Shoulder Pain Home Program

The shoulder is one of the most complicated joints in the body, and shoulder pain rarely has a single, simple cause. Just as often, pain that seems to start in the shoulder is actually being driven by the neck or upper back.

At Wunderlich Chiropractic, we examine the shoulder alongside the neck and upper back, not in isolation, so we can tell you what's actually driving your symptoms.

• Pain reaching overhead or behind your back

• Pain that's worse at night, especially sleeping on that side

• Stiffness or a noticeable loss of range of motion

• Weakness when lifting or carrying

• Shoulder pain that seems connected to neck stiffness or tension

Shoulder pain commonly develops from:

• Rotator cuff strain or overuse

• Rounded, forward posture that pulls the shoulder joint out of its ideal position

• Repetitive motion from work, sports, or lifting

• An old injury that never fully healed

• Referred pain from irritated nerves in the neck, which can feel like it's coming from the shoulder itself

• Frozen shoulder-type stiffness

If your exam or history suggests a full rotator cuff tear or another issue outside the scope of chiropractic care, we'll tell you directly and help you get to the right provider, rather than trying to treat something that needs an orthopedic evaluation.

Your exam includes the shoulder itself along with the neck and upper back, since problems in those areas often show up as shoulder pain.

Depending on what we find, care may include adjustments to restore movement in the joints of the shoulder girdle, upper back, and neck, along with posture correction and guidance on mobility and strengthening.

If imaging or an orthopedic referral looks like the better next step, we'll say so upfront.

New patients start with our $49 exam: a full consultation, hands-on exam, and digital X-rays. No obligation, just answers.

We'll explain what we find and whether chiropractic care is a good fit for your shoulder before recommending anything further.

Can a chiropractor actually help shoulder pain, or is that just for the spine?

Chiropractic care isn't limited to the spine. We regularly work with shoulder pain, especially when it's connected to posture or neck-related issues, which is common.

What if my shoulder pain is actually coming from my neck?

This happens more often than people expect. Irritated nerves in the neck can create pain that feels like it's in the shoulder. Our exam checks both areas together.

How do I know if I need an MRI instead of chiropractic care?

If our exam suggests a significant tear or an issue beyond what conservative care can address, we'll recommend imaging or an orthopedic referral directly.

Can you help with rotator cuff pain?

Mild to moderate rotator cuff strain often responds well to conservative care. A full tear typically needs an orthopedic evaluation, which we'll help you pursue if that's what your exam points to.

Will you just adjust my spine, or will you work on my shoulder directly?

Both, when appropriate. We address the shoulder joint itself as well as the neck and upper back, since shoulder pain is rarely caused by just one area.