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Pura Vida Chiropractic
Rotator Cuff Injuries treatment at Pura Vida Chiropractic San Antonio

Rotator Cuff Injuries

Rotator cuff injuries — from tendinopathy to partial and full tears — are among the most common shoulder conditions. Our multi-modal approach combining chiropractic correction with regenerative therapies provides an effective non-surgical path to recovery.

What Is Rotator Cuff Injuries?

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their tendons (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis) that stabilize the humeral head in the shoulder socket. Rotator cuff injuries range from tendinopathy (tendon degeneration and inflammation) to partial or full-thickness tears. Most injuries develop from a combination of repetitive microtrauma, age-related degeneration, and abnormal shoulder biomechanics secondary to cervical or thoracic dysfunction. The supraspinatus tendon is most commonly affected and, when torn, fails to heal well on its own due to poor blood supply. Regenerative therapies combined with chiropractic correction of the underlying biomechanical cause provide the best non-surgical outcome.

Common Symptoms

  • Shoulder pain with arm elevation, reaching overhead, or reaching behind
  • Weakness in the shoulder — difficulty lifting objects
  • Night pain — unable to sleep on the affected shoulder
  • Clicking, catching, or grinding with shoulder movement
  • Pain at the outer shoulder or deltoid with resisted movement
  • Gradual onset or sudden onset from a fall or forceful movement

Common Causes & Contributing Factors

  • Repetitive overhead activity causing cumulative tendon microtrauma
  • Age-related tendon degeneration (degenerative tear)
  • Abnormal shoulder biomechanics from cervical or thoracic dysfunction
  • Shoulder impingement progressively fraying the supraspinatus
  • Acute trauma — fall on outstretched arm or forceful pulling
  • Poor scapular stabilization allowing humeral head migration

The Pura Vida Protocol: Chiropractic Care for Rotator Cuff Injuries

Dr. Foss addresses the cervical and thoracic spine first, correcting the nerve root irritation (C5–C6) and scapular stabilizer dysfunction that predispose the rotator cuff to injury and impair its healing. Glenohumeral and AC joint adjustments restore normal shoulder mechanics, reducing impingement and abnormal tendon loading. This chiropractic foundation is then complemented by regenerative therapies targeting the damaged tendon directly to stimulate collagen synthesis and reduce inflammation. Most patients with tendinopathy and partial tears achieve excellent outcomes without surgery.

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 Rotator Cuff Injuries?

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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