What it feels like
Pain reaching overhead. Night pain sleeping on that side. Weakness lifting objects. Catching or clicking. Pain radiating down the arm.
What’s actually causing it
Everyone assumes shoulder pain is a rotator cuff problem. Sometimes it is. But here's what I see more often: the scapular stabilizers — the muscles that control your shoulder blade — have shut down. When your scapula isn't positioned correctly, every movement of your arm grinds against a mechanical disadvantage. The rotator cuff gets blamed because it's the one that hurts, but it's hurting because it's overworking to make up for muscles that aren't doing their job. I test the serratus anterior, lower trap, rhomboids — the muscles nobody thinks about — and that's usually where the answer is.
How I treat it
I test the muscles around the affected area individually, find which ones aren’t firing, and reset the connection using gentle techniques. No cracking, no popping.
How long it takes
Most patients feel a difference after one session. Chronic cases typically resolve in 4–6 sessions.
“I had been suffering for years and was unsuccessfully treated by others. In one visit, Dr. Ladd was able to find and address the real issue.”
Patient review · Shoulder Pain patient
Techniques I use for shoulder pain
Common questions
Why does my shoulder pain keep coming back?
Because the weak muscle causing it hasn’t been found and reset. I treat the cause, not the symptom.
Will you crack my joints?
Never. My techniques are gentle, precise, and comfortable. No high-velocity adjustments.
Ready to find real relief?
Book online in 30 seconds. No referral needed.