Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain can sneak into everything you do. Reaching for a high shelf, putting on a jacket, lifting your kids, or sleeping on your side can all become a struggle. Whether it started with an injury or crept up over time, you don’t have to keep working around it. At Serene Chiropractic in Worcester, MA, we look at your shoulder and everything that supports it to help you move more comfortably.

What’s going on?

Your shoulder is the most mobile joint in your body, which also makes it easy to strain. It relies on the rotator cuff muscles, the shoulder blade, and the upper back and neck to move well. When one of these areas isn’t doing its job, the shoulder can become irritated, painful, or stiff. Sometimes pain you feel in the shoulder actually starts in the neck.

Common contributors

Overuse

Repeating the same motion, like lifting, throwing, or working overhead, can irritate the tendons of the shoulder.

Posture & the upper back

Rounded shoulders and a stiff upper back change how the shoulder blade moves, which can pinch or strain the joint.

Neck involvement

Irritated nerves or joints in the neck can send pain into the shoulder and down the arm.

How can we help?

We assess how your shoulder, shoulder blade, neck, and upper back move together. Care may include gentle adjustments, soft tissue work, and targeted exercises to improve mobility and strength. For some shoulder injuries, we may also recommend working with our physical therapist. Our goal is to help you move comfortably and keep the problem from coming back.

When to see a doctor first

Some shoulder symptoms need medical attention. Call 911 or get care right away if you have:

-Shoulder or arm pain with chest pain, shortness of breath, or sweating
-A shoulder that looks deformed after a fall or injury
-Sudden inability to lift your arm
-A hot, red, swollen joint or a fever

If your pain started after an injury or isn’t improving, we may also recommend imaging or a visit with your primary care doctor.

Reaching, lifting, and sleeping shouldn’t hurt

Chiropractic care may be a helpful part of your plan. Learn more about how we work with adults.

Explore adult chiropractic

Still have questions?

Learn what to expect at your first visit,
which insurance plans we work with,
or meet our providers.