Name: Triada Health Ottawa
Price range: $$

Shoulder pain is common, frustrating, and often affects sleep, work, lifting, exercise, and daily routines. Whether the pain feels sharp, achy, tight, or “blocked,” it can limit how you move and how confidently you use your arm. Moreover, many people also notice difficulty reaching overhead, tension spreading into the neck or mid-back, or discomfort during workouts. For example, this may show up during daily tasks, lifting at work, or training at the gym.

At Triada Health Ottawa, our chiropractors take a movement-focused, hands-on approach to identify the root cause of your shoulder pain and guide you through safe, progressive recovery. Whether you’re a parent picking up your kids a lot or an athlete preparing for your next event, we’ve got you covered. In addition, our chiropractors consider the unique demands of your lifestyle so your treatment plan feels practical and achievable.

Common Causes of Shoulder Pain

Our chiropractors frequently assess and treat:

Rotator cuff strains or tendinopathy
Shoulder impingement or bursitis
AC joint irritation
Postural stress from sitting or computer work
Rib or mid-back restrictions affecting shoulder mechanics
Overuse from sports or lifting
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
Pregnancy-related postural changes
Perimenopausal shoulder stiffness is a common contributor to early frozen shoulder patterns
Reaching or lifting injuries

Shoulder Pain, Perimenopause & Frozen Shoulder

Women aged 40–60 are more likely than any other group to develop frozen shoulder. Moreover, research suggests that hormonal shifts during perimenopause may influence connective tissue, inflammation, and overall joint mobility. Consequently, many women in this stage of life notice increasing stiffness or discomfort even without a specific injury.

Early signs include:

Gradually increasing stiffness
Difficulty reaching behind the back
Night pain
A “blocked” or tight feeling in the front or outer shoulder

Our chiropractors help identify frozen shoulder early and provide mobility-focused care.

Your First Visit

During your chiropractic assessment, we examine:

Shoulder joint motion
Rotator cuff strength
Scapular and rib movement
Mid-back contribution
Functional tasks like reaching, lifting, and pushing
Aggravating patterns from work, childcare, or training

This allows us to build an individualized, evidence-informed care plan.

Chiropractic Treatment for Shoulder Pain

Our chiropractic care focuses on restoring healthy movement, reducing irritation, and strengthening the shoulder and surrounding regions.

Your treatment plan may include:

When appropriate, joint mobilization or manipulation
Soft-tissue and myofascial therapy
Mobility drills for the shoulder, ribs, and mid-back
Strength exercises tailored to your goals
Postural and activity coaching
Frozen shoulder stage-specific mobility

Chiropractic
Physiotherapy. When shoulder mechanics break down due to muscle inhibition or compensation, we can use shoulder compensation assessments using Neurokinetic Therapy (NKT)to uncover the movement pattern that may be contributing to pain or reduced mobility.
Massage Therapy
Acupuncture – helpful for hormonally related frozen shoulder treatment

When You Should Seek Care Early

Book a chiropractic assessment if you notice:

Pain disrupting your sleep
Weakness with lifting or raising your arm
Increasing stiffness over several weeks
A new clicking or catching sensation
Pain after reaching overhead or lifting children
Gradual loss of mobility (possible early frozen shoulder)

Helpful Resources

Here are evidence-based resources patients often find helpful: