This is a great question and believe it or not, shoulders are something Chiropractors work with all the time which is often related to a sore or stiff neck, but not always. We take a thorough history of the problem, followed by an examination of the shoulder in all it’s ranges of motion and of course the spine as it relates to the nerve supply of the shoulder. The shoulder has more range of motion than any other joint in the body and has at least eight muscles that directly control its movements. These muscles, including the four that make up the rotator cuff can all become tight and sore and make it difficult to not only sleep on but to reach for things that used to be easy.
Often, we find patients have pinched nerves into their arm causing pain, numbness, or pins and needles down the arm. X-rays may be required to fully assess the problem, and if there is a tear of a tendon suspected, patients may need to have an ultrasound to see it clearly.
As chiropractors, we mobilize the shoulder joint as much as possible by releasing tight muscles and joint restrictions. Adjustments to the related part of the spine, mainly the neck and upper back, can help by reducing the irritation on the related nerve. We always send patients home with techniques for helping to continue releasing the muscles at home and either ice or heat for pain relief. When the irritation has reduced enough, it’s time to start a strengthening exercise program, but not when it’s still sore.