Shoulder Pain
Shoulder Pain & Injury Treatment in Scottsdale
Your shoulders are designed to provide an incredible range of motion, but that mobility also makes them vulnerable to injury and overuse. Shoulder pain can make reaching, lifting, throwing, working out, sleeping, and everyday activities difficult.
At Body Check Chiropractic, Dr. Matt Tanneberg takes a comprehensive approach to shoulder pain. He evaluates the shoulder joint, surrounding muscles, shoulder blade, upper back, and related joints to identify factors that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Whether your shoulder pain developed from an injury, repetitive activity, sports, or gradually over time, Dr. Matt creates a treatment plan based on your individual condition and goals.
Common Shoulder Injuries & Conditions
Rotator Cuff Injuries
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that help stabilize and move the shoulder. Repetitive overhead activity, sports, trauma, or gradual wear can contribute to rotator cuff irritation or injury.
Symptoms may include:
Shoulder pain
Pain with reaching overhead
Pain when lifting the arm
Weakness
Difficulty sleeping on the affected shoulder
Reduced range of motion
Rotator cuff injuries can range from irritation and tendinopathy to partial or complete tears, with treatment depending on the severity and underlying cause.
Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, involves significant stiffness and loss of motion in the shoulder.
People with frozen shoulder may have difficulty:
Reaching overhead
Reaching behind their back
Putting on clothing
Brushing their hair
Sleeping comfortably
Treatment often focuses on gradually restoring mobility and addressing surrounding muscular and joint restrictions.
Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder impingement can occur when tissues around the shoulder become irritated during certain movements, particularly overhead activity.
Common symptoms include:
Pain when raising the arm
Shoulder weakness
Pain with reaching
Discomfort during exercise
Reduced shoulder mobility
Labral Injuries
The labrum is a ring of cartilage that helps stabilize the shoulder joint. Labral injuries can occur from falls, collisions, repetitive overhead activity, or sports.
Symptoms may include:
Deep shoulder pain
Clicking or catching
A feeling of instability
Reduced strength
Pain with throwing or overhead activity
Some labral injuries require orthopedic evaluation, while appropriate conservative care may be part of rehabilitation depending on the injury.
Shoulder Bursitis
The shoulder contains bursae that help reduce friction between tissues. Irritation of these structures can contribute to pain, particularly with overhead movement or repetitive activity.
Shoulder Instability
Because the shoulder has such a large range of motion, it can become unstable following an injury or repeated dislocation. Instability may create a feeling that the shoulder is slipping, shifting, or difficult to control.
AC Joint Injuries
The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the collarbone to the shoulder blade. Direct impact, falls, and contact sports can injure this joint and cause pain at the top of the shoulder.
Symptoms of Shoulder Problems
Shoulder conditions can cause:
Shoulder pain
Pain with overhead movement
Limited range of motion
Stiffness
Weakness
Clicking or popping
Catching
Instability
Pain while sleeping
Pain that extends into the upper arm
Pain can also be influenced by the neck or upper back, which is why a comprehensive evaluation is important.
How Body Check Chiropractic Can Help
Treatment depends on the specific condition and structures involved. Dr. Matt may use one or a combination of therapies based on your individual needs.
Extremity Adjustments
The shoulder, collarbone, and surrounding joints can develop movement restrictions. Extremity adjustments may help restore joint mobility and improve the mechanics of the shoulder and upper extremity.
Myofascial Release
Tension and restrictions in the rotator cuff, chest, upper back, neck, and surrounding muscles can influence shoulder movement. Myofascial release can help address soft tissue restrictions and improve mobility.
Cupping Therapy
Cupping may be incorporated to target areas of muscular tension and soft tissue restriction around the shoulder, upper back, and chest.
ARPwave Neuromuscular Therapy
ARPwave uses targeted electrical stimulation to interact with the neuromuscular system. It may be incorporated to support muscle activation, strength, recovery, and function following shoulder injuries.
StemWave Shockwave Therapy
For appropriate tendon and soft tissue conditions, StemWave may be incorporated to target areas of persistent pain or tissue dysfunction and support the body's natural recovery response.
PEMF Therapy
The Zimmer EMfield provides Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy and may be incorporated into a recovery program to support circulation and the body's natural recovery processes.
Red Light Therapy
The ARCC Red Light Therapy Bed may be used as an additional recovery therapy. Red and near-infrared light exposure is designed to support cellular function and the body's natural recovery processes.
Cold Plunge Therapy
For athletes and active individuals, cold plunge therapy may be incorporated into a broader recovery routine to help manage exercise-related soreness and support recovery following physical activity.
It's More Than Just the Shoulder
The shoulder doesn't work in isolation. The neck, upper back, shoulder blade, and rib cage all contribute to healthy shoulder movement.
Dr. Matt evaluates these surrounding areas to identify movement restrictions, muscular tension, and other factors that may be influencing the way your shoulder functions.
This whole-body approach can be particularly valuable for athletes involved in throwing, swimming, weightlifting, tennis, golf, and other activities that place repeated demands on the shoulder.
Personalized Shoulder Care
No two shoulder injuries are exactly alike. A patient with frozen shoulder requires a very different approach than someone recovering from a rotator cuff injury or dealing with shoulder instability.
Dr. Matt takes the time to understand your symptoms, injury history, activity level, and goals before developing your treatment plan. Your care may include extremity adjustments, soft tissue therapy, neuromuscular therapy, or advanced recovery technologies depending on your individual needs.
At Body Check Chiropractic, you'll work directly with Dr. Matt at every visit, providing consistent one-on-one care throughout your recovery.
When Shoulder Pain Requires Further Evaluation
Severe shoulder pain following a significant injury, an obvious deformity, inability to move the arm, or sudden significant weakness should be evaluated promptly.
Persistent pain, recurring instability, significant weakness, or symptoms that aren't improving may also require further evaluation or imaging.
If you're looking for shoulder pain treatment in Scottsdale, Body Check Chiropractic provides personalized chiropractic and sports therapy designed to help restore mobility and get you back to the activities you enjoy.