A Common Complaint Among Lubbock’s Working Patients
Between oil field crews, warehouse workers, and anyone doing repetitive overhead work, Dr. Brett Chavez sees a steady number of patients at Back 2 Health Chiropractic dealing with shoulder pain that traces directly back to their job. Unlike an acute injury from a single fall or a car accident, this kind of shoulder pain usually builds slowly, from thousands of repetitions of the same motion over weeks or months.
Why the Shoulder Is Especially Vulnerable
The shoulder has the largest range of motion of any joint in the body, and that mobility comes at the cost of stability. It relies heavily on the surrounding muscles and connective tissue, particularly the rotator cuff, to keep the joint centered during movement. Repetitive overhead reaching, pulling, or lifting with poor mechanics gradually irritates that tissue, and it also affects the mechanics of the shoulder blade and upper back, which often become restricted as the body compensates for a shoulder that isn’t moving efficiently.
That’s why Dr. Chavez rarely treats a shoulder complaint in isolation. A restricted upper back or a poorly positioned shoulder blade changes how the shoulder joint itself moves, which means addressing only the point of pain and ignoring the surrounding mechanics tends to bring the problem back.
What the Exam Covers
A first visit for work-related shoulder pain includes range of motion testing, orthopedic tests to check the rotator cuff and surrounding structures, and an assessment of the upper back and shoulder blade mechanics. Dr. Chavez also asks specifically about job tasks, since the pattern of pain from repetitive overhead reaching looks different from pain caused by heavy pulling or carrying.
Treatment Approach
Chiropractic adjustments to the upper back and, when appropriate, the shoulder itself help restore normal joint mechanics. Many patients pair this with dry needling to address trigger points in the rotator cuff and surrounding muscles directly, which tends to speed recovery for chronic overuse patterns. For patients with significant muscle tightness contributing to the restriction, professional stretching is often part of the plan as well.
Habits Worth Building for Physical Jobs
- Warm up the shoulders before a shift that involves heavy lifting or overhead work, even briefly
- Alternate which arm leads on repetitive tasks when the job allows it
- Keep loads close to the body rather than reaching out and lifting at the same time
- Address early stiffness rather than working through it for weeks, since early intervention tends to resolve faster than a pattern that’s had months to set in
When to Have It Evaluated
Occasional soreness after a demanding shift is common. What’s worth getting checked is shoulder pain that’s limiting range of motion, pain that wakes someone up at night, or weakness when trying to lift or reach overhead. Those signs can point to more significant rotator cuff involvement, and catching that early generally means a shorter, more straightforward recovery.
If your job has your shoulder stiff, weak, or aching by the end of the week, schedule a new patient visit at Back 2 Health Chiropractic in Lubbock, TX and let Dr. Chavez find the actual source of the restriction.
References
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, “Shoulder Pain and Common Shoulder Problems,” orthoinfo.aaos.org
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration, “Ergonomics: Overexertion Injuries,” osha.gov
