Shoulder pain is a frequent complaint that drives people to seek solutions, whether it’s from an injury, overuse, or simply the wear and tear of daily life.
At Skare Spine and Performance in Rochester, MN, we specialize in helping patients overcome shoulder pain through a personalized, evidence-based approach that blends chiropractic care, functional rehabilitation, and advanced therapies like dry needling. Below, we address some of the most commonly searched questions about shoulder pain and explain how our unique approach helps you get back to doing what you love—pain-free.
What Causes Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder pain can stem from a variety of sources, and understanding the root cause is critical for effective treatment. The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, which makes it prone to instability and injury.
Common causes include:
- Overuse Injuries: Repetitive motions, such as those in overhead sports (tennis, swimming, baseball) or weightlifting, can lead to conditions like shoulder impingement or rotator cuff strains. For example, shoulder impingement occurs when a rotator cuff muscle, typically the supraspinatus, gets pinched, causing sharp or achy discomfort.
- Instability: Scapular dyskinesis, or improper shoulder blade movement, can cause the glenohumeral joint to compensate, leading to pain or impingement over time. This is often seen in athletes or individuals with repetitive overhead tasks.
- Trauma: Dislocations can tear the labrum, a cartilage ring that stabilizes the shoulder, leading to persistent pain or weakness.
- Degenerative Conditions: Osteoarthritis can cause stiffness, pain, and reduced range of motion as the joint cartilage wears down.
- Nerve-Related Issues: Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) results from nerve entrapment or blood flow restriction between the neck and arm, causing numbness, tingling, or a “dead arm” sensation.
- Referred Pain: In some cases, shoulder pain may originate from spinal issues, such as a herniated disc, where pain radiates to the shoulder blade or arm.
At Skare Spine and Performance, our first step is a thorough assessment to pinpoint the exact cause of your pain. We don’t just treat symptoms—we dig deeper to address the underlying dysfunction.
Why Does My Shoulder Hurt When I Lift My Arm?
Pain when lifting your arm is often linked to shoulder impingement or rotator cuff issues. As mentioned, impingement occurs when a rotator cuff muscle is pinched under the acromion (a bony part of the shoulder blade) during arm elevation. This can result from scapular dyskinesis, where the shoulder blade doesn’t rotate properly, forcing the shoulder joint to overcompensate. Over time, this can lead to inflammation, tendinosis, or even a tear if untreated.
Other culprits include frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), which restricts range of motion due to tightened joint capsules, or osteoarthritis, which causes stiffness and pain during movement. Our approach at Skare Spine and Performance focuses on restoring proper joint mechanics and muscle activation to alleviate pain and prevent further damage.
How Can I Tell If My Shoulder Pain Is Serious?
While some shoulder pain resolves with rest, certain symptoms warrant professional attention.
Red flags include:
- Persistent pain lasting more than a few weeks
- Significant weakness or inability to lift objects
- Numbness, tingling, or a “dead arm” sensation (possible TOS or nerve involvement)
- Pain that worsens at night or disrupts sleep
- A history of dislocation or trauma
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s time to seek care. At Skare Spine and Performance, Dr. Nate Skare conducts a comprehensive 45-minute initial visit, including a detailed health history, physical exam, and movement assessment to determine the severity and cause of your pain. This allows us to create a tailored treatment plan that addresses your specific needs.
What Are the Best Treatments for Shoulder Pain?
Treatment depends on the cause, but at Skare Spine and Performance, we prioritize conservative, non-invasive solutions to avoid surgery or injections whenever possible.
Our multifaceted approach includes:
- Chiropractic Adjustments: Using techniques like Motion Palpation and Diversified adjusting, we restore joint mobility in the shoulder, spine, and surrounding areas. For example, if your shoulder pain is referred from a spinal issue, we may use McKenzie Method movements to “centralize” the pain back to the spine, reducing arm or shoulder blade discomfort.
- Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS): DNS is a cornerstone of our shoulder rehabilitation. This revolutionary technique, rooted in developmental kinesiology, retrains your nervous system to stabilize the shoulder joint properly. For instance, with a torn labrum or impingement, DNS exercises help enhance scapular stability, reducing strain on the rotator cuff.
- Dry Needling: We use dry needling to target trigger points—tight, irritable muscle bands that cause pain or restrict motion. By inserting thin needles into these areas, we decrease muscle tightness, increase blood flow, and reduce pain. This is particularly effective for shoulder conditions like rotator cuff strains or TOS.
- Soft-Tissue Therapies: Techniques like myofascial release, cupping, and muscle release techniques address muscle tension and improve circulation, promoting faster healing.
- Functional Rehabilitation: We prescribe specific exercises to strengthen the shoulder and improve movement patterns. For example, eccentric strengthening helps rebuild tendon resiliency in cases of impingement or overuse injuries.
- Patient Education: We empower you with take-home exercises and lifestyle modifications to maintain progress and prevent recurrence. This might include ergonomic adjustments for desk workers or stabilization drills for athletes.
Our treatment plans typically span 6-8 visits over 3-4 weeks, allowing us to monitor progress and adjust as needed. Most patients experience relief within the first few visits, and our goal is to equip you with the tools for long-term health.
Can Shoulder Pain Be Prevented?
Absolutely! Proactive care is key to keeping your shoulders resilient, especially if you’re an athlete or have a physically demanding job.
At Skare Spine and Performance, we emphasize:
- Strengthening and Stabilization: Regular DNS-based exercises can enhance shoulder stability, reducing the risk of impingement or overuse injuries.
- Proper Movement Patterns: We teach you how to move efficiently to avoid compensatory patterns that stress the shoulder.
- Periodic Maintenance: Many patients opt for wellness care after completing their treatment plan to maintain mobility and prevent setbacks.
- Lifestyle Adjustments: Simple changes, like optimizing your workspace or modifying repetitive tasks, can make a big difference.
Whether you’re a throwing athlete, a weekend warrior, or someone who spends hours at a desk, we tailor our prevention strategies to your lifestyle and goals.
Why Choose Skare Spine and Performance for Shoulder Pain?
At Skare Spine and Performance, we’re not your average chiropractic clinic. Dr. Nate Skare brings over 700 hours of continuing education in techniques like DNS, McKenzie Methods, and dry needling, ensuring you receive cutting-edge care. Our patient-centered philosophy means no two treatment plans are alike—we customize every aspect of your care to align with your unique needs and goals.
Our Rochester clinic is the only one in the area combining chiropractic adjustments, DNS, McKenzie Method, soft-tissue therapies, and dry needling for a holistic healing experience. We believe in empowering you to take control of your recovery, providing detailed explanations and take-home exercises to support long-term success.
As one patient shared, “I have been seeking care for shoulder pain since 2021. After multiple injections, an MRI, and a regimen of focused shoulder exercises and adjustments, I was not making progress. I knew it was time for a different approach. I booked my first appointment 3 weeks ago and can truly say that my time at Skare Spine and Performance has been the greatest investment in my health in a long time. My shoulder pain has decreased, but an even better outcome was the increase of mobility in my neck and the disappearance of tension headaches. I leave each appointment with exercises that are moving me forward on a path of wellness. I encourage you to give Skare Spine and Performance a try-I am sure glad I did!”
Take the First Step Toward Pain-Free Shoulders
Shoulder pain doesn’t have to hold you back. Whether you’re dealing with nagging discomfort, a sports injury, or chronic stiffness, Skare Spine and Performance is here to help you thrive. Don’t push through the pain—schedule your appointment today and let us create a personalized plan to restore your shoulder’s function and get you back to the activities you love.
Nate Skare
Contact Me
