Achieve lasting relief from shoulder pain through targeted chiropractic rehabilitation tailored to your needs.
In my years of clinical practice, I have seen countless individuals whose lives are compromised by persistent pain. One of the more enigmatic and often misdiagnosed conditions is suprascapular neuropathy, a nerve compression syndrome that can lead to debilitating shoulder weakness and atrophy. This educational post takes you on an in-depth journey into this condition, drawing on a specific clinical case we recently managed at our clinic. We will explore the intricate anatomy of the shoulder, the pathophysiology of nerve compression, and the diagnostic process. I will detail the procedural aspects of a targeted diagnostic and therapeutic injection into the suprascapular notch, explaining the rationale for each step, from landmark identification to medication selection. Furthermore, this post will illuminate the philosophy of our practice at Injury Medical Clinic, P.A. We will discuss how we integrate advanced diagnostic techniques with a multidisciplinary framework that combines the expertise of myself, Dr. Alex Jimenez, with the medical oversight of our esteemed Medical Director, Dr. Maria Guadalupe Cardenas, MD. Our collaborative approach, which synergizes chiropractic care, functional medicine, rehabilitation, and allopathic medicine, provides a comprehensive and patient-centered pathway to recovery, not just for shoulder conditions but for a wide spectrum of musculoskeletal and systemic health issues.
Welcome. I am Dr. Alex Jimenez, and I am honored to share insights from my practice and the broader field of integrative medicine. My healthcare journey has been driven by a passion for understanding the human body as a complete, interconnected system. This has led me to pursue a diverse range of specializations, reflected in my credentials: Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (FNP-BC), Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner (CFMP), Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner (IFMCP), Anti-aging, Regenerative, and Functional Medicine (ATN), and Certified in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma (CCST). This extensive training allows me to view patient health through multiple lenses, from the biomechanical and structural to the biochemical and metabolic.
At the heart of my practice, Injury Medical Clinic, P.A. (also known as Mission Plaza Injury Medical Clinic) in El Paso, Texas, is a philosophy of integrative and collaborative care. A cornerstone of this model is my professional collaboration with Dr. Maria Guadalupe Cardenas, MD. Dr. Cardenas is a highly respected physician, board-certified in Internal Medicine, with an impressive career spanning over four decades. Her NPI is #1164426749, and her Texas Medical License is #J2933. As our Medical Director and Collaborative Physician, Dr. Cardenas provides invaluable medical oversight, ensuring that our patients receive a standard of care that is both comprehensive and safe. This multidisciplinary setup, where a chiropractor and a medical doctor work in tandem, is crucial in modern injury and functional medicine care. It helps bridge gaps between healthcare disciplines, offering patients the best of all worlds.
Our team’s approach is multifaceted. We integrate:
This collaborative environment allows us to create personalized treatment plans that address the patient as a whole person, not just a collection of symptoms. The case we will discuss today—an 18-year-old athlete with suspected suprascapular neuropathy—is a perfect example of how this integrated approach comes to life, from initial assessment to a precise, evidence-based intervention.
This morning, a case presented that perfectly illustrates the subtleties of diagnosing complex shoulder pain. Our patient is an 18-year-old gentleman who came to us with a perplexing five-month history of vague, yet persistent, pain in his left shoulder. He described the onset as insidious—it didn’t start with a specific “pop” or injury but rather crept into his awareness and has been progressively worsening over time.
His complaints were twofold: diffuse, nagging pain and noticeable, progressive weakness. One of the classic red flags he reported was nocturnal pain—discomfort in his left shoulder that was significant enough to disrupt his sleep. This symptom often points toward an inflammatory or compressive process, as the static position of sleep can exacerbate pressure on sensitive structures.
My physical examination revealed the most telling signs. On visual inspection and palpation, I noted clear atrophy, or wasting, of the left infraspinatus compared with the robust, healthy right muscle. A similar, though perhaps slightly less pronounced, atrophy was also visible in the supraspinatus muscle on the same left side. These muscles are two of the four crucial components of the rotator cuff, and their wasting is a significant clinical finding. It immediately tells me that the nerve supply to these muscles is compromised. A healthy muscle with an intact nerve connection does not simply waste away.
