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Pura Vida Chiropractic
Shoulder & Arm Pain | Sports Chiropractor San Antonio TX treatment at Pura Vida Chiropractic San Antonio

Shoulder & Arm Pain | Sports Chiropractor San Antonio TX

Shoulder and arm pain can originate from the shoulder joint itself, the cervical spine, or both. Pura Vida Chiropractic evaluates the entire upper extremity chain to find and fix the real source of your pain.

What Is Shoulder & Arm Pain | Sports Chiropractor San Antonio TX?

The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, making it inherently vulnerable to instability and injury. Pain in the shoulder and arm may arise from rotator cuff tendinopathy or tears, shoulder impingement, AC joint dysfunction, bicep tendinitis, or frozen shoulder. Equally common — and frequently missed — is referred pain from the cervical spine. Nerve roots exiting C4–C8 supply sensation and motor control to the shoulder, arm, and hand, so a cervical disc herniation or facet joint irritation at any of these levels can cause pain, weakness, or numbness far from the spine. A comprehensive evaluation distinguishing local shoulder pathology from cervical referral is essential.

Common Symptoms

  • Pain at the outer shoulder, deltoid, or upper arm
  • Difficulty raising the arm overhead or behind the back
  • Pain worsening at night, especially lying on the affected side
  • Radiating pain, tingling, or numbness into the forearm or hand
  • Weakness in grip strength or arm lifting
  • Clicking or catching sensation in the shoulder joint

Common Causes & Contributing Factors

  • Rotator cuff tendinopathy from repetitive overhead activity
  • Cervical disc herniation (C4–C7) referring pain into the arm
  • Shoulder impingement from poor scapular mechanics
  • AC joint separation from trauma
  • Thoracic outlet syndrome compressing brachial plexus nerves
  • Poor posture rounding the shoulders forward

The Pura Vida Protocol: Chiropractic Care for Shoulder & Arm Pain | Sports Chiropractor San Antonio TX

Dr. Foss evaluates the cervical spine, thoracic spine, shoulder girdle, and shoulder joint as an integrated unit. SOT cervical adjustments decompress nerve roots that may be referring pain into the arm. Shoulder and AC joint adjustments restore proper glenohumeral and scapulothoracic mechanics. Myofascial release targeting the rotator cuff, pectorals, and upper trapezius addresses the muscular contributors to shoulder dysfunction. This combined approach resolves pain faster and more thoroughly than treating only the shoulder in isolation.

At Pura Vida Chiropractic, Dr. Foss uses Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT) — a gentle, category-based system that addresses the spine, pelvis, and craniosacral rhythm as one integrated unit. SOT restores proper biomechanics, reduces nerve interference, and creates the neurological environment your body needs to heal itself.

Advanced Therapies We Combine With Chiropractic

For many patients, combining spinal correction with regenerative therapies produces faster and more lasting results. Depending on your condition, Dr. Foss may incorporate one or more of the following:

Shockwave Therapy

High-energy acoustic waves penetrate deep into tissue to break up calcifications, stimulate collagen production, and accelerate the body's natural repair process — all without surgery or downtime.

SoftWave Therapy

Patented unfocused shock waves spread over a broad treatment area to reduce inflammation, increase blood flow, and activate stem cells — promoting cellular regeneration and long-term pain relief.

Class IV Laser Therapy

Photobiomodulation with a 10–15W Class IV laser delivers therapeutic light energy deep into tissue, reducing inflammation, blocking pain signals, and speeding healing at the cellular level.

Why Choose Pura Vida Chiropractic in San Antonio?

Pura Vida Chiropractic is a family-friendly, bilingual (English/Spanish) clinic serving San Antonio, TX. Dr. Dan Foss is trained in Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT), a comprehensive chiropractic system that addresses the whole body — not just the area of pain. We combine hands-on spinal correction with the latest regenerative technology to help patients resolve the root cause of their condition rather than masking symptoms.

We are insurance friendly with most insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna, Ambetter, Oscar Health, Community First, and Molina Healthcare. New patient appointments are available promptly.

Ready to Get Relief from Shoulder & Arm Pain | Sports Chiropractor San Antonio TX?

Schedule your new patient appointment with Dr. Foss at Pura Vida Chiropractic in San Antonio, TX. We'll identify the root cause and build a personalized care plan.

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