
Shoulder Pain Treatment by a Chiropractor
If you are experiencing shoulder pain, you are not alone. Shoulder pain is among the most common reasons why people seek the help of a medical professional. In addition to seeing a regular doctor, a chiropractor may be able to help you address shoulder pain as well. How does the shoulder work and what are some common injuries you may suffer?
An Overview of the Shoulder
The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint. In this case, the ball is the head of the humerus, which is the thick bone that makes up the top of the arm. The head of the humerus inserts into the glenohumeral joint, which is the socket. The humerus, clavicle, and scapula all work together to provide the upper arm with a wide range of motion. Because the shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, it is also at risk of suffering a significant injury.
What are the Main Causes of Shoulder Pain?
There are several common causes of shoulder pain. Some of the most common examples include:
- It is possible you could have chronic shoulder pain stemming from arthritis, which is inflammation that develops in the shoulder joint
- You may have a torn rotator cuff, which refers to its hair and one or more of the four muscles that make up the rotator cuff (the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and teres minor)
- You could have inflammation in the bursa that surrounds the shoulder, referred to as bursitis
- If you are experiencing shooting, stabbing pains that travel down the arm, you could have a pinched nerve
- You could have something called a frozen shoulder, which is the colloquial name for adhesive capsulitis
- You could have bone spurs that have developed in the shoulder
- You could have an overuse injury stemming from sports
Ultimately, there are lots of possible reasons why you may be suffering from shoulder pain. There are steps you can take to prevent shoulder pain as well.
How can one Prevent Shoulder Pain?
If you want to prevent shoulder injuries from taking place, you have to take steps to strengthen the shoulder joint itself. For example, you can perform a few simple shoulder exercises to strengthen the muscles that surround the shoulder joint. If you make the rotator cuff tendons stronger, you can reduce your chances of suffering a serious injury.
In addition, you should also make sure you warm-up and cool-down following physical activity. Do not place a lot of stress on your shoulder without stretching first. You need to make sure the muscles are ready to respond to physical activity.
When you are finished exercising, you also need to take time to cool down appropriately. If you stretch after you are finished working out, you can reduce inflammation in your shoulder, preventing injury.
How can a Chiropractor help with Shoulder Pain?
If you are suffering pain in your shoulder, there are several ways a chiropractor may be able to help you. This includes:
- Your chiropractor will ask several questions and perform a detailed physical exam to diagnose the cause of your shoulder pain. That way, all treatment options will be targeted toward the root cause.
- After this, your chiropractor may perform a few adjustments. Your shoulders can move out of proper alignment. This can lead to inflammation, discomfort, and muscle spasms.
- Your chiropractor may also help you adjust your posture, helping you prevent injuries from taking place in the future.
- After the shoulder has been properly aligned, your body should be able to heal itself naturally; however, your chiropractor will also help you develop an exercise plan that can strengthen your shoulder in the future.
The goal of chiropractic care is to help you reduce discomfort and inflammation while improving your flexibility and range of motion. By targeting the root cause of shoulder pain, you can recover efficiently, avoiding side effects and inflammation while also preventing the injury from coming back.
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