonomic advice to correct posture and help prevent shoulder pain from recurring.

Benefits of chiropractic care for shoulder pain

Chiropractic care offers numerous benefits for those dealing with shoulder issues:

  • Non-invasive and drug-free approach

  • Targeted pain relief and techniques to reduce inflammation

  • Improved range of motion, mobility, and function

  • Prevention of future injuries and chronic conditions

  • Enhances the body’s natural healing ability

These solutions for shoulder pain not only treat the symptoms but also address the root cause to provide long-term shoulder pain relief.

Why chiropractic care can help athletes and active individuals

Athletes and active individuals are at higher risk of shoulder-related conditions due to overuse and repetitive movements. At Elevate Sports Performance & Healthcare, our specialists understand the unique demands of high-performance lifestyles and how chiropractic care can help.

Whether you’re recovering from a rotator cuff tear, an impingement, or post-exercise inflammation, our team integrates chiropractic treatment with physical therapy for athletes to ensure a well-rounded and safe recovery process.

We also recommend complementary techniques such as sports massage benefits and guided stretching routines, along with advice on how to prioritize recovery to support healing and injury prevention.

Why choose elevate sports performance and healthcare

When you’re experiencing shoulder pain, choosing the right healthcare provider is key to a fast, effective recovery. At Elevate, we offer:

  •  An experienced team specializing in sports-related injuries

  • Personalized treatment plans tailored to your needs

  • State-of-the-art facilities and equipment

  • Real success stories and positive patient testimonials

Whether you’re recovering from injury, experiencing pain and stiffness, or seeking ways to help prevent shoulder pain, our integrative approach ensures you receive the best care available.

We also encourage patients to explore our full guide on what to expect at the chiropractor and reasons to go to the chiropractor to understand the broader health benefits beyond just shoulder pain.

Additional resources for recovery and prevention

In addition to chiropractic care for shoulder, Elevate provides educational content and services that support your long-term health, such as:

These resources support a holistic healing journey, whether you’re working with a chiropractor for shoulder, managing back pain, or seeking to improve overall health.