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Stapleton Chiropractic - trusted by Adelaide families for over 50 years

528 Marion Road · Plympton Park · Adelaide

Shoulder and upper back pain chiropractor in Adelaide

That tight band between the blades, or the pinch when you reach overhead, can make desk days, driving, and sleep harder than they should be. If you want to feel better and get a clearer picture of what may be going on, book a first visit: 7am to 7pm weekdays, Saturday mornings, and free on-site parking on Marion Road.

Shoulder and upper back pain often travel together. The joint you feel is not always the joint driving it. Rotator cuff load, scapular control, thoracic stiffness, and neck referral may sit in the same week. A chiropractic assessment with Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) may help map what may be contributing. This is not a diagnosis from a webpage. Individual presentations vary.

Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) at Stapleton Chiropractic, Plympton Park
Dr Sam Johnson (Principal Chiropractor)
B.Sc.(Chiro), M.Chiro.(Macq) Shoulder and upper back · Marion Road

B.Sc.(Chiro), M.Chiro.(Macq) · AHPRA Registered

Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) has practised on Marion Road for over 10 years, continuing a clinic families have trusted since 1972.

Stapleton Chiropractic · Est. 1972 · ACA Member

(08) 8297 5277

Does this sound like you?

Educational wayline illustration of the shoulder and upper-back region

Everyone starts somewhere different.
Tap the one that sounds like you.

What Happens in Your First Assessment

Clear steps. You stay in control of what happens next.

Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) listening to a patient at the start of a first visit
1

We listen first

Your story, work demands, and what is getting in the way of normal days.

Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) completing a physical assessment
2

Thorough assessment

Movement, relevant orthopaedic tests, and a careful look at the area that bothers you.

Where possible, treatment may be provided on the first visit.*

*Only where clinically appropriate, based on clinical need and suitability. Individual responses vary.

Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) explaining assessment findings in clear language
3

Clear answers

What we found, what it may mean for you, and sensible options from here.

Reception at Stapleton Chiropractic during a patient handoff
4

A plan you control

If care may help, we outline options. You choose whether and how to proceed.

Assessment findings and any care offered are individual. Treatment is only provided where clinically appropriate. Individual responses vary.

How much does a first visit cost?

Clear numbers. No surprises.

Initial visit Save over 40% vs the SA average $69 initial · SA average $122*

Initial consultation

$69

SA average: $122*

Stapleton$69
SA average*$122

Standard visit

$60

SA average: $71*

Stapleton$60
SA average*$71
No lock-in plans All major health funds accepted

After your assessment, you choose how you'd like to proceed. You choose what happens next.

*Australian Chiropractors Association Consultation Fee Survey 2025 (SA data). All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.

Quick answers before you book

The five things people usually want cleared first.

Can chiropractic help with shoulder or upper back pain? Most asked

Often, yes. Shoulder and upper-back patterns are a common reason people book here. Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) examines the shoulder, the blades, the thoracic spine, and the neck together, explains what he finds in clear language, and maps a next step. Individual responses vary. If this is not the right path, we say so and help refer and point you in the right direction.

How much does a first visit cost? Most asked

Initial consultation $69. Standard visit $60. Over 40% below the SA average of $122 (ACA Fee Survey 2025). All major health funds accepted.

Do you accept private health? Most asked

All major private health funds accepted where your cover applies.

Do I need a referral?

No. Book directly. Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) is happy to correspond with your GP when that is useful.

Is my shoulder pain coming from my neck?

It may be. Assessment decides. Nerves that supply the shoulder leave the lower neck, so a neck pattern may refer into the shoulder, blade, or arm. A desk-tight thoracic pattern can feel the same. Your first visit looks at neck, thoracic spine, and shoulder together. Findings are explained in clear language. If it is not the right fit here, we say so and help refer and point you in the right direction.

More questions further down the page. All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses vary.

Ready to book?

Choose a time that suits. No referral needed.

