Chiropractor for Shoulder Pain in Milwaukee, WI

Shoulder aching when you reach, lift, or lie on it? Let’s look for what’s behind it.

Trusted, personal care in neighborhood clinics throughout Greater Milwaukee.

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Understanding shoulder pain

What is shoulder pain?

Shoulder pain is pain, stiffness, or weakness in or around the shoulder joint. It can come from the joint itself, or from the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fluid-filled sacs (bursae) around it.2

A group of muscles and tendons called the rotator cuff surrounds the joint.5 It helps you lift, reach, and throw. When it gets irritated or pinched, everyday moves like reaching overhead can hurt.6

Some shoulder pain starts somewhere else, such as an irritated nerve in your neck. That kind of pain usually doesn’t get worse when you move your shoulder.2 Finding where the pain starts shapes how care begins.

16%

of people in community studies had shoulder pain, the median across studies worldwide published through 20211

20.2% vs. 12.5%

median rate of shoulder pain in women compared with men in the same review1

2% to 5.3%

of people develop frozen shoulder, according to a 2013 physical therapy guideline8

Symptoms

Shoulder pain symptoms: what you may notice

Shoulder pain can feel different depending on what’s behind it. Pain from the joint usually gets worse when you move your arm.2

  • Ache

    A deep, dull ache

    An ache deep in the shoulder that may spread toward your upper arm.5

  • Reaching

    Pain reaching overhead

    Lifting your arm to a shelf or putting on a coat hurts.6

  • Behind you

    Pain reaching behind your back

    Tucking in a shirt or reaching for a back pocket is hard.5,6

  • Night

    Pain when sleeping

    Lying on the sore side wakes you up or makes it hard to get comfortable.5,6

  • Movement

    Stiffness

    Your shoulder won’t move as far as it used to, in any direction.4

  • Strength

    Arm weakness

    Your arm tires quickly or feels weak when you lift or carry.5

  • Daily tasks

    Trouble combing your hair or dressing

    Simple tasks that use your arm become slow or painful.5,7

  • Swelling

    Tenderness or warmth

    The joint feels tender or warm, or looks red or swollen. Get this checked.2

  • Neck

    Pain that doesn’t change with shoulder movement

    Pain that stays the same when you move your arm may start in your neck.2

  • Nerves

    Tingling or numbness in your arm

    Can mean an irritated nerve in the neck. Mention it to your doctor right away.

Pain or tingling that travels down your arm? See pinched nerve in the neck. Sore where the seat belt crossed? See car accident injuries.

When to seek medical care first

Shoulder or arm pain can be a sign of a heart attack. Pain in one or both arms, with chest discomfort or shortness of breath, needs 911 right away.3 A few other signs need a hospital, not a chiropractic clinic.

Call 911 if shoulder or arm pain comes with:

  • Chest pain, pressure, squeezing, or fullness3
  • Shortness of breath2,3
  • A cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness3

Go to the emergency room or urgent care if you have:

  • A shoulder that looks deformed after a fall2
  • Sudden trouble lifting your arm, or moving it away from your body, after an injury2,5
  • Intense pain or sudden swelling2
  • Fever with a hot, swollen, painful joint. This can be a sign of a joint infection.10

See a medical provider promptly if your shoulder:

  • Is red, warm, swollen, or tender2
  • Hurts more over time, or gets harder to move2
Causes

What causes shoulder pain?

Your shoulder is made of many parts, so many things can irritate it. Common causes include:2,7

Rotator cuff irritation or tears Impingement Frozen shoulder Arthritis Bursitis and tendinitis Muscle strains Pain from the neck Falls and injuries

Shoulder pain from desk work? Your doctor can look at how you sit and reach, and how your neck and upper back move. See our posture and neck pain pages for more.

What can raise your risk

Age

Rotator cuff tears are most common after age 50.5 Frozen shoulder is more likely after 40, especially in women.4

Overhead work

Painting, carpentry, and construction mean raising your arms again and again.5,6

Overhead sports

Baseball, tennis, swimming, and weightlifting put repeated stress on the shoulder.5,6

Health conditions and time in a sling

Diabetes and thyroid disease raise the risk of frozen shoulder. So does keeping your arm still after an injury or surgery.4,8

Hurt your shoulder on the job? We accept workers’ compensation, and we offer workplace wellness programs for Greater Milwaukee employers.

Causes compared

Rotator cuff, impingement, or frozen shoulder: how they differ

Common shoulder problems can feel alike. This guide shows how each one often feels and who it tends to affect.

It’s a starting point, not a diagnosis. Your exam helps show what’s behind your pain.

