Shoulder pain is often a neck and upper-back problem.
The shoulder depends on the neck, upper back, and shoulder blade to move well. When those stiffen or weaken, the rotator cuff can get pinched and overworked. We assess the whole chain and correct what's overloading the shoulder.
The symptoms
- Pain reaching overhead or behind your back
- Pain sleeping on the shoulder
- Weakness lifting or throwing
- Clicking or catching
- Pain that travels down the arm
The hidden causes
- Stiff, rounded upper back
- Rounded shoulder posture from screens and desks
- Weak shoulder-blade control
- Neck problems referring into the shoulder
- Elbow and wrist compensation
Our plan
- Assessment of neck, upper back, shoulder blade, and arm
- Hands-on correction of joint and soft-tissue restrictions
- Rotator cuff and shoulder-blade strengthening
- Posture and overhead-motion retraining
- Return to lifting, sports, and sleep without pain
- A home program and tune-up plan to keep the gains you've made
The principleGive the shoulder a stable, mobile base to move from and the rotator cuff stops taking the beating.
Above and below shoulder & rotator cuff.
Your body moves as one connected chain, from the ankle and foot to the cervical spine. Red marks the link that usually ends up working too hard; blue marks the links we most often find stiff.
Often stiff
Working too hard
Often stiff
See a doctor first if you have:
- Shoulder deformity or inability to raise the arm after a fall
- Left shoulder or arm pain with chest pain or shortness of breath (call 911)
- A hot, swollen, red shoulder with fever
- Sudden weakness with numbness in the arm
For a medical emergency, call 911.
Do I have a rotator cuff tear?
Many people with shoulder pain don't have a significant tear, and many tears improve with the right treatment. Your evaluation will show whether a physician referral or imaging is needed.
Will I need to keep coming back?
Not forever. Once the chain is corrected and your body knows what normal feels like, most people simply come in for occasional check-ups and tune-ups to catch small problems early.
Do I need a referral?
Call us at 817-479-7168 and we'll walk you through what your insurance and situation require.
What are you
waiting for?
We offer a free consultation for anyone who would like to know how Movement Correction Therapy may help them with their persistent pain.
817-479-7168