Shoulder Pain
Shoulder Pain Care in Grand Junction, CO
The shoulder is one joint in a chain that includes the shoulder blade, the ribs, and the neck. Pain felt at the shoulder does not always start there.
Short answer
The shoulder is one joint in a chain that includes the shoulder blade, the ribs, and the neck. Pain felt at the shoulder does not always start there.
Understanding
What Shoulder Pain Is
The shoulder trades stability for range of motion, so it depends heavily on the muscles and tendons around it. Rotator cuff tissue, the bursa, the joint capsule, and the neck can all produce shoulder pain.
Distinguishing among them is what the examination is for. The treatment is different for each.
Symptoms
What patients commonly describe
Pain reaching overhead or behind the back
Night pain when lying on the affected side
Weakness lifting or holding objects away from the body
Clicking or catching with rotation
Pain that travels toward the neck or down the arm
Contributors
What can contribute
Repetitive overhead work or sport
Shoulder blade mechanics that have changed after an injury
Neck joint irritation referring into the shoulder
A fall or a sudden load
Long stretches of desk work with rounded posture
Our approach
How this is evaluated and cared for here
Care follows the examination. Nothing on this page is a treatment recommendation for your case.
Testing separates local shoulder problems from neck-driven pain and checks the rotator cuff, the joint, and how the shoulder blade moves.
Care may combine adjusting of the neck and upper back, soft tissue work, shockwave therapy for stubborn tendon pain, and laser therapy for irritated tissue.
Meet your chiropractor
Meet Dr. Dean Younker
Dr. Dean Younker took over Peak Performance in 1997 and has cared for patients in Grand Junction ever since. He earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Northern Colorado and his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Cleveland University in Kansas City. He is a member of the Colorado Chiropractic Association and the Grand Junction Chiropractor Association.
“Because no two patients are the same, here at Peak Performance, we take the time to listen to each patient. We then develop a personalized treatment plan. Our promise is to help you live your life better.”
FAQ
Common Questions
Do chiropractors treat shoulders?
Yes. Extremity joints are part of chiropractic scope, and shoulder pain frequently involves the neck and upper back as well.
Could my shoulder pain come from my neck?
It can, and that possibility is specifically tested during the examination.
Do I need imaging?
Sometimes. Imaging is recommended when it will change what is done, and referral is made when a surgical opinion is warranted.
Related Pages
Medical disclaimer
This page is educational and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Results vary from person to person and no outcome is guaranteed. Always speak with a qualified provider about your own situation, and call 911 for a medical emergency.
Next step
You Don't Have to Keep Planning Your Life Around Pain.
If pain is affecting the way you sleep, work, exercise, travel, or spend time with the people you love, it is worth finding out what is going on. Let's start with a conversation.
Engage With Your Life Again.