Shoulder Pain
Shoulder Pain Treatment in Burnsville, MN
Shoulder pain is one of the most common complaints we see at Peak Performance Chiropractic Center. Whether you’re struggling to reach overhead, losing sleep because of nighttime aches, or dealing with stiffness that limits your daily activities, our team is here to help you get back to doing what you love.
What Causes Shoulder Pain?
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body — and that mobility comes at the cost of stability. Several structures can break down and produce pain:
Rotator Cuff Injuries: The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder. Tears, strains, or tendinitis in this group are among the most frequent sources of shoulder pain, especially in active adults and overhead athletes.
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: This occurs when the tendons of the rotator cuff become pinched beneath the bones of the shoulder during arm movements. It typically causes pain when lifting the arm to the side or reaching overhead.
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis): A gradual thickening and tightening of the shoulder joint capsule leads to progressively worsening stiffness and pain. Frozen shoulder often develops after a period of immobility and can take months to resolve without treatment.
Shoulder Bursitis: The bursa is a small fluid-filled sac that reduces friction between tissues. When it becomes inflamed — often from repetitive movements or direct impact — it produces localized pain and tenderness over the outside of the shoulder.
AC Joint Sprains: The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the collarbone to the shoulder blade. Sprains here are common in contact sports and falls and can produce pain at the top of the shoulder.
Postural Dysfunction: Poor posture — especially forward head carriage and rounded shoulders from prolonged sitting or desk work — places chronic stress on the shoulder muscles and tendons, leading to pain that gradually worsens over time.
Common Symptoms
Shoulder pain patients at our clinic commonly report: a dull ache or sharp pain with specific movements, difficulty reaching overhead or behind the back, pain that wakes them at night (especially when lying on the affected side), weakness when lifting or carrying, clicking or grinding sensations in the joint, and stiffness that limits range of motion.
Our Approach at Peak Performance
We start with a thorough orthopedic and functional assessment to identify exactly which structures are involved and what movement patterns are contributing to your pain. From there, your personalized care plan may include:
Chiropractic Adjustments: Restoring proper joint mechanics in the shoulder, thoracic spine, and cervical spine reduces nerve irritation, decreases pain, and improves mobility.
Dry Needling: Targeting trigger points in the rotator cuff, trapezius, and surrounding musculature helps release muscular tension and reduce pain signals.
Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM): Breaking down scar tissue and adhesions in the tendons and joint capsule restores normal tissue mobility.
StemWave Therapy: Our acoustic wave technology accelerates healing in chronic rotator cuff tendinopathy and calcific conditions that have been resistant to other treatments.
Therapeutic Exercise and Rehabilitation: We prescribe targeted exercises to rebuild rotator cuff strength and scapular stability — the foundation for long-term shoulder health.
Kinesiology Taping: Applied strategically to offload painful structures and support proper shoulder mechanics during daily activities and sport.
Ready to get your shoulder moving again? Call us at (952) 807-9914 or schedule online — we serve patients from Burnsville, Savage, Eagan, Apple Valley, and the surrounding Twin Cities area.