Most people associate chiropractic care with adjustments of the neck and spine, consequently visiting a chiropractor’s office only when seeking relief from acute or chronic neck and back pain. Those familiar with the many benefits of this therapy, however, know that chiropractors are trained to identify and adjust issues in the extremities as well, including knees, elbows, and shoulders.
In fact, shoulder injuries are one of the more common issues we see in patients. That’s because even though the shoulder is the most flexible joint in the human body, it is also one of the most unstable and most prone to injury, sustaining more injuries on average than almost all other parts of the body.
Comprised of multiple joints and various soft tissues, the muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the shoulder are especially susceptible to injury. Athletes and other individuals who frequently use their arms and shoulders in a repetitive overhead motion tend to put increased stress on the joint. Overuse injuries, especially when combined with excessive strain and improper technique or motion are common. Falls and other accidents are a major cause of traumatic shoulder pain.
Strains and tears in the tendons, muscles, and ligaments around the shoulder joint can lead to muscle spasms, inflammation and nagging discomfort, or more serious issues that cause debilitating pain, affect strength and dramatically limit mobility.
The most common reasons for shoulder pain are:
- Bursitis/Tendinitis
- Rotator Cuff Injuries
- Shoulder Dislocations
- Frozen Shoulder
- Strains & Sprains
When surgery is not needed but the patient wants to take a more proactive approach to healing, relief can often be found through chiropractic manipulation and other therapies like dry needling, massage, electrical pulse stimulation and exercises designed to strengthen the tissues surrounding the injury.
Whatever the cause of your intermittent or chronic shoulder pain, chiropractic can help relieve discomfort, speed healing and identify ways to prevent future injuries. Call Dynamic Sports Medicine to discover a variety of options to give you relief from shoulder pain.