The anatomy of the shoulder is very complex. It is prone to injury because it is the most mobile joint in the body, with a shallow socket and ball-and-socket design. This design creates a lot of motion but compromises stability, making it dependent on soft tissue for stability and more prone to injury. Common causes of shoulder damage and pain are repetitive overuse, natural aging, and sudden trauma. Different kinds of common shoulder injuries include rotator cuff impingement syndrome, peripheral nerve syndromes, thoracic outlet syndrome, bicipital tendonitis, subacromial bursitis, quadrilateral space syndrome, lateral axillary hiatus syndrome, Milwaukee or frozen shoulder, and a shoulder pointer.
Chiropractic is very effective in helping eliminate shoulder pain for mild to moderate non-traumatic shoulder injuries like tendonitis, strains, and impingement syndrome. Studies show how adjustments to the shoulder, neck, and upper back are the most effective way to help relieve shoulder pain and restore range of motion without drugs or surgery. Our approach at McClimon Chiropractic is always going from conservative to invasive care. Chiropractic is the most effective and least invasive approach, so we always start with that, along with home therapy and modification of activity.
If symptoms persist, additional testing can be done to see if there is some limitation of matter restricting healing. If there is, we will co-manage with orthopedic care, which may involve medications or injections. In some rare cases a patient may need surgery if there is a full tear, fracture, or something extreme going on. But most patients will get well without ever needing drugs or surgery, which obviously have more side effects and risk.
The reason chiropractic is so effective at helping shoulder injuries is because most of the time the cause of shoulder pain is originating from a mechanical problem or alignment problem we call subluxation in the shoulder, not from a chemical problem. And a mechanical problem requires a mechanical solution. A mechanical problem will not be changed with a chemical solution, even though it may be masked. This is why chiropractic is typically a superior solution, because it addresses the root cause of the problem instead of just masking it.
$149 New Patient Special
Includes Neurological Functional Assessment & Spinal Image, Consultation, Exam, X-Rays & Doctor’s Report of Findings.
How Our Care Plan Works
1. Finally Be Heard
Too often, patients feel like just another number in a crowded waiting room, leaving them frustrated and unheard. We believe your recovery starts with a conversation. That’s why we dedicate a full 30 minutes to your initial exam—giving you the floor to share your history, your concerns, and your goals. We’re here to listen intently, ensuring that the path we build together is one that finally puts your needs first.
2. Tailored Plan Of Attack
Knowledge is the first step toward lasting health. Once we’ve analyzed your exam results and digital X-rays, you’ll return for a detailed Report of Findings. We don’t just tell you what’s wrong; we show you why it’s happening. Together, we’ll walk through a personalized care plan tailored specifically to your lifestyle and goals. Our objective isn’t just a quick fix—it’s a sustainable strategy designed to resolve the root cause of your discomfort and prevent it from returning.
3. Take Back Control Of Your Health
Health is wealth. While resolving your symptoms is our first priority, our ultimate goal is to empower your future. We shift the focus from how you feel to how you function, teaching you the principles of spinal hygiene and proactive wellness. By investing in your health today, you aren’t just adding years to your life—you’re adding life to your years, ensuring you have the energy and mobility to enjoy every moment with the people you love.
How We Treat Shoulder Pain In Birdsboro & Reading, PA
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
At McClimon Chiropractic we know that in order to eliminate shoulder pain, we must first accurately diagnose it. Upon greeting the patient by name and giving them a tour on the way back, the doctor will help educate them on what it is we do. We then listen to the patient through a thorough consultation of their signs, symptoms, and history. You will have an opportunity to discuss your specific problem with the doctor and have all of your questions and concerns answered. After the consultation, the doctor will perform appropriate orthopedic tests, a palpation exam especially of the shoulder, a postural exam, and spinal and shoulder range-of-motion testing. Once all exam information is compiled, the doctor will recommend appropriate x-rays and schedule your Day 2 Report of Findings to review all of the findings and recommendations. The doctor’s recommendations are based on your goals and his findings. It is important to properly diagnose and treat shoulder pain sooner rather than later, or it could progress to the point of surgery. The great part about the chiropractic approach is that it directly addresses the root cause of the mechanical problem and doesn’t just mask it with a medication or injection. You cannot fix a mechanical problem with a chemical solution.
Digital X-rays
We believe to see is to know, and not to see is to guess, and we don’t guess with our patients’ health. At McClimon Chiropractic, our state-of-the-art digital x-ray machine is essential to fully evaluate the alignment of the shoulder and how to precisely make our specific chiropractic adjustments based on your misalignment or subluxation pattern. They not only allow us to see what is there, but also allow us to monitor your progress or regression if future films are warranted. They are also valuable to screen for any pathology or contraindications to adjust. There are circumstances where they may not be utilized, such as being pregnant.