Your first visit
Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor)

Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor)

B.Sc.(Chiro), M.Chiro.(Macq) · Marion Road, Adelaide

$69

Initial consultation

Open the live diary and pick a time that suits

  • $69 first visit
  • Weekdays 7am to 7pm
  • Saturday mornings
  • Free on-site parking
  • All major health funds
  • No lock-in plans

Prefer to call? (08) 8297 5277

All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.

More questions people ask

Deeper answers if you want them. The booking path is still above.

Is my shoulder pain coming from my neck?

It may be. Nerves that supply the shoulder leave the lower neck, so irritation there may refer into the shoulder, blade, or arm. A desk-tight thoracic pattern can feel the same.

A structured assessment looks at neck movement, thoracic mobility, and shoulder function together. A webpage cannot give you that label.

Do I need imaging for shoulder or upper back pain?

Not always. Imaging is typically considered where there are red flags, significant trauma, progressive neurological change, or when a surgical opinion is being considered.

X-rays only with your agreement. A scan is a clue, not the whole plan.

When should I see a GP instead of booking a chiropractic consultation?

You do not need a GP referral to see a chiropractor in Australia. If chest tightness, sudden breathlessness, tearing upper-back pain, fever, unexplained weight loss, rapidly progressing weakness, or pain after major trauma is present, start with your GP or emergency care.

For a more typical mechanical presentation, starting here is a common path. We will coordinate with your GP when imaging or further review is indicated.

Can a chiropractor help with rotator cuff-related shoulder pain?

Research suggests conservative care, including exercise and, in some reviews, manual therapy plus exercise, may help manage rotator cuff-related shoulder pain. That is review context, not a personal prediction.

Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) assesses the shoulder, scapula, and thoracic spine together. Full-thickness tears with clear functional loss may need imaging and a surgical opinion. Individual responses vary.

Where do I park and how do I find you?

528 Marion Road, Plympton Park SA 5038. Free on-site parking at the clinic. Easy access via the main road if you are already driving past. Open in Maps.

How many visits will I need?

There is no fixed number for everyone. Progress is reviewed regularly. Individual responses vary.

Should I see a chiropractor or a physiotherapist for shoulder pain?

Both are qualified to assess musculoskeletal presentations. Here the first visit is an honest check of shoulder, thoracic, and neck clues. If physio or something else may fit better, Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) will say so and help refer and point you in the right direction.

Do you use spinal manipulation or mobilisation?

Hands-on care including adjustments, and gentle low-force options, are available when appropriate. Suitability is decided after assessment, not in advance from a page. Options are explained so you can decide.

Is this the same as frozen shoulder?

Not always. Frozen shoulder is a progressive stiffness pattern that may make reaching a seatbelt or behind the back feel blocked. That dedicated language lives on our frozen shoulder page.

This page is the broader shoulder and upper-back cluster: desk tightness, overhead pinch, thoracic load, and neck referral. Assessment decides which map fits you.

What sleeping position may be more comfortable?

Some people find side-lying on the unaffected side, or back-sleeping with the sore arm supported, more comfortable during a flare. Stomach-sleeping with an arm overhead may load the shoulder more. These are comfort ideas, not a prescription.

We can discuss sleep and desk load after assessment. Individual responses vary.

Can I still drive?

Many people continue to drive if they can do so safely. If pain, weakness, or restricted turning affects blind-spot control or concentration, do not drive and seek medical advice. We can discuss sitting comfort after assessment. This is not a driving clearance.

Does shoulder pain always mean surgery?

No. Many shoulder and upper-back presentations are managed conservatively. Surgery is a medical decision when red flags, a full-thickness tear with functional loss, instability, or failed conservative care make it the wiser path.

We do not pressure that decision. If a surgical opinion is needed, we help refer and point you in the right direction.

Which mechanical patterns may be involved?

Several patterns may look similar. Tap a card. Assessment decides. Nothing here is a diagnosis.

General information only. This is not a diagnosis and does not replace a proper clinical assessment. Individual presentations vary.

When should I seek urgent care for shoulder or upper back pain?

Many shoulder and upper-back presentations are mechanical. Call 000 or attend ED if you develop any of the following.

