Conditions We Treat
Shoulder Pain Treatment in Seattle
From rotator cuff injuries and shoulder impingement to frozen shoulder, our team has the clinical background to diagnose and treat the full spectrum of shoulder conditions.
What We Treat
Shoulder Conditions
Rotator Cuff Injuries
Tears, strains, and tendinopathy of the rotator cuff muscles, extremely common in active patients.
Shoulder Impingement
Compression of soft tissue in the subacromial space causing pain with overhead motion.
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
Progressive stiffening and pain limiting all shoulder motion. Ash Chima specializes in clinical treatment of this condition.
Bursitis
Inflammation of the bursa sac causing aching shoulder pain, particularly when lying on the affected side.
AC Joint Sprain
Injury to the acromioclavicular joint from falls or direct impact, common in cyclists and contact sport athletes.
Biceps Tendinopathy
Pain at the front of the shoulder from overuse or degeneration of the long head of the biceps tendon.
Treatment
How We Treat Shoulder Pain
Chiropractic Adjustment
Addresses cervical and thoracic dysfunction that contributes to shoulder mechanics and impingement.
Sports Massage
Ash Chima's expertise in Russian sports massage and clinical conditions like frozen shoulder and thoracic outlet syndrome.
Soft Tissue / Myofascial Release
Breaks up adhesions and scar tissue limiting shoulder movement and causing chronic pain.
Functional Rehabilitation
Rotator cuff strengthening, scapular stabilization, and movement re-education to restore full function.
Cupping Therapy
Lifts and separates tissue to help release deep shoulder tension. Often used alongside rehab for chronic impingement.
Acupuncture
May help ease pain in the shoulder as part of a broader plan. Often added for chronic or slow-to-settle cases.
Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder Impingement Treatment in Seattle
Shoulder impingement is pain at the top or outside of the shoulder that flares when you lift your arm, especially overhead. It happens when the rotator cuff tendons and the bursa above them get irritated in the narrow space under the tip of the shoulder blade. Most cases are treated without surgery, with exercise-based rehab at the center, and that is how we approach it at MindBody Med.
What causes shoulder impingement?
We see it most in people who load the shoulder overhead again and again: climbers, swimmers, volleyball and tennis players, overhead lifters, and anyone who paints ceilings for a weekend. A stiff, rounded upper back from desk work, weak rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles, and sudden jumps in training volume all make it more likely. Less often, the shape of the bone or a bone spur plays a role, which is one reason a proper exam matters.
Typical signs of shoulder impingement
- Pain at the top or outside of the shoulder when you lift your arm overhead or out to the side
- A painful arc: the middle of the lift hurts more than the start or the very top
- Pain reaching behind your back, into a back pocket, or to fasten a bra
- An ache that spreads down the outside of the upper arm
- Pain lying on that shoulder at night
- A feeling of weakness or catching when you reach or throw
How we treat shoulder impingement at our clinic
Your first visit starts with an exam to confirm it is impingement and not a tear, a neck problem, or frozen shoulder. From there, your plan usually combines several of these, coordinated by one team under one roof:
Chiropractic
A stiff, rounded upper back changes how the shoulder blade moves. Dr. Chevigny and Dr. Ford work on thoracic and neck mobility and gentle shoulder joint mobilization so the arm has more room to move.
Sports Rehab
The core of most impingement plans: progressive rotator cuff and shoulder blade strengthening, plus smart changes to overhead training so you keep moving while the tendon settles down.
Massage
Targeted soft tissue work on the chest, upper traps, and back of the shoulder, which often get tight and pull the shoulder forward. Graston and cupping may be added.
Acupuncture
Some patients add acupuncture to help manage pain while they work through rehab, especially when the shoulder has been sore for months.
When to see an orthopedist instead
Get seen by an orthopedic specialist or urgent care if you cannot lift your arm after a fall or sudden injury, notice sudden marked weakness, see a visible deformity, or have a hot, red, swollen shoulder or fever. An orthopedic opinion is also worth it if night pain is keeping you up most nights, or if you have not improved after several weeks of consistent conservative care. Numbness or tingling down the arm can point to the neck, so see our nerve pain page. We will tell you honestly when a referral makes more sense than another visit with us.
Related Conditions
Shoulder mechanics depend on the neck and upper back, so treatment usually pairs chiropractic care with functional rehabilitation. If your symptoms include tingling or numbness down the arm, read about nerve pain and compression, and if neck stiffness came first, start with our neck pain page.
Shoulder Impingement and Shoulder Pain Questions
What is shoulder impingement?
Shoulder impingement (also called subacromial pain syndrome) is irritation of the rotator cuff tendons and the bursa that sit in the narrow space under the tip of the shoulder blade. It usually causes pain at the top or outside of the shoulder when you raise your arm, especially overhead. Repetitive overhead activity, weak rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles, and a stiff upper back are common contributors.
How is shoulder impingement treated without surgery?
Most people start with conservative care: exercise-based rehab to strengthen the rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles, hands-on work to improve upper back and shoulder mobility, soft tissue work, and temporary changes to the activities that provoke pain. At MindBody Med, chiropractic, sports rehab, massage, and acupuncture are coordinated in one plan. If you are not improving with consistent care, we refer you to an orthopedic specialist.
How long does shoulder impingement take to heal?
It varies a lot from person to person. Many people notice improvement over several weeks of consistent rehab, while longstanding cases can take a few months. How long you have had it, how much overhead work you do, and how consistently you do the exercises all affect the timeline.
Can a chiropractor help shoulder impingement?
A chiropractor can help with the mechanical side: improving mobility in the upper back and neck, mobilizing the shoulder joint, and guiding strengthening work. At our clinic that care is paired with sports rehab and massage, because impingement usually needs both better mobility and stronger stabilizing muscles.
When should I see an orthopedist for shoulder pain?
See an orthopedist or urgent care if you cannot lift your arm after a fall or sudden injury, notice sudden marked weakness, see a deformity, or have a hot, red, swollen shoulder or fever. It is also worth an orthopedic opinion if pain keeps you up most nights or has not improved after several weeks of consistent conservative care. We help coordinate that referral when it is needed.
Red light therapy is an add-on some patients use between visits, since it may help with discomfort from musculoskeletal conditions and support recovery.
Get Your Shoulder Moving Again
New patient evaluation + first treatment for $149. Most insurance accepted.