The shoulder joint is one of the most commonly injured extremity joints I treat in my practice. And unlike what many people think, it’s not just an athlete’s problem. Yes, I see rock climbers, weight lifters, and other active individuals with shoulder pain, but I also see plenty of desk workers suffering from the same issues.

If you’ve been searching “will shoulder pain go away,” “shoulder pain without injury,” “shoulder pain every morning,” “shoulder pain keeps coming back,” or “shoulder pain and clicking,” keep reading.

Causes of Shoulder Pain

First, let’s clear up what we mean by “shoulder.” The shoulder joint is where the arm meets the torso, not the area above the shoulder blade or across the upper back.

The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint.

The humerus (arm bone) forms the ball, which sits inside a socket made of the scapula (shoulder blade) and clavicle (collarbone).

Muscles called the rotator cuff attach to these bones by tendons.

They include:

• Supraspinatus
• Infraspinatus
• Teres Minor
• Subscapularis

Most shoulder injuries involve these muscles, their tendons, or the ligaments connecting the three bones. Some injuries come from

trauma—like falling on an outstretched arm or lifting overhead. But many cases of shoulder pain without injury are more about misalignment and lifestyle than accidents.

In my practice, I most often see Supraspinatus and Infraspinatus tendon issues. Supraspinatus problems are especially common even without trauma, simply due to how it attaches to the humerus.

Here’s the mistake most people (and providers) make: they think shoulder pain is just a rotator cuff problem. They overlook the shoulder blade stabilizers—the true unsung heroes of shoulder health.

 

Shoulder Pain Without Injury

Under healthy, active conditions, your brain constantly sends the command to stay upright against gravity. This happens automatically, all day long. Effective breathing depends on this posture. Try slouching and taking a deep breath—you’ll see it doesn’t work.

This command comes from the midbrain’s PMRF (Ponto-Medullary Reticular Formation), where breathing control also lives. But a sedentary lifestyle reduces that demand. Sit long enough, and the brain quiets down its upright signal. The result? A slouched torso and rolled-forward shoulders.

When this happens, the ball of the humerus sits too far forward in the socket. The joint space gets tight. Over time, every arm movement grinds the joint. Think of pushing a shopping cart that pulls to one side—you feel the extra effort immediately.

Misalignment forces the soft tissue around the joint to compensate. Muscles pull, tighten, or stretch to stabilize the area, leading to stiffness, pain, and restricted movement. Left unchecked, this doesn’t just cause pain—it leads to arthritis.

Here’s the truth: Osteoarthritis has little to do with age and everything to do with alignment.

Picture a door. If it hangs straight on its frame, it lasts decades with no extra wear. But hang it crooked, and the edges grind down quickly. The same happens in your shoulder joint. Misalignment wears down joint surfaces, strains tendons, and eventually causes tears—even during something as simple as a casual volleyball game.

Shoulder Pain Treatment

First, I rule out dislocation at the Acromioclavicular or Glenohumeral joint through tests and palpation. If symptoms don’t match findings, I may order an MRI. But remember: not every positive MRI finding means you need surgery.

Depending on the case, treatment may include:

• Postural Neurology
• Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS)
• Active Release Technique (ART)
• Cold Laser
• Chiropractic Adjustment of the shoulder, and collar bone
• Scapular Mobilization
• Passive physiotherapy modalities (for new injuries or post-surgery only)

Most shoulder issues—unless from trauma—develop from poor coordination between the stabilizers, neck, and collarbone. The solution isn’t just treating pain. It’s removing what feeds the cause.

Movement is like a concert. Your body parts are musicians. The brain is the conductor. For music to sound right, musicians must know their parts and timing, and the conductor must have the correct notes.

That’s where the Homunculus comes in—the brain’s map for movement and sensation. We’re wired to develop this map in early childhood through movement milestones. But injury and lifestyle distort it. Postural neurology helps identify weak spots in this map and retrains them through specific exercises.

Cold laser can help manage pain and inflammation in some cases, but the cornerstone is Functional Rehab. ART and mobilization restore joint mobility, while DNS retrains movement timing—just like how babies develop strength and coordination before they walk.

Why babies? Because every child around the world develops movement the same way. We’re hardwired for it. And when movement breaks down, retracing those steps through DNS restores the foundation.

Shoulder Pain Relief Exercises

DNS uses developmental movement patterns to rebuild correct function. Watch the video below for an example. At just 7 months old, babies do this move with ease, but for most adults, it’s a challenge:

Here’s the key: it’s not about mechanically repeating the motion. That only reinforces faulty movement patterns. It’s about restoring biological movement patterns.

Think about eating. You can bring the spoon to your mouth, or your mouth to the spoon. The second works in the short term but creates strain and pain over time.

Movement is the same way. When your muscles don’t follow the right order, the brain compensates by overusing other areas—like the neck and upper back—causing new pain. DNS retrains the body so every muscle plays its part, like a world-class performance.

Now that you understand what is behind your shoulder pain, you reverse engineer it to treat it effectively. If you need guidance through this process be sure to contact us for help. Remember, you are the Designer and the Director of your own life so design and direct it the way you wish to live it.

Dr Shakib

Reviews:

“Dr Shakib very knowledgable in her practice and personable. Not only did she treat my back and shoulder problems, but, she also explained the causes of my problems and how to prevent them from occurring. In order to identify the underlying catalysts of my back and shoulder pain, she asks about my everyday habits and the little things that eventually snowballs and turn into bigger issues. She also offers great advice and insight. I look forward to my next appointment!”

 

-Andy W. // Irvine, Ca

 

I find Dr. Shakib by googling posture correction. I hate my bad postures and my bad posture is giving me neck and shoulder pain. I’ve hired multiple personal trainer in the past, but none of them seems to know where is the true problem. I’ve been going to physical therapy at Prosport,  but I feel they are not experienced enough to treat me. When I found her website, I knew she is exactly the person I’ve been looking for. She explained a lot of stuff that has been confusing me during my first appointment with her. She is very patient with all my questions and I’m so glad I get to know more about what is actually causing my pain. Not only her, but everybody at her office is friendly. I’ve seen chiropractors on campus, but none of them are as experienced as Dr. Shakib. She had a detailed treatment plan for me, I am looking forwards to see my improvements!

 

-Rachel D. // Riverside, CA