Report of Findings
This is your second appointment with McClimon Chiropractic to review what we found in your examination. This appointment is about 30 minutes and will be extremely educational. We will discuss your findings and our recommendations based on your health goals. Then we will discuss your insurance benefits, if you have insurance, and how they participate. You will know exactly how often you will need to come in, how long it will take to correct your problem, and how much it will cost. Once all of your questions are answered, you will receive your first treatment.
Specific Chiropractic Care in Birdsboro, PA
Subluxation is misalignment in the spine or in the shoulder, creating pressure on your nervous system and diminishing the flow of information over your nervous system or circulatory system, creating dysfunction and dis-ease. Many of these diagnoses are mentioned in the introduction section here. Poor posture can be a contributor to shoulder pain by creating misalignment of the upper back and shoulder blades, creating narrowing and impingement inside the shoulder joint. With shoulder pain we usually find a misalignment of the neck, upper back, scapula, humerus, and/or clavicle, which alters the shoulder biomechanics and can contribute to many different shoulder problems. Once subluxation or misalignment is identified in the shoulder through your examination and x-ray, the adjustment is the treatment performed to reduce or remove subluxation, restoring the body’s normal alignment, mechanics, and innate intelligence, restoring proper nerve flow and function, reducing inflammation, and improving mobility, which will help eliminate the symptoms without the use of drugs or surgery. In addition to the adjustment, we typically give home stretches to improve mobility and modification of activity to reduce flare-ups. This is extremely safe and effective, addressing the root cause of the problem instead of just masking it with medications.
Custom Therapeutic Exercise Plan
Exercises are important for shoulder pain relief because they restore joint stability, increase blood flow for healing, improve flexibility, and strengthen the rotator cuff and scapular muscles that support the shoulder. Muscles and their attached tendons can cause shoulder pain through overuse, inflammation, acute tears, or tight knots called trigger points that strain the joint and surrounding tissues. Subluxation or misalignment of the shoulder bones can cause stress on the muscles and impingement on the nervous and vascular systems, creating shoulder pain. Strengthening exercises can improve posture by pulling the shoulders back and removing excessive stress on the shoulder. Some good shoulder pain exercises we recommend at McClimon Chiropractic include strengthening the rhomboids and lower trapezius musculature, the pendulum exercise for mobility, scapular squeezes, side-lying external rotation, and the doorway stretch to relieve tightness.
Common Causes of Shoulder Pain in Birdsboro & Reading, PA
Rotator Cuff Impingement Syndrome
The rotator cuff is a group of 4 muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis) and their tendons that surround the shoulder joint. It connects your shoulder blade, or scapulae, to your upper arm bone, or humerus. We use it to provide joint stability, keep the arm bone in its socket, lift the arm, and rotate the shoulder in various directions. A rotator cuff injury feels like pain in the superior portion of the shoulder joint, made worse with abduction and external rotation, or simply reaching your arm back over your head. It will not feel too bad if using your arm while it is down, just with overhead movement. The rotator cuff is often injured from sudden acute trauma, progressive wear and tear of the tendon from shoulder misalignment and impingement over time, and repetitive overhead motions. Four great home exercises to help this are side-lying external rotation, resistance band external rotation, wall push-ups, and shoulder blade squeezes or scapular retractions.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)
The thoracic outlet is the narrow space in the lower neck and upper chest located between the collarbone and first rib. This tight passageway acts as a vital highway where important nerves (the brachial plexus) and blood vessels (the subclavian artery and vein) pass from your chest down into your arms. When the clavicle, scapulae, and/or humerus misalign, they can impinge on this space and create tingling and numbness down into the arm and hand. This is made worse if the arm is overhead for extended periods, like sleeping with it overhead. If lowering your arm makes it go away, you may have TOS. At McClimon Chiropractic, specific adjustments to the misaligned shoulder bones can open this space and relieve this condition without drugs and surgery. It is very effective, and patients often have relief immediately after their adjustment. A negative Adson’s test usually confirms this.
Bicipital Tendonitis
Tendonitis is inflammation where the muscle tendon attaches to the bone. It feels like pain or tenderness where the tendon attaches to the bone. It usually happens from overuse or repetitional strain injuries during work or exercise, causing localized pain, tenderness, and swelling just outside the joint. In bicipital tendonitis, the pain is in the anterior middle part of the shoulder where the biceps tendon attaches to the shoulder socket. It will be tender to push there. You can prevent tendonitis by minimizing or eliminating the activity creating the repetitional stress on the tendon. This may involve switching how you’re lifting, switching arms, or stopping the activity altogether until symptoms subside. You can help through modification of activity, but chiropractic helps by restoring alignment and mechanics with specific adjustments to prevent excessive stress on the tendon with normal use because of dysfunctional movement. If your problem persists, you should have your structure evaluated.