Seek urgent care if these signs appear Call 000 or attend ED. Many shoulder and upper-back presentations are mechanical.

Chest, jaw or tearing pain

Chest tightness, jaw or left-arm pain, breathlessness, sweating, or nausea. Tearing or ripping pain into the upper back with severe chest pain. These may suggest a cardiac or vascular emergency.

Sudden breathlessness with one-sided pain

Sudden breathlessness alongside one-sided chest or shoulder pain, particularly after recent immobility, surgery, or a long flight. Seek emergency care first.

Progressive weakness or walking change

A hand that will not grip, an arm that will not lift, numbness or weakness in both arms, unsteady walking, or new bladder or bowel change.

Trauma, fever or unexplained weight loss

Pain after a major fall or crash, visible deformity, or new pain with fever, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, or a history of cancer.

General information only, not medical advice. This is not an exhaustive list. If you are unsure, contact your GP, healthdirect on 1800 022 222, or emergency services.

What may be contributing to your shoulder or upper back pain?

A short orientation only. Tap a card. Assessment decides. Nothing here is a diagnosis.

General information only. This is not a diagnosis and does not replace a proper clinical assessment. Individual presentations vary. All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability.

Which region may this follow?

A short orientation only. The starting point is a careful assessment, not a label from a webpage.

Shoulder and upper back pain is a regional pattern. The joint you feel is not always the joint driving it. The glenohumeral joint, rotator cuff, scapular region, thoracic spine, and lower neck may all sit in the same week.

A rotator-cuff type story may sit at the top of the shoulder or outer arm, louder with overhead reach or side-lying. A thoracic type story may sit as a tight band between the blades after sitting. A neck-referral type story may sit with turning, looking up, or an arm pathway. Those maps are clues. They are not a diagnosis from this page.

Live assessment here has long included history plus a bedside cluster: shoulder range and strength, scapular control, thoracic mobility, and a cervicothoracic screen. Cardiac, breathing, trauma, and neurological red flags stay open. Individual presentations vary.

If the story is a locked, progressive stiffness pattern, see our frozen shoulder page. If pins and needles travel down an arm pathway, see our pinched nerve page. If the ache stays local in the neck, see neck pain.

General information only. This is not a diagnosis and does not replace a proper clinical assessment. Individual presentations vary. All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.

What does research suggest about shoulder and upper-back care?

Guideline and review-level context for conversation. Individual responses vary. This is not a personal prognosis.

$69Initial consult here
$122SA average initial*
1972Clinic established
6 daysMon to Sat hours

Cervicothoracic clues

A Physical Therapy single-arm study described short-term change in some people with shoulder pain after cervicothoracic manipulation. That is one study design, not a randomised trial and not a prediction for you.

Mintken et al., 2010 · PMID 19959652

Thoracic manipulation review

A systematic review of randomised trials reported that thoracic spine manipulation may contribute to short-term change in some musculoskeletal presentations, including upper-quarter pain. Review context, not a personal plan.

Walser et al., 2009 · PMID 20140155

Immediate thoracic and rib effects

A Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy study reported immediate change in some people whose main complaint was shoulder pain after thoracic and rib manipulation. Immediate-effect study context only.

Strunce et al., 2009 · PMID 20140154

Exercise for rotator-cuff related pain

A systematic review of randomised trials reported that exercise therapy may help manage rotator cuff-related shoulder pain. Progressive and non-progressive loading protocols produced comparable outcomes in that review. Not a personal loading plan.

Naunton et al., 2020 · PMID 32571081

Manual therapy plus exercise

A Cochrane review of rotator cuff disease reported that exercise is a common conservative path, and that adding manual therapy may offer small additional benefit in some comparisons, with limited certainty. Study context, not a prediction for you.

Page et al., 2016 · PMID 27283590

Red flags stay open

Most shoulder and upper-back pain is mechanical. Screening still matters. Chest tightness, tearing pain, sudden breathlessness, progressive weakness, or trauma with severe pain means urgent medical care first.