The patient’s history provided a vital clue: he has been an avid weightlifter for the past seven or eight years. This long-term, high-demand activity places immense and repetitive stress on the shoulder girdle. He specifically noted increasing difficulty in the gym with two key movements: abduction (lifting the arm out to the side) and external rotation (rotating the arm outward, as if preparing to throw a ball).
Putting these pieces together—the insidious onset, the progressive weakness, the nocturnal pain, the visible atrophy of the infraspinatus and supraspinatus, and the functional deficits in abduction and external rotation—my clinical suspicion converged on a diagnosis of suprascapular neuropathy.
To fully grasp this condition, we must first understand the anatomy involved. Suprascapular neuropathy is a compression neuropathy, meaning a nerve is being pinched or entrapped somewhere along its path. In this case, the affected nerve is the suprascapular nerve.
The suprascapular nerve is a critical structure that originates from the brachial plexus, the complex web of nerves in the neck and shoulder that controls the arm and hand. Specifically, it arises from the upper trunk of the brachial plexus, formed by the C5 and C6 nerve roots (with occasional contributions from C4).
From its origin, the nerve embarks on a winding journey:
Compression of the suprascapular nerve can result from various causes. In our patient’s case, the most likely culprit is repetitive microtrauma from years of heavy weightlifting. Overhead movements, heavy lifting (like squats with a barbell resting on the shoulders), and bench pressing can all create dynamic forces that stretch or compress the nerve, particularly at the unyielding suprascapular notch.
Other potential causes include:
The symptoms directly correlate with the nerve’s function.
The presentation of our 18-year-old patient, with involvement of both muscles, strongly points to an entrapment at the suprascapular notch. This is the classic presentation we aim to address with our intervention.
Given the strong clinical evidence, we decided to perform a diagnostic and therapeutic injection into the suprascapular notch. The goal is twofold:
This procedure requires precision. We are targeting a small, deep structure surrounded by important anatomy. While ultrasound guidance is an excellent option, an experienced clinician can also perform this procedure accurately using anatomical landmarks. Today, I will walk you through the landmark-based technique.
Accurate landmarking is the foundation of a safe, successful injection. I begin by carefully palpating the patient’s shoulder to identify three key bony structures.
With these structures in mind, I mark three specific points along the scapular spine:
Now, we use our landmarks to triangulate the target. The suprascapular notch lies in a predictable location relative to these points.
I draw an imaginary line connecting two of our marks:
The target for our injection, which places the needle tip near the suprascapular notch, lies at the midpoint of this new line. I place my final, most important mark here. This location places us directly over the supraspinatus fossa, the depression where the supraspinatus muscle resides, and provides a direct, safe trajectory down toward the notch.
I confirm this with the patient, explaining, “Our injection point is going to be right at the midpoint of that line. So we’re right here over the… supraspinatus fossa. We’re going to put our injection right here, which is very close to the suprascapular notch.”
To finalize the mark without leaving excess ink, I use the retracted tip of a ballpoint pen to make a small, firm indentation in the skin. This subtle mark will remain even after I clean the area.
Patient safety is paramount. Any procedure that breaks the skin barrier carries an infection risk. Therefore, a meticulous sterile technique is non-negotiable.
First, I use an alcohol prep pad to clean the entire shoulder area thoroughly. This not only begins the disinfection process but also removes the surgical marker lines, which are no longer needed now that the injection site is indented.
Next, I apply a Betadine solution (povidone-iodine). Betadine is a powerful broad-spectrum antiseptic that effectively kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi on the skin. I apply it in a circular motion, starting at the injection site and moving outward. This ensures I don’t drag contaminants from the periphery toward the clean center. I let it air-dry briefly to work effectively. “This will kill germs,” I explain to the patient, ensuring he understands why I do each step.
For this procedure, I’ve prepared a syringe with a specific combination of medications, drawn into a 1-inch, 25-gauge needle. The small needle gauge helps minimize patient discomfort.
The cocktail consists of:
Before injecting, I want to make the initial needle insertion as painless as possible. I use a Pain-Ease Vapocoolant Spray. This topical skin refrigerant (ethyl chloride) rapidly cools the skin’s surface. “Here’s the freeze spray I was telling you about,” I say. The intense cold temporarily numbs the superficial nerve endings, a technique known as cryoanesthesia. I spray it directly onto the indented mark until the skin turns white, indicating it’s cold enough to numb.