Osteoarthritis
Arthritis is a term that refers to a disease creating chronic inflammation, and making you feel pain, stiffness, and swelling in one or more joints where bones meet. There are 2 main types of arthritis: osteoarthritis, which is the “wear and tear” type of arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis, which is autoimmune in nature. The best way to prevent osteoarthritis is to maintain good spine and joint alignment. If you drive on a crooked tire, it wears out faster. If you live with a crooked spine, it wears out faster. We don’t get osteoarthritis, or “wear and tear” arthritis, because we are old — we get osteoarthritis because we have old misalignment. Maintaining good spinal hygiene and joint alignment from an early age is the best prevention. Unfortunately, you cannot get rid of osteoarthritis once it is there. You cannot grow a degenerated disc back or remove calcified bone spurs, so the best treatment is prevention — specifically regular corrective chiropractic adjustments to maintain proper joint alignment. This is why everyone should have their spine checked early in life: one, because you usually don’t feel it, and two, because everyone should know whether their spine and joints are healthy or unhealthy, since what’s inside of it runs your life. Those most at risk of osteoarthritis are those with joints out of alignment, those who are overweight, those with past joint injuries, and those doing activities involving repetitional stress. Other tips to manage osteoarthritis, once it is present, other than correcting alignment and mechanics, are to maintain a healthy body weight through diet and exercise, modify, lessen, or eliminate the repetitional stress affecting the osteoarthritic area, and maintain joint mobility.
Frozen Shoulder or Adhesive Capsulitis
Frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis is a condition where the connective tissue capsule surrounding the shoulder joint thickens, tightens, and becomes inflamed. This causes severe pain and a major loss of movement, making it hard to lift your arm or reach behind your back. It usually occurs from the arm being still after a fracture, surgery, or stroke, or from pain due to osteoarthritis or injury. This causes the joint capsule to shrink and create scar tissue, limiting mobility. This is diagnosed through a physical exam assessing medical history and physical movement, focusing on how well you can move your arm and checking for matched loss of both active and passive motion. The best way to relieve pain from frozen shoulder syndrome is to perform gentle range-of-motion exercises and light manipulation or adjustments to improve mobility. It is wise to apply heat prior to exercise to loosen the joint and ice afterward to reduce inflammation and pain.
Pinched Nerve in the Neck or Shoulder
This is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain we see, and the problem is usually not in the shoulder; it is in the neck. A pinched nerve in the lower neck can cause tingling, numbness, burning, or even weakness into the shoulder and arm. If this is the cause of shoulder pain, extending your head back with rotation or coughing could make it worse. This is created from a misalignment of your neck bones called subluxation, which “pinches the nerve” and causes your pain. This is diagnosed through examination and x-ray, and it can be helped almost every time without drugs or surgery.
Sprain/Strain
A sprain is the stretching or tearing of ligaments, which connect bones to other bones; a strain is the stretching or tearing of muscles or tendons, which connect muscles to bones. Symptoms of a muscle strain include sudden pain, swelling, bruising, muscle weakness, limited range of motion, and sometimes stiffness and muscle spasm around the affected area. Symptoms of a sprain include pain, swelling, and bruising around the injured joint. The best treatment for a sprain or strain is the R.I.C.E. method: rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
Subacromial Bursitis
Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that act as a cushion and provide smooth gliding surfaces between bones, tendons, muscles, and skin. Bursitis creates a dull, aching, or sharp pain in a joint that hurts more when you move it or press on it. Bursitis is caused by irritation and swelling of the bursa from repetitional movements, prolonged pressure, sudden injuries, infections, or joint alignment issues. The best way to prevent bursitis is to reduce joint strain and avoid repetitional irritation, use cushion pads when kneeling or leaning on elbows, take frequent breaks with repetitive tasks, maintain a healthy body weight to lower joint pressure, build strength and flexibility through regular exercise, and maintain good joint alignment and mechanics. The best treatment is rest, ice for 15 to 20 minutes, protective braces, maintaining proper joint alignment with regular chiropractic adjustments, and NSAIDs as needed.
Torn Labrum
The shoulder labrum is a ring of tough cartilage attached to the rim of the shoulder socket. It acts as a stabilizer to keep the arm bone in place and serves as an anchor point for vital ligaments and the biceps tendon, supporting smooth shoulder motion. A torn labrum feels like a deep ache inside the joint mixed with sharp pain during certain movements, specifically adduction. It may create a clicking, popping, or catching sensation, or a loose sense that the joint might slip out of place. Chiropractic cannot directly heal a torn labrum because cartilage lacks a direct blood supply to heal on its own; however, conservative chiropractic care can help manage pain, improve joint mobility, and help strengthen the muscles around the shoulder to support stability. If a torn labrum is suspected, McClimon Chiropractic usually refers out for an MRI to fully evaluate the extent of the tear and how best to treat it.
