Does your shoulder hurt when you reach overhead, buckle your seatbelt, or try to sleep on your side? If the pain keeps coming back despite rest and stretching, the problem may be something you have not considered.
Why Does Shoulder Pain Keep Coming Back?
I'm Dr. Megan Tomberlin with Waves of Wellness Chiropractic in Leland, NC. One thing I often see is patients struggling with shoulder pain because the underlying problem has not been identified.
Three conditions can cause persistent shoulder pain:
- Rotator cuff problems: Irritated or injured tendons that help stabilize your shoulder.
- Frozen shoulder: A tightening of the shoulder joint capsule that limits movement.
- Referred neck pain: Pain felt in the shoulder that actually originates in your cervical spine.
These conditions can feel similar, but they require different approaches to treatment.
1. Rotator Cuff Problems: Pain When Reaching or Sleeping
Your rotator cuff consists of four muscles and their tendons. Together, they stabilize your shoulder and help you lift and rotate your arm.
Repetitive overhead movements, injuries, and age-related tendon changes can cause irritation or damage.
Common Rotator Cuff Symptoms
- Pain when reaching overhead or behind your back.
- Weakness when lifting or carrying objects.
- Shoulder pain that gets worse at night.
- Discomfort when lying on the affected side.
- Difficulty with everyday activities like getting dressed.
Rotator cuff tendons can heal slowly, particularly when they are repeatedly stressed. Rest may temporarily reduce discomfort, but returning to the same activities can bring symptoms back.
Persistent weakness or night pain deserves a proper examination to determine whether tendon irritation, a tear, or another condition is responsible.
2. Frozen Shoulder: When Your Shoulder Starts Losing Movement
Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, occurs when the tissue surrounding your shoulder joint becomes thickened and tight.
Unlike many rotator cuff problems, frozen shoulder restricts both active movement and movement when someone else gently moves your arm.
Signs of Frozen Shoulder
- Gradually increasing shoulder stiffness.
- Difficulty reaching behind your back.
- Trouble washing your hair or putting on a jacket.
- Nighttime aching and disrupted sleep.
- Progressive loss of shoulder mobility.
Frozen shoulder is more common between ages 40 and 60. Diabetes, thyroid conditions, and prolonged shoulder immobilization can increase the risk.
Gentle, appropriate movement is often important for recovery. However, forcing a painful shoulder through aggressive stretches can make symptoms worse.
The right approach depends on the stage of the condition and how much movement you have lost.
3. Referred Neck Pain: When Your Shoulder Isn't the Problem
Here's something that surprises many patients: shoulder pain does not always start in the shoulder.
Nerves traveling from your cervical spine can produce pain around your shoulder, shoulder blade, and arm. Neck joints and surrounding muscles can also refer pain into these areas.
Clues Your Shoulder Pain May Come From Your Neck
- Shoulder pain changes when you turn or tilt your head.
- You experience neck stiffness alongside shoulder discomfort.
- Pain extends toward your shoulder blade or down your arm.
- You notice tingling, numbness, or radiating discomfort.
- Shoulder-focused exercises have not improved your symptoms.
Try gently turning your head from side to side. Does your shoulder discomfort change?
That can be a clue that your neck is involved, although it is not a diagnosis. A thorough examination helps distinguish referred pain from a shoulder injury.
How Chiropractic Care May Help Persistent Shoulder Pain
At Waves of Wellness Chiropractic, we start by evaluating your symptoms, joint movement, muscle function, and possible sources of pain.
Depending on your findings, your care plan may include several treatment approaches.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Targeted adjustments and joint mobilization may improve movement in restricted areas of the neck, upper back, and shoulder. Improving joint mobility can help reduce mechanical stress and discomfort.
Dry Needling
Dr. Megan Tomberlin provides dry needling to address muscle trigger points and tension that may contribute to shoulder or neck pain. This treatment may help reduce muscular discomfort and improve movement.
Active Release Technique (ART)
Dr. Jordan Warner specializes in Active Release Technique, a hands-on soft tissue treatment used to address muscle and tendon restrictions. ART may help improve flexibility and reduce discomfort associated with certain soft tissue problems.
Cold Laser Therapy
Cold laser therapy, also called low-level laser therapy, uses light energy to support pain management and tissue recovery. It may help some patients with tendon-related discomfort, although results vary by condition.
Not every treatment is appropriate for every shoulder condition. Frozen shoulder, significant tendon tears, and nerve-related symptoms may require additional rehabilitation, imaging, or referral.
When Should You Get Your Shoulder Pain Checked?
Consider scheduling an evaluation if:
- Your shoulder pain keeps returning.
- You regularly wake up because of shoulder discomfort.
- Your arm feels weak or your mobility is decreasing.
- Pain continues despite rest or home exercises.
- Neck movements trigger your shoulder symptoms.
Sudden severe pain after an injury, visible deformity, or significant new weakness requires prompt medical assessment. Shoulder pain accompanied by chest pressure, shortness of breath, or sweating requires emergency care.
Find Shoulder Pain Relief in Leland, NC
You should not have to plan your entire day around an aching shoulder. Whether your symptoms come from your rotator cuff, frozen shoulder, or your neck, identifying the source is the first step toward an effective treatment plan.
At Waves of Wellness Chiropractic, we help patients from Leland, Wilmington, Brunswick County, and surrounding communities understand their pain and explore appropriate treatment options.
Ready to get answers? Call us at (910) 859-8359 to schedule an appointment. Visit us at 473 Olde Waterford Way, Suite 118, Leland, NC 28451, or learn more at wavesofwellnesschiro.com.