Shoulder Pain Chiropractor in Clayton
Shoulder pain can make everyday activities, work, exercise and sport more difficult. Because the shoulder is involved in such a wide range of movements, symptoms can present differently depending on the structures involved and the demands placed on them.
At Chiropractic Flow, our chiropractors provide personalised assessment and management for people experiencing shoulder pain in Clayton. We take the time to understand your symptoms, movement and goals before developing an individualised management plan.
Shoulder Pain Can Have Many Causes
The shoulder is a highly mobile region involving several joints, muscles, tendons and surrounding structures working together to produce movement.
Shoulder symptoms may develop following an injury or change in activity, or gradually become noticeable with repetitive work, exercise, sport or everyday movement.
Some people experience pain during particular movements, while others notice stiffness, reduced mobility, weakness or discomfort when lying on the affected side.
An individual assessment helps us better understand your presentation and the physical factors that may be relevant to your symptoms.
Shoulder Concerns We Commonly Assess
People visit Chiropractic Flow with a range of shoulder and upper limb concerns. Presentations we commonly assess include:
- Shoulder pain
- Rotator cuff-related pain
- Shoulder impingement-related presentations
- Frozen shoulder
- Shoulder stiffness
- Reduced shoulder mobility
- Muscle and tendon-related shoulder pain
- Overuse-related shoulder concerns
- Gym and exercise-related shoulder injuries
- Sports-related shoulder injuries
- Shoulder discomfort associated with work or repetitive activity
Shoulder symptoms may also occur alongside neck pain or other upper limb concerns, which can be considered as part of your assessment where relevant.
Understanding What May Be Contributing to Your Shoulder Pain
Your consultation begins with a discussion about your symptoms, when they started and the activities or movements that affect them.
We will also discuss relevant health history, previous injuries, work demands, exercise and sport, along with what you would like to achieve from your care.
Your physical assessment may include looking at shoulder movement, joint mobility, muscle function and strength, as well as other areas that may be relevant to your presentation.
Depending on your symptoms, your chiropractor may also consider movement of the neck, upper back and surrounding regions as part of the assessment.
If your presentation suggests that further investigation or assessment by another healthcare professional may be appropriate, we will discuss this with you.
Shoulder Pain During Training & Sport
The shoulder is heavily involved in many forms of exercise and sport, particularly activities involving lifting, throwing, reaching, pushing or pulling.
Shoulder symptoms can make it difficult to continue training normally or perform particular movements with confidence.
For active individuals, our assessment considers not only your symptoms but also the physical demands of your training or sport.
Where appropriate, rehabilitation and exercise can form part of your management plan with the aim of supporting a gradual return to the activities that are important to you.
Learn More About Sports Injuries →Our Approach to Shoulder Pain
There is no single management approach that is appropriate for every person experiencing shoulder pain.
Following your assessment, we develop an individualised management plan based on your presentation, activity levels, preferences and goals.
Depending on your needs, care may include manual therapy, chiropractic care, soft tissue therapy, rehabilitation, movement retraining, exercise prescription and education.
We may also incorporate Functional Range Conditioning (FRC), Functional Movement Systems (FMS) and Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) where appropriate.
Your management plan may change over time as your symptoms, movement and activity requirements change.
Building Movement, Strength & Confidence
For many shoulder presentations, rehabilitation and appropriate movement can form an important part of management.
Depending on your assessment, exercises may focus on areas such as shoulder mobility, strength, control and the physical requirements of your everyday activities or sport.
Rehabilitation can be progressed according to your individual presentation rather than using the same exercise program for everyone.
We also aim to help you understand your shoulder and provide practical strategies that can form part of your ongoing self-management.
Shoulder, Neck & Upper Limb Symptoms
Pain experienced around the shoulder does not always arise from the same structure or region.
In some presentations, symptoms around the shoulder may occur alongside neck pain, upper back discomfort or symptoms affecting the arm.
Where relevant, your assessment can consider these surrounding regions rather than examining the shoulder in isolation.
This helps us develop a management plan based on your overall presentation and the activities you are trying to return to.
Learn More About Neck Pain →
When Further Investigation May Be Needed
Shoulder pain can have many different causes, and chiropractic management is not appropriate for every presentation.
Your health history, symptoms and assessment findings help determine the management options that may be appropriate for you.
Where findings suggest that imaging, further investigation or another form of healthcare may be required, we will discuss this with you and recommend appropriate referral.
Where appropriate, we can also work collaboratively with your GP, specialist or other healthcare professionals involved in your care.
Is Shoulder Pain Affecting Your Movement?
If shoulder pain is making work, exercise, sport or everyday activities more difficult, our team can assess your individual presentation and discuss the management options that may be appropriate for you.
Learn More About Related Conditions
Shoulder pain can sometimes occur alongside other musculoskeletal concerns. Learn more about neck pain, sports injuries and back pain, or explore all conditions we commonly see at Chiropractic Flow.
Not sure where to start? Ask our team a question or book an appointment for an individual assessment.