With the site prepped and numbed, the moment of injection is swift and precise.
I ask the patient, “Does that hurt at all?” referring to the numbed skin. He confirms, “No.” This gives me the green light to proceed.
“Good,” I reply. “So we come directly down.”
I hold the syringe like a dart and insert the needle perpendicularly to the skin at the marked site. I advance it slowly and steadily downward. The target is not the nerve itself, but the bony floor of the supraspinatus fossa: the scapula. I want to contact the bone gently. This provides a definitive endpoint, ensuring I am at the correct depth and not in a dangerous position.
“Touch the bone,” I narrate softly. Once I feel the gentle tap of the needle tip against the scapula, I know I’m at the right depth.
Then, I “back up about a millimeter.” This small retraction pulls the needle tip just off the periosteum (the sensitive outer lining of the bone), creating a small space within the soft tissue of the supraspinatus fossa for the medication to disperse.
Before injecting the full volume, I perform a critical safety check: aspiration. I gently pull back on the syringe plunger. I look for any blood entering the syringe. This ensures the needle tip is not inside a blood vessel, specifically the suprascapular artery, which runs near the nerve. Injecting the corticosteroid and epinephrine directly into an artery could cause serious complications. “Make sure you’re not in the suprascapular artery,” I note. The aspiration is negative (no blood return). “There we go.”
Satisfied with the needle placement, I slowly and steadily inject the 2 mL solution. The medication bathes the tissues in the supraspinatus fossa, including the suprascapular notch and the nerve passing through it. “That’s injected there.”
I smoothly withdraw the needle and immediately apply a sterile bandage. “We’ll be done.”
I check in with the patient. “Did that hurt?”
“No,” he replies.
“Good. There you go.”
The procedure is complete, but our work is not. The moments immediately following the injection are crucial for maximizing its benefit and for integrating the intervention with our broader therapeutic strategy.
To ensure the medication doesn’t just sit in a single pocket but spreads throughout the target area, I give the patient a simple instruction: “Now, go ahead and take your other hand and rub this. Rub this in right there; use firm fingertips right there, and firmly rub it in.” This manual massage helps to mechanically disperse the fluid throughout the supraspinatus fossa, increasing the surface area of tissue exposed to the anti-inflammatory medication.
Next, we need to move the joint. This is where my chiropractic and rehabilitation background is essential. Static medication is less effective than medication that is delivered to tissues as they move through their natural range of motion.
“Okay, now while you’re sitting right here, you can stop rubbing. Let’s go ahead and bring your arm up like that, and down,” I instruct, guiding him through abduction. “Okay, up again, and down. Okay, do that a couple of times, and do it a little faster.”
This movement serves several purposes:
I explain the rationale: “So we’re basically moving the arm through abduction, there to spread it out here in the area. That’s the supraspinatus muscle that’s responsible for that, for the most part.” I also make a clinical observation about his movement pattern: “Although you can see he’s got quite a bit of deltoid that kicks in here.” This is a classic compensatory strategy. When the supraspinatus is weak, the larger, more powerful deltoid tries to take over abduction. This is an inefficient and biomechanically stressful pattern that we will need to address in his rehabilitation.
Next, we address the other affected muscle. “And now let’s do external rotation, rotate it out like that, back and forth a few times, doing that.” This movement specifically engages the infraspinatus muscle. Just as with abduction, this mobilizes the medication toward the nerve’s path and provides another immediate functional check. “Very good,” I encourage, observing his improved motion.
This injection is not a cure-all; it is a single, powerful step in a comprehensive recovery plan. Our clinic’s true strength lies in what happens next. My collaboration with Dr. Cardenas and our rehabilitation team allows us to build a multi-pronged strategy.
From my perspective as a Doctor of Chiropractic, nerve entrapment is often linked to biomechanical dysfunction. While the primary entrapment is at the suprascapular notch, the entire kinetic chain matters.
Inflammation is a systemic process. Dr. Cardenas and I, with our functional medicine certifications, would look beyond the localized inflammation in the shoulder.
The injection creates a window of opportunity by reducing pain, allowing for more effective rehabilitation. Our physical therapy team would design a program that progresses through stages:
Dr. Cardenas’s role as Medical Director is crucial for ongoing management. We will schedule a follow-up appointment in 2-4 weeks to assess the patient’s response to the injection.
