Shoulder pain usually comes from the soft tissue rather than the bone — the rotator cuff, the bursa, or the tendons that keep the joint stable through its enormous range of motion. Because the shoulder has poor blood supply in exactly those tissues, it heals slowly on its own. That is why shoulder problems drag on for months and why treatment that improves circulation and tissue repair matters here more than almost anywhere else.
What We Commonly Treat
- Rotator cuff injuries — strains and tears in the muscles stabilizing the joint
- Bursitis — inflammation of the fluid sac cushioning the joint
- Tendinitis — irritated tendons from overuse or repetitive overhead work
- Frozen shoulder — progressive stiffness and loss of range
- Arthritis in the shoulder joint
- Impingement — tissue pinched during overhead movement
Sometimes the Shoulder Is Not the Problem
Nerves serving the shoulder exit the spine in your neck. A nerve irritated there can produce genuine shoulder pain with nothing structurally wrong in the shoulder itself. This is common enough that Dr. Hansen examines the neck as part of any shoulder complaint — treating a shoulder that is only reporting the problem will not get anywhere. See neck pain if that sounds familiar.
Where SoftWave Fits
Shoulders respond particularly well to SoftWave therapy, FDA-cleared shockwave treatment that activates the body's own repair response in tissue that heals slowly on its own. Sessions take five to ten minutes, there are no drugs or needles, and you walk straight back out to your car. For rotator cuff and tendon problems that have not moved with rest, it is often the piece that changes things.
Depending on what the exam finds, care may also include adjustments to the shoulder and upper spine, and work on the surrounding tissue.
Do Not Wait for It to Loosen Up
Shoulders stiffen when you stop using them, and then hurt more when you try. The longer a shoulder is guarded, the more range it loses — frozen shoulder is largely that process running unchecked. Early care is meaningfully easier than late care here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SoftWave therapy painful?
Most people describe it as a firm tapping sensation rather than pain. Sessions run about five to ten minutes and there is no downtime — you walk out and go about your day.
Can you treat a rotator cuff tear without surgery?
Many rotator cuff problems respond to conservative care. Some do need a surgeon. Dr. Hansen will examine it and tell you honestly which category he thinks you are in, and refer you out if that is the right call.
Why does my shoulder hurt more at night?
Lying down changes the pressure in the joint and removes the distractions that mask it during the day. Night pain that keeps waking you is worth getting looked at rather than waiting out.
How much is the first SoftWave visit?
New patients can start with the $69 SoftWave Discovery Session, which includes a private consultation with Dr. Hansen, a full SoftWave assessment, and your first therapy session.
Last reviewed 2026-09-10 by Hansen Chiropractic. This page is general information, not medical advice. Individual results vary.
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