Is a sore shoulder holding you back?
Reaching for a shelf, pulling on a jacket or sleeping on your side can become a daily struggle when your shoulder hurts. Pain there is not always about the shoulder alone. Our upper cervical doctors start by asking how your head, neck and posture are shaping the way the shoulder moves, then plan gentle care around the answer.
What is shoulder pain?
Shoulder pain is discomfort in or around the shoulder joint. It is the most mobile joint in the body, which makes it flexible but also easy to irritate. The pain can come from the joint itself, from the muscles and tendons around it, or from the neck, since nerves and muscles link the two.
Shoulder or arm pain with chest pressure, shortness of breath or sweating can signal a heart problem. Call 911.
Common signs include:
- An ache or sharp pain when you lift your arm
- Stiffness reaching overhead or behind your back
- Pain that disturbs sleep, especially on one side
- Weakness when carrying or lifting
- Tightness running from the neck into the shoulder
- Clicking or catching in the joint
- Overuse from repeated lifting, throwing or reaching
- Irritated tendons or a strained rotator cuff
- Sleeping or sitting in positions that strain the joint
- Wear in the joint over time
- A fall or a blow to the shoulder
- Rounded shoulders and a head carried forward
What causes shoulder pain?
Many things can irritate a shoulder. Common ones include:
The head rests on the atlas (C1) and axis (C2), and many of the muscles that steady your shoulder blades attach to the neck. When the head sits off center, the neck and shoulder muscles may tighten to hold it up, and that can add strain to the shoulder.
How upper cervical care can help
We start by asking where the pain is, what brings it on and what eases it. Your exam may include a posture evaluation with software, muscle assessments, neurological testing and 3D imaging of your neck, so the doctor can tell whether the upper neck is part of the picture or whether you would be better served by an orthopedist or physical therapist.
When the upper neck is involved, our gentle adjustments aim to help the head sit better on top of the spine. That may ease the pull on the neck and shoulder muscles and give the shoulder more room to move. Depending on your exam, care can include manual or instrument-assisted adjustments, along with full-spine care where it fits.
Neck or shoulder?
Pain felt in the shoulder can start in the neck. Neurological testing and muscle assessments help us sort out where yours is coming from.
Posture from the top down
Rounded shoulders often go along with a head carried forward. We measure your posture with software and see how head and shoulders line up.
Moving with less strain
Our goal is to help the shoulder move with less effort, so reaching, lifting and sleeping may become more comfortable over time.
Honest about what we see
If your exam suggests a tear, a frozen joint or another problem in the shoulder itself, we will say so and suggest the right specialist.
What to expect
Day 1
Your first visit
A consultation with the doctor at the office you choose, a thorough exam, and 3D imaging of your cervical spine with our CBCT scanner. We also do a detailed posture evaluation with advanced software, neurological testing and muscle assessments.
Day 2
Your report of findings
The doctor goes over your history, your exam and posture results, your neurological findings and your 3D images with you, and explains a care plan made for you.
Ongoing
Gentle care, checked as you go
Gentle upper cervical adjustments with no twisting, cracking or popping, and regular progress checks so your plan follows how you are doing.
Why choose Apollo?
Specialized care
We focus on upper cervical chiropractic, a highly targeted and refined approach.
A plan made for you
Every patient is different. Your care plan is built around your own exam and your 3D imaging.
Gentle, with no cracking
Our methods are very gentle: no twisting, cracking or popping.
An experienced doctor
Dr. Kosta Tsakalos brings deep clinical experience and a caring, detail-oriented approach to every visit.
Every person is different, and results vary. Read what our patients say on our testimonials page.
Let us help you get started
If you are dealing with shoulder pain, we are here to help. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Kosta Tsakalos and find out whether upper cervical chiropractic care is right for you.
Related conditions we help with
- Whiplash
- Carpal Tunnel
- Hip Pain
- Knee Pain
- Numbness & Tingling
- Sports Injuries
- Auto Accident Injuries
- Post-Surgical Recovery
- See every condition
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis or medical advice. If your symptoms are sudden or severe, please seek medical care right away.