Shoulder Pain Relief

Shoulder Pain Relief in Brentwood, CA

Your shoulder is the most mobile joint in your body, which also makes it one of the easiest to injure. Shoulder pain can make it hard to reach overhead, lift your kids, sleep on your side or swing a golf club. At Actus Chiropractic, Dr. Val Tompkins uses gentle, specific chiropractic care to relieve shoulder pain and restore healthy movement.

Common Causes of Shoulder Pain

• Rotator cuff strain and tendinitis
• Shoulder impingement: pain when lifting the arm overhead
• Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) and stiffness
• Bursitis and inflammation
• Sports and overuse injuries: swimming, water polo, baseball, tennis, golf and weightlifting
• Poor posture: rounded shoulders from desk work and phone use
• Pain referred from the neck: a pinched nerve or joint problem in the neck can cause shoulder and arm pain

Why Your Neck and Upper Back Matter

Shoulder pain doesn't always start in the shoulder. The nerves that control your shoulder muscles exit your neck, and your shoulder blade glides over your upper back. If your neck or upper back isn't moving well, your shoulder has to compensate. That's why Dr. Val evaluates your neck, upper back, shoulder blade and shoulder joint together. Learn more about our neck pain relief care.

Our Shoulder Pain Treatment Approach

• Shoulder (extremity) adjustments to improve joint motion and position
• Neck and upper back adjustments to address nerve and posture contributors, using Gonstead, Diversified or the gentle Koren Specific Technique (KST)
• Cold laser therapy to help calm inflammation in irritated tendons and soft tissue
• Corrective exercises to strengthen the rotator cuff and stabilize the shoulder blade
• Posture and activity coaching for work, sleep and sports

Shoulder Care for Athletes

Dr. Val has a degree in Sports Medicine and coaches varsity water polo at Freedom High School, so he knows overhead athletes. Whether you swim, throw, serve or lift, we focus on getting you back to your sport with better mechanics to help prevent re-injury. Learn more about our sports injury chiropractic care.

When to See a Medical Doctor

If you have a suspected dislocation, fracture, sudden inability to lift your arm after a fall, or shoulder pain with chest pain or shortness of breath, seek emergency medical care right away.

Shoulder Pain FAQs

Can a chiropractor help shoulder pain? Yes. Chiropractors treat the shoulder joint as well as the neck and upper back, which often contribute to shoulder problems.

Can a chiropractor help a frozen shoulder? Chiropractic care, combined with targeted exercises, can help improve motion and comfort in many cases of frozen shoulder. Progress is usually gradual.

Why does my shoulder hurt when I sleep on it? Side sleeping compresses the shoulder and can irritate inflamed tendons or bursa. Dr. Val can suggest sleeping positions that take pressure off.

Is my shoulder pain coming from my neck? It might be. Pain that travels down the arm, or comes with neck stiffness, numbness or tingling, often involves the neck. An exam will help find out.

Do you treat rotator cuff injuries? We help with rotator cuff strains and tendinitis. If a full tear is suspected, Dr. Val will refer you for imaging and a medical consultation.

Move Your Shoulder Freely Again

Call Actus Chiropractic at (925) 516-2363 or request an appointment online. Serving Brentwood, Oakley, Antioch, Discovery Bay, Byron and Knightsen.

Related care: Neck Pain Relief | Sports Injury Chiropractic | Back Pain Relief | Your First Visit