Pain reaching overhead
Pain as the arm lifts, reaches behind the back or lifts away from the body is typical of rotator cuff irritation and impingement.
Shoulder & rotator cuff
Shoulder pain usually involves the rotator cuff, and the neck can refer pain to the same area, so both are examined.
What the pattern suggests
Night pain
Pain lying on the shoulder, or an ache that wakes you when you roll onto it, is common with cuff irritation.
Pain with neck movement
Shoulder pain that changes with neck movement, or comes with tingling into the hand, points to the neck.
If this is a medical emergency, call 911.
Treating the shoulder
Treatment follows the source: the shoulder joint and cuff when the problem is local, and the neck when the pain is referred.
Adjustments
Of the shoulder, and of the neck and upper back joints that share its load.
Graston and ultrasound
For the rotator cuff tendons and the tissue around them.
Taping and strengthening
Kinesio taping to support the shoulder while it recovers, and cuff and shoulder-blade strengthening to restore control.
Weakness lifting or rotating the arm, or pain that does not respond to treatment as expected, raises the possibility of a tear, and Dr. Herner orders an MRI or refers you to an orthopedic surgeon.