Neck & Shoulder

What It Is

A shoulder subluxation is a temporary, partial dislocation of the shoulder joint. The ball at the top of the upper arm bone comes partly out of the shoulder socket, rather than all the way out as happens in a full dislocation (AAOS, n.d.a). The ball is held in the socket mainly by the shoulder capsule and ligaments. Ligaments are strong tissue bands that connect bones together (AAOS, n.d.a).

Shoulder subluxation is often caused by

Falling onto an outstretched arm, or a forceful injury from contact with another person or the ground (The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, 2025)
Taking a direct blow on the shoulder
Having the arm forced into a position that isn't normal
Repetitive overhead movements, such as in swimming, tennis, volleyball or throwing, which can gradually stretch the shoulder ligaments (AAOS, n.d.a; The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, 2025)

If you have had this type of injury before, or naturally have looser ligaments, the shoulder can become unstable more easily (AAOS, n.d.a). Some people with loose joints find the shoulder can slip during everyday activities, such as putting a jacket on or throwing something (The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, 2025).

During a dislocation, the whole "ball" comes out of the socket. During a subluxation, the ball only comes partly out of the socket before slipping back into position (AAOS, n.d.a).

Shoulder Subluxation Anatomy

The shoulder is made up of three bones: the upper arm bone (humerus), the collarbone and the shoulder blade. The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint. The ball of the upper arm fits into a shallow socket in the shoulder blade (AAOS, n.d.a). Strong connective tissue called the shoulder capsule, which is the ligament system of the shoulder, keeps the ball centred in the socket, and the shoulder also relies on strong tendons and muscles to keep it stable (AAOS, n.d.a). These include the rotator cuff, a group of four muscles whose tendons connect the upper arm bone to the shoulder blade and help you lift and rotate your arm (AAOS, n.d.b).

Not a diagnosis — for more information, contact me or another trusted healthcare provider.

Treatment

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat a Shoulder Subluxation

One of the most important treatments for this condition is strengthening the shoulder muscles and working on shoulder control to help stabilize the joint and reduce the risk of it happening again (AAOS, n.d.a; NHS, 2026). It often takes several months to tell how well this is working (AAOS, n.d.a). I can guide you through a graded strengthening programme with hands-on work, or support your medical team's plan if your shoulder needs a doctor first. See the My Approach tab for how I work.

1. Ice

A pack of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel can be held on the shoulder for up to 20 minutes, 3 times a day (NHS, 2023). Wrapping the ice helps prevent an ice burn.

2. Anti-Inflammatory Medication

AAOS says anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen or naproxen can reduce pain and swelling in shoulder instability (AAOS, n.d.a). (This medicine information comes from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), not from me. Always check with a pharmacist or your family doctor or nurse practitioner before taking any medicine.)

3. Rest and Activity Changes

Take the time to rest and avoid activities that make your symptoms worse (AAOS, n.d.a). Gentle use is recommended once the painful early phase has settled, as completely stopping using your shoulder can stop it getting better (NHS, 2023).

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Options outside my scope

Surgery: if physiotherapy and other treatments have not helped, an operation can repair torn or stretched ligaments, or tighten the shoulder capsule, so they hold the joint in place better (AAOS, n.d.a; The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, 2025).

How I can help (see the My Approach tab)

Strengthening and control work for the shoulder and shoulder blade
Hands-on work for the shoulder, neck and upper back
Taping and a gradual return to sport

Tips

Do a series of strengthening exercises on a regular basis to help maintain strength in the shoulder.
Don't return to a full range of activities until you are able to do so without pain and restricted movement.
Wait until the shoulder has regained its normal strength before you take part in sport; your doctor or physiotherapist will advise you on when to return (NHS, 2026).
Recovery time will vary from one person to another (NHS, 2026).
If your shoulder subluxes easily, you might need ongoing rehabilitation.

Treatment

My Approach

How I help with a shoulder subluxation depends on how severe it is.

