Shoulder pain
chiropractor
San Diego

Rotator cuff injuries, frozen shoulder, impingement, and sports-related shoulder pain — treated with Active Release Technique, soft tissue work, and full-spine chiropractic adjustment at Dr. Loewenstein’s UTC practice.

ART Certified provider
Rotator cuff & frozen shoulder
Most PPO insurance accepted
Same-day treatment at first visit

Your shoulder knows
what you do for a living.

Whether you paddleboard at La Jolla Shores, grind through overhead presses at the gym, or spend eight hours a day typing at a desk in UTC — your shoulder reflects it. Most patients arrive after weeks or months of hoping it would resolve on its own. It rarely does without treating the actual cause.

How patients describe their shoulder pain
clicking or catching in the shoulder
can’t lift my arm above my head
shoulder hurts at night — can’t sleep on it
sharp pain when I reach back
they said it might be the rotator cuff
I don’t want surgery
is this frozen shoulder?
my shoulder has been stiff for months
it started at the gym / surfing / throwing

If any of that sounds familiar, you’re in the right place. Dr. Loewenstein’s approach starts with a thorough orthopedic assessment — orthopedic tests, range-of-motion evaluation, and a cervical spine screen — to identify exactly what’s happening and why. Then treatment begins the same day.

What Dr. Loewenstein
treats at this practice

Six specific conditions — each with its own mechanics, treatment approach, and recovery timeline. You’ll know which one you have after the first visit.

Rotator Cuff Strains & Tendinopathy
The rotator cuff is four muscles that stabilize and move your shoulder joint. Overuse, poor mechanics, or a single traumatic event can cause partial tears or chronic tendinopathy — both of which respond well to ART and targeted soft tissue work. Full-thickness tears are evaluated and referred when necessary.

Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
Adhesive capsulitis progressively thickens the joint capsule, restricting motion and causing significant pain — especially at night. The condition moves through three distinct stages. Treatment approach changes by stage, and outcomes with chiropractic care are well-supported by research, particularly in the early and mid phases.

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
Impingement occurs when rotator cuff tendons or the subacromial bursa are compressed during shoulder movement — typically overhead. The result is sharp, pinching pain and a painful arc when lifting the arm. ART, joint mobilization, and posture correction address the underlying mechanics causing the compression.

AC Joint Sprains
The acromioclavicular joint sits at the top of the shoulder where the collarbone meets the scapula. AC joint sprains from falls, contact sports, or repetitive overhead loading produce localized pain and swelling at the top of the shoulder. Grade I and II sprains respond well to conservative care.

Shoulder Instability
Recurrent subluxations or a feeling that the shoulder will “give out” typically stems from lax ligaments, weakened rotator cuff muscles, or prior dislocation. Stabilization protocols, targeted soft tissue work, and corrective loading can significantly improve functional stability without surgery in many cases.

Biceps Tendinitis
Inflammation of the long head of the biceps tendon causes deep, aching anterior shoulder pain that worsens with lifting, pulling, or overhead activity. Often co-presents with rotator cuff issues or impingement. ART is particularly effective for tendon adhesions and chronic tendinopathy at this location.

San Diego
sports shoulder injuries

This city asks a lot of your shoulders. Surfing, paddleboarding, CrossFit, baseball, swimming — these aren’t just hobbies, they’re lifestyle. Here’s what Dr. Loewenstein treats most in San Diego’s active population.

Surfer’s Shoulder
Repetitive paddling mechanics load the anterior shoulder and rotator cuff in ways most clinicians aren’t trained to assess. Dr. Loewenstein evaluates paddle stroke mechanics and treats the soft tissue directly — so you’re back in the water, not sitting it out.
Overhead Athletes (Volleyball, Baseball, Tennis)
Throwing and overhead sports create asymmetric stress on the shoulder complex. SLAP tears, posterior capsule tightness, and rotator cuff imbalances are common. Early, targeted treatment prevents minor tissue stress from becoming season-ending injury.
CrossFit & Gym Shoulder
Kipping pull-ups, overhead squats, muscle-ups, and high-volume pressing create impingement and instability patterns that respond well to ART and corrective loading. The goal is to get you back to your programming — not permanently modify it.

Why ART changes
shoulder outcomes

ART is the differentiator most San Diego chiropractors don’t offer — and for shoulder conditions, it’s often the difference between resolving the problem and managing it indefinitely.

What Active Release Technique actually does

Shoulder injuries — especially rotator cuff issues and frozen shoulder — involve dense, fibrous adhesions that form between layers of soft tissue. These adhesions don’t show on standard X-rays and don’t resolve with rest alone. ART uses precisely applied tension to break down these adhesions while the tissue moves through a specific range of motion. The result: restored movement, reduced pain, and a shoulder that functions the way it’s supposed to — rather than compensating around a restricted area.

