Shoulder Pain
 

Restore Mobility, Strength, and Confidence With Overhead Movement
 

Shoulder pain can make it difficult to sleep, reach overhead, lift, carry, work, train, or participate in sports. Symptoms may develop suddenly after an injury or gradually through repetitive use, tendon overload, reduced mobility, or changes in shoulder mechanics.
 

At Performance and Recovery Clinic, we evaluate how the shoulder joint, rotator cuff, shoulder blade, upper back, neck, and surrounding tissues work together. Your care plan is then adapted to your examination findings, activity demands, goals, and response to treatment.
 

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Common Causes of Shoulder Pain

The shoulder relies on coordinated movement between several joints, muscles, tendons, and the shoulder blade. Pain may develop when one or more parts of this system become irritated, restricted, or overloaded.

Common shoulder conditions include:

• Rotator cuff strains and tendinopathy

• Shoulder impingement or subacromial pain

• Biceps tendon irritation

• Frozen shoulder

• Shoulder bursitis

• AC joint sprains or irritation

• Labral injuries

• Shoulder instability

• Arthritis and degenerative changes

• Repetitive overhead strain

• Neck or upper-back dysfunction referring pain toward the shoulder

Pain location alone does not always identify the involved tissue, which is why a detailed assessment is important.
 

Common Symptoms

Shoulder pain may include:

• Pain when reaching overhead or behind the back

• Discomfort when lifting or carrying

• Pain when lying on the affected side

• Weakness or fatigue with repetitive movement

• Clicking, catching, or popping

• Stiffness or reduced range of motion

• Pain at the front, side, or back of the shoulder

• Discomfort extending into the upper arm

• Reduced confidence with pressing, pulling, throwing, or swinging

• Difficulty putting on a jacket or fastening clothing

Symptoms extending below the elbow, numbness, or tingling may indicate involvement of the neck or nearby nerves and should be assessed accordingly.

How We Evaluate Shoulder Pain

Your examination may include:

• Health and injury history

• Shoulder range of motion

• Rotator cuff strength testing

• Orthopedic testing

• Shoulder-blade movement and control

• Neck and upper-back assessment

• Joint mobility and stability

• Pressing, pulling, reaching, or lifting patterns

• Sport-specific movement assessment

• Review of available imaging or medical records

The goal is to identify the tissues and movement factors contributing to your symptoms and determine whether conservative care is appropriate.
 

Our Treatment Approach

Shoulder treatment may combine several strategies depending on the diagnosis, stage of recovery, and activity goals.
 

Chiropractic Care and Joint Mobilization

Adjustments or mobilization may be used to improve movement through the shoulder, upper back, neck, ribs, and AC joint when restricted joint motion is contributing to symptoms.

Treatment intensity is adapted to your comfort level and examination findings.
 

Focused Shockwave Therapy

Focused shockwave therapy may be considered for certain persistent tendon and soft tissue conditions, including:

• Rotator cuff tendinopathy

• Calcific tendinopathy

• Biceps tendon irritation

• Chronic attachment-point pain

• Persistent muscular or fascial restrictions

Shockwave is not appropriate for every shoulder condition and is used only when examination findings support it.
 

Manual Therapy

Soft tissue techniques may help address protective muscle tension, mobility restrictions, and irritated tissues around the rotator cuff, upper back, chest, shoulder blade, and upper arm.
 

Exercise Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation helps restore mobility, strength, coordination, and tolerance for daily and athletic activity.

Your program may include:

• Shoulder mobility exercises

• Rotator cuff strengthening

• Shoulder-blade control

• Upper-back mobility

• Progressive loading

• Pressing and pulling progressions

• Overhead movement retraining

• Throwing or sport-specific drills

• Personalized home exercises
   

Supportive Recovery Modalities

Laser therapy, PEMF, and other recovery tools may be included when appropriate. These services support the overall plan but do not replace progressive exercise and appropriate loading.
 

The Performance and Recovery Method

01 — Assess

We evaluate shoulder mobility, strength, joint function, shoulder-blade mechanics, neck and upper-back movement, and the activities that aggravate your symptoms.

02 — Treat

We use targeted chiropractic care, manual therapy, focused shockwave, and supportive modalities when appropriate.

03 — Strengthen

Progressive rehabilitation helps rebuild rotator cuff strength, shoulder-blade control, stability, and confidence with movement.

04 — Maintain

Home exercises, movement education, recovery resources, and periodic care help you maintain progress and better tolerate work, training, and sport.
 

Returning to Activity

Our goal is not simply to reduce pain at rest. We want to help you regain the strength and confidence required for the activities that matter to you.

Depending on your goals, care may focus on helping you:

• Sleep comfortably

• Reach overhead or behind your back

• Lift and carry

• Work at a desk or overhead

• Return to strength training

• Golf

• Ski or snowboard

• Swim

• Throw or serve

• Cycle or mountain bike

• Climb or perform other overhead sports

Return-to-activity progression is based on mobility, strength, function, symptom response, and confidence.
 

When Additional Evaluation May Be Needed

Additional imaging or medical referral may be appropriate when there is:

• Significant trauma or suspected fracture

• Visible deformity

• A complete loss of shoulder movement

• Sudden or significant weakness after injury

• Recurrent dislocation or instability

• Persistent locking or catching

• Severe swelling or bruising

• Numbness or progressive neurological symptoms

• Pain that does not improve as expected with conservative care

We will recommend referral when findings suggest that another type of evaluation or treatment is needed.
 

Start With a Comprehensive Assessment

Shoulder pain can arise from the joint, rotator cuff, tendons, shoulder blade, upper back, neck, or surrounding tissues. A thorough assessment helps determine what may be contributing to your symptoms and which combination of chiropractic care, focused shockwave therapy, rehabilitation, supportive treatment, or referral is most appropriate.
 

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Performance and Recovery Clinic
100 Elk Run Drive, Unit 220
Basalt, Colorado 81621

Serving Basalt, Carbondale, Aspen, Snowmass Village, Glenwood Springs, and the Roaring Fork Valley.