Chiropractor for Arm
and Shoulder Pain

Schedule an Appointment

Find relief when the world is on your shoulders


The stressors of life weigh on us like the world on Atlas – literally. It's no surprise that so many people experience neck and shoulder pain. Emotional and physical stress can show up in the form of various body aches and pains.

Shoulder and arm pain can range from being annoying or debilitating. Chiropractic care treats arm and shoulder pain safely and effectively.

 

Arm pain relates to your spine

If you are experiencing arm pain, it is most likely originating from your cervical spine (your neck). Injuries to muscles, joints, and ligaments in the neck are often overlooked and then lead to pain in the arms.

Arm pain symptoms include:

 
  • Radiating pain through the arms
  • Arm or hand weakness
  • Numbness and tingling in the arms and hands

What causes arm pain?

Because a chiropractor specializes in treating the spine, they can quickly determine if it is the root of your arm pain and make the necessary adjustments to promote healing.

Common causes of arm pain include:

 
  • Arthritis
  • Overuse
  • Spinal misalignment
  • Herniated disk
  • Poor posture
  • Neck pain or injury

Pain in the arm can often signal pressure on a nerve in your neck. This is why a chiropractor may perform an adjustment to your neck or back to relieve pain in your arm.

Chiropractic care is for more than your back

As you go through your day-to-day routine, you aren't thinking about your body much – aside from being hungry or tired. It's when you start to experience pain that you become aware of all the things your body helps you accomplish.

If your pain is severe, it can interrupt even the small things you do each day – like lifting your arm to brush your hair or reach a high shelf. Many people look to over-the-counter pain medications to get relief from arm or shoulder pain, but what happens when this pain is ongoing?

Chiropractic treatment is an ideal starting point for ongoing body pains. It is a conservative treatment option that uses multiple techniques and can be customized to fit what your body needs. It is a safe, non-invasive alternative to an unhealthy dependence on medications.

What does a chiropractor do for shoulder pain?

A shoulder out of alignment can lead to inflammation, pain, and muscle spasms. A chiropractic shoulder adjustment corrects this issue. Your chiropractor will often combine this adjustment with spinal adjustment or other techniques to restore not just your shoulder but also your neck and back.

Seeing a chiropractor for your shoulder pain helps to:

 
  • Reduce pain and inflammation
  • Improve flexibility and range of motion
  • Increase muscle strength and tone
  • Improve posture

A chiropractor often combines techniques like spinal adjustments, physical therapy stretches, massage, and posture coaching. Doing this allows chiropractic treatment to relieve your pain in the short term and reduce your likelihood of shoulder problems in the future.
Image

Identifying your type
of shoulder pain

Your shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in your body. It is home to a complex grouping of bones, tendons, ligaments, and muscles that all work together. To identify what is causing your shoulder pain, your doctor of chiropractic first needs to know the type of shoulder pain you are experiencing.
 
  • Shoulder blade pain
  • Pain under the shoulder blades
  • Sharp pain in the shoulder when breathing
  • Pain directly in the shoulder joint
  • Lateral/bilateral shoulder pain

During your first visit to a chiropractor, you will complete a physical exam where you can work with your doctor to define exactly what type of pain you are experiencing.
Causes shoulder pain square 900

Reasons for your
shoulder pain

If you catch yourself falling or if you repeatedly move your shoulder in the same way, you may start experiencing pain symptoms. Pain in the shoulder can appear suddenly or increase over time. It can be mild and annoying or severe and debilitating.

Common causes of shoulder pain include:

 
  • Bursitis – Inflammation of the cushioning surrounding the joint
  • Tendonitis – inflammation of the shoulder or rotator cuff tendons
  • Frozen shoulder – tightening and thickening of connective tissue in the shoulder
  • Arthritis – joint "wear and tear" commonly affects the shoulder
  • Bone fracture – break in the scapula, clavicle, or humerus bone
  • Dislocation – upper arm bone is forcefully removed from its socket
  • Rotator cuff tears – damage to tendons and muscles surrounding the shoulder joint

After determining the cause of your shoulder pain, a doctor of chiropractic will customize the treatment options that fit you best. If your condition is severe, a chiropractor can work together with your other doctors or specialists.

How to relieve shoulder pain

If you are experiencing mild shoulder pain, you should attempt to rest it and reduce how much you use it while it heals. You may need to alter your sleeping positions to accommodate for a hurt shoulder. It can also help to complete some light stretching.

There are a few stretches you can do at home to bring pain relief (Source).

 
  • Seated shoulder stretch
  • Seated triceps stretch
  • Seated chest stretch

If your shoulder pain is severe or continues for several days, you should see a healthcare professional. A doctor of chiropractic can determine what's causing your pain, make an adjustment, and coach you on stretches and posture to minimize the pain.
Conditions for square 900

What about pain in
my elbow or hands?

Chiropractors are not just for back and neck pain. All parts of your body rely on the health of your spine and central nervous system. In addition to treating shoulder and arm pain, chiropractors also treat things like tennis elbow and carpal tunnel.

Learn more about the many health conditions we treat.
See More

Find relief for ongoing
arm or shoulder pain

Schedule an Appointment