Your Guide to Rotator Cuff Pain Relief

What Is the Rotator Cuff?

It’s a group of four small muscles that stabilize and move your shoulder. When those muscles or their tendons get irritated or strained, you might notice:

• Achy pain in the top or side of your shoulder

• Discomfort when lifting or reaching overhead

• Weakness with pushing or pulling

• Difficulty sleeping on the affected side

Shoulder issues often connect with problems in the upper back or neck—check out our neck pain page for more on that.

What Causes Rotator Cuff Pain?

• Repetitive overhead motion (sports, gym, work tasks)

• Imbalances in posture or movement patterns

• Limited mobility in the shoulder, spine, or ribs

• Previous injuries or inflammation that never fully resolved

• Weakness or overuse in surrounding muscles

We often see shoulder problems alongside low back pain, posture imbalances, or general joint stiffness—all of which we address in care.

How We Treat It at Scriven Chiropractic

We use a combination of targeted therapies to reduce pain, improve movement, and help your body heal.

1. Shockwave Therapy
This is one of the most effective tools we use for stubborn shoulder pain. It stimulates healing in injured tendons, breaks up scar tissue, and improves blood flow—all without injections or surgery.

2. Chiropractic Adjustments
When the shoulder or nearby joints aren’t moving well, we use precise adjustments to restore motion and reduce strain. We often adjust the shoulder, upper back, and neck to support full-body balance.

3. Cupping Therapy
Cupping helps release muscle tension around the shoulder blade and rotator cuff, improves circulation, and speeds up recovery—especially if you’re feeling tight or overworked in that area.

4. Scraping (IASTM)
This technique targets tight or scarred tissue in the shoulder and surrounding areas. It’s especially helpful when there’s chronic tension or past injury in the mix.

5. Flexion-Distraction
If shoulder pain is being influenced by nerve tension or spinal restrictions, we may use this gentle decompression technique to relieve pressure and support your body’s natural movement.

6. Movement & Rehab Guidance
Once the pain settles, we help you build back strength and stability—so your shoulder feels stronger, not just pain-free.

When to Reach Out

If your shoulder has been bugging you for more than a few days, or it keeps flaring up when you lift, train, or sleep—it’s worth getting checked out. The earlier we intervene, the quicker you’ll recover.

Book Your Visit

Your shoulder doesn’t have to slow you down. We’ll help you move, lift, and sleep more comfortably—with care that’s hands-on, effective, and tailored to you.