Why Your Chiropractor Near Me Taps Your Shoulder Blade

When you come in for an adjustment, the first thing we ask you to do is sit on the bench with your hands resting on your legs, palms facing upward. This position gives us easy access to most of the joints we want to assess while you're seated, most commonly your neck and shoulders. But there's one question we get asked almost every week: "why do you tap me on the shoulder every time?"

What the Shoulder Tap Is Actually Checking

It's not as unusual as it might sound. We're using a reflex hammer to tap a specific part of your shoulder blade to check whether it produces movement in your arm. This is known as the shimizu reflex, or scapulohumeral reflex.

Unlike the patellar reflex in your knee, which you want to see, the shimizu reflex is one we specifically don't want to see. Your arm should stay completely still when we tap your shoulder blade.

What a Positive Result Actually Means

If the shimizu reflex is present, you'll typically observe a "chicken wing" style movement of the arm out to the side, or a noticeable lifting of the shoulder as we tap. We check this with every new client, and continue monitoring it throughout their ongoing care with existing clients too, because of exactly what it can reveal about their underlying condition. If the reflex shows up, whether on one shoulder or both, it points toward a possible lesion somewhere above the C3 vertebra in the spine.

Common Causes of a Positive Reflex

There are several possible causes behind a lesion at this level. Some of the more common ones include bony spurs, medically known as osteophytes, cervical disc herniation, physical trauma, or infection, though this certainly isn't an exhaustive list by any means. Research has also found that a very large majority of people with spinal cord compression above C3 will show a positive shimizu reflex, which makes it a genuinely useful screening indicator for us to rely on during assessment.

Why This Screening Matters for Every Client

This is exactly why a thorough chiropractor near me should be checking reflexes like this as standard practice, not just for clients presenting with obvious neck symptoms, but for every single person who walks through the door regardless of their reason for visiting. It's a genuinely quick screening tool for us to perform, and its real value comes from combining it with all the other clinical and functional assessments we carry out during your visit. Together, this combination helps us work out whether something can be managed conservatively through regular ongoing care, or whether it needs further investigation elsewhere first before we proceed.

Finding Chiropractic Care Near Me That Screens Properly

If you've ever wondered exactly what's happening during your adjustment, it's genuinely worth asking your clinician directly. Thorough chiropractic care near me involves considerably more screening than most people realise, precisely because catching a potential issue early makes a meaningful difference to how it ends up being managed. A good chiropractic clinic near me should be able to explain exactly what each individual test is checking for, rather than simply leaving you to trust the process without any real understanding. Our neck pain treatment page explains more about how we assess and manage issues in this area, and our structured six-step process shows how findings like this fit into your wider care plan. When you're ready, get in touch with your local clinic to find out more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the shimizu reflex test painful?

No. It's a quick, gentle tap with a reflex hammer, similar in feel to the knee-jerk reflex test you may have had at a GP appointment.

Why is a positive result concerning if it's not painful?

Because it can indicate a lesion above the C3 vertebra before pain or other obvious symptoms develop, making it a useful early screening tool.

Do I need this test if I don't have neck pain?

Yes. It's checked with every new client and monitored throughout ongoing care, regardless of the reason for your visit, since it screens for something separate from typical neck pain.

What happens if my result comes back positive?

It gets considered alongside your other clinical and functional assessments to determine whether conservative care is appropriate or whether further investigation is needed first.

How often is this reflex checked during ongoing care?

It's typically monitored at regular intervals throughout your care, not just at your very first visit, so any changes can be picked up over time.