The shoulder is an extremely mobile joint. This incredible mobility allows us to perform many different feats, such as throwing, swimming, lifting objects, and tons of other motions.
However, because this joint is so mobile, it is very vulnerable to injury. Many athletes (and sedentary individuals) experience shoulder pain and dysfunction every year.
For this reason, It’s critical that we develop treatment methods and strategies that will keep the shoulder healthy and stable.
In this article, we will examine how chiropractic care can help with shoulder injuries and pain.
The Shoulder Region
The shoulder is a complex, multipart joint. In fact, there are many different “joints” that fall within the shoulder joint as a whole.
For instance, the sternoclavicular, scapulothoracic, and glenohumeral joints can all be considered as part of the shoulder. These joints all work together to enable us to perform upper body movements. When even one of these joints isn’t pulling its weight, we can often experience pain and other issues.
Each of these joints is supported by various types of tissues such as ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and muscles. Not to mention, there are multiple nerves, arteries, and veins that all pass through the shoulder region in order to reach their targets.
Shoulder Injuries
There are a variety of injuries that can affect the shoulder region. One of the most common shoulder injuries is a rotator cuff injury (commonly referred to as a rotator cuff tear).
Rotator cuff tears occur when one or more of the four rotator cuff tendons become damaged in some way. Often, these injuries stem from sports or activities. However, in some rare cases, rotator cuff tears can occur due to the use of certain medications or for unknown reasons.
In many instances, rotator cuff tears can be managed with exercise and other non-invasive treatments. That being said, many patients will pursue surgical corrections for rotator cuff injuries.
Who is At Risk for Shoulder Injuries?
Unfortunately, shoulder injuries can affect anyone, at any time. Athletes, especially those who participate in overhead sports are at high risk for injuring their shoulders. However, even those who work a desk job may experience shoulder pain. This often occurs due to poor posture that is maintained for many hours, days, weeks, and months on end.
By improving posture, strength, and stability in the shoulder and neck region, most people can overcome shoulder injuries. Furthermore, chiropractic care can help significantly with these shoulder-related issues.
General Shoulder Pain
Outside of specific shoulder injuries, many patients experience generalized shoulder pain.
The nervous system is involved with pain processing to a high degree. Nerves carry pain signals to the brain via the spinal cord. From there, the brain sends out signals to the painful tissue.
As you can see, the spine plays a major role in both sending and receiving signals related to pain. When the spine is out of alignment, it is unable to carry these signals very efficiently.
Chiropractic Care for Shoulder Pain
Because pain signals travel through the spinal cord, maintaining proper alignment in this structure is essential. In fact, when a person has a subluxation in his or her spine, pain can often be magnified, and it can be difficult to heal from injuries.
Chiropractors perform treatments known as manipulations or adjustments, which can realign the spine. For those suffering from shoulder pain, manipulations can often lead to decreased symptoms and improved outcomes.
Are you experiencing shoulder pain that just won’t seem to go away, no matter what you do? Try chiropractic care! Our expert team at Awaken Chiropractic, the go-to Parker chiropractors, can help you today. Book your appointment today.
