Shoulder Pain Treatment in Portland & Hood River

What is shoulder pain?

The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, relying on the rotator cuff muscles and good shoulder-blade movement for stability. Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is a condition where the joint capsule becomes stiff and painful, often progressing through phases over months.

Common symptoms of shoulder pain

• Pain with reaching overhead or behind your back
• Pain lying on the affected side
• Stiffness and reduced range of motion
• Weakness lifting the arm
• Pain spreading into the upper arm

What causes shoulder pain?

Causes include overuse from sports or work, rotator cuff strain or tendon irritation, rounded-shoulder posture, frozen shoulder (more common in people with diabetes or after immobilization) and pain referred from the neck.

When should you see a doctor right away?

Most shoulder pain is not an emergency, but some symptoms need immediate medical care. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room — rather than booking a chiropractic visit — if you have any of the following:

• Severe pain, deformity or inability to use the limb after a fall or injury
• A hot, red, swollen joint, especially with fever
• Sudden numbness, coldness or color change in the limb
• Calf swelling and pain, which can signal a blood clot
• Left shoulder or arm pain with chest pain, shortness of breath or sweating — call 911

How chiropractic care may help shoulder pain

Your doctor checks the shoulder, shoulder blade and neck. Care may include adjustments to the shoulder, upper back and neck, StemWave for rotator cuff and soft-tissue pain, and exercises to restore motion and strength.

Services used for shoulder pain:

• Chiropractic Adjustments
• StemWave

What to expect at ALVIS

Care for shoulder pain at ALVIS Chiropractic follows three simple steps, starting with a free consultation. Nothing is decided until the doctor has heard your story and examined you, and there's no obligation to begin care.

1. 1Free consultation: tell the doctor about your shoulder pain — when it started, what makes it better or worse, and your goals.
2. 2Exam: a hands-on chiropractic exam, with X-rays or other imaging reviewed or referred if needed, to identify the likely source and rule out red flags.
3. 3Personalized plan: the doctor explains the findings and recommends a plan, which may include chiropractic care, StemWave, home exercises or — in Portland — spinal decompression, or a referral if another provider is a better fit.

At-home tips while you heal

These general tips are safe for most people. Stop anything that clearly worsens your symptoms and ask your doctor what's right for you.

• Keep the shoulder gently moving within a comfortable range.
• Avoid sleeping on the painful side; hug a pillow for support.
• Bring work closer to avoid repeated overhead reaching.
• Practice shoulder-blade squeezes to support posture.