CauseHow it often feelsWho it often affects
Rotator cuff irritation or tearA dull ache deep in the shoulder. Often worse at night or reaching behind your back. Your arm may feel weak.5Adults over 50, plus painters, carpenters, and people who play baseball or tennis or lift weights5
ImpingementPain when you lift your arm overhead, reach behind your back, or sleep on that side. It usually builds over weeks or months.6Swimmers, baseball players, painters, and construction workers6
Frozen shoulderPain at first, then stiffness that limits movement in every direction. It moves through stages over one to three years.4Adults 40 and older, especially women, and people with diabetes or thyroid disease4,8
ArthritisAching and stiffness that build slowly. Pain can make you move less, which stiffens the joint more.7Most often starts in middle age. Wear-and-tear arthritis is the most common type.7
Pain from the neck (pinched nerve)Pain that may not change when you move your shoulder. It can travel down the arm with tingling or numbness.2Anyone with an irritated nerve in the neck. See pinched nerve in the neck.
Your care

How a chiropractor for shoulder pain can help

Your chiropractor starts by listening: when the pain started, which moves hurt, and how you work, sleep, and play. Then your doctor checks your shoulder, neck, and upper back, with X-rays only if your exam calls for them.

If anything needs medical care first, your doctor will tell you and help you get it. Your doctor then explains what they found and talks through care options with you. You decide what’s right for you.

Care is natural and drug-free, designed around your condition, your medical history, your daily life, and your goals.

What the research says about shoulder pain

A 2020 research review strongly supports exercise as the first treatment for pain under the tip of the shoulder (subacromial pain). It also supports adding hands-on care, especially early in treatment.9

What the research says about frozen shoulder

A physical therapy guideline for frozen shoulder recommends education and stretching. It says gentle joint movement may also help ease pain and improve motion.8

What your care may include

Good to know

If you don’t want an adjustment

Say so, and your doctor won’t adjust you. Gentle joint movement, muscle work, and exercise are other options. You choose your care.

Hands-on

Chiropractic adjustments

Gentle, targeted adjustments help restore motion to stiff joints in the shoulder, neck, and upper back.

Gentle option

Gentle joint movement

Slow, controlled movements help loosen a stiff shoulder when a full adjustment isn’t the right fit.

Rehab

Strengthening exercises

Guided exercises for the rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles help you lift and reach with more control.

Select clinics

Physical therapy

Available at our Menomonee Falls, Waukesha, and West Allis North clinics. Your therapist guides shoulder strength and mobility work.

Select clinics

Massage therapy

Available at our Hales Corners and Oconomowoc clinics.

Every day

Sleep and desk guidance

Practical tips for sleep positions, pillows, and your workstation help protect your shoulder between visits.

Every patient

A plan you understand

Your doctor explains what they found in plain language, so you know what’s going on and what you can do between visits.

Chiropractic care and physical therapy together

Shoulder care often centers on exercise. At our Menomonee Falls, Waukesha, and West Allis North clinics, chiropractic care and physical therapy are in one place. Your doctor can talk through a combined plan when it makes sense.

Recovery

How long does shoulder pain last?

It depends on what’s behind it. Impingement tends to build over weeks or months, and recovery can take weeks to months as well.6 Frozen shoulder moves through freezing, frozen, and thawing stages. It usually gets better within one to three years.4

Keeping the shoulder moving gently matters. With arthritis, pain can make you move less, and moving less can make the joint stiffer.7 See a provider if your pain keeps getting worse, or your shoulder gets harder to move.2

1 to 3 years

is how long frozen shoulder usually takes to get better as it moves through its stages.4

Insurance and your first visit

Care that fits your coverage

We’re in-network with most insurance plans, including Medicare, and our team can check your benefits before you come in. No insurance? New patients can start with the $29 first visit.

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  • X-rays if needed
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In-network with most insurance companies
  • Most commercial plans
  • Medicare
  • Auto accident claims
  • Workers’ compensation
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Your first visit

What to expect at your first visit

  1. Share your story

    Your doctor asks when the pain started, what makes it better or worse, your daily activities, and your goals.

  2. Get a thorough exam

    Your doctor checks how your shoulder, neck, and upper back move, where it’s tender, and the strength, reflexes, and sensation in your arms. X-rays are taken if needed.

  3. Talk through your options

    Your doctor explains what they found and walks you through care options. You decide what's right for you.

  4. Begin care at your next visit

    Treatment begins at visit two. In acute cases, your doctor may decide same-day treatment is appropriate.

You'll see the same doctor as your care continues, so the person treating you knows your history and your progress.

Your care team

Meet Milwaukee chiropractors who treat shoulder pain

Our chiropractors care for shoulder pain every week. These doctors bring backgrounds that fit patients with shoulder pain.

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[One or two sentences on this doctor’s background with shoulder pain.]

More about Dr. [Name]

[Doctor name], DC

DC · [Clinic]
[Focus area][Focus area]

[One or two sentences on this doctor’s background with shoulder pain.]

More about Dr. [Name]

[Doctor name], DC

DC · [Clinic]
[Focus area][Focus area]

[One or two sentences on this doctor’s background with shoulder pain.]

More about Dr. [Name]
Meet your care team
Why Milwaukee trusts us

Trusted by Greater Milwaukee since 1982

Personal care in neighborhood clinics, with more than 1,400 five-star Google reviews from real patients.

