Painful shoulder conditions that limit movement are prevalent and are caused by injuries affecting the shoulder joint, muscles, tendons, ligaments and cartilage.
Doing more movements with the arm than with any other body part is possible. The arm is such a helpful tool that it’s a pity that only two of them exist!
The bones that make up the arm include the humerus, in the upper arm, and the two bones of the forearm, the radius and ulna, as well as the little bones of the wrist, hand and fingers. The arm is very special as it enables the hand to get into all sorts of useful positions. The shoulder joint in particular, being a universal joint, has a huge range of movement. The hand can go above the head, behind the back and even across to scratch behind the other shoulder. The elbow works like a hinge joint, allowing the hand to come nearer or go further away from the body. The elbow and wrist combined allow manipulation of the hand through more than 180 degrees i.e. from palm up to palm down, the wrist helps with grip, whilst the joints in the hand, thumb and fingers allow the dexterity of finger movement.
Since the nerves that supply the shoulder and arm originate from the neck and upper spine, conditions such as Vertebral Dysfunction commonly contribute to shoulder pain.
Chiropractors can assist with the following shoulder conditions:
To determine the cause of your pain, your Chiropractor will conduct a full physical, orthopaedic, and neurological examination of the shoulder, cervical, and thoracic spine.
You will be asked to perform shoulder range of motion and muscle strength tests. Where the pain is felt, both at rest and during shoulder movement, provides vital clues as to the cause of the shoulder pain.
Signs of Shoulder Pain may include;
It may also be necessary to undergo specialized diagnostic tests, such as X-ray, Ultrasound, and/or MRI scans.
Regardless of the cause, treatment of the shoulder complex requires an experienced Chiropractor who can test the shoulder's movements and structures and make an accurate diagnosis. Chiropractic treatment can then focus on the core problem.
The initial objective of all shoulder injuries is to relieve pain and inflammation.
Whilst many doctors will recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain and swelling, the benefit obtained by applying ice packs can be equally, if not more, beneficial.
As your shoulder begins to heal, it is vitally important to
A thorough examination with the team at Brainstorm may uncover the cause of your shoulder pain syndrome. Check out our services at https://www.brainstormrehab.com.au/peak-performance.html