Rotator Cuff IssuesTargets adhesions in the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and subscapularis
Frozen ShoulderMobilizes the capsule and surrounding tissues to restore external rotation
ImpingementReleases tight posterior capsule and pec minor to decompress the subacromial space

The three stages of
frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder isn’t one condition — it’s a progression. Where you are in that progression determines what treatment looks like. Most patients arrive in the middle of stage two without knowing it.

Stage 1
Freezing Phase
2 – 9 months
Gradual onset of shoulder pain — often worse at night. Range of motion begins to decline. Many patients assume they’ve strained their rotator cuff. This is the most treatment-responsive stage.
Treatment: ART + joint mobilization + inflammation management
Stage 2
Frozen Phase
4 – 12 months
Pain may decrease slightly, but stiffness becomes severe. Significant restriction in all directions — especially external rotation. Daily activities like reaching overhead or behind the back become difficult.
Treatment: Aggressive soft tissue work + capsular stretching + ART
Stage 3
Thawing Phase
6 – 24 months
Gradual, spontaneous return of motion. Stiffness slowly resolves. Without active treatment, this phase can drag on for years. Manual therapy significantly accelerates the thawing timeline.
Treatment: Mobilization + ART + corrective loading to restore full ROM

How a shoulder visit
actually works

Each visit follows a specific sequence — not a random assortment of techniques. The sequence is designed so that each step prepares the tissue for the next, which means the adjustment holds longer and the whole appointment compounds rather than repeats.

01E-StimElectrical stimulation pads placed directly on the shoulder to begin the relaxation response in the surrounding musculature
02Moist HeatApplied on top of e-stim to drive heat deeper into the soft tissue — increasing pliability before manual work begins
03Soft Tissue & TractionHands-on massage and traction release muscular tension and joint compression before the adjustment
04Active Release TechniqueTargeted ART breaks down adhesions in the rotator cuff, biceps tendon, and capsular tissue — restoring movement and reducing pain directly at the source
05Chiropractic AdjustmentFull-spine adjustment delivered once the tissue is fully prepared — so the joint moves cleanly and the correction holds longer between visits

When chiropractic is
the right call

Conservative care works for the majority of shoulder conditions. But not every shoulder problem belongs in a chiropractic office — and knowing the difference matters. Dr. Loewenstein will tell you directly which category your shoulder falls into.

Conservative care is appropriate for
Rotator cuff strains and partial tears (Grade I–II)
Rotator cuff tendinopathy and chronic overuse
Frozen shoulder at any stage
Shoulder impingement syndrome
AC joint sprains (Grade I–II)
Biceps tendinitis
Shoulder instability without acute dislocation
Cervicogenic shoulder pain (neck-referred)

Surgical evaluation is warranted for
Full-thickness rotator cuff tears (Grade III)
Acute shoulder dislocation
AC joint separation (Grade III+)
Confirmed SLAP tears requiring surgical repair
Shoulder pain that is not improving with conservative care after 6–8 weeks
Significant neurological symptoms (weakness, numbness)

If your case requires surgical evaluation, Dr. Loewenstein will tell you clearly and refer you to a trusted orthopedic specialist in San Diego — not continue treating you unnecessarily.

What happens at your
first appointment

Most patients have never been told the name of the test being performed on their shoulder. Dr. Loewenstein walks through every finding — so you leave the first visit actually understanding what’s going on, not just that something hurts.

Orthopedic Shoulder Tests
Neer’s impingement sign, Hawkins-Kennedy test, and empty can test — specific provocative tests that identify impingement, rotator cuff integrity, and AC joint involvement with clinical accuracy.

Range of Motion Testing
Active and passive ROM measured in all planes — flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation. Restrictions and painful arcs are documented and used to track progress across visits.

Cervical Spine Screen
A nerve pinched at C5–C6 in the neck is a common, often-missed cause of “shoulder” pain. Every shoulder assessment includes a cervical evaluation — because the right answer isn’t always where the pain is.

Posture & Scapular Assessment
Forward head posture and scapular dyskinesis are mechanical contributors to shoulder impingement and rotator cuff overload. Correcting the posture is part of treating the shoulder — not a separate issue.

Same-Day Treatment
The exam and first treatment happen in the same visit. You won’t be sent home with a form and told to come back next week. If treatment is appropriate after the assessment, it starts immediately.

Clear Treatment Plan
After the assessment, Dr. Loewenstein explains exactly what he found, what it means, and what the treatment plan looks like — including realistic timelines. No vague promises, no indefinite care plans.

Shoulder pain
FAQs

The questions patients ask most before their first shoulder pain appointment in San Diego.

Can a chiropractor help with rotator cuff injuries?

Partial rotator cuff tears — Grade I and II strains and tendinopathy — respond very well to ART, soft tissue work, and corrective loading. Most patients with these injuries avoid surgery entirely with consistent conservative care. Full-thickness (Grade III) tears typically require surgical evaluation. Dr. Loewenstein will assess the severity of your injury directly and be clear about whether conservative care is appropriate or whether you need an orthopedic referral. Being honest about that distinction is part of the job.

