Shoulder Pain

Why should I see a Chiropractor for shoulder pain?

The doctors at Mt. Lookout Chiropractic & Sports Injury Center have seen many cases of shoulder pain in their 35 years of service to the Cincinnati community.  We will determine the cause of your pain and develop a plan to work towards a solution to your problem.  We are here to guide and serve you through this entire process. 

 “After living with shoulder pain for 6 months, the doctors at Mt. Lookout Chiropractic were quick to diagnose and treat my pain. I am back to full activity and am enjoying life! “ – Chiropractic patient // Cincinnati, OH

How can chiropractic care help relieve my shoulder pain?

With Mt. Lookout Chiropractic’s comprehensive approach, we can effectively and efficiently fix your shoulder problem. The shoulder is a complex joint, and there are many structures within the shoulder that may be causing your pain.  

The chiropractors at Mt. Lookout Chiropractic & Sports Injury Center will determine what the problem area is that is driving your pain.  The doctors are experts at performing orthopedic and neurological evaluations.  

They will create a plan including a specific diagnosis and treatment plan. Mt. Lookout Chiropractic and Sports Injury Center will address the cause of your shoulder pain and work to fix the problem to help you live a pain-free life without medication.

Hains G. Chiropractic management of shoulder pain and dysfunction of myofascial origin using ischemic compression techniques. J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2002;46(3):192-200.

Why Mt. Lookout Chiropractic is the right place to diagnose and treat your shoulder pain:

Through our comprehensive approach, we complete thorough case history, perform an orthopedic, neurological exam, create an individualized treatment plan, and construct a customized rehabilitation program. 

Mt. Lookout Chiropractic understands everyone is different and needs and creates a specialized treatment for their specific shoulder condition.  

“I have been experiencing some mild shoulder and back pain. I made an appointment to see Dr. Cornett and it was fantastic. Within a couple of minutes he had pinpointed the area of concern and explained to me exactly what was going on with my body.

After an adjustment and stretching to loosen me up I was on my way and feeling very optimistic and relieved. I would highly recommend setting up an appointment with him! His bedside manner, expertise and professionalism were second to none. I’m looking forward to my next appointment.” Brandon R. Mount Washington, OH

Here are some common shoulder complaints we see at Mt. Lookout Chiropractic & Sports Injury Center:

 

 Rotator cuff injuries

 “I was playing tennis/ playing golf/ pitching a baseball/throwing a football and over time I developed shoulder pain and now I am unable to play”  

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that help stabilize the shoulder. The rotator cuff includes the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis.   

These muscles also aid in movement.  Every time you move your shoulder you are using your rotator cuff to stabilize and help move the joint. The rotator cuff is a commonly injured area.  The most common injuries are strains, tendinitis, bursitis or tears.  

Most people at risk for these injuries include athletes, people with jobs that require repetitive movement, and people over 40 years of age.  

 

 Frozen shoulder

“Over time, I was not able to put on my coat, reach up for a coffee cup or reach to the back seat of the car”

Frozen shoulder is also known as adhesive capsulitis, it is a condition characterized by stiffness and pain in your shoulder joint.  

Signs and symptoms typically begin gradually and worsen over time.  

Women over 40 years of age are at most risk for frozen shoulder/adhesive capsulitis. 

Your risk of developing frozen shoulder increases if you are recovering from an injury or surgery that prevents you from moving your arm such as a fractured arm or mastectomy.  

Another high-risk category for frozen shoulder are patients with diabetes, hypertension, and thyroid conditions.

 

Shoulder impingement

“I was doing an exercise repetitively, and now I have a sharp pain in my shoulder and can’t sleep or exercise or move my arm about my head.” – Sarah K. // Boston MA

Shoulder impingement syndrome is a common cause of shoulder pain.  It occurs when there is impingement of the tendons in the shoulder.  One large risk factor for shoulder impingement is overhead activity, especially repeated activity.  

The tendon most commonly affected is the supraspinatus tendon.  Commonly, a patient will complain of pain when the arm is lifted overhead or behind your back. This happens when one of the rotator cuff muscles becomes pinched between the bones of the shoulder joint.

Impingement syndromes are usually overuse injuries that are related to poor upper back and shoulder posture and weakness. Repetitive pinching of the tendon causes inflammation of the tendon.  

 

Arthritis

“I have pain and stiffness in my shoulder and it aches all the time” – Cindy C. // Cincinnati OH

Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease. Shoulder arthritis occurs when the cartilage starts wearing down on the ball and socket sides of the shoulder joint.  

Symptoms maybe include pain in the shoulder joint, stiffness and reduced range of motion. 

 

Cervical disc

“I have pain radiating into my shoulder and arm that keeps me up at night and is worse when I am sitting” – Joan K. // Cincinnati OH

An injury to the neck or a disc in the cervical spine often refers to pain to the scapula or shoulder blade and is often interpreted as shoulder pain. 

Our disc is made up of a strong fibrous material known as the annulus fibers on the outside and a jelly-like material on the inside referred to as the nucleus pulposus.  

If that strong fibrous material is compromised and the jelly-like material migrates toward the nerve, many symptoms may arise such as pain radiating into the shoulder and arm.  

Conservative care at Mt. Lookout Chiropractic & Sports Injury Center including adjustments, traction, and myofascial release, physical therapies, and modalities can treat this pain effectively and efficiently getting you back to a pain-free life.

 

 Postural stress

“I sit at a desk all day and now I have pain in my shoulder”

This syndrome typically occurs with prolonged sitting causing continued postural stress.  Some common activities that cause postural stress are sitting at your computer, talking on your cell phone, texting, or riding in your car.  

This postural stress causes a weakness in your back which results in compensation in your neck and shoulder regions.  This results in dysfunction or overworked neck muscles that are weak and often tight which causes pain and stiffness and in some cases, headaches.