Shoulder injuries are no laughing matter. They can seriously inhibit daily activities and lead to a lot of pain besides. Chiropractic care for shoulders is the best way to avoid pain and keep yourself healthy and strong.
Chiropractic for Shoulders
While many people think that chiropractors only treat the spine, the truth of the matter is that chiropractors have a keen understanding of both the skeletal and nervous systems and can provide relief to other areas of the body.
The shoulder is the body’s largest joint and is very complicated. This allows it to provide such a wide range of motion. Shoulder injuries are common because the joint is so intricate and is put to such frequent use. They often follow sports or other athletic activity, vehicular accidents, and even sitting at a desk.
Shoulder pain can seriously disrupt your daily quality of life, and you do not simply have to grin and bear it. Chiropractic care can correct shoulder injuries naturally without the need for surgery
What Shoulder Injuries Do Chiropractors Treat?
Shoulder injuries manifest in many different ways, but these are some of the most common:
- Frozen shoulder—Technically termed adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulder results in thickened and tightened connective tissue near the shoulder joint. Frozen shoulder commonly occurs after shoulder injuries and limits the joint’s range of motion.
- Arthritis—Arthritis is a common condition in adults, with a recent conservative estimate indicating 54 million cases in the United States. The symptoms are inflammation and joint pain. Some strains of arthritis, i.e. rheumatoid arthritis, are the result of autoimmune disorders, while others like osteoarthritis follow common wear and tear.
- Tendonitis—Tendonitis of the shoulder leads to irritation and inflammation in the rotator cuff tendons or biceps. Tendonitis most commonly affects those whose work includes repetitive motions, not excluding practicing athletes. Tendon injuries are notoriously painful and slow to heal.
- Bursitis—The bursa is a fluid-filled sac which is designed to protect the tendons. Inflammation or irritation of the bursa is referred to as bursitis. It can result in pain and serious restriction of the shoulder joint and can even be a precursor for frozen shoulder.
- Pinched nerve—Pressure on the nerves in the neck or shoulder (perhaps as the result of another condition) can lead to pain, numbness, and tingling in the upper extremities.
- Rotator cuff injuries—The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, attaching the humerus to the shoulder blade and facilitating the lift and rotation of the arm. Injuries to the rotator cuff include everything from mild irritation to sprains to serious tears. The injury can come on gradually with regular wear and tear or result from a trauma like the collision of a vehicle or another athlete.
- Dislocation—Dislocated joints can follow heavy impacts. When the dislocation is in the shoulder, the humerus pops out of the glenoid cavity. The subsequent pain is sharp, and if the nerves are pinched in the impact, numbness may follow. An AC joint subluxation describes a partial dislocation of the shoulder. Once a bone becomes dislocated, the risk of future dislocation is significantly higher.
How Does a Chiropractor Fix Shoulder Pain?
Once a chiropractor has determined the source of shoulder pain, then it is time to get to work. A chiropractor understands that shoulder injuries often stem from other physiological issues, even in other locations like the spine. Damage to the neck or even rib cage can lead to pain or discomfort around or in the shoulder. A chiropractor treats the body like the interconnected system that it is, offering holistic relief.
A chiropractor focuses on overall wellness, not just relieving pain. If pain in the shoulder is caused by misalignment to the spine or neck, perhaps the result of a car accident, your chiropractor can adjust the alignment, restoring proper nerve, skeletal, and muscular function for overall relief.
This holistic approach is well-understood to be effective. A study conducted in 2012 indicated that chiropractic treatment for frozen shoulder yielded 82% complete recovery. Our Dr. Grant can restore up to a 10 degree improvement in range of motion with just one visit.
Consulting a chiropractor for shoulder injuries has the added benefit of professional and individual strategies for strengthening the joint for the future. A chiropractor will never rattle off a list of pain medications and send you out the door. When you work with a chiropractor regularly, you can strengthen your shoulders and spine, reducing your risk of injury in the future.
How to Avoid Shoulder Pain
While it is impossible to plan for every shoulder pain contingency, you can minimize your risk of further damage by strengthening your shoulders and improving their flexibility. Neck release stretches can keep your shoulder muscles and ligaments loose while regulated lifting exercises can strengthen them. Work with your chiropractor to find the best exercises and stretches for you.
