Chiropractic Treatment for Shoulder Pain

One of the many conditions that chiropractors treat is shoulder pain. The shoulder is a complex structure made up of several joints and many muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Pain in the shoulder can be caused by many different things so the first thing that needs to be done is determine the cause of the pain and then determine the tissues that are involved.

The main shoulder joint is the joint between the humerus, which is the upper arm bone, and the scapula or shoulder blade. There is also a joint between the scapula and the clavicle or collar bone. There is also a significant amount of movement that occurs between the scapula and rib cage. This is not a true joint but it is an important part of the shoulder complex.

Since the area that we call our shoulder can be anywhere between the neck and the upper arm, the specific area where the pain is felt is important in determining the cause of the pain. If the pain is closer to the neck or in the shoulder blade area it is likely being felt in the muscles of that area which control movements of the head, scapula, and arm. This type of pain is often caused by repetitive movements or poor posture and ergonomics. It can also stem from problems with the movement of the joints of the spine in the neck and upper back which cause these muscles to become tight and sore.

If the pain is felt more toward the outside of the shoulder, closer to the arm, it is more likely a problem in the tendons or ligaments of the shoulder joints. This type of pain usually arises from traumatic injury to the area, such as a sports injury, or from dysfunction in the joint movement which can cause the tendons to get pinched between the bones. The pinching of the tendons is called impingement and is a common cause of pain when raising the arm up or doing activities with the arms above the head.

One other possible cause of shoulder pain is injury to the discs of the spine which can lead to pressure on the nerves which leave the spinal cord in the area of the neck and upper back and travel across the shoulder and down the arm. This is commonly known as a disc bulge or disc herniation and can cause pain in the shoulder and even down the arm and hand.

Whatever the cause or the pain or the structures involved, chiropractic is an effective method of treatment. Chiropractors are experts in determining the cause of the pain and in treating muscle and joint injuries. Some injuries may be more serious and may require surgery. Your chiropractor will be able to determine the severity of your injury and will refer you to the proper provider if necessary. If you or anyone you know is experiencing shoulder pain, I urge you to seek treatment from your chiropractor.

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