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Shoulder pain can make even seemingly simple activities surprisingly difficult. Reaching overhead, lifting, getting dressed, sleeping on your side, exercising, or even reaching for something in a cabinet may become painful.

The shoulder is a complex region involving the shoulder joint, rotator cuff, tendons, muscles, ligaments, and surrounding structures. In some cases, pain felt in the shoulder may also be related to the neck or another nearby area.

At O'Leary Chiropractic, we provide comprehensive evaluations and conservative care for appropriately selected patients with musculoskeletal shoulder pain and movement-related shoulder conditions.

Our approach begins by determining what may be contributing to your symptoms and whether chiropractic and conservative care are appropriate for your specific condition.

If shoulder pain is limiting your work, sleep, exercise, or daily activities, a thorough evaluation can help determine the most appropriate next step.

For appropriately selected patients, chiropractic care may be part of a conservative treatment plan for musculoskeletal shoulder pain.

Your treatment plan is based on your symptoms, examination findings, functional limitations, and individual goals.

Depending on your condition, care may include:

Manual Therapy

When clinically appropriate, manual therapy may be used to address restricted movement and musculoskeletal dysfunction involving the shoulder, upper back, neck, or surrounding regions.

Therapeutic Exercise

Exercise and rehabilitation may help improve:

• Shoulder mobility
• Rotator cuff strength
• Scapular control
• Muscular endurance
• Movement coordination
• Functional tolerance

Exercises should be tailored to your individual condition and current ability.

Soft Tissue Treatment

Muscles and soft tissues surrounding the shoulder, upper back, and neck may contribute to pain or restricted movement.

When clinically appropriate, treatment may address these areas as part of a comprehensive plan.

Movement and Activity Guidance

We may provide guidance regarding:

• Overhead activity
• Lifting
• Exercise
• Sports
• Work demands
• Sleeping positions
• Gradual return to activity

Home Exercise and Education

Your care plan may include individualized recommendations to help improve mobility, strength, and confidence with movement outside of the office.

Patients commonly seek care for symptoms associated with:

• Rotator cuff-related shoulder pain
• Shoulder tendinopathy
• Shoulder bursitis
• Subacromial shoulder pain
• Frozen shoulder
• Shoulder stiffness
• Shoulder instability
• Arthritis-related shoulder pain
• Neck-related shoulder pain
• Muscle and soft tissue injuries

Not every condition is managed the same way. A comprehensive examination helps determine whether conservative chiropractic care is appropriate and whether another healthcare provider or specialist should be involved.

Some shoulder symptoms require prompt medical attention.

Seek urgent medical evaluation if you experience:

• An obvious deformity after an injury
• Inability to move the arm after significant trauma
• Severe pain following a fall or accident
• Sudden significant weakness
• A shoulder that appears dislocated
• Significant swelling, redness, or warmth with severe pain
• Fever or other signs of illness with a painful joint
• New or progressive numbness or weakness

Severe shoulder pain can occasionally be related to conditions outside of the shoulder itself. If shoulder or arm discomfort occurs with symptoms such as chest pressure, shortness of breath, fainting, or other concerning systemic symptoms, seek emergency medical care.

Patient safety always comes first. If your symptoms suggest a fracture, dislocation, significant tendon injury, neurological problem, infection, or another serious condition, appropriate medical evaluation or referral is necessary.

Shoulder pain can interfere with work, sports, exercise, sleep, and the activities you rely on every day.

Whether your symptoms developed gradually or began after an injury, an evaluation can help determine what may be contributing to your pain and whether conservative chiropractic care is appropriate.

At O'Leary Chiropractic, we provide individualized care for musculoskeletal shoulder conditions with a focus on appropriate evaluation, manual therapy when indicated, rehabilitation, therapeutic exercise, movement education, and referral when necessary.

Schedule Your Shoulder Pain Evaluation

If shoulder pain, stiffness, weakness, or limited movement is affecting your daily life, contact O'Leary Chiropractic to schedule an evaluation.

Call (518) 793-1205 or request an appointment online.

Serving patients in Queensbury, Glens Falls, Lake George, Hudson Falls, and the surrounding Adirondack region.