By Dr. Jon Thomas D.C PSc .
As I mentioned in a recent
post about headaches, many people wait until their pain becomes excruciating
before doing anything about it. People use this approach for shoulder pain as
much as anything else. They hope the pain will just go away.
Shoulder pain can come
about in lots of different ways: Sleeping position, carrying heavy bags or
backpacks, and using handheld devices and computers for a long time can all
cause strain to the shoulder.
Many
people associate chiropractic care primarily with neck or back issues. Most chiropractors also treat many other
parts of the body, including the shoulders. Shoulder
pain may be caused by joint irritation, by tissue irritation, or by
the joint being out of alignment. Shoulder
pain can frequently be relieved through a chiropractic adjustment.
How the shoulder works
 |
| Courtesy of Wikipedia |
The shoulder joint is the
most mobile joint in the body. It is surrounded by nerves, tendons, bursas, and
other tissues which are interconnected. Tendons attach muscle to bone.
Ligaments attach bone to bone.
The shoulder is a
complicated joint with a great range of motion. It gives us the ability to do
lots of things with our arms. It is also a fragile joint in some ways. Overuse
or unusual motion can cause damage to the shoulder.
Tendons, muscles, or
ligaments around the shoulder can stretch and tear causing pain. If you have a
shoulder injury, it’s very important to get it checked out sooner rather than
later. That way you can resolve an issue before it becomes more serious. Most
shoulder problems fall into the following categories.
Frozen Shoulder Syndrome
(FSS) is
a condition of the shoulder where arm movement becomes very limited. It can be
both painful and debilitating. With FSS, the slightest movement can be very
painful. There are three progressive stages with FSS. The first is the freezing
stage. Shoulder pain gets worse over time and the range of motion becomes
increasingly limited. The freezing stage can last weeks or even months.
The frozen shoulder stage
is when the movement pattern in the shoulder has become extremely limited. The
constant pain may subside, but pain is frequently felt whenever movement is
attempted beyond a limited range of motion. The frozen stage can last several
months. After that, in the thawing stage, the patient gradually gets their
pain-free range of motion back.
Tendonitis is inflammation of a
tendon. It is generally the result of wear and tear over a period of years. It
can come from excessive repetitive motion, like pitching a baseball or throwing
a football. Tendonitis can also come from an injury in the form of splitting or
tearing of a tendon. These injuries are sometimes referred to as rotator cuff
injuries.
Bursitis is inflammation of the
bursas, which are fluid sacs around the joint. The bursas reduce
friction caused by the movement of the shoulder. Excessive, repetitive use of
the shoulder can lead to bursitis. Bursitis and rotator cuff tendonitis
sometimes occur together.
When should you seek
treatment?
Many patients ignore
initial shoulder symptoms. In the case of an acute injury, if the pain is
intense, you should seek treatment as soon as possible. If the pain is mild to
moderate, you might wait a few days to see if time will alleviate the problem.
When the pain persists past a few days, it’s time to set up an appointment.
How does a chiropractor treat shoulder problems?
How does a chiropractor treat shoulder problems?
An examination by a
trained and experienced chiropractor will measure range of motion, as well as
testing the muscle around the shoulder. As part of an examination, your
chiropractor will determine the underlying cause of your shoulder pain. Among
other problems, the shoulder joint can shift out of alignment causing the
muscles and ligaments to pull in an abnormal way. This can lead to spasms,
inflammation, and pain.
The nerves supplying the
shoulder joint and tissues surrounding the shoulder originate in the neck. A
chiropractor can evaluate the neck for any subluxations
Adjustments to the
shoulder can be performed to shift the joint forward or backward, depending on
symptoms. An adjustment can restore the normal range of motion. It can also
allow the muscles to function correctly. In many cases, a chiropractor can
provide instant relief to patients suffering from shoulder pain.
A qualified chiropractor
may also provide instructions on things like sleeping position, how to set up
your computer so that it’s ergonomically correct, and how to carry things so
that you don’t put unnecessary strain on your shoulder. A chiropractor may also
suggest exercises to strengthen the shoulder and increase range of motion.
Dr. Thomas was recently on First Coast Living
---
In this article, I have
discussed common shoulder problems, what causes them, and how a chiropractor
can help to alleviate them. Shoulder pain can be caused by several things,
including tendonitis, bursitis, or a misalignment. Shoulder pain can be treated
effectively by a chiropractor.
If you have a comment
about this article, please leave it in the comments section below. If you know
of someone who might benefit from the information in this blog, please share it
with your friends, colleagues, and on social media.
The Google Plus button and
other social media sharing buttons are below.
At Vibrant Life, we
address all of the key elements to add vibrance and vitality to your life. This
includes nutrition, chiropractic care, and fitness. If you need to consult with
a chiropractor about your neck, back, or any other health concern, please
contact our office to set up an appointment.
Dr. Jon Thomas is a Board
Certified Chiropractic Physician. His practice, The Vibrant Life Health Center,
is located in the Mandarin section of Jacksonville. His interest in health and
fitness started early, and his athletic pursuits have included BMX racing,
Professional Snow Skiing, Water Skiing, Baseball, Weight Lifting, and Martial
Arts. After studying and learning from some of the top health experts
throughout the world, Dr. Thomas dedicated his life to helping people of all
ages to transform their lives. The objective for each patient is to initiate
the body’s healing and to work progressively toward a body that functions
optimally. Dr. Thomas is seen regularly on TV on First Coast Living, where he
discusses the transformations of his patients. He also speaks at events
throughout the community and writes informative articles to improve the health
of residents throughout Jacksonville.
Having worked with a chiropractor for the past 2 years, I can tell you that most people wait until they are the walking wounded before they seek medical attention. By then the situation is so bad that they can hardly function. If you are having problems with your back, neck or joints, see a chiropractor to make the pain go away. You'll be glad you did.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who has suffered through it, I can say there's something very special about shoulder pain. Nice to know relief is available through a chiropractor.
ReplyDeleteI agree. When you have pain, that usually means nerves are involved, and all nerves eventually lead to the spine. Check with a good chiropractor, and I think surgery should be a very last resort.
ReplyDelete