Can Colorado Springs Chiropractic Treatment Help Shoulder Pain?

admin — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 22:20:59 +0000

The complexity of the shoulder joint allows it to achieve many different motions and activities. The shoulder bones, i.e., the scapula, clavicle and humerus, are fastened together by ligaments and nearly 20 different muscles. The principal articulation, the glenohumeral joint, is joined by ligaments and a group of muscles (and their tendon attachments) known as the rotator cuff. Problems with the rotator cuff are usual causes of shoulder pain and disability. As with other joints, shoulder problems can be created by trauma such as sports injuries, mechanical dysfunction due to imbalances in the muscles, or by wear and tear of the tissues surrounding the joint. Arthritic changes do happen in the shoulder joint, though not as commonly as in the weight-bearing joints of the spine, hips and knees.

Anatomy

Problems in the shoulder often begin 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 irritated, the shoulder muscles can become tight or weak producing dysfunction in the ordinary mechanics of the joint, principally in the rotator cuff. A similar problem can occur if one overburdens the shoulder in sports such as tennis and golf, or in other repetitive activities that cause the muscles of the joint to become overly tight or strained. Many persons are at risk of developing imbalance and shoulder problems if they sit too often in a slouched position, or with their shoulders held forward.

Rotator Cuff Syndrome

Pain and restricted motion will continue to occur until the imbalances and irritation are rectified. The severity can vary from a slight “catching” or pain to an almost total inability to use the shoulder. This painful predicament is often called Shoulder Impingement or Rotator Cuff Syndrome, and can afflict people of all ages.

Frozen Shoulder

“Frozen shoulder” is another common predicament.Extreme inflamation of the ligaments and tendons of the glenohumeral joint can cause adhesions to oocur almost sticking the joint together, thus producing crippling of the shoulder. This results in accute pain, as well as limitation of shoulder motion that makes it difficult for some individuals to even get dressed! Attention from a professional, such as your Colorado Springs Chiropractor is crucial because if ignored, frozen shoulder could take several years to heal if it heals at all. There are many other conditions of the shoulder but those mentioned above are easily the most common.

Treatment

The treatment of most symptoms of the shoulder is generally the same. Muscle imbalances can be resolved with chiropractic treatment from your Colorado Springs Chiropractor 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 chiropractor are also vital for a completeand quick recovery.

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Can Colorado Springs Chiropractic Treatment Help Shoulder Pain?