What You’ll Learn in This Article
- What causes shoulder pain and why it often doesn’t resolve on its own
- Common shoulder conditions like rotator cuff irritation, bursitis, and tendonitis
- Why rest and medication may not be enough for lasting relief
- How chiropractic care restores shoulder and neck biomechanics
- How shockwave therapy helps stimulate healing in chronic shoulder injuries
- When to seek care and how early treatment improves outcomes
Shoulder Pain Is More Than Just a Shoulder Problem
Shoulder pain has a way of sneaking into daily life. It might start as a mild ache when reaching overhead, lifting weights, or sleeping on your side. Over time, that ache can turn into sharp pain, weakness, limited motion, or even pain that radiates into the neck or arm.
At Vector Spine and Sport in Murray, Utah, we see shoulder pain in people of all activity levels — office workers, athletes, weekend warriors, and those recovering from auto accidents. One of the most important things patients learn is this: shoulder pain rarely exists in isolation. The shoulder depends heavily on proper movement of the neck, upper back, and surrounding muscles to function normally.
Common Causes of Shoulder Pain
The shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in the body, which also makes it vulnerable to injury and overuse. Some of the most common causes we see include rotator cuff irritation, shoulder bursitis, tendonitis, impingement, and muscular imbalance. These issues often develop gradually due to repetitive motion, poor posture, or weakness in supporting muscles.
Trauma such as a fall or car accident can also disrupt shoulder mechanics, leading to inflammation and reduced range of motion. Even sleeping positions and prolonged desk work can contribute by placing the shoulder in compromised positions for extended periods.
Why Shoulder Pain Often Becomes Chronic
Many patients try to “push through” shoulder pain, assuming it will resolve with time. Others rely on rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, or cortisone injections. While these approaches may temporarily reduce pain, they often fail to address the underlying issue — impaired movement, tissue degeneration, or poor biomechanics.
When shoulder tissues don’t receive adequate blood flow and mechanical stimulation, healing slows. Over time, tendon fibers can weaken, scar tissue can develop, and pain becomes persistent rather than occasional.
How Chiropractic Care Supports Shoulder Recovery
Chiropractic care plays a critical role in shoulder rehabilitation by addressing the areas that influence shoulder function — especially the neck and upper back. Restricted motion in these regions can change how the shoulder moves, increasing strain on tendons and muscles.
At Vector Spine and Sport, Dr. Jacob Reesor evaluates the entire kinetic chain, not just the painful area. Gentle, evidence-based chiropractic adjustments help restore proper joint motion, reduce compensatory patterns, and improve nerve communication. When the spine and shoulder move more efficiently, inflammation decreases and pain often improves naturally.
Patients frequently notice better mobility, reduced stiffness, and increased strength when the shoulder is no longer forced to compensate for surrounding dysfunction.
Shockwave Therapy: A Powerful Option for Shoulder Pain
For chronic or stubborn shoulder pain, Shockwave Therapy (EPAT) is one of the most effective non-surgical options available. Shockwave therapy uses acoustic sound waves to stimulate blood flow, promote cellular repair, and break down scar tissue within irritated tendons and muscles.
Clinical research supports shockwave therapy for shoulder conditions such as rotator cuff tendinopathy and calcific tendonitis. Studies published in journals like The American Journal of Sports Medicine and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research have shown improved pain and function compared to conservative care alone.
At Vector Spine and Sport, we use both focused and radial shockwave technology, allowing treatment to be tailored based on the depth and type of tissue involved. Sessions are quick, require no downtime, and are well tolerated by most patients.
Shoulder Pain After a Car Accident
Shoulder injuries are common after car accidents, even when pain isn’t immediate. Seatbelts, steering wheel impact, and sudden force transmission through the arms can all contribute to soft tissue injury. In Utah, chiropractic care for auto injuries is typically covered under Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, meaning treatment is often provided with little to no out-of-pocket cost.
Early evaluation helps prevent minor shoulder injuries from turning into long-term problems.
When to Seek Care
If shoulder pain is limiting your ability to lift, reach, sleep comfortably, or exercise — or if pain has persisted longer than a few weeks — it’s time to be evaluated. Early, conservative treatment leads to better outcomes and helps many patients avoid injections or surgery altogether.
Helping the Murray Community Move Better
At Vector Spine and Sport, our goal is simple: help you move better, feel better, and get back to the activities you enjoy. Shoulder pain doesn’t have to control your life, and effective, evidence-based treatment options are available.
📍 Vector Spine and Sport — Murray, Utah
📞 801-456-0352