All Things Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain can be a real problem. It can make even the simplest tasks, like brushing your hair or reaching for something on a shelf, hard to do. If you’re dealing with shoulder pain, you probably have a lot of questions. In this blog, we’ll cover all the basics about shoulder pain—what causes it, when it’s serious, how to find relief, and who to see for help.

When Is Shoulder Pain Serious?

While not all shoulder pain is an emergency, some situations are more serious and need medical
attention right away. It’s important to know when your shoulder pain could be a sign of a bigger
problem. Here are some signs that mean you should see a doctor quickly:

• Inability to move your arm: If you can’t lift your arm or rotate it, there may be a tear or severe injury.
• Visible deformity: If your shoulder looks out of place, swollen, or has a lump, this could be a sign of a dislocation or fracture.
• Numbness or tingling: This might indicate nerve damage.
• Sudden severe pain: Sudden, sharp pain can be a red flag, especially if it’s intense and doesn’t get better with rest.

Ignoring these symptoms could lead to bigger problems, like long-term damage or more pain down the road.

When Is Shoulder Pain Related to the Heart?

Most people don’t think of shoulder pain as being related to the heart, but it can be. Heart-related shoulder pain often happens on the left side and can feel like a dull ache or pressure. It may spread from the chest to the shoulder, neck, or jaw. This type of pain could be a warning sign of a heart attack. Other signs to watch for include:

• Chest pain or tightness
• Trouble breathing
• Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
• Sweating

If you think your shoulder pain might be heart-related, seek help immediately. Call 911 or go to the emergency room.

When Is It Rotator Cuff Pain?

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons in your shoulder that helps you move your arm. Over time, this area can wear down or get injured, especially with activities that require repetitive motions like lifting or throwing.

Here are some signs that your shoulder pain might be related to your rotator cuff:

• Weakness when lifting your arm or rotating your shoulder
• Dull, aching pain deep in the shoulder, especially at night
• Difficulty raising your arm above your head or behind your back

Rotator cuff injuries are common in athletes or anyone who uses their arms for overhead work, like painters or construction workers. Best treatment options are movement-based options that increase strength and positioning of the shoulder blade.

When Is Shoulder Pain Arthritis?

Arthritis is a condition that affects the joints and can make them stiff and painful. When arthritis hits the shoulder, it can make it hard to move your arm or perform daily activities. There are different types of arthritis, but the most common is osteoarthritis, which happens when the cartilage between joints wears down over time.

Symptoms of arthritis in the shoulder include:

• Stiffness or difficulty moving the shoulder
• Pain that gets worse with activity or movement
• A grinding or clicking sensation when moving the shoulder

Arthritis pain usually develops slowly and gets worse over time. Unfortunately, arthritis doesn’t have a cure, but with proper treatment like physical therapy, exercise, or medications, it’s possible to manage the pain and keep moving.

How to Self-Relieve Shoulder Pain

There are a few things you can try at home to relieve shoulder pain and improve how your shoulder
feels. Here are some self-care tips that might help:

• Ice or Heat Therapy: Ice can reduce swelling and numb pain, while heat helps relax tight muscles. These are both short-term options that will best help very acute, minor conditions. Anything that lasts more than a few days, you are beyond the ice/heat situation. 

• Stretching and Exercises: Gentle stretches and mobility exercises can help relieve stiffness. Here are some of our go-to exercises that help most shoulder conditions. 

Sometimes, these self-care methods are enough to ease shoulder pain, but if it persists, seeing a healthcare professional is the best next step.

Will Shoulder Pain Ever Go Away?

Whether your shoulder pain will go away depends on what’s causing it. For minor injuries or strains, shoulder pain often improves with rest, exercise, and time. However, some causes of shoulder pain, like arthritis or rotator cuff tears, may need ongoing care and management.

The good news is that many people find relief with proper treatment, including movement-based therapy. The key is not to ignore the pain and to get help early. The sooner you address the pain, the better your chances of a full recovery.

Can My Chiropractor Help With Shoulder Pain?

In short, this depends on your chiropractor. If your chiropractor is the classic 5-10 minute visit, quick adjustment and some e stim....then no, your chiropractor will not help you with your sholder pain.

But if your chiropractor is like us, with longer visits that do the necessary soft-tissue and rehab exercises, then absolutely your chiropractor can help you.

Why Is Bergner Chiropractic Your Best Option For Shoulder Pain in Kansas City?

We are different than anywhere else you will go. Here's why:

• Full, comprehensive 1.5 hour movement assessment and history
• We get extremely clear on your daily activities and goals so that we know the plan is extremely specific to you
• 1 hour, 1-on-1 treatment sessions that include adjustments (if indicated), soft-tissue treatments, and rehab exercises 
• Virtual support so that you know EXACTLY what to do while you're not in the office
• 24/7 access to us via our app so that you can message us with questions, concerns, or wins whenever you need to
• A plan that will get you the long-term fix

No one else in Kansas City matches our in-person care and virtual support tools. 

If you have shoulder pain that is keeping you from doing the things you want and should be able to do, contact us via the link below.