Available at Lake Forest, San Diego, and Spring Valley
Shoulder pain often comes from strain or irritation of the rotator cuff, the four muscles and tendons that hold the shoulder in its shallow socket, usually from repeated overhead use. Chiropractic care may help with gentle adjustments of the shoulder and neck, soft tissue work and exercises, with shockwave or laser therapy at the offices that offer them.
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Shoulder pain can sometimes come from the heart or lungs. Call 911 if shoulder or arm pain comes with:
Get emergency care straight away.
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that keep your shoulder held in its shallow socket while larger muscles move the arm. Strains and injuries of the rotator cuff are among the most common causes of shoulder problems.
Injuries are described by how much damage there is. A partial tear means one side of the tendon is frayed. A full-thickness or complete tear is a hole or slit in the tendon, a little like a knife run lengthwise down a rope. A rupture is the most severe, meaning the tendon is torn into two pieces.
Some rotator cuff tears come from a single injury such as a fall, a push or pull, or throwing or lifting something heavy. Most develop from repetitive strain over a long time.
A common reason is impingement. The space the rotator cuff tendon passes through becomes too crowded, and the tendon gets pinched each time you raise your arm.
People who do a lot of overhead activity are at the greatest risk, including those who play baseball, volleyball or tennis, row, lift weights, swim or do archery, and those whose work involves carpentry, painting, hanging wallpaper, cleaning windows or washing cars.
After a sudden injury, people often describe a tearing or snapping sound or feeling, followed by severe pain and weakness.
Most long-term strains start quietly, with symptoms becoming more noticeable as the problem progresses. Pain is usually at the front and outside of the shoulder and can sometimes spread down the arm.
Overhead activity usually makes it worse, and it can reach the point where raising your arm overhead is difficult. Pain is often worse at night, especially lying on the affected side. Tell us if you also have significant neck pain, shortness of breath, chest pain or chest pressure.
Your chiropractor examines your shoulder, neck and upper back, since neck problems can also cause shoulder pain. Care may include gentle adjustments of the shoulder and nearby joints, often called extremity adjustments, soft tissue work and exercises to restore strength and movement.
For stubborn tendon pain, shockwave therapy is offered at Lake Forest and San Diego, and laser therapy at Lake Forest. Your chiropractor will suggest these only when they suit your condition.
Young people with a sudden full tear or rupture often need a surgical opinion, and we will refer you when that is the case. Many others do well with conservative care.
Avoid painful overhead activity and carrying heavy objects while the shoulder settles. Try not to sleep on the sore side, especially with your arm stretched overhead. Sleeping on the other side with a pillow between your arm and body may help.
Doing your home exercises consistently is especially important. Staying active and keeping a healthy weight also support recovery.
Individual results vary.
Your chiropractor recommends care after your exam. Some therapies are offered only at certain offices.
Gentle, individual adjustments by hand or with a light instrument to help spinal joints move well.
Available at Lake Forest, San Diego, and Spring Valley
Focused acoustic pulses for stubborn tendon, muscle and joint pain that has not settled with standard care.
Available at Lake Forest and San Diego
Cold laser added to a visit to help calm inflammation in strains, sore joints and overuse injuries.
Available at Lake Forest
Therapeutic massage for muscle tension and soreness, planned alongside your chiropractic care.
Available at Lake Forest, San Diego, and Spring Valley
Exercises, guided stretching and posture care to help your progress last between visits.
Available at Lake Forest, San Diego, and Spring Valley
Care for strains, sprains and overuse injuries, and help preventing the next one, for athletes of every age.
Available at Lake Forest, San Diego, and Spring Valley
Shoulder pain is treated at all 3 Greenlight offices.
About shoulder pain care at Greenlight.
For many muscle, tendon and joint problems of the shoulder, yes. Care may include gentle adjustments of the shoulder and neck, soft tissue work and exercises. Your chiropractor will refer you if your exam suggests a tear that needs a surgical opinion.
Shockwave therapy is offered at Lake Forest and San Diego. Laser therapy is offered at Lake Forest. Chiropractic adjustments, massage and exercise are available at all three offices.
Lying on the sore shoulder compresses the irritated tendon. Sleeping on the other side with a pillow between your arm and body often helps.
Shoulder or arm pain with chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, sweating or nausea can be a heart problem. Call 911.
Coverage varies by plan. All three offices accept Medicare, VA and most major insurance plans. We do not accept Medi-Cal.