Understanding Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain, also called shoulder impingement, happens when the outer edge of your shoulder blade (acromion) pinches or rubs against your rotator cuff. Your rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that surround the shoulder joint. It keeps your upper arm bone in your shoulder socket and allows you to raise your arm and rotate it toward and away from the body.
The acromion rubbing against the rotator cuff creates irritation and swelling, reducing the space around the rotator cuff, creating a shoulder impingement or shoulder pain.
What Are the Causes of Shoulder Pain?
Most cases of shoulder pain happen when the rotator cuff tendons become trapped in the bony shoulder area, inflaming the tendons. Other causes include:
- Arthritis
- Bone spurs
- Bursitis
- Broken or dislocated shoulder bone
- Frozen shoulder (when the muscles, tendons, and ligaments are stiff)
- Overuse
- Nerve injuries
- Rotator cuff tear
- Poor posture and ergonomics
In some cases, shoulder pain is referred pain, meaning your shoulder pain is caused by a problem somewhere else in your body, most often your lungs or stomach.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Shoulder Pain
While surgery may be the only way to treat serious shoulder injury or rotator cuff injuries, chiropractic adjustments can provide shoulder pain relief, restore range of motion and joint mobility, and help relieve the chronic pain you may be experiencing.
- Noninvasive. Chiropractic adjustments are a noninvasive treatment option that can relax tight muscles in the shoulder joint and treat shoulder impingement.
- Drug-free pain relief. Shoulder pain makes it difficult to function, and while over-the-counter and prescription medications can provide temporary pain relief, it’s not a long-term solution. Chiropractic care can improve how your shoulder joint feels and functions, restoring a full range of motion.
- Strengthen muscles. In addition to pain reduction, chiropractic care can also help strengthen your shoulder muscles through specialized stretching.
Our Seattle Shoulder Pain Specialists
Dr. Ally Quintos
Wes Patterson
Kim Major
Dr. Kelly Perona
Dr. Brenna Gray, DC
Dr. Brenna Gray is a Chiropractor who graduated from Palmer in Davenport. Before moving to Seattle, they ran a family & injury clinic in Champaign, IL. They practice Palmer package style with diversified, extremity adjusting, activator, Thompson, toggle upper cervical as well as SOT and Talsky Tonal for a more gentle experience.
Dr. Brenna has worked with families and all bodies & has a special interest in working with those who have hypermobility and those who have long-lasting concussion symptoms.
When they are not practicing their passion of chiropractic, they are spending time with their wife and cats or diving into a great book.
In network Insurance:
Dr. Ally Quintos
Dr. Ally is one of those rare extraverted Seattleites. She loves to help others move better and feel better while holding a compassionate, motivating space. As with other providers at Flourish, Dr. Ally believes that any progress in health, no matter how small, is a step forward and should be celebrated. Some days that will be earning a PR at the gym. Other days that will be simply showing up for your appointment. Your best will change from day to day, and it is enough.
Dr. Ally uses chiropractic adjusting, muscle scraping (gua sha), pin and stretch, and therapeutic exercises, while also addressing behavioral modifications, nutrition, and lifestyle factors all for optimal wellness. She is primarily a diversified manual adjuster, and also implements Thompson Drops and instrument-assisted adjustments. Some of her patients prefer instrument-only and that is welcomed by her.
She takes a movement and biomechanics based approach to chiropractic to promote function and wellbeing. As an avid runner, Dr. Ally loves helping people with hip, knee and shoulder injuries. She is amazed at how many people who hike or run have neck and shoulders tension! Aside from sports injuries or helping people continue doing what they love, she also has experience in pediatrics and prenatal, and really enjoys working with children, from 1 month to 17 years old. She loves supporting those who are expecting throughout their pregnancy, whether it be back pain, hip pain or overall wellness.
Dr. Ally returned to Seattle in 2020 to practice and joined Flourish in 2022. When Dr. Ally is outside of the office, she enjoys running, spending time with her family, and playing with her pup, Franklin.
In network Insurance:
Dathan Heartson, LMT
Welcome our newest massage therapist, Dathan! He will start seeing patients on Wednesday, August 5th.
With 10 years of experience, Dathan provides Deep Tissue, Trigger Point Therapy, Swedish, Neuromuscular, Sports Massage, and Prenatal Massage. He particularly specializes in injury treatment and has a holistic, flowing approach with the intention of alleviating stress and anxiety, and regulating the nervous system. As a very physically active person himself, he has learned how to care for numerous conditions such as rotator cuff, neck, and hip issues.
Please give Dathan a warm welcome!
License no. MA60491411
Karla U.
Wes Patterson
*Wes now offers Intraoral TMJ massage! If interested, please call to book.
Wes (he/they) is a trauma-informed, compassionate medical massage therapist who ensures a safe, healing environment. They are passionate about listening to and partnering with clients to craft a treatment that will be as effective and comfortable as possible. Whether it’s relaxation, working a few knots out of your neck, or seeking relief from back pain—they will work with you to plan a session to meet your goals.
Wes has practiced massage in both spa and clinic environments. He has a Washington State endorsement for Intraoral massage. His specialty is Relaxation/Swedish massage, but he enjoys integrating other modalities such as Trigger Point Therapy, Myofascial Release, deep tissue, Muscle Energy Technique, and CBD or aromatherapy treatments. During a session, Wes does their best to listen to your tissue as well as any feedback you (or your body) provide to ensure your comfort and that the work together is as effective as possible. After a session, Wes will check in about any questions/concerns you may have and will offer simple tips to improve your self-care and make your next session an even more effective experience.
Wes looks forward to the opportunity to join you on your quest towards healing, self-care, and improved quality of life.