The case of this young weightlifter with suprascapular neuropathy is a microcosm of modern healthcare. His condition is not just a “sore shoulder”; it is a complex interplay of anatomy, biomechanics, repetitive stress, and neurological compromise. A simplistic approach would fail him. A pain pill would mask the symptom without addressing the cause. Random exercises could even worsen the compensatory patterns.
Our approach at Injury Medical Clinic, P.A. is built to handle this complexity. By combining my expertise in chiropractic biomechanics and functional nursing with Dr. Maria Cardenas’s diagnostic acumen and medical oversight, we create a synergistic effect. The landmark-guided injection was a precise, evidence-based procedure that served as both a diagnostic tool and a therapeutic intervention. But its true power is realized when embedded in a holistic care framework that includes spinal and extremity adjustments, targeted rehabilitation, nutritional support, and meticulous medical follow-up.
We take the reader—and our patients—on an easy-to-understand journey from symptom to diagnosis, from intervention to recovery. We believe in empowering our patients with knowledge, explaining the “why” behind every step of their treatment. This is the future of healthcare: collaborative, integrative, and relentlessly focused on restoring function and improving lives.
Abo-El-Ghar, M. E., El-Malah, W. I., & El-Kawy, T. F. (2020). Ultrasound-guided suprascapular nerve block: A narrative review of a simple, effective, and safe technique. Pain and Therapy, 9(2), 643–654. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40122-020-00201-3
Anderson, K., & Field, L. D. (2008). Suprascapular nerve entrapment. Orthopedic Clinics of North America, 39(2), 223–232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocl.2007.12.002
Boykin, R. E., Friedman, D. J., & Higgins, L. D. (2010). Suprascapular neuropathy. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume, 92(13), 2348–2364. https://doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.I.01739
Costantino, C., Olvirri, S., & Vulpiani, M. C. (2018). Suprascapular nerve entrapment: A review of the literature. Journal of Ultrasound, 21(4), 269–275. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40477-018-0322-6
Gillard, J., Pérez-Gutiérrez, A., & Zacharias, T. (2023). Anatomy, shoulder and upper limb, suprascapular nerve. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534211/
Jezierski, H., Płociński, J., & Sibiński, M. (2017). Suprascapular nerve entrapment: a review of the literature. Ortopedia, Traumatologia, Rehabilitacja, 19(6), 513–521. https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0010.7208
LaFosse, L., Piper, K., & Lanz, U. (2011). Arthroscopic suprascapular nerve release: indications and technique. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 20(2 Suppl), S9–S13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jse.2010.12.007
Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2018). Clinically oriented anatomy (8th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
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General Disclaimer, Licenses and Board Certifications *
Professional Scope of Practice *
The information herein on "Chiropractic Rehabilitation Methods for Shoulder Pain" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
Blog Information & Scope Discussions
Welcome to El Paso's Premier Wellness and Injury Care Clinic & Wellness Blog, where Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, FNP-C, a Multi-State board-certified Family Practice Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) and Chiropractor (DC), presents insights on how our multidisciplinary team is dedicated to holistic healing and personalized care. Our practice aligns with evidence-based treatment protocols inspired by integrative medicine principles, similar to those on this site and on our family practice-based chiromed.com site, focusing on naturally restoring health for patients of all ages.
Our areas of multidisciplinary practice include Wellness & Nutrition, Chronic Pain, Personal Injury, Auto Accident Care, Work Injuries, Back Injury, Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Migraine Headaches, Sports Injuries, Severe Sciatica, Scoliosis, Complex Herniated Discs, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Complex Injuries, Stress Management, Functional Medicine Treatments, and in-scope care protocols.
Our information scope is multidisciplinary, focusing on musculoskeletal and physical medicine; wellness; contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations; associated somato-visceral reflex clinical dynamics; subluxation complexes; sensitive health issues; and functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist follows their professional scope of practice and licensure jurisdiction. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for musculoskeletal injuries or disorders.
Our videos, posts, topics, and insights address clinical matters and issues that directly or indirectly relate to our clinical scope of practice.
