Sports Chiropractic Treatment for Shoulder Pain | Minnetonka, MN
At Minnesota Movement Sports Chiropractic & Rehab, our chiropractors specialize in treating shoulder pain and athletic shoulder injuries for both professional/recreational athletes as well as Weekend Warriors across the Lake Minnetonka area, including Excelsior, Wayzata, Minnetonka, Deephaven, and Chanhassen.
Dr. Reid has had the chance to work with World Games Athletes, PGA Tour golfers, NHL/AHL hockey players, Professional Rock Climbers, Olympic Team Gymnasts, and CrossFit Games athletes. By doing so, he has given them unmatched experience in assessing and treating the shoulder’s complex anatomy in both high-performance and everyday settings. Whether your pain started from overhead lifting, desk posture, a fall, or overuse, we know how to get you moving and performing again, faster.
Common Shoulder Conditions We Treat
Our Sports Chiropractors based in Excelsior treat a wide range of shoulder-related pain and dysfunction including:
Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy or Tears (including supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and teres minor)
Labral Tears (SLAP lesions, Bankart lesions)
Biceps Tendonitis / Biceps Tendinopathy
AC Joint Sprains and Instability
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
Postural Shoulder Pain from rounded shoulders or forward head posture
Referred Pain from the Neck or Upper Back (Cervicogenic Shoulder Pain)
Chiropractic Treatment Options for Shoulder Pain
At Minnesota Movement, we take a comprehensive and individualized approach to every shoulder injury. We don’t just chase symptoms—we identify the why behind your pain. This allows us to address it head-on for faster results!
Our treatment options may include:
Manual Muscle Therapy to release tension and improve blood flow in tight shoulder and scapular muscles
Active Release Technique (ART) for breaking down scar tissue and improving muscle glide
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) for tendon, muscle, and fascia healing and recovery
Kinesiology Taping (RockTape®) for shoulder stability and postural cueing
Chiropractic Adjustments and Joint Mobilizations of the shoulder girdle, cervical spine, and thoracic spine
Corrective Exercises and At-Home Rehabilitation Programs to strengthen weak or inactive muscles, add in needed mobility to tight or taut tissues, and correct faulty movement patterns
Understanding Shoulder Pain and Common Causes
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, which also makes it one of the most prone to injury. It’s surrounded by a complex network of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves, all working together to provide strength and movement. Sometimes even a small imbalance, repetitive strain, or posture issue over time can cause significant pain or limit function.
Common causes and mechanisms of shoulder injury include:
Overuse or repetitive strain from overhead activities (throwing, swimming, lifting)
Poor posture leading to shoulder impingement or muscle imbalance
Sudden trauma or falls common in contact sports or falling accidents
Weightlifting Errors or fatigue-related breakdown of form / function
Repetitive desk work or computer posture causing upper back and tension which may round the shoulders forwards
What to Expect: Recovery Time and Prognosis
Recovery depends on the type and severity of the injury, your activity level, and your consistency with care and rehab. In general:
Mild shoulder strains or overuse injuries: noticeable improvement in 2–4 weeks
Moderate tendinopathies or impingement syndromes: full recovery in 6–8 weeks with consistent care
Chronic conditions or partial tears: may require 8–12+ weeks of structured rehab and gradual return to full activity
The prognosis is excellent for most shoulder injuries when addressed early with a functional, movement-based approach like ours. Many athletes not only recover fully, but also report improved performance, posture, and shoulder stability compared to pre-injury levels!
FAQs About Shoulder Pain
Can a chiropractor really help shoulder pain?
Yes! Chiropractors trained in sports rehab address not just the joint but also the surrounding muscles, tendons, and movement habits (posture) that contribute to an individual’s shoulder dysfunction.
What if I don’t know what caused my shoulder pain?
That’s okay! Many patients come in without a clear mechanism of injury. Our movement assessments and orthopedic testing identify the underlying issue quickly so that we can get you back to enjoying the activities you love - without pain!
Do you work with athletes or non-athletes?
Both! While our team has extensive experience with professional athletes, we use the same evidence-based techniques to help anyone dealing with pain or restricted movement.
Ready to Get Back to Peak Performance?
Don’t let shoulder pain limit your training, work, or lifestyle. Whether you’re a golfer, swimmer, lifter, or weekend warrior, our sports chiropractic team in Excelsior will create a plan that gets you back to doing what you love—stronger and more resilient than before.
📍 Serving Lake Minnetonka, Excelsior, Minnetonka, Wayzata, Chanhassen, Deephaven, and surrounding communities
📞 Call us at (651) 447-8898
👉 Schedule Your Evaluation for Shoulder Pain Today
Patient Success Story
“After struggling with shoulder pain for months from CrossFit training, I finally found relief at Minnesota Movement. Dr. Reid pinpointed exactly what was wrong with my shoulder and helped me rebuild my strength in a safe scaled fashion. Within six weeks, I was lifting overhead again pain-free!”
— Ben W., Minnetonka, MN