Does chiropractic work for frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)?

Yes — and the research supports it. A retrospective study of 50 patients with frozen shoulder found that most achieved significant improvement or full resolution with chiropractic care. Frozen shoulder moves through three stages (freezing, frozen, thawing) and the treatment approach differs meaningfully between them. The key is that “just wait it out” is not a strategy — without active treatment, the thawing phase can drag on for years. Manual therapy accelerates the timeline at every stage.

How many chiropractic visits does it take to fix shoulder pain?

Acute injuries — a strain from a single incident — often resolve in 4–8 sessions with consistent care. Chronic conditions like frozen shoulder, rotator cuff tendinopathy, and long-standing impingement may require 2–3 months. After your first visit, you’ll get a specific, realistic estimate based on your actual presentation — not a vague “it depends.” Most patients notice meaningful improvement within the first 3–4 visits.

What is Active Release Technique (ART) and how does it help shoulder pain?

ART is a patented soft tissue system used to break down fibrous adhesions — dense, scar-like tissue that forms between layers of muscle, tendon, and fascia after injury or overuse. These adhesions restrict movement, cause pain, and don’t resolve with standard chiropractic adjustment alone. ART applies precise tension to the affected tissue while moving it through a specific range of motion, breaking down the restriction at the source. For shoulder conditions — especially rotator cuff issues, impingement, and frozen shoulder — it’s often the single most effective treatment available. None of the other chiropractic offices currently ranking for shoulder pain in San Diego offer or describe ART.

Can my shoulder pain actually be coming from my neck?

Yes — and it’s more common than most patients realize. A nerve compressed at C5–C6 in the cervical spine causes pain that travels into the shoulder and upper arm in a pattern that closely mimics rotator cuff pain. This is called cervical radiculopathy, and treating the shoulder in isolation while missing a cervical source is one of the most common reasons shoulder pain doesn’t resolve. Dr. Loewenstein evaluates the entire kinetic chain — neck, thoracic spine, and shoulder complex — at every shoulder assessment.

Is chiropractic or physical therapy better for shoulder pain?

Research consistently shows that combined manual therapy and rehabilitative exercise outperforms either modality in isolation. The honest answer is that the best outcomes come from treating the soft tissue directly (ART), restoring joint mechanics (chiropractic), and addressing movement patterns — all in the same treatment plan. That’s what each visit at this practice delivers. Rather than choosing between chiropractic and PT, you’re getting the elements that drive outcomes from both approaches.

Will my shoulder hurt more after a chiropractic adjustment?

Mild soreness lasting 24–48 hours after the first few visits is completely normal — similar to how muscles feel after a good workout. It’s an expected inflammatory response to tissue mobilization and resolves quickly. What is not normal is worsening pain that persists beyond 48 hours or new symptoms. If that happens, contact the office immediately. Most patients feel relief during or immediately after their first treatment session, with soreness diminishing significantly by the third or fourth visit.

How do I know if I need a chiropractor or an orthopedic surgeon?

Conservative care — chiropractic, ART, and soft tissue work — is the appropriate starting point for the vast majority of shoulder conditions. Surgery is generally warranted for full-thickness rotator cuff tears, acute dislocation, high-grade AC joint separations, and cases where conservative care has not produced improvement after 6–8 weeks of consistent treatment. The problem is that many patients go straight to an orthopedic surgeon who recommends surgery — when the same outcome could have been achieved without it. Dr. Loewenstein will tell you which category your shoulder falls into at your first visit, and refer you appropriately if surgery is the right next step.

What should I expect at my first shoulder pain appointment?

A thorough assessment that most patients say is more detailed than anything they’ve experienced before. Dr. Loewenstein will perform range-of-motion testing, specific orthopedic shoulder tests (including Neer’s impingement sign, Hawkins-Kennedy test, and empty can test), a posture and scapular evaluation, and a cervical spine screen to rule out referred pain from the neck. Once the assessment is complete, he explains every finding — what he found, what it means, and what the treatment plan looks like. If treatment is appropriate, it starts that same day.

Also treated
at this practice

Shoulder pain rarely exists in isolation. These are the conditions most commonly co-presenting with shoulder complaints.

Neck PainCervicogenic shoulder referral · posture · disc



Sports InjuriesAthletes · overuse injuries · ART protocols



Posture-Related PainForward head · scapular imbalance · desk work



Services & Treatment ApproachART · e-stim · traction · full-spine adjustment



InsuranceAetna · Blue Shield · Anthem · UHC · VA



New PatientsWhat to bring · what to expect · first visit

Your shoulder
deserves a real answer.

Book a first visit with Dr. Loewenstein in UTC San Diego. Same-day treatment, thorough assessment, and a clear plan — no runaround.

Call (858) 558-3111
Book Online via ZocDoc
5151 Shoreham Place, Suite 175UTC, San Diego, CA 92122Less than 2 miles from UCSD