400,000+
Patients cared for
1,400+
Five-star Google reviews
20+
Neighborhood clinics
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Serving Greater Milwaukee since
  • Best of MilwaukeeRecognized 13 years
  • Top Choice AwardsRecognized 7 years
  • UWM AthleticsOfficial chiropractors since 2019

Winners and finalists, including our doctors and practices before they joined us. See every award, with sources

Common questions

Frequently asked questions about shoulder pain

Many patients find chiropractic care helps them move more comfortably. Research supports exercise as the first treatment for pain under the tip of the shoulder, with hands-on care added, especially early on. Your doctor checks your shoulder, neck, and upper back, then talks through options with you.

Rotator cuff problems and impingement often hurt more at night, especially when you lie on the sore side. Try sleeping on your back or your other side. Your doctor can suggest positions that fit your pain.

Rotator cuff pain is often a dull ache deep in the shoulder. It can disturb sleep and make it hard to reach behind your back or comb your hair. Your arm may feel weak. An exam can help sort out what’s behind it.

Frozen shoulder is pain and stiffness that limit how far your shoulder moves in every direction. It moves through freezing, frozen, and thawing stages, and usually gets better within one to three years. It’s most common after age 40, especially in women.

Shoulder impingement happens when bones in your shoulder rub against or pinch the rotator cuff. It often hurts when you raise your arm overhead, reach behind your back, or sleep on that side. It’s common in swimmers, painters, and construction workers.

Yes. An irritated nerve in your neck can cause pain in your shoulder. That pain usually doesn’t change when you move your shoulder. It may travel down your arm with tingling or numbness. Your exam checks your neck as well as your shoulder.

Call 911 if shoulder or arm pain comes with chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, a cold sweat, or nausea. These can be signs of a heart attack. Also get emergency care for a deformed shoulder after a fall, or fever with a hot, swollen joint.

Both can help, and they often work well together. Chiropractic care helps restore movement in stiff joints, while physical therapy builds strength and control. Physical therapy is available at Menomonee Falls, Waukesha, and West Allis North, so your doctor can talk through a combined plan.

Not always. Your doctor decides based on your history, your symptoms, and your exam. When needed, X-rays are taken right in the clinic.

Tell your doctor and they won’t. Gentle joint movement, muscle work, and exercise are other ways to care for shoulder pain. Your doctor explains the options, and you decide what’s right for you.

Often, yes. Same-day appointments are available at many of our clinics, depending on the day and each clinic’s hours. Call your nearest clinic or request an appointment online to check today’s openings. Your first visit is for your consultation and exam, and treatment typically begins at your next visit.

Usually not. Your first visit is for listening, a full exam, and X-rays if needed. Treatment begins at visit two. In acute cases, your doctor may decide same-day treatment is appropriate.

No referral is needed. Some insurance plans may require one for full benefits. Our team checks your plan when you verify your insurance and lets you know before your visit.

Eligible new patients can request a first visit for $29, including a consultation, an exam, and X-rays if needed. The offer requires requesting an appointment online and a visit within five business days. Medicare and Medicaid patients aren’t eligible.

Chiropractic Company has 20+ neighborhood clinics across Greater Milwaukee, and every one offers chiropractic care for shoulder pain. Find a location close to your home or work.
Milwaukee-area chiropractic clinics near you

Find shoulder pain care near you: 20+ locations

Every clinic offers chiropractic care for shoulder pain, close to home or work.

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Keep reading
Article

Rotator Cuff Pain: Signs, Causes, and When to Get Checked

Rotator cuff pain is often a deep shoulder ache that’s worse at night or reaching back.

Article

Shoulder Pain When Sleeping: Causes and Better Positions

Shoulder pain when sleeping often comes from the rotator cuff, impingement, or frozen shoulder.

Related conditions

Pinched nerve in the neckNeck painPostureCar accident injuriesHeadaches and migrainesElbow pain

Related services

Patient resources

Sources

  1. Lucas J, van Doorn P, Hegedus E, Lewis J, van der Windt D. A systematic review of the global prevalence and incidence of shoulder pain. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2022;23:1073.
  2. Mayo Clinic. Shoulder pain: Causes and when to see a doctor.
  3. American Heart Association. Warning Signs of a Heart Attack.
  4. Mayo Clinic. Frozen shoulder: Symptoms and causes.
  5. Mayo Clinic. Rotator cuff injury: Symptoms and causes.
  6. Cleveland Clinic. Shoulder Impingement Syndrome.
  7. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo). Shoulder Pain and Common Shoulder Problems.
  8. Kelley MJ, Shaffer MA, Kuhn JE, et al. Shoulder pain and mobility deficits: adhesive capsulitis. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2013;43(5):A1–A31.
  9. Pieters L, Lewis J, Kuppens K, et al. An update of systematic reviews examining the effectiveness of conservative physical therapy interventions for subacromial shoulder pain. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2020;50(3):131–141.
  10. Mayo Clinic. Septic arthritis: Symptoms and causes.
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