Our office has made a reasonable effort to provide supportive citations and has identified relevant research studies that support our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies upon request to regulatory boards and the public.
For further discussion on how this information relates to specific care plans or treatment protocols, please ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.
We are here to help you and your family.
Blessings
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, APRN, FNP-BC*, CCST, IFMCP, CFMP, ATN
Email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Multidisciplinary Licensing & Board Certifications:
Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Chiropractic Licenses:
Texas DC License #: TX5807, Verified: TX5807
New Mexico DC License #: NM-DC2182, Verified: NM-DC2182
Nurse Practitioner Licenses:
Texas APRN License #: 1191402, Verified: 1191402 *
New Mexico CNP License #: 90560, Verified 90560
Florida APRN License #: 11043890, Verified: APRN11043890 *
Colorado License #: C-APN.0105610-C-NP, Verified: C-APN.0105610-C-NP
New York License #: N25929, Verified N25929
Georgia APRN License #: GAA-NP005701
Multi-State Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN*) Texas & Multi-States
Multi-state Compact APRN License by Endorsement (43 States)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 43 States*
Nursing Licensure Compact: Updated Here
DEA Registration: (Drug Enforcement Agency Registered)
All medical (MDs) and family practice providers (FNP-APRN) are registered and licensed to offer various levels of medication.
Verify Providers Here
License Verification Link: Nursys License Verifier
* Prescriptive Authority Authorized (DEA Registered Providers). Call if Required
Board Certification:
ANCC FNP-BC: Board Certified Nurse Practitioner*
Education:
Graduate with Honors: ICHS: MSN-FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Degree Granted. Master's in Family Practice, MSN Diploma (Cum Laude)
Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC*, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, CCST
(Board Certified: Family Practice Nurse Practitioner—Multistate)*
(Licensed Nurse Practitioner & Chiropractor - Multistate)*
Clinical Director
DC & FNP License (Review Above)
Digital Business Card
NPI: 1205907805
Dr. Maria Cardenas, MD
(Board Certified: Internal Medicine)
(Licensed Medical Doctor)
Medical Director, Clinical Director & Collaborative Physician
NPI # 1164426748
MD License #: J2933
Licenses and Board Certifications:
MD: Medical Doctor
DC: Doctor of Chiropractic
APRNP: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
FNP-BC: Family Practice Specialization (Multi-State Board Certified)
FNP-BC: Family Practice Across Life Span (Neonatal to Geriatrics)
RN: Registered Nurse (Multi-State Compact License)
CFMP: Certified Functional Medicine Provider
MSN-FNP: Master of Science in Family Practice Medicine
MSACP: Master of Science in Advanced Clinical Practice
IFMCP: Institute of Functional Medicine
CCST: Certified Chiropractic Spinal Trauma
ATN: Advanced Translational Neutrogenomics
Family with Primary Care Focus (Family Nurse Practitioner or FNP)
Memberships & Associations:
TCA: Texas Chiropractic Association: Member ID: 104311
TNA: Texas Nurse Association: Member ID: 06458222
TNP: Texas Nurse Practitioner Association ID: 2025091511
AANP: American Association of Nurse Practitioners: Member ID: 2198960
ANA: American Nurses Association: Member ID: 06458222 (District TX01)
| Primary Taxonomy | Selected Taxonomy | State | License Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| No | 111N00000X - Chiropractor | NM | DC2182 |
| Yes | 111N00000X - Chiropractor | TX | DC5807 |
| Yes | 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family | TX | 1191402 |
| Yes | 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family | FL | 11043890 |
| Yes | 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family | CO | C-APN.0105610-C-NP |
| Yes | 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family | NY | N25929 |
| Yes | 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family | NM |
90560 |
| Yes | 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family | GA | GAA-NP005701 |
Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC*, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, CCST
(Board Certified: Family Practice Nurse Practitioner—Multistate)*
(Primary Care Across Lifespan—Neonatal / Pediatric / Adult / Geriatrics)
(Licensed Nurse Practitioner & Chiropractor - Multistate)*
Clinical Director
Digital Business Card
NPI: 1205907805
Dr. Maria Cardenas, MD
(Board Certified: Internal Medicine)*
(Licensed Medical Doctor)*
Medical Director, Clinical Director & Collaborative Physician
NPI # 1164426748
MD License #: J2933
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