Expert: Dr. Paul Newhart - 6/10/2010

Question
Hi, I have been doing aggressive physio for forward shoulder posture, which includes most the shoulder articulations with moderate resistance while holding my shoulder tips down and back.
I have been doing these for 3 weeks now and at 1st I had a dull ache in the front part of my left shoulder which went away, although now I have the dull ache in my right shoulder in a slightly different position. This pain is not constant and can not be associated with any particular exercise or movement apart from deeping inhaling, although it doesn't happen all the time.
The pain is similar to the pain I had in my left shoulder which went away although in my right shoulder rather than going away it seems to be getter worse. I find that neither ice nor a hot shower helps with the pain, rest or exercise does not seem to relieve or exacerbate it. The pain is very transient and can occur randomly upon non particular movements although it is mostly when I deeply inhale. The pain is very dull and it feels as though it is the surpraspinatus tendon or a ligament, although I have no trouble abducting my arm and have full ROM. I have tried stretching the supraspinatus by adducting my arm behind my back and it did not seem to help.
What does this problem sound like?

Answer
I apologize for the delay in response...I was away for the last week.  There can be misalignment associated with shoulder issues; anywhere from the C5 vertebra to the T6 vertebra.  You mention pain with inhalation; we see this when there is misalignment in a rib, aggravated by the deep breathing.  A trip to a good chiropractor for an assessment and treatment should be able to resolve your problem.