Shoulder Pain
Chiropractic Care That Moves with You
Shoulder pain can make simple things—reaching, lifting, holding your child—feel like a challenge. At Active Life Chiropractic, we help people just like you regain strength, stability, and mobility in their shoulders so they can stay active, independent, and pain-free.
We take an evidence-based, whole-body approach to shoulder pain. Our care blends chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and individualized rehab to target not just the symptoms—but the root cause of your dysfunction.
Shoulder Pain Treatments in Rapid City, SD
Our Shoulder Pain Treatment Approach
At Active Life Chiropractic, we use a multi-modal treatment strategy that blends movement science with manual therapy—because real shoulder recovery takes more than rest and ice. Our approach begins with gentle, precise chiropractic adjustments to the spine, rib cage, clavicle, and scapular joints to restore mobility and optimize shoulder mechanics. We then incorporate soft tissue therapy, using both hands-on and instrument-assisted techniques to release muscle adhesions, reduce inflammation, and restore balance in key areas like the rotator cuff, deltoids, pecs, and traps. Finally, we implement functional rehabilitation through Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS), focusing on motor control, scapular stabilization, and retraining movement patterns. These targeted exercises help restore proper coordination between the shoulder and core—especially valuable for athletes, pregnant/postpartum women, and active children.
Common Shoulder Issues We Treat
Whether you're an athlete, a busy parent, or recovering postpartum, your shoulder pain likely isn’t just a “shoulder problem.” We evaluate the full movement system—spine, ribs, scapula, and core—to address how everything works together.
Here are the most common shoulder complaints we treat in our Rapid City clinic:
Rotator cuff injuries
Strains, tears, or tendonitis often caused by overuse, repetitive overhead activity, or poor movement mechanics.Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
Progressive stiffness and pain that significantly limits motion and disrupts daily function.Shoulder impingement syndrome
Pinching or catching pain during overhead movement, often linked to poor posture and scapular control.Labral injuries and shoulder instability
Common in athletes—especially throwers, swimmers, and lifters—due to high demand on the joint.Bursitis and inflammation
Caused by overuse, direct impact, or biomechanical stress, leading to swelling and pain with movement.Postural shoulder dysfunction
Seen in desk workers, new moms, and students—rounded shoulders and upper trap dominance from prolonged static positions.Postpartum and breastfeeding-related shoulder tension
Nursing, holding, and carrying contribute to chronic tension and muscle imbalances.Pediatric shoulder issues
Including Erb’s Palsy, growth plate irritation, shoulder instability, and overhead sport mechanics in youth athletes.
Why Patients Choose Us for Shoulder Pain
We focus on root-cause resolution – We don’t just mask pain. We fix what’s causing it.
We treat the whole system – The shoulder doesn’t work in isolation. Neither do we.
We tailor care to your life – Whether you’re lifting weights or lifting your toddler, your plan is built around your real-world movement.
We’re trained in DNS, rehab, and sport-specific care – Our doctors are skilled in managing complex shoulder complaints with precision.
Don’t Let Shoulder Pain Limit Your Life
Whether you’re chasing PRs, chasing kids, or trying to sleep without pain—your shoulder deserves better.
At Active Life Chiropractic in Rapid City, South Dakota, we provide personalized, evidence-based care for long-term shoulder relief and improved performance.