Condition
Shoulder Pain Treatment in St. Louis, MO
Reach, Lift, and Sleep Without the Ache
Can't reach the top shelf, sleep on that side, or get your arm behind your back? Shoulder pain is rarely just 'the shoulder.' It can come from irritated rotator cuff tendons, a stiffening joint capsule (frozen shoulder), a shoulder blade that isn't moving right, or a pinched nerve in the neck sending pain down the arm. Dr. Joe Sas sorts out which one it is — then treats the actual source.
Signs It's More Than a Sore Shoulder
Shoulder trouble shows up in a few classic ways:
Pain reaching overhead or behind your back
An ache on the outside of the upper arm
Pain when you lie on that shoulder at night
Stiffness and lost motion that keeps getting worse (a frozen shoulder pattern)
Clicking, catching, or a shoulder that feels weak
Shoulder pain that comes with neck stiffness or arm tingling
The Approach to Shoulder Pain
We test how your shoulder, shoulder blade, and neck move together — and which tissues are actually irritated. From there, care may include gentle adjustments to the shoulder, upper back, and neck; targeted soft-tissue work; Radial Shockwave Therapy for stubborn tendon problems; cold laser therapy to calm inflammation; and simple home exercises to restore motion and strength. If a pinched nerve in the neck is part of it, we treat that too — see neck pain care.
When It's Not a Chiropractic Problem, We'll Say So
If your exam points to a full-thickness tear or a dislocation — especially after a fall or a sudden pop with real weakness — we'll get you imaging and to an orthopedic specialist from our trusted referral network.
Call 911 if shoulder or arm pain — especially on the left — comes with chest pressure, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or jaw pain. Those can be signs of a heart attack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a chiropractor help shoulder pain?
- Yes, when the problem is mechanical — irritated tendons, a stiff joint, a shoulder blade that isn't tracking, or a nerve in the neck. That covers most shoulder pain we see. We'll tell you straight if yours needs something else.
What about frozen shoulder?
- Frozen shoulder takes patience. Care focuses on calming pain and gradually restoring motion, and we'll set realistic expectations on day one.
Do I need an MRI first?
- Usually not. A hands-on exam tells us a lot. If it points to a significant tear, we'll refer you for imaging.
Could my shoulder pain be coming from my neck?
- Often. A pinched nerve in the neck can send pain into the shoulder and arm, which is why we check both.
Let's Get That Arm Moving Again
We'll find what's really driving your shoulder pain, tell you straight what we can fix, and point you to the right specialist when it's not us.