Conversation context, not a personal prognosis

After we assess we talk it through

Care is discussed after assessment. Progress is reviewed regularly. If imaging, your GP, or another path is wiser, we say so. In-house cold laser may be discussed if a soft-tissue picture fits. Ask at your visit. Individual responses vary.

Conversation context, not a personal prognosis

What this means here

Citations support a conversation. They do not promise your outcome. Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) will explain what he finds and what is sensible next. You choose.

Book a first visit to apply this to you

QuestionChiropractic herePhysiotherapy
Primary focusShoulder, scapular, thoracic, and neck mechanics, with hands-on care including adjustments where suitableOften more exercise-focused or soft-tissue-centric
ExerciseExercises and stretches may be prescribed where appropriate, alongside hands-on careExercise rehabilitation is often a main focus
Soft tissueIn-house cold laser may be discussed if a soft-tissue picture fits. Ask at your visitSoft-tissue work varies by clinic
Referral needed?No. Book directlyNo
Plan or contract?You choose the next stepVaries by clinic
If this is not the right fitWe refer and point you in the right directionYour physio may refer on

Citations support conversation, not a guarantee. Not a diagnosis. Individual responses vary. All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability.

Does your work pattern sound familiar?

Three common situations. Tap a card. This is orientation, not a diagnosis.

General information only. This is not a diagnosis and does not replace a proper clinical assessment. Individual presentations vary.

Location Hours and Practical Details

What you need for a smooth first visit.

Location

528 Marion Road, Plympton Park SA 5038 Free on-site parking at the clinic.

Get directions

Open early, late Saturday

  • Mon to Fri7am to 7pm
  • Saturday8am to 12pm
  • SundayClosed

Health funds

All major health funds accepted where your cover applies.

What to bring

Comfortable clothing. Recent imaging or reports if you have them. No referral needed.

Ready when you are

on Marion Road

Est. 1972

Stapleton Chiropractic
528 Marion Road, Plympton Park SA 5038 · Directions
(08) 8297 5277
Mon to Fri 7am to 7pm · Sat 8am to 12pm
(08) 8297 5277
Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) during a hands-on assessment at Stapleton Chiropractic

References

  1. Mintken PE, Cleland JA, Carpenter KJ, et al. (2010). Some factors predict successful short-term outcomes in individuals with shoulder pain receiving cervicothoracic manipulation: a single-arm trial. Physical Therapy, 90(1):26-42. PMID 19959652.
  2. Walser RF, Meserve BB, Boucher TR. (2009). The effectiveness of thoracic spine manipulation for the management of musculoskeletal conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy, 17(4):237-246. PMID 20140155.
  3. Strunce JB, Walker MJ, Boyles RE, Young BA. (2009). The immediate effects of thoracic spine and rib manipulation on subjects with primary complaints of shoulder pain. Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy, 17(4):230-236. PMID 20140154.
  4. Naunton J, et al. (2020). Effectiveness of progressive and resisted and non-progressive or non-resisted exercise in rotator cuff related shoulder pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Clinical Rehabilitation, 34(9):1198-1216. PMID 32571081.
  5. Page MJ, Green S, McBain B, et al. (2016). Manual therapy and exercise for rotator cuff disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2016(6):CD012224. PMID 27283590.
Last clinically reviewed 13 August 2026 by Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor), B.Sc.(Chiro), M.Chiro.(Macq). AHPRA registered. Individual responses vary.
© Stapleton Chiropractic. Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor), B.Sc.(Chiro), M.Chiro.(Macq). AHPRA registered. 528 Marion Road, Plympton Park SA 5038
author avatar
Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor)
Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor), B.Chiro.Sc (Macq), M.Chiro (Macq), is the Principal Chiropractor and Clinic Director at Stapleton Chiropractic in Plympton Park, Adelaide. He provides evidence-informed chiropractic care with a focus on musculoskeletal health, spinal movement, and functional improvement. Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) works with adults, older adults, and families across all stages of life, supporting concerns such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, and postural issues. He is committed to clear communication, personalised care planning, and long-term patient outcomes.
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