Posts Tagged ‘pain’
Can Chiropractic Treatment Help Shoulder Pain?
Introduction
The complexity of the shoulder joint allows it to achieve many different actions and activities. Anatomically, the shoulder involves three different bones – the scapula, the clavicle, and the humerus – many fastening ligaments, and approximately 20 different muscles. The main articulation, the glenohumeral joint, is connected by ligaments and a group of muscles (and their tendon attachments) known as the rotator cuff. Shoulder pain and disability are commonly caused by problems with the rotator cuff. Sports injuries, mechanical dysfunctions from muscle imbalances, or wear and tear of the tissues encompassing the joint are often the causes of shoulder problems. Arthritic changes do take place in the shoulder joint, but not as commonly as in the weight-bearing joints of the spine, hips and knees.
Anatomy
Problems in the shoulder often arise in the cervical spine as the nerves from this region innervate all of the muscles and other tissues of the shoulder, elbow, arm and hand. If these nerves are aggravated, the shoulder muscles can become tight or weak creating dysfunction in the ordinary mechanics of the joint, particularly in the rotator cuff. A similar situation can occur if one overburdens the shoulder causing sports injuries, or in other repetitive activities that cause the muscles of the joint to become overly tight or strained. Those who sit too often in a lazy position, or with their shoulders held forward, are also at risk for fostering these imbalances and shoulder problems.
Rotator Cuff Syndrome
Pain and restricted motion will continue to occur until the imbalances and inflammation are correctedchanged. The severity can vary from a slight “catching” or pain to an almost total inability to use the shoulder. Individuals of all ages are afflicted by this painful predicament known as Shoulder Impingement or Rotator Cuff Syndrome.
Frozen Shoulder
Another common condition is ” frozen shoulder. “This often debilitating condition happens when the ligaments and tendons of the glenohumeral joint grow so inflamed that adhesions occur making the joint nearly stuck together. This results in accute pain, as well as limitation of shoulder mobility that makes even dressing oneself difficult! Attention from a professional, such as your chiropractor is crucial because if left alone, frozen shoulder could take several years to heal if it heals at all. There are many other conditions of the shoulder although those mentioned above are almost certainly the most common.
Treatment
The treatment of most conditions of the shoulder is basically the same. Muscle imbalances can be corrected with chiropractic treatment that includes soft tissue mobilization modalities to restore proper mobility to the shoulder joints and to correct any subluxations in the spine. Special rehabilitation exercises offered by your Tampa chiropractor are also essential for a thoroughand fast recovery.