Shoulder Pain Treatment That Looks at the Whole Picture
Personalized care to address your symptoms, improve movement, and help you get back to everyday activities.
A sore shoulder gets in the way of sleep, work, and the small things you do without thinking, like reaching for a seatbelt or lifting a pot off the stove. Sun Chiropractic has looked after people in Winnipeg's St. James area for more than 30 years, and Dr. Russell Baron's team treats shoulder problems with hands-on chiropractic care, shockwave therapy, and therapeutic laser.
The source of shoulder pain is not always the shoulder. The joint sits on top of your upper back and neck, so we look at the whole area before suggesting a plan, and you stay in control of your care throughout.
How shockwave therapy helps chronic shoulder pain
Shockwave therapy for rotator cuff tendonitis and calcific tendonitis
Shockwave therapy sends focused acoustic pulses through a handheld applicator into the sore area. The pulses are thought to boost blood flow and the body's own repair response in stubborn tendon tissue, which is why it is often considered when rest, medication, or exercises have not been enough. We offer shockwave therapy in Winnipeg at our clinic on Portage Avenue.
The research is strongest for calcific tendonitis, where studies show it can reduce pain and help the body clear calcium deposits. Results for rotator cuff tendonitis are more mixed, and the evidence for frozen shoulder is limited, so shockwave is usually one piece of a wider plan there. We will be straight with you about what is realistic for your shoulder before you commit.
Shockwave is not suited to everyone. Tell us about pregnancy, bleeding disorders, blood thinners, or implanted devices so we can go over whether it is a good fit. For more detail, read What is Shockwave? or see our shockwave therapy page.
Common causes of shoulder pain we treat
Rotator cuff tendonitis
Frozen shoulder
Shoulder impingement and bursitis
What to expect at your first shoulder pain appointment
An assessment first, then a plan you agree to
We start by listening: when the pain began, what makes it worse, and how your days and nights are affected. Then we examine the shoulder and the areas around it, checking movement, strength, and which positions bring on your symptoms.
Next we explain what we think is going on in plain language and lay out your options, including roughly how many visits to expect. Nothing starts until you are comfortable with the plan. Home exercises are a common part of it, because strength and mobility work help your shoulder hold up between visits, and depending on your findings the plan may also include therapeutic laser or massage therapy with our registered massage therapists.
If your shoulder injury came from a car accident or a workplace injury, see our page on accident injury recovery. We are in St. James, Winnipeg, a short drive from Crestview, Westwood, and Charleswood.
A patient's experience with shockwave for rotator cuff pain
"I tried Shockwave treatment for my foot that has been bugging me for awhile. In literally one treatment it felt 100x better. I'm using it for some nagging shoulder rotator cuff issues and again my shoulder feels so much better. My range of motion has improved as well. Dr. Baron is fantastic and so is the rest of the staff at Sun Chiropractic. Highly recommend to go in and have an assessment done to see if shock wave treatment would work for you."
Individual results vary.
Shoulder Pain FAQ's
It usually means a tendon or bursa is irritated, and the pain tends to peak partway through the movement. Ease off the movements that trigger it for now. If the arm feels weak or you cannot lift it at all, get seen sooner.
Lying on the sore side squeezes the tendons and bursa, and without daytime distractions you notice the ache more. Try sleeping on your other side with a pillow hugging the sore arm.
It can feel uncomfortable while the applicator is on the sore spot, and the intensity can be turned down if needed. Soreness for a day or two afterwards is common. There are no needles or medications involved.
Mild cases often settle within a few weeks once you ease off the aggravating activity and start rehab. Long-standing tendon pain can take three months or more. Timing depends on how irritated the tendon is and how consistently you do your exercises.
Keep the shoulder moving within a comfortable range rather than resting it completely, and ease off overhead lifting and reaching. Ice or heat for 10 to 15 minutes can take the edge off. If it is not improving after a week or two, book an assessment.
We direct bill MPI and WCB claims and most private insurance plans. Check your plan's chiropractic and massage coverage before you come in, and have your claim number handy for MPI or WCB. Details are on our direct billing page.
