The shoulder is a highly mobile part of the human body. It is responsible for various day-to-day activities including lifting objects and walking. However, pain in the shoulder can affect your daily living. If you have it, you should consider seeing a chiropractor for help.
Causes Of Shoulder Pain
The complex structure of the shoulder joint means that there is a wide range of potential causes of shoulder pain. Identifying these factors is important in determining the ones that can be effectively treated using chiropractic care for shoulder pain.
Here are some common causes of shoulder pain:
- Dislocated shoulder: A dislocated shoulder is a common injury suffered by athletes who participate in contact sports. It happens when the upper arm bone pops out of the shoulder socket. This can result in immediate pain and discomfort, as well as numbness if nearby nerves are affected.
- Frozen shoulder: Also known as adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulder is a painful condition that causes limited mobility and stiffness in the shoulder joint. This condition typically worsens over time before gradually improving.
- Pinched nerve: When there is an issue with the complex parts of the neck or shoulder joint, nerves can be compressed or impinged. Pressure on any nerve, whether the main branching one or smaller nerves that branch off from it, can cause a wide range of symptoms, including numbness, pain, and tingling in the shoulder, arms, and hands.
- Arthritis: Arthritis is a common condition. Millions of people around the world suffer from it. It causes swelling, stiffness, and joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. It can be caused by several factors, including wear and tear, autoimmune disorders, and injuries.
- Rotator cuff injury: Rotator cuff injuries, which can range from mild discomfort to a complete tear, can result from either a gradual breakdown of the muscles due to overuse or a sudden trauma, such as a car accident. These injuries are among the most common causes of shoulder pain.
- Shoulder bursitis: Shoulder bursitis occurs when the fluid-filled sac surrounding the shoulder joint, known as the bursa, becomes inflamed. This condition is most commonly found at the humerus bone-glenoid cavity junction.
How A Chiropractor Can Provide Relief from Shoulder Pain
To address shoulder pain, your chiropractor will create a treatment plan that may include manual adjustments or adjustments using specialized tools or tables. For shoulder injuries, the most common chiropractic treatment includes the following:
1. Myofascial release
Myofascial release is a specialized technique that focuses on the tight connective tissues that surround the shoulder. This method is useful for treating conditions like frozen shoulder, where restricted connective tissues can severely limit shoulder movement and cause pain.
Myofascial release aims to relieve tension and improve flexibility in the affected area by using gentle pressure and manipulation. This approach offers a targeted solution to improve mobility and reduce pain associated with conditions that limit the natural range of motion of the shoulder joint.
2. Articulatory
The articulatory chiropractic technique is a safe and effective way to improve joint range of motion. It is a hands-on method in which the joint is gently moved through its entire range of motion. This can help in the breakdown of scar tissue and adhesions, as well as the improvement of flexibility.
The articulatory chiropractic technique is frequently used to treat shoulder pain and stiffness. Other joints, such as the elbow, wrist, hip, and ankle, can benefit from it as well.
3. Functional technique
The functional technique is used to increase the range of motion of a joint and to relieve stiffness. During this procedure, your chiropractor will guide the shoulder through its full range of motion, holding it at the endpoint until a release is felt.
This gentle pressure applied gradually contributes to the gradual loosening of the joint capsule, providing relief from stiffness over time. The functional technique is a valuable component of chiropractic care as it systematically addresses the limitations in the joint’s mobility. This technique helps in promoting increased flexibility and comfort in the affected shoulder.
4. Cervical spinal manipulation
Shoulder pain caused by the cervical spine reveals the relationship between these two areas. Cervical spinal manipulation is a targeted approach that helps to restore balance to the cervical vertebrae and relieve pain caused by pinched nerves. This chiropractic intervention is done to address the underlying cause by realigning the cervical spine.
Furthermore, chiropractors use this targeted treatment to improve overall spinal health, potentially providing relief from shoulder pain associated with cervical spine problems. Understanding and addressing the interconnected relationship between the cervical spine and shoulder pain is critical to chiropractors’ personalized care.
5. Posture correction
Chiropractors play a key role in treating shoulder pain, which is frequently caused by poor posture. They provide personalized ergonomic improvement advice, tailoring recommendations to individual needs. Chiropractors work to improve overall alignment and strengthen supporting muscles through corrective exercises and adjustments.
Additionally, they contribute to long-term prevention by focusing on the underlying causes of poor posture. This comprehensive approach shows how important chiropractic care is in promoting both immediate relief and long-term improvements in posture and shoulder health.
6. Educational support
The advantages of chiropractic care are more than just pain relief. Chiropractors go beyond hands-on adjustments to teach patients self-care techniques, ergonomic changes, and lifestyle changes to help them manage and prevent shoulder pain. Individuals are encouraged to take an active role in their well-being because of this holistic approach.
Also, patients learn techniques to relieve discomfort, improve posture, and reduce factors that contribute to shoulder pain through personalized recommendations. Patients can achieve long-term relief and resilience against future shoulder pain by adding self-care strategies into their daily routines.
Conclusion
A chiropractor can provide much-needed relief when shoulder pain becomes an ongoing discomfort. Chiropractic care addresses shoulder discomfort holistically, as opposed to traditional painkillers that only treat the symptoms. This results in long-lasting relief as the underlying causes of symptoms are addressed.