Can Spinal Manipulation Help Shoulder Pain or Function?

Most patients who come to visit a chiropractor or coming because of shoulder impingement syndrome. This is a very common condition which chiropractors manage through manual therapies and exercises which target the shoulder joints. Today, we are going to be looking at these nonsurgical, conservative treatments.

There are plenty of studies which show the benefits of shoulder exercises to address shoulder impingement syndrome. Exercise is needed in order to provide a great outcome. Manual therapy is used on the shoulder have shown benefits as well. Most of the time, chiropractors will use a combination of both exercise and manual therapy to treat the condition.

Recent studies show that including spinal manipulative therapy into treatment for shoulder impingement syndrome will lead to even better outcomes.

A study was done where researchers assigned participants to either a thoracic spine thrust manipulation or a sham treatment group. Half of the participants had shoulder impingement syndrome. Before and after the treatment, participants were asked to perform an arm brace test to assess scapular kinematics and note their current pain levels. The shoulder impingement syndrome patients in the treatment group reported improvements in their pain. Those in the scapular kinematics group did not show improvement.

Another study used a similar method, but instead assessed shoulder joint range of motion. The researchers observed that the mid back thrust manipulation showed improvements in both shoulder pain and range of motion in shoulder impingement syndrome patients.

Through both of these studies, we see that spinal manipulation applied to the mid back can lessen shoulder pain without any treatment directly on the shoulder.

Through all of this, there may be research that suggests mid back dysfunction plays a role. Patients with shoulder impingement syndrome or any shoulder problems should receive a thorough examination to identify all other possible causes of shoulder pain. Doctors of chiropractic are trained in this, and will treat the whole body. Make an appointment with us today to relieve your shoulder pain.

Dr David Perna DC, CCSP, CCEP

Dr. David Perna DC, CCSP, CCEP is the founder and practice overseer at Back and Body Pain Relief in Springfield, NJ. A graduate of Life University Summa Cum Laude, Dr. Perna holds certifications in Active Release Technique (ART), Graston, SFMA, Neuro-Diagnostics (NCV/EMG), and Manipulation Under Anesthesia, among others. He is a Board Certified Sports Physician, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and a United States Olympic Committee Sports Medicine Volunteer.

A competing athlete himself — a 2x Ironman 70.3 finisher with a background in Olympic weightlifting, CrossFit, and martial arts – Dr. Perna brings firsthand athletic experience to his patient care.

He has treated presidents, royalty, diplomats, and professional athletes across MMA, baseball, tennis, and football, and has appeared on Dr. Oz demonstrating chiropractic therapies. His approach is diagnostic-first, combining evidence-based chiropractic care with rehabilitation to help patients get out of pain and back to full function.