Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain can be caused by muscular tension, overhead throwing, lifestyle factors, poor posture, improper bio-mechanics and stress.
Are you experiencing shoulder pain?
Shoulder pain is often the result of poor soft tissue function and muscular activation unless acute or overuse trauma has occurred. Poor breathing strategies can also contribute as they require certain muscles of the chest, shoulders, and neck to become overactive, causing pain within the neck, shoulders, arms, and hands.
We conservatively treat a variety of shoulder complaints at Michigan Complete Chiropractic & Rehab
Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder impingement is often accompanied by sharp pain in the front of the shoulder, especially when performing overhead activities or throwing.
Shoulder impingement is typically a result of muscular imbalance, improper muscular activation and abnormal movement/stabilization of the scapula (shoulder blade).
These factors lead to the acromion (a part of the shoulder blade) to pinch and irritate the rotator cuff muscles, most commonly the supraspinatus.
If left untreated shoulder impingement could lead to continued damage of the rotator cuff causing tendonits, bursitis or tearing.
2. Rotator Cuff Tendonitis or Tear
The rotator cuff consists of 4 main small muscle groups that provide stability and improve the overall function of the shoulder. The muscles include the infraspinatus, teres minor, supraspinatus, and subscapularis. Each muscle or muscle groups have a different function with the shoulder.
Rotator cuff injury leads to abnormal shoulder movement and compensations that further create the dysfunction within the shoulder joint.
Rotator Cuff Tear
Pain or inability to raise the arm
Sharp pain with rotation of the affected shoulder
Locking or catching sensations in the shoulder
Referred pain to the front or outside of the affected arm
Stiffness and a limited range of motion in the shoulder
Instability and a feeling of weakness in the shoulder
Popping or clicking sound in the shoulder
Tendonitis
Often characterized by a dull, achy feeling and is the result of overuse.
Swelling of the shoulder
Stiffness
3. Labral Tear
Its estimated that approximately 60 percent of the general population may have a shoulder labral tear. Athletes, especially baseball, softball, football, volleyball player and swimmers are even more susceptible due to the overhead nature of their sport. However, not all people with labral tears experience pain or symptoms.
The labrum is a thick fibrous “cup” that surrounds the head of your shoulder (humeral head). This provides the shoulder joint with added stability while still allowing for movement.
Repetitive activities, especially those overhead, and movements that require quick force through the shoulder can cause labral tears.
Pain and symptoms of a shoulder labral tear may include:
Sharp pain when raising the arm
Sharp pain with rotation of the affected shoulder
Locking or catching sensations in the shoulder
Referred pain to the front or outside of the affected arm
Stiffness and a limited range of motion in the shoulder
Instability and a feeling of weakness in the shoulder
A complete thorough evaluation is key!
You may have noticed many shoulder injuries mimic each other in how they feel and what symptoms may be present. Dr. Baldwin has gone through extensive schooling and extra-curricular training to be able to properly diagnose and treat injuries of the shoulder.
Dr. Kris will work with you and present you with the best possible treatment options for your shoulder injury. Shoulder injuries are often resolved through our conservative treatment approach and this should be attempted first before surgery. If the goals we set together are not achieved in a timely manor or the pain begins to worsen, advanced imaging (x-ray or MRI) or orthopedic consult may be warranted and will be discussed with you.
Chiropractic care for your shoulder injury:
Corrective exercises and end range loading techniques are beneficial in creating proper long lasting soft tissue changes and pain relief.
Dr. Kris uses active rehabilitation exercises to help provide adequate stabilization to the shoulder joint and scapulae to reduce strain on the labrum and rotator cuff.
The integration of these manual therapies can help manage or reduce pain and restore better function without the use of surgery.
Learn more about shoulder treatment options clicking the links below: