Treatment in NW Portland Shoulder Pain
Regain strength, movement, and confidence in your shoulder.What is Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder pain can show up as stiffness, weakness, or sharp discomfort with movement—especially with lifting, reaching, or sleeping on your side. It may stem from rotator cuff issues, frozen shoulder, impingement, or muscular imbalance.
When your shoulder doesn’t move right, everything gets harder.
From workouts to workdays, shoulder pain can limit what you do and how you feel. We help people regain mobility, reduce pain, and return to activities they love—without unnecessary procedures.
Our Process: Get to the root, restore mobility, support recovery.
Our providers carefully evaluate the movement of your shoulder, spine, and surrounding muscles. We use a blend of hands-on treatment and rehab to reduce inflammation, increase range of motion, and build lasting strength.
Our Shoulder Pain Treatment Includes:
- Chiropractic Adjustments (shoulder, upper back, neck)
- Manual Therapy and Myofascial Release
- Rotator Cuff Rehab Exercises and Strengthening
- Graston Technique/IASTM
- Class IV Laser Therapy
- Kinesiotaping
- Shockwave Therapy (for chronic or calcific cases)
Meet Your Team
We’ve worked with everyone from athletes to office workers with frozen shoulders. Our team is trained to assess shoulder pain with a movement-based approach that gets results.
Dr. Chris Zander
Dr. Zander has developed a reputation for being one of the top Chiropractors on the West Coast and is a past President of the Oregon Chiropractic Association. Due to his training and experience, he has had success with patients that felt other specialties, including Chiropractic, had not helped them in the past. He is dedicated to treating patients safely and effectively to get them well, stay and live happy healthy lives.
He has worked with a wide range of patients, from individuals managing common aches and injuries to professional and collegiate athletes, including NHL draft picks, PGA Tour golfers, Olympians, and athletes from NFL, NBA, MLS, NWSl, and X Games. Regardless of background or activity level, Dr. Zander brings the same thoughtful care and attention to every patient.
Dr. Zander earned degrees in biology and chemistry from the University of Illinois and his Doctor of Chiropractic from Western States Chiropractic College, where he is now an adjunct professor. He has practiced in the Pacific Northwest since 2006 and collaborates with a trusted network of healthcare providers to ensure each patient receives the right care at the right time.
Oddessa, LMT
Oddessa is excited to join the Backsmith team after her return back home to the PNW. Her work includes Swedish, Deep Tissue, Myofascial release, assisted movement and CranioSacral Therapy. She loves to learn and is continuing to develop her understanding of the embodied experience. In her spare time she enjoys walks with her rescue hound and practicing yoga.
Delaney, LMT
Delaney is a graduate of East West College of the Healing Arts with a deep passion for bodywork and holding space for healing. Her practice is grounded in presence, intuition, and informed technique. She offers a range of modalities including assisted stretching, trigger point therapy, relaxation, deep tissue, and Craniosacral – each session tailored to meet the unique needs of the individual. Delaney sees massage as a collaborative process and an honor to be part of each client’s healing journey.
Outside of the treatment room, you can find her outdoors – camping, backpacking, hiking or making music with friends.
Erin, LMT
Trained as a professional dancer in her youth, Erin has always had an appreciation for the power of the human body. She graduated from the Dayton School of Medical Massage in 2016 and specializes in a blend of medical and relaxation massage techniques.
Her work is informed by training in neuromuscular therapy, ashiatsu, trigger point therapy, Swedish massage, lymphatic drainage, and energy work.
When not in the treatment room, Erin is often found hiking , camping , writing poetry , or reading at home with her musician husband and two rambunctious boys.
Karina, Office Manager
Karina was born and raised in Northern California and moved to the beautiful PNW in 2007. She played collegiate soccer at Warner Pacific College in Portland, where she graduated with a bachelors in psychology. Her love of sports inspired a career in the healthcare industry and her passion for people’s well-being inspired a career in patient care.
In her spare time Karina enjoys spending time with her wife and doodle and of course, catching a Portland Thorns or Timbers game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shoulder pain can be caused by muscle tension, overuse, injuries, poor posture, repetitive movements, or problems involving the shoulder joint, neck, or upper back. Common issues include rotator cuff irritation, frozen shoulder, and mobility restrictions. Because shoulder pain can have different causes, an evaluation can help identify what may be contributing to your symptoms and what care options may help.
Chiropractic care may help improve shoulder pain by addressing factors such as joint mobility, muscle tension, posture, and movement patterns. At Portland Backsmith Chiropractic & Massage, care may include chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, soft tissue work, mobility exercises, and recommendations tailored to your specific symptoms and goals.
Pain when lifting your arm, reaching overhead, or sleeping on your shoulder may be related to irritated muscles, tendons, or joints. It can also be influenced by posture, repetitive activity, or movement restrictions in the shoulder, neck, or upper back. A professional evaluation can help determine what may be causing you pain and what treatment options may be appropriate.
You may want to seek care if your shoulder pain continues, keeps coming back, affects your sleep, or limits your ability to work, exercise, or complete daily activities. If you experience severe pain, weakness, numbness, or sudden injury, it’s important to seek appropriate medical evaluation. A provider can help determine the next best step for your condition.
Service Areas
We proudly serve the following areas in Portland:
- NW Portland
- Slabtown
- The Pearl District
- Nob Hill
- Downtown Portland
- Goose Hollow
- All Surrounding Portland Communities