Shoulder Pain Treatment Lynnwood, WA
Shoulder pain can make simple things like reaching into a cabinet, washing your hair, or sleeping on your side feel weirdly stressful. At Alderwood Back and Neck Pain in Lynnwood, WA, Dr. Darcy Szigety, DC focuses on natural, non-invasive shoulder pain treatment that looks for the why, not just the where it hurts.
Dr. Darcy looks at shoulder pain as a whole‑chain issue: neck, upper back, ribs, and posture all feed into how the shoulder moves. As a shoulder pain chiropractor in Lynnwood, WA, his focus is natural, non‑invasive, medication‑free care that restores motion, calms irritated tissues, and helps you get back to lifting, working, and sleeping comfortably.
Booking an evaluation is the first step to shoulder pain treatment. Call (425) 775-6767 to schedule your complimentary consultation.
What is Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder pain is any ache, pinch, or sharp twinge in or around your shoulder joint, upper arm, or shoulder blade. It can show up when you reach overhead, sleep on your side, work at a desk, or sometimes even at rest.
Medically, the shoulder is a super mobile ball‑and‑socket joint, supported by the rotator cuff (a group of muscles and tendons), ligaments, and the shoulder blade. When those tissues get irritated, overused, or out of balance, you feel it.
Signs & Symptoms of Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain can be sneaky at first, then suddenly start messing with everyday tasks. Common signs and symptoms include:
- Sharp or dull shoulder pain – Often worse with lifting, reaching, or certain arm positions.
- Stiffness or tightness – Harder to lift your arm overhead or reach behind your back.
- Pain with daily tasks – Carrying groceries, reaching into the back seat, or getting dressed starts to hurt.
- Clicking, popping, or grinding – Noises or “catching” with movement can signal joint or soft‑tissue irritation.
- Weakness or heaviness in the arm – The shoulder tires easily, especially with repeated or overhead use.
- Night pain or sleep disruption – Lying on the sore side or rolling over wakes you up.
- Radiating discomfort – Soreness may spread into the neck, upper back, or along the upper arm.
- Tenderness or mild swelling – The area feels sensitive or puffy to the touch.
Common Causes of Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain can come from one big moment, like a fall, or from small repetitive stresses stacking up over time. Some of the most common causes include:
- Repetitive overhead work or sports: Painting, lifting, throwing, or swimming can overload the rotator cuff and surrounding tissues if recovery is low.
- Postural strain from desk and phone time: Rounded shoulders and forward head posture change how the shoulder joint tracks and can cause impingement‑type pain.
- Rotator cuff irritation or tendinopathy: The rotator cuff tendons get inflamed or overloaded, leading to pain, weakness, and limited range of motion.
- Joint restriction in the neck or upper back: Stiff spinal joints and ribs alter shoulder mechanics, forcing the shoulder to compensate and work harder.
- Old injuries or trauma: Falls, car accidents, or sports injuries can leave behind subtle instability, scar tissue, or joint irritation that flares later.
How We Diagnose Shoulder Pain
When you come in for shoulder pain treatment in Lynnwood, WA, Dr. Darcy does not just poke your shoulder and call it good. Your first visit looks like this:
- Conversation and history: You talk through when the pain started, what makes it better or worse, work demands, workouts, and any past injuries or surgeries.
- Physical and orthopedic exam: Dr. Darcy checks shoulder range of motion, strength, specific orthopedic tests, and compares sides to see which structures are irritated.
- Posture and movement assessment: He looks at your neck, upper back, ribs, and how your shoulder moves through space, not just in isolated tests.
- Palpation of joints and soft tissues: Hands‑on assessment helps find restricted joints, tight muscles, trigger points, and areas of inflammation.
- Imaging referrals when needed: If there are red flags, suspected tears, or more complex cases, he may refer for X‑rays or advanced imaging through your medical provider.
You leave with an actual explanation and a game plan, not just “rest it and see.”
Treatment Approach & What to Expect
Shoulder pain treatment at Alderwood is individualized. There is no one script that every patient follows.
Once Dr. Darcy understands your diagnosis, he builds a plan that may include:
- Chiropractic adjustments: Gentle adjustments to the neck, upper back, ribs, and sometimes the shoulder help restore normal joint motion and alignment. he primarily uses Diversified technique, along with drop-table and handheld instruments such as Activator and ArthroStim, adjusting force to your comfort.
- Soft tissue therapy: Massage, myofascial release, and trigger point therapy target tight muscles in the rotator cuff, chest, neck, and shoulder blade area to reduce tension and improve circulation.
- Therapeutic exercise and rehab: Specific exercises for scapular stability, rotator cuff strength, and posture correction help support long-term change, especially for sports or work-related shoulder pain.
- Physiologic modalities: Cold and heat therapy, plus class IV laser, may be used to calm irritation and support healing, especially after whiplash or sports injuries.
- Lifestyle and ergonomic coaching: Guidance on lifting mechanics, desk setup, and sleep positions so you are not constantly re-aggravating the shoulder in daily life.
