Shoulder pain can have a number of different causes, ranging from an injury like a car accident, to a chronic problem like arthritis. Patients who experience shoulder pain may be surprised by the intensity and duration of the pain. The shoulder area is so essential for completing daily activities that it makes sense that the shoulder pain injury should be taken seriously and treated to avoid making your condition worse.
Chiropractors seek to diagnose and treat shoulder pain using gentle and drug-free methods. The goal with chiropractic care for shoulder pain is to assess the origin of the pain and improve the nerve flow to the area by aligning spine and shoulder girdle if necessary. This helps to improve bring the patient’s shoulder and spinal range of motion; bringing back full function while reducing and eliminating the pain caused by the injury.
Symptoms
Some signs that shoulder pain needs immediate attention may include a decreased ability to hold objects,
decreased functioning of the arm, shoulder pain that persists even while at rest, shoulder pain that lasts
more than a day or two, and unusual twinges or aches in the shoulder area. Occasionally the pain may even
affect the lower arm or hand or loss of sensation such as numbness or tingling.
Diagnosis
A chiropractor will often begin with an examination of the patient’s neck area since shoulder or arm pain can frequently be the result of “referred” pain from the neck. Whether the shoulder pain is connected to the neck or is limited to the lower part of the shoulder, it can generally be treated with non-invasive methods of natural healing such as chiropractic care. Chiropractic care can be an extremely effective treatment for shoulder pain regardless of its cause.
Treatments
Care for shoulder pain may include application of ice and gentle alignments from the chiropractor to help the shoulder return to its original state of functionality. Soft tissue changes may require gentle stretching and strengthening exercises that the patient can perform at home.