Check Out Our Location Near You
Our office sits right on Main St in the heart of Birdsboro, just
8 miles from Reading — Main St runs straight into Reading, so it’s
an easy, direct drive either way. We’re proud to help patients
throughout Birdsboro, Douglassville, and Reading find lasting
pain relief.
3346 Main St, Birdsboro, PA 19508
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Chiropractors Help With Shoulder Pain?
Yes. Chiropractic is extremely effective at helping with shoulder pain through joint adjustments, soft tissue work, and rehabilitative exercises, without the use of drugs or surgery.
Should I See a Medical Doctor or Chiropractic Doctor for Shoulder Pain?
Chiropractic first. The reason a chiropractic doctor should be seen first is because they can perform the consultation, examination, orthopedic tests, and x-rays just like a medical doctor, but have the ability to treat non-invasively without drugs or surgery first. This helps about 90% of patients address the root cause of the problem without any side effects of medication or surgery. Once you get cut, you cannot get uncut. Medications and surgery can always be a last resort if there is some limitation of time or matter and the body can’t heal itself.
Why Is My Shoulder Pain Not Going Away?
If you have shoulder pain and it is not going away, that is a red flag. We would recommend making an appointment to be evaluated professionally through consultation, examination, orthopedic testing, and x-ray to figure out why your pain is not going away and what the best course of care is to relieve it.
What Could Shoulder Pain Be a Sign Of?
Shoulder pain could come from many different things, including rotator cuff impingement, bicipital tendonitis, subacromial bursitis, thoracic outlet syndrome, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, frozen shoulder, a sprain or strain, and many other things. McClimon Chiropractic specializes in diagnosing these extremity conditions.
How Do I Stop Severe Shoulder Pain?
Without a diagnosis, the R.I.C.E. method will typically help some. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation, along with modification of activity, can help, but the shoulder is very complex and pain here can come from many different conditions. Our office specializes in diagnosing the cause of the shoulder pain and providing a specific treatment plan on how to alleviate your specific problem.
What Does a Pinched Nerve in the Shoulder Feel Like?
A pinched nerve in the shoulder feels like sharp, shooting, or burning pain that often travels down the arm. It can also cause numbness, “pins and needles” or tingling, and muscle weakness in the shoulder, arm, or hand.
How Should I Sleep With Shoulder Pain?
The best way to sleep with shoulder pain is to avoid sleeping directly on the sore side. It is usually recommended that you not sleep with the affected arm overhead, as this can create additional stress to the shoulder. Once your condition is diagnosed, our doctor will give you specific instructions on the best way to sleep for you.
What Is the Best Exercise for Shoulder Pain?
Without a diagnosis, the pendulum exercise is widely considered the best starting point to ease pain and restore gentle movement. Lean forward, put your hand on the table, let your painful arm hang down, and swing your arm gently forward and back, side to side, and in small circles. The cross-body stretch and doorway stretch are two other commonly used stretches for shoulder pain.
Can I Adjust My Shoulder Myself?
No. It is physically impossible to adjust your own shoulder, and you only want a trained doctor of chiropractic to do this, or it could make your problem worse.
Can a Chiropractor Help With Rotator Cuff?
Yes. A chiropractor can help with mild to moderate rotator cuff strains, tendonitis, and partial tears by reducing pain and improving shoulder movement with specific shoulder adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and rehab exercises. However, they cannot heal a complete full-thickness tear and will refer out to an orthopedic surgeon for this.
How Can I Get Rid of a Pinched Nerve in My Shoulder?
Through specific shoulder, neck, and upper back adjustments. This is what chiropractic does, especially doctors trained extensively in extremity adjusting like we are. Call McClimon Chiropractic to be fully evaluated, to remove your pain, and to restore optimal function before irreversible damage is done.
What Can Cause Shoulder Pain Without an Injury?
This is often caused by subluxation, or spine or shoulder misalignment, pinching nerves, which happens without us feeling it about 90% of the time. It can also be caused by gradual wear and tear, which is also usually a result of misalignment creating impingement and inflammation. We can’t stress enough how important it is to find out the health of your spine, structure, and nervous system sooner rather than later.
$149 New Patient Special
Includes Neurological Functional Assessment & Spinal Image, Consultation, Exam, X-Rays & Doctor’s Report of Findings.
