Shoulder Pain – Can Chiropractic Help with Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder Pain – Can Chiropractic Help with Shoulder Pain?

Painful shoulder problems are one of the most common reasons for chiropractic visits for musculoskeletal problems. The shoulder joint is the region of the body where the humerus attaches to the shoulder blade and the supporting muscles around the joint. The shoulder has the most movement of the major joints in the body. On the other hand, due to this large range of motion, it is relatively unstable and easily prone to injury. The head of the humerus (ball) is larger than the socket of the shoulder joint that supports it. To stabilize the shoulder joint, muscles, tendons and ligaments anchor the bones of the joint together. Overuse injuries, degenerative changes, and lack of use or exercise can all contribute to tissue breakdown, loss of function, and dysfunction of supporting muscles.

The shoulder is made up of three bony structures: the clavicle (clavicle), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the humerus (upper arm bone), as well as supporting muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The joints between the shoulder bones form the shoulder joints. The muscle groups and tendons that stabilize the shoulder are called the “rotator cuff.” These muscles include the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis, and hold the humerus (ball) in the glenoid fossa (socket).

There are many types of shoulder disorders. The aim of this article is to provide a broad overview of three different types and how chiropractic care can improve the health and function of the shoulder region.

Some signs that you may have a shoulder problem or shoulder pain and need further evaluation include: the inability to carry objects or use your arm without pain, pain when sleeping or at rest, persistent pain lasting more than a few days, inability to lift your arm, swelling or bruising in the shoulder area, redness, changes in joint size, or other obvious unusual changes in the shoulder area. The pain may be localized and only in and around the shoulder joint, or it may radiate down the arm and possibly into the hand or into the middle back and lower neck area. Sometimes gallbladder, liver or heart disease or cervical spine disease can cause pain that is transmitted to the shoulder via the various nerve pathways. However, shoulder blade pain or shoulder blade pain has a higher probability that the problem comes from the cervical spine.

A comprehensive examination should include a medical history, a complete physical examination, including orthopedic and neurological tests, and, if necessary, x-rays and possibly advanced imaging tests to determine the exact cause of pain. If there is a tear it could most likely be in one of the rotator cuff tendons, occasionally a tear can occur in one of the rotator cuff muscles. The supraspinatus tendon is the most commonly torn rotator cuff tendon. The orthopedic tests can help determine or isolate which tendon or tendons and muscles (in a serious injury) may be injured.

Some of the shoulder pain I see in my practice is arthritis, referred pain secondary to cervical disc degeneration, and frozen shoulder. In rare cases, shoulder pain can be caused by a pathology or tumor in the body.

arthritis

Arthritic shoulder pain is not as common as the other types. It is usually progressive and develops slowly over time. The shoulder joint area may be tender, swollen and stiff when it worsens. The shoulder joint can be affected by both rheumatism and osteoarthritis. Joint degeneration, or “wear and tear,” is progressive wear and tear of the cartilage on the bony surfaces of the joint, exposing bare bone. Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is a systemic disease that causes inflammation of the lining of the joints. Over time, this inflammation can invade and destroy cartilage and bone. Gentle chiropractic mobilization of the shoulder and spine, accompanied by stretching and strengthening of the surrounding muscles, can help with inflammation and improve shoulder joint function. Maintaining strength in the shoulder muscles can prevent further atrophy and potentially slow further degenerative changes. In severe cases, joint replacement surgery may be an option. Diet changes and supplements may also be beneficial.

Neck pain or degeneration

Shoulder pain can occur as a result of degeneration or injury to the cervical or thoracic spine. Degenerative discs narrow the joint space between two vertebrae, causing increased irritation and pinching of the nerves in the neck or mid-back area. These nerves leave the neck or upper back area and go into the shoulders and arms or supply nerves to the muscles around the shoulder girdle. This type of damage can result in radiating pain to the shoulder area. Sometimes shoulder pain is actually due to problems in the neck or a mix of several different problems. Neck pain as a result of a degenerative change is relatively common. The pain may radiate or spread into the shoulder blade or down the arm. Patients may experience arm or shoulder discomfort such as pain or weakness as a result of nerve root compression. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a type of advanced imaging used to determine whether the discs are injured or being tampered with. Symptoms may include neck pain, pain around the back of the shoulder blades, arm discomfort such as pain, numbness or weakness, and rarely difficulty with hand dexterity or walking. Treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease produces good to excellent results in over 75% of patients. A multidisciplinary approach includes: Chiropractic adjustments, which can help reduce muscle spasms and improve mobility. Heat and exercise can also help improve function and stabilize the degenerative area. In severe cases, surgery may be an option.

Frozen shoulder

The correct term for frozen shoulder is adhesive capsulitis. The shoulder capsule and connective tissue around the shoulder joint become inflamed and very stiff. The tissues then begin to grow together, forming abnormal bands of tissue called adhesions. These adhesions cause limited range of motion or movement and chronic pain. The pain is often felt deep in the shoulder joint and can be worse at night. The exact cause of frozen shoulder is not yet certain. It can be very painful and disabling and patients are sometimes slow to recover. Chiropractic care may have a few applications when it comes to frozen shoulder. It can be preventive by maintaining mobility of the joint, as well as lifestyle changes with a healthy diet and exercise, which can reduce the likelihood of frozen shoulder occurring. Certain diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases can affect the mobility of the joints over time. If you're able to move well, you might also age well. Chiropractic care can help stimulate physical health and can offset the common discomforts often associated with aging. As a treatment, chiropractors generally do not use anesthetics when treating frozen shoulder. Instead, they use a variety of techniques to manage the pain and restore range of motion and function in the shoulder. Chiropractors often use heat and cold to relieve pain and perform gentle chiropractic mobilization of the shoulder and spine, accompanied by stretching and strengthening of the muscles around the shoulder.

This is a very general overview of three types of shoulder pain. Treatment varies from person to person and may include: chiropractic care, massage therapy, and in severe cases, surgery. The response to treatment and the length of time it may last varies from person to person and depends on the extent of the damage. Chiropractic can be a safe, gentle and effective approach to help with shoulder pain. As with any type of health problem, it is recommended to see your doctor for a more detailed assessment and examination for a more precise individual treatment recommendation.

Inspired by Dr Stacey Burke