Understanding Shoulder Pain: Common Issues, Chiropractic Care, and Prevention

Shoulder pain is a common complaint that can affect anyone, from athletes to office workers. It’s estimated that up to 67% of people experience shoulder pain in their lifetime¹. This discomfort can interfere with simple tasks like dressing, lifting, or reaching overhead. In this post, we’ll explore the most frequent shoulder conditions, how chiropractors assess them, the treatment options available, and the importance of corrective exercise. We’ll also explain how Flux Chiropractic helps people move better and feel stronger, without painkillers or guesswork.

Common Causes of Shoulder Pain

Rotator cuff injuries are a leading cause of shoulder pain, particularly in people over 40. These can range from inflammation (tendonitis) to full-thickness tears and typically cause pain during lifting or reaching².

Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) leads to severe stiffness and limited movement. It often affects people in midlife and can last for months or years if left untreated³.

Bursitis is the inflammation of fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion the joint. It commonly occurs alongside tendonitis and impingement syndrome, especially in people who perform repetitive overhead movements⁴.

Tendonitis affects the rotator cuff or biceps tendons and usually results from overuse, poor posture, or biomechanics⁵.

Impingement syndrome happens when the tendons of the rotator cuff become pinched between bones, causing pain and weakness when lifting the arm⁶.

How Chiropractors Assess Shoulder Pain

At Flux Chiropractic, we begin with a thorough case history, asking about symptom onset, aggravating factors, previous injuries, and lifestyle.

The physical exam includes:

• Range of motion testing

• Orthopaedic tests (e.g. Neer’s, Hawkins-Kennedy)

• Postural and spinal assessment

• Muscle strength testing

• Neurological screening (if needed)

We assess not only the shoulder but also the neck, upper back, and thoracic spine, as dysfunctions in these regions often contribute to shoulder problems⁷.

Treatment Options: Natural, Effective and Individualised

Chiropractors use a combination of manual therapies to restore joint function, reduce pain, and speed up recovery:

1. Chiropractic Adjustments

Gentle adjustments improve joint mobility and alignment. Thoracic spine manipulation, in particular, has been shown to improve shoulder range of motion and decrease impingement symptoms⁸.

2. Manual Therapy

This includes joint mobilisation, trigger point therapy, and myofascial release. These techniques reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, and restore movement patterns⁹.

3. Conservative Therapies

Advice may include ice/heat therapy, ergonomic changes, and temporary activity modification. In severe cases, referrals for imaging or medical intervention (e.g. injections) may be considered, though this is rarely needed first-line¹⁰.

Why Corrective Exercise Is Crucial

Corrective exercise is essential for long-term recovery and preventing recurrence. Once pain is managed, we guide patients through a personalised exercise plan that targets:

• Rotator cuff strength

• Scapular control

• Thoracic mobility

• Postural correction

  
  

Studies show that exercise-based rehab can be as effective as surgery for some shoulder conditions¹¹. At Flux Chiropractic, every care plan includes tailored exercises to reinforce stability, improve mechanics, and future-proof your recovery.

How Flux Chiropractic Can Help

We offer:

✅ Detailed assessments that uncover the root cause

✅ Chiropractic care to improve spinal and shoulder mechanics

✅ Hands-on soft tissue therapy to ease muscle tension

✅ Rehabilitation exercise coaching for long-term strength and prevention

✅ Supportive care in a welcoming environment

Our goal is simple: help you get back to doing what you love, without shoulder pain holding you back.

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References

1. Luime, J. et al. (2004). Prevalence and incidence of shoulder pain in the general population; a systematic review. Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology, 33(2), pp.73–81.

2. Varacallo, M. et al. (2023). Rotator Cuff Tendonitis. StatPearls [online]. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532882/

3. Li, D. et al. (2025). Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder). StatPearls [online]. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532883/

4. Jain, N. et al. (2014). Shoulder bursitis: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management. American Journal of Orthopedics, 43(8), pp. 345–351.

5. Seitz, A. et al. (2011). Clinical and biomechanical evidence supporting exercises as the treatment of subacromial impingement syndrome. Clinics in Sports Medicine, 30(4), pp.765–776.

6. Neer, C.S. (1972). Anterior acromioplasty for chronic impingement syndrome. J Bone Joint Surg Am, 54(1), pp.41–50.

7. Kibler, W.B. et al. (2006). The role of the scapula in athletic shoulder function. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 34(10), pp.1700–1704.

8. Strunce, J.B. et al. (2009). The immediate effects of thoracic spine and rib manipulation on subjects with primary complaints of shoulder pain. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, 17(4), pp.230–236.

9. Gross, A. et al. (2015). Physical therapy for adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder): a systematic review. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (3).

10. van der Windt, D.A. et al. (1999). Corticosteroid injections versus physiotherapy for painful shoulder: randomised trial. BMJ, 319(7210), pp. 964–968.

11. Kuhn, J.E. (2009). Exercise in the treatment of rotator cuff impingement: a systematic review and a synthesized evidence-based rehabilitation protocol. J Shoulder Elbow Surg, 18(1), pp.138–160.