Many patients notice some improvement within the first few weeks, although full recovery and stability can take longer, especially when tissues like tendons or ligaments need time to heal.
Patient Education & Self‑Care Tips
You are part of the team, not just a passenger. Along with in‑office care, Dr. Darcy usually shares practical home strategies like:
- Dial in your desk posture
Keep screens at eye level, elbows near your sides, and shoulders relaxed, not shrugged. Take quick micro‑breaks every 30–45 minutes. - Sleep smarter, not twisted
Side sleepers with shoulder pain often do better hugging a pillow in front of them and avoiding stacking all their weight straight onto the sore shoulder. - Gentle mobility, not aggressive stretching
Light pendulum swings and guided range‑of‑motion drills can help keep the shoulder from stiffening without cranking through sharp pain. - Strengthen the shoulder blade muscles
Focus on rows, external rotation work, and scapular stability exercises prescribed specifically for your situation. - Respect pain signals
Mild discomfort can be okay, but sharp, catching pain is your cue to back off and let the joint chill while you adjust the plan.
Long-Term Effects of Ignoring Shoulder Pain
Letting shoulder pain linger and hoping it goes away on its own can set you up for bigger problems down the line. Potential long‑term issues include:
- Progressive loss of motion: Stiffness can build slowly until simple tasks like reaching overhead or behind your back become difficult or impossible.
- Chronic weakness and fatigue: Avoiding use leads to muscle deconditioning, making lifting, carrying, and workouts way more exhausting than they should be.
- Compensations in neck and spine: Your body starts “cheating,” overusing the neck, upper back, or opposite shoulder, which can create new pain patterns.
- Increased wear and tear: Poor joint mechanics and ongoing inflammation can contribute to early degenerative changes and long‑term discomfort.
- Impact on work and hobbies: Pain and limited motion can force you to modify or give up activities you enjoy, from sports to simple house projects.
Case Study | Patient Story
A 42‑year‑old hairstylist came in with nagging right shoulder pain that had been building for months. She felt a sharp pinch reaching up to shampoo clients and woke up at night whenever he rolled onto that side. Rest days and random stretches from the internet were not cutting it.
During her exam, Dr. Darcy found restricted motion in the upper back, rounded posture, tight chest muscles, and signs of shoulder impingement. The plan included gentle spinal and rib adjustments, shoulder joint mobilization, myofascial work through the chest and rotator cuff, plus simple at‑home scapular stability drills.
Within a few weeks, her night pain decreased and overhead work felt less sketchy. Over the next month, he was able to handle full workdays without constant aching. Her home program focused on posture resets between clients, smart lifting, and maintaining the new shoulder mobility.
Why Choose Alderwood Back and Neck Pain for Shoulder Pain
When you are searching for a shoulder pain chiropractor in Lynnwood, WA, you want someone who actually listens and knows what they are doing. At Alderwood Back and Neck Pain:
- 25+ years of experience : Trained in Diversified, Activator‑style, and drop‑table techniques, he tailors the type of adjustment to your shoulder and comfort.
- Whole‑chain approach, not just the sore spot: We check neck, ribs, upper back, and posture because real shoulder pain treatment in Lynnwood, WA means looking at the whole system.
- Non‑invasive, medication‑free care: Focus on restoring motion, calming tissues, and building strength so your body can function better naturally.
- Modern tools and soft tissue work: Myofascial release, heat and cold therapy, and laser‑type modalities are used when appropriate to enhance recovery.
- Clear communication and education: You get explanations in plain English, so you understand what is happening and how to support your own progress.
- Community‑focused, patient‑first vibe: The office culture is warm and welcoming, with visits designed around real people with real lives, not just perfect textbook cases.
Book An Appointment
Please use the booking tool below to book an appointment or by calling us on (425) 775-6767
FAQs - Shoulder Pain Treatment
Do I need imaging before seeing a chiropractor for shoulder pain?
Not always. Many shoulder issues can be diagnosed with a good history and exam. If Dr. Darcy suspects a tear, fracture, or more complex problem, he may refer you for imaging.
How do I know if my shoulder pain is serious?
Red flags include sudden severe pain, obvious deformity, inability to move the arm, or significant weakness after an injury. In those cases, urgent medical evaluation comes first, then chiropractic can often help with recovery.
How many visits will I need for shoulder pain treatment?
It depends on how long the pain has been there, how irritated the tissues are, and your daily demands. Some people feel changes within a few visits; deeper stability and strength take longer. Dr. Darcy will outline expectations after your exam.
Can chiropractic help if I’ve had shoulder pain for years?
Chronic pain can still respond, especially when joint motion, posture, and muscle balance are addressed together. The longer it has been there, the more patient and consistent you will need to be, but improvement is still possible.
Will I have to stop working out?
Not necessarily. Often, training is modified instead of fully stopped. Dr. Darcy can help you adjust your form, exercise selection, and volume so you protect your shoulder while still staying active.
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