Shoulder Pain

Shoulder and elbow pain can prevent you from living your life and doing the things you love. This type of pain is ongoing, and most commonly occurs from overuse. Both shoulder and elbow pain is typically experienced by both adolescent and adult athletes and those who work physical, repetitive jobs. If left untreated shoulder and elbow pain can progress into back and neck pain or other issues like tingling and numbness in your hands.

Common Shoulder Problems

Some of the typical types of shoulder pain issues include:

• Tendonitis
• Strains
• Dislocated shoulder
• Bursitis
• Rotator cuff injury
• Sprains
• Frozen shoulder

Many people believe that they either must live with shoulder pain or have surgery. The fact is that comprehensive chiropractic is extremely useful in treating shoulder pain and restoring range of motion.

How can chiropractic help my shoulder pain?

Your chiropractor looks at your overall health, such as your lifestyle, such as diet and amount of daily exercise. This integrated approach helps determine the best treatment for your shoulder pain. To help identify the cause of your problem, you and your chiropractor will discuss your symptoms and previous injuries. Your chiropractor will also assess your family health history and your lifestyle, including recreational and work-related physical activities.

Your chiropractor is uniquely qualified to restore the health of your spine and neck. Special chiropractic techniques may relieve the pressure that is causing your shoulder pain. After locating the misaligned vertebrae in your neck, your chiropractor manually applies gentle pressure and repositions the vertebrae. These adjustments can help restore alignment, improve mobility, and relieve pain and stiffness.

Ultrasound has been shown to lower inflammation, along with chiropractic massage therapy, which not only reduces pain but helps to break down scar tissue. Once inflammation is under control, chiropractic manipulation of the joint alleviates the pressure and friction over the affected bursa area.

Most patients who have damaged rotator cuffs need chiropractic massage therapy to release trigger points and relax the tight muscles in the armpit and anterior shoulder. Frozen shoulder happens when the connective tissue in the shoulder joint becomes very thick and tight, forming tough bands of tissue called adhesions. The reason why the body does this is unknown. Most doctors will suggest surgery to remove the adhesions. Still, chiropractic care has been proven to be extremely useful in healing this painful problem.

The treatment of most symptoms of the shoulder is relatively the same. Muscle imbalances can be fixed with chiropractic treatment. It includes soft tissue mobilization modalities to restore proper mobility to the shoulder joints and to correct any subluxations in the spine. Special rehabilitation exercises recommended by your chiropractor are also crucial for a complete and speedy recovery.

Once pain and inflammation have been reduced, the doctor will most likely use a combination of joint manipulation, adjustments, stretching, and strengthening exercises. Chiropractors might also instruct the patient on how to avoid a repeat performance of tendonitis. It usually involves changing the way the patient performs specific tasks.

Your chiropractor may recommend other types of treatment for relieving your shoulder pain. These may include ice packs, massage, traction, or stretching and strengthening exercises. It’s essential that you discover the root cause of shoulder pain so that it can be treated correctly. Your chiropractor will have you perform a range of movements to see where the shoulder or other problem is so that it can be corrected.