Shoulder pain and rotator cuff issues can significantly impact your daily life—limiting movement, disturbing sleep, and making routine activities difficult. At Ponte Vedra Beach Chiropractic, we take a comprehensive, full-body approach to evaluate and treat shoulder conditions. Since shoulder pain often has multiple causes, an accurate diagnosis is essential for effective and lasting relief.

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Understanding the Shoulder Joint & Girdle

The shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in the body, but this mobility comes at the cost of stability. Unlike the deep, stable hip joint, the shoulder is a shallow ball-and-socket joint held mainly by muscles and tendons, making it vulnerable to strain, impingement, and injury.

Posture plays a critical role in shoulder health. Forward head posture and rounded shoulders increase the risk of shoulder impingement, where the rotator cuff tendons and subacromial bursa get pinched between the upper arm bone (humerus) and the scapula. Left untreated, this can lead to tendonitis, bursitis, and rotator cuff tears.

Why the Shoulder Is a “Smoke Alarm” for Stress

The shoulder often reflects stress and dysfunction from other areas of the body. Issues in the spine, posture, feet, or internal organs can alter shoulder mechanics, leading to pain or injury.

Common contributing factors:

  • Forward head posture and rounded shoulders
  • Cervical spine misalignments
  • Mid and upper back tension
  • Weak core muscles
  • Pelvic imbalances
  • Flat feet or poor arch support

Visceral (organ-related) contributors:

  • Right shoulder pain: may relate to gallbladder or liver dysfunction
  • Left shoulder pain: may indicate pancreatic stress
  • Stress from organs like the heart, lungs, stomach, or spleen
  • Hormonal imbalances (thyroid or estrogen) increasing frozen shoulder risk

Common Shoulder Conditions

Rotator Cuff Injuries

The rotator cuff consists of four muscles—supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis—that stabilize the shoulder and control arm movement. Poor posture, overuse, or improper mechanics can lead to:

  • Strains and tears
  • Tendonitis
  • Shoulder instability
  • Early osteoarthritis

Shoulder Impingement

Occurs when the supraspinatus tendon becomes compressed in the subacromial space due to:

  • Postural imbalances
  • Muscle weakness or tightness
  • Poor scapular motion (scapular dyskinesia)
  • Inflammation

Tendonitis

Inflammation of shoulder tendons caused by overuse or muscle imbalance:

  • Supraspinatus tendonitis: pain on the top and side of the arm, worsens with raising or lowering the arm
  • Biceps tendonitis: pain in the front of the shoulder, worsens when lifting the arm forward

Bursitis

Inflammation of the subacromial bursa, often due to repetitive overhead activity, poor posture, or muscle imbalance. Causes pain and stiffness during movement.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Wear and tear of joint cartilage causes pain, inflammation, stiffness, and reduced mobility. OA can also affect surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)

A condition where the shoulder stiffens and loses range of motion, lasting from months to years. Risk factors include:

  • Women aged 40–60
  • Hormonal imbalances (thyroid, estrogen)
  • Diabetes
  • Prolonged shoulder immobilization

How We Treat Shoulder Pain

At Ponte Vedra Beach Chiropractic, we take a holistic, personalized approach to shoulder care. Our team evaluates the root causes of your pain and may recommend imaging like MRI if tears or underlying pathologies are suspected.

Treatment options include:

  • Chiropractic Adjustments (spine and shoulder)
  • Physical Therapy & Corrective Exercises
  • Class IV Laser Therapy
  • Massage Therapy
  • Therapeutic Ultrasound
  • Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS)
  • Nutritional Counseling to support joint health and reduce inflammation

Don’t Let Shoulder Pain Limit Your Life

Shoulder pain and rotator cuff issues are highly treatable with the right approach. At Ponte Vedra Beach Chiropractic, we help patients restore strength, mobility, and comfort.

Call today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward lasting shoulder relief!