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Shoulder Pain Specialist

ProActive Spine Care

Chiropractors located in Greater Tacoma Area, Fircrest, WA

Shoulder pain should never be ignored because it’s a sign of underlying stress that’s likely to progress into a bigger problem -- if you don’t take steps to strengthen and stabilize the joint. Dr. Austin McMillin at ProActive Spine Center prevents and treats shoulder problems with diverse chiropractic therapies, in-house rehabilitation, therapeutic massage, cold laser therapy, and performance training. He serves residents of Tacoma, South Puget Sound, and University Place from his office in Fircrest, Washington.

Shoulder Pain Q & A

What causes shoulder pain?

The ball-and-socket joint in your shoulder allows full rotation of your arm. While this range of motion is essential, it also makes the shoulder more susceptible to injury. Ligaments and the muscles that make up the rotator cuff stabilize the joint and enable movement. Since they bear the burden of repetitive activities, they often become damaged due to wear-and-tear, but there are many possible causes of shoulder pain:

  • Injury (dislocated shoulder, torn muscle or ligament)
  • Inflammation from overuse
  • Bursitis or tendonitis
  • Calcium deposits in the tendons
  • Arthritis
  • Frozen shoulder

When should you see a chiropractor for shoulder pain?

Pain is a sign that your shoulder is damaged and possibly on the verge of a serious injury. Chiropractic treatment relieves the stress, strengthens the joint, and prevents future problems. Contact ProActive Spine Care to schedule a consultation if you experience:

  • Reduced function in the shoulder or arm
  • Swelling or bruising around the shoulder
  • Shoulder pain even when resting
  • Shoulder pain that lasts more than a few days
  • Recurring shoulder pain
  • Unusual aches in the shoulder area
  • Signs of infection, such as redness, warmth, swelling, fever

Can you rehabilitate a shoulder injury at ProActive Spine Care?

You can receive comprehensive rehabilitation services at ProActive Spine Care. In addition to chiropractic therapies, we have a state-of-the-art rehabilitation center, therapeutic massage, cold laser therapy, and performance training to help athletes recover and reduce the risk of future injuries.

How does Dr. McMillin treat shoulder pain?

When you seek chiropractic care, the first step is a thorough examination to determine the cause of your shoulder pain. Injuries and illnesses in other parts of the body often reflect their pain to the shoulder area, and a shoulder injury may affect other parts of the musculoskeletal system, so a diagnostic assessment is essential.

After your initial exam, Dr. McMillin develops a comprehensive treatment plan that draws from diverse types of chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, muscle energy therapy, functional rehabilitation, therapeutic massage, and performance training.

Dr. McMillin may use cold laser therapy, which is a low-level laser treatment that reduces inflammation and stimulates healing. Supervised corrective exercise on site strengthens the joint, and we’ll teach you exercises for ongoing rehabilitation at home.

Insurance

ProActive Spine Care are preferred or participating providers with many insurance plans. Please contact the office for additional insurance information.

AARP
Aetna
Blue Cross Blue Shield
BridgeSpan
Cigna
First Choice Health
Healthcare Management Administrators (HMA)
ILWU/Coastwise
Kaiser Permanente PPO
LifeWise
Medicare
Premera Blue Cross
United Healthcare