If your shoulder slipped partly out and went straight back in, you can move your arm, and there's no numbness or weakness, I can usually treat it directly, with exercise and hands-on care.
If your shoulder stayed out of place, you can't move your arm, it keeps slipping despite exercise, or you have numbness, weakness or pins and needles that are getting worse, please see a doctor first. I then support the plan your medical team sets, and after surgery I need your surgeon's okay before any hands-on treatment.

I start by assessing how your shoulder, neck and upper back move, testing strength, sensation and reflexes in your arm, and asking which positions make it feel like it's slipping.

If It's a Mild Subluxation

Avoiding the positions that make it slip (for most people, the arm out to the side and turned back), rather than stopping everything
Hands-on work for the shoulder, neck and upper back muscles that tighten up to guard the joint; chest wall work needs your informed consent and a written consent form
Warm or cool applications in the clinic, and I'll show you how to use ice safely at home
Strength before range: gentle holds, then shoulder blade control and rotator cuff strengthening, building to bands, dumbbells and gym-based work
I don't mobilise a loose shoulder, but a stiff upper back can get gentle mobilisation
Taping for support as you return to sport, and I'll show you how to tape it yourself

If It's Severe or You've Had Surgery

Working within your medical team's plan, easing the neck, upper back and other arm, and keeping the elbow, wrist and hand moving
Gentle lymphatic drainage for swelling, and scar work once any incisions have healed
Assisted movement, then gradual strengthening as your surgeon allows

If your shoulder comes out and stays out, don't put it back yourself: call 911 or go to the emergency room.

What to Expect

Typical Course

Typical course: For a mild subluxation, most people come once or twice a week at first, then weekly, with a reassessment at about 4 to 6 weeks, then less often; it often takes several months of strengthening to tell how well it's working. For a severe case, visits follow your medical team's plan, and recovery after stabilisation surgery usually takes several months.

What I Focus On

Assessment

Shoulder & Neck Release

Shoulder Blade Control

Strength Before Range

Gradual Return to Sport

Please read

When to See a Doctor First

When to Get Help

Call 911 or go to the emergency room at your nearest hospital if your shoulder stays out of place or has changed shape, you cannot move your arm, there is no feeling in your arm or shoulder, or your arm feels hot or cold to touch (NHS, 2026; NHS, 2023). Do not try to put the shoulder back in yourself (NHS, 2026).
See your family doctor or nurse practitioner if your shoulder pain is getting worse or does not improve after 2 weeks, or if it is very difficult to move your arm or shoulder (NHS, 2023).

Sources

References

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (n.d.a) Chronic shoulder instability. OrthoInfo. Available at: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/chronic-shoulder-instability/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust (2025) Instability of the shoulder. Patient information leaflet. Available at: https://www.dgft.nhs.uk/pil/instability-of-the-shoulder/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
NHS (2026) Dislocated shoulder. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dislocated-shoulder/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (n.d.b) Shoulder impingement/rotator cuff tendinitis. OrthoInfo. Available at: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/shoulder-impingementrotator-cuff-tendinitis/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
NHS (2023) Shoulder pain. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/shoulder-pain/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooShoulder Subluxation

What It Is

Shoulder Subluxation Anatomy

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat a Shoulder Subluxation

1. Ice

2. Anti-Inflammatory Medication

3. Rest and Activity Changes

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Tips

My Approach

If It's a Mild Subluxation

If It's Severe or You've Had Surgery

Typical Course

When to See a Doctor First

When to Get Help

References

Related Conditions

Book a session

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooShoulder Subluxation

What It Is

Shoulder Subluxation Anatomy

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat a Shoulder Subluxation

1. Ice

2. Anti-Inflammatory Medication

3. Rest and Activity Changes

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Tips

My Approach

If It's a Mild Subluxation

If It's Severe or You've Had Surgery

Typical Course

When to See a Doctor First

When to Get Help

References

Related Conditions

Acromioclavicular Osteoarthritis

Acromioclavicular Joint Sprain

Anterior Scalene Syndrome

Biceps Brachii Tendinopathy

Book a session