In network Insurance:
Kim Major
Kim is a healthcare professional at UW Medical Center and is inspired by the dedication and amount of care her peers in the medical field are giving to the community. While Kim loves her job at the hospital, she is more passionate about massage. She possesses qualities that make up an excellent Massage Therapist such as hard working, intuitive, driven, result oriented, empathetic and a calm demeanor.
Kim focuses on pain management, therapeutic or outcome based or integrated massage. Her skills include Relaxing Massages such as General Swedish, Structure Specific (Deep Tissue), Cupping and Hot stone massage. She also offers Medical/Treatment massage such as Myofascial Release, Lymphatic Facilitation, & Deep Transverse Friction. She works as a team with her patients and offers wellness tips or homework to help them heal faster and improve their lives.
Lastly, Kim advocates self-care, self-awareness, and self-love. Walk with them in their journey towards self-care is something she is passionate about. She provides a safe place for her patients to heal and relax.
In network Insurance:
Dr. Kelly Perona
Dr. Kelly focuses on intentional healing and pain relief using hot stones, adjustments, focused massage, and stretches to encourage movement in the body, as well as preventive/self-care, posture and general wellbeing.
She is Webster-certified and has studied in the most painless, effective treatment methods available which involve traditional hands-on adjustments or instrument.
From Dr. Kelly: I love connecting with people and holding a supportive space for their needs. I started school to become a dentist with the intent to have a career in helping people. Three years into my schooling, I changed my profession to chiropractic after a car accident so I could focus on treating muscle and joint problems naturally. I love witnessing the exponential improvement chiropractic and massage can bring to whiplash or strains from MVAs, bike accidents, or other collisions. And doing so in a compassionate, validating space.
I have helped musicians, people who bind or brave MTF or FTM surgeries, runners, yoga enthusiasts, people in the restaurant industry, hairstylists, and those with the ever-elusive desk jobs. My mission is to help people live life to their fullest potential. Sometimes that is being able to work throughout the day without pain. Sometimes that is getting out of bed and brushing your teeth. There is no judgement and I am humbled and appreciative to have someone trust me to help them in their goals.
I am familiar with a large variety of body movements and mechanics and have plenty of experience with my own injuries. I also understand that healing from an injury can be difficult because you don’t want to take time off from activity. I don’t want people to settle for merely being out of pain for typical daily activities. Healing properly, to me, means being able to get back into your personal level of activity without discomfort. I’d love to help.
In network Insurance:
Seattle Patient Success Stories
Our Customized Approach to Shoulder Pain Care
At Flourish Chiropractic Spa, we understand that no two patients or their concerns are alike, which is why we adopt a holistic and personalized approach to neck pain treatment. Our process includes:
- Comprehensive assessment: Conduct a thorough examination of your rotator cuff tendons and shoulder joint to determine the extent of your shoulder impingement
- Personalized treatment plan: Develop a customized treatment plan to relieve your pain, restore range of motion, and help you achieve your health goals.
- Chiropractic treatment: Perform gentle, precise chiropractic adjustments to reduce shoulder pain and promote healing
- Therapeutic exercises: Provide targeted stretching and strengthening exercises to improve your shoulder posture and prevent further injury
- Lifestyle advice: Offer guidance on posture, ergonomics, and other lifestyle factors to support your recovery and prevent future shoulder impingement
- Ongoing support: Ensure continuous care and follow-up to monitor your progress and adjust treatments as needed.
Complementing Therapies
In addition to chiropractic treatment, we offer a range of services to treat your shoulder impingement and support your overall health:
- Massage therapy: Soft tissue therapies, like massage, can relieve stress and tension throughout the body, which reduces inflammation and promotes healing.
- Medical massage: Unlike traditional massage, a medical massage targets the root cause of your shoulder pain.
- Cupping. Using specialized cups to create suction, cupping increases blood flow throughout the body to further promote healing.
Get The Care You Need
Flourish Chiropractic Spa makes taking the first step toward relief easy. We encourage you to schedule a consultation to discuss your needs and learn more about how our specialized chiropractic and massage services can support you. Our team is here to discuss treatment options and give you the personalized care you deserve.
To book your appointment, call us or use our convenient online scheduling system. We look forward to helping you.
Most Common Disorders We Treat
Pain Management
Chiropractic Care and Adjustments
Relieve pain and improve mobility with personalized chiropractic adjustments.
TMJ Chiropractic Care/Adjustments
Relieve jaw tension and improve comfort with targeted TMJ adjustments and massage therapy.
Sciatica
Ease sciatic nerve pain with targeted adjustments and therapy to relieve pressure and restore comfort.
Back Pain
Reduce back pain and enhance mobility with focused chiropractic adjustments and therapeutic care.
Chiropractic Webster Technique
This protocol helps maintain pelvic alignment and balance throughout pregnancy.
Injury Treatment & Rehabilitation
Accident Recovery
Reclaim your mobility and comfort after accidents with personalized rehabilitation plans.
Car Accident Injury
Specialized treatment plans focused on recovery and rehabilitation from auto accident injuries.
Post-Cesarean Chiropractic Rehabilitation
Personalized treatment plans to support postpartum c-section recovery.
Sports Injury
Restore strength and agility with tailored sports rehabilitation and chiropractic care.
Stress & Tension Relief
Massage Therapy
Relieve stress and tension with therapeutic massage techniques designed to relax the body and mind.
Cupping Therapy
Soothe your spine with targeted therapies designed to alleviate back and neck discomfort.
TMJ Massage
Relieve TMJ discomfort with specialized massage techniques to reduce jaw tension and pain.
Pregnancy Massage
Specialized massage therapy designed to provide comfort and relief during pregnancy.