DO YOU HAVE SHOULDER PAIN ?
Shoulder pain is one of the more common complaints we see in the chiropractic office.
WHAT CAUSES SHOULDER PAIN?
Shoulder pain may be due to an issue within the shoulder girdle itself, muscles around the shoulder (rotator cuff) or may be referred from another area such as the cervical spine (neck). Shoulder pain can also be due to an issue with the lungs, liver, gall bladder, heart or spleen.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I SEE A CHIROPRACTOR FOR SHOULDER PAIN?
Chiropractic management of shoulder pain begins with first diagnosing the cause of the shoulder pain.
A case history for your shoulder pain is taken and will often provide valuable information. For example a recent fall or injury will indicate the possibly of trauma or serious injury (such as a broken bone or muscle tear).
Following the history an examination will be performed.
An examination for shoulder pain will attempt to identify where the shoulder pain could be coming from. This examination often involves touching around the neck and shoulder and performing special movement tests (orthopaedic tests).
Depending on your history and examination findings other tests such as an xray or ultrasound may be necessary.
WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON CAUSE OF SHOULDER PAIN?
In this chiropractic clinic, we find most shoulder pain comes from the neck, muscles around the shoulder or shoulder itself.
In clinical practice common causes of shoulder pain include:
Non Traumatic injuries:
- Neck joint (apophyseal joint) fixations at the 5th cervical spine (C5) can cause referred pain to the shoulder via sclerotomes
- Nerve root irritation in the neck can cause pain radiating from the neck to the shoulder and arm
- Myofascial pain syndrome / trigger points (tight muscles with muscle knots) can cause pain in varying locations of the shoulder depending on the muscle involved.
- Adhesive capulitis (frozen shoulder)
- Bursitis
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
Causes of shoulder pain as a result of some injury
ROTATOR CUFF INJURY
GLENOHUMERAL INJURY
IMPINGEMENT SYNDROME
BICEPS TENDON INJURY
ACROMIOCLAVICULAR JOINT INJURY
ACROMIOCLAVICULAR INJURY
LABRAL TEAR - Less common causes of shoulder pain included serious injury such as broken bone or ligament tear. Most of these injuries will present to the emergency department and not the chiropractors office. Shoulder pain may also be referred from organs such as the gall bladder, liver, heart, lungs or spleen. If your shoulder pain is suspected to be coming from your organs then we will refer you to your GP for further examination.
WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR SHOULDER PAIN?
Once we have determined the cause of your shoulder pain and if it is musculoskeletal (coming form muscles or joints) then a treatment plan is explained.
The cause of your shoulder pain will determine the treatment.
If the cause is coming from your neck, upper back or shoulder, then a combination of heat, massage and spinal correction (adjustment) is usually performed.
Our team of highly trained chiropractors are well experienced in managing shoulder pain.
Please call us if you would like to discuss your case further.
Otherwise you can book an appointment by calling our office on 54917743 or online.