Get Shoulder Pain Relief, Now
By: Dr. Tiffany T. Butler | February 1, 2023 | Read Time: 8 minutes
“Ever heard of your shoulder girdle? Welcome to your secret weapon for a beautiful upper body.” (Unknown)
The 3rd most common complaint I see in practice is shoulder pain. Like the spine, the shoulder plays a significant role in our ability to perform activities of daily living. Just think about it. Without good shoulder function, it would be difficult to perform complex tasks such as – bathing/showering, cooking, and driving, just to name a few.
Depending on what is causing your shoulder pain will oftentimes determine what course of treatment procedure(s) are most appropriate. Like other joints of the body, the shoulder consists of both hard and soft tissue structures that can be damaged or injured thus leading to different conditions such as dislocation, fracture, tendonitis, bursitis, adhesive capsulitis, arthritis, and joint dysfunction.
If there is an injury to the shoulder joint, instability is usually present due to the soft tissue structures being overstretched causing muscle strain and/or ligament sprain. When these structures are stretched beyond their elasticity capacity it can result in a separation of the tendon or ligament from the bone leading to dislocation.
The first sign of defense by the body when there is an injury, or infection is inflammation. Inflammation is a natural response by the immune system. As you move through the various stages of soft tissue healing, you want to ensure that you are taking the correct steps to ensure the best outcome so as to not make the shoulder pain chronic or debilitating. If you are not sure how to rehab your shoulder injury, consult with a healthcare provider such as a chiropractor and/or medical physician for treatment and guidance.
If your shoulder pain is caused by joint dysfunction, muscle strain, ligament sprain, or an overuse injury such as tendonitis or bursitis, you may benefit from chiropractic care.
Here’s how chiropractic care may help to alleviate your shoulder pain.
After conducting a medical history review, and physical examination; additional testing including an x-ray or MRI may be ordered to assess the shoulder joint for abnormalities such as joint degeneration or damage such as tears. If there are no fractures, dislocations, and/or infections present in the shoulder region; and your injuries do not require surgical intervention, then therapy is usually the next step.
Since chiropractors are neuromusculoskeletal specialists, who focus on diagnosing, managing, and treating soft tissue conditions such as the neck, back, and other joint dysfunction, they are equipped to assist you with recovery from your shoulder pain and shoulder injury. In addition to providing chiropractic adjustments to the shoulder joints and the associated areas (the cervical and/or thoracic spine), the chiropractor may also provide therapeutic procedures such as cold/ice therapy, electrical muscle stimulation, rehab exercises, and stretches, as well as balance and coordination training – the goal is to reduce pain; minimize inflammation and swelling; improve joint stability; and restore normal biomechanics to the shoulder joint.
In practice, I’ve treated hundreds of shoulder injuries. From my clinical experience the patients who’ve had the most improvements from their shoulder injuries are those who sought care for shoulder pain sooner rather than later; and who were compliant with the recommended care plan. Early intervention is the key to progressing. If you have shoulder pain don’t wait until it gets worse to seek help, the longer the shoulder pain persists, it can become chronic, debilitating, and weaker, and you can lose the function of the shoulder joint.
Bottom Line: Whomever, you decide to seek shoulder pain relief, it is imperative that your treatment plan consists of 4 things: 1) open and closed chain exercises; 2) static and dynamic stretches; 3) joint mobilization; and 4) balance and coordination activities. This is key to restoring normal muscle balance within the shoulder region, and to reducing your risks of shoulder re-injury. Depending on the severity and duration of shoulder pain, you may need a healthcare team consisting of different healthcare providers and professionals working together to ensure you achieve maximum results.
Dr. Tiffany T. Butler (aka “The Pain Doctor”) is a chiropractor, author, and entrepreneur. She leads Harmonious Living Chiropractic: Fitness & Wellness Center, a pain management practice, in offering healthcare solutions that focus on patient-centered care. Her team consists of individuals who are passionate about improving patient outcomes by providing chiropractic care, in conjunction with therapeutic procedures. Their services have helped hundreds of people find pain relief and improved their quality of life. To learn more about Dr. Butler visit https://www.drtiffanybutler.com/dr-butler/ Connect with Dr. Butler on social media #drtiffanybutler
