Until pain takes over, the shoulders may not receive much attention. When shoulder pain sets in, though, it compromises the ability to perform even simple tasks, which is a sign that you need help. The quicker you find out how chiropractic care can help with shoulder pain, the faster you can get back to living your life pain-free.
Shoulder pain is a common concern for many patients. Chiropractors work to adjust the spine to help the nerves going into the shoulder and adjust the other joints that relate to the shoulder. Instead of you taking pain relievers to mask the condition, a chiropractor treats the reason you are in pain.
Signs Chiropractic Care Is Needed
If your shoulder pain persists beyond a couple of days or the pain is reoccurring, it is time to discover how chiropractic care can help. Frequently, shoulder pain gets in the way of performing ordinary tasks, such as brushing hair or even reaching upward. If you can’t raise your arms without pain or carry objects, a chiropractor can help.
Causes for Shoulder Pain
Sometimes an injury causes shoulder pain. Other times, the pain and loss of range of motion are due to a chronic condition. Chiropractors work to discover the underlying issues causing your pain. Common problems include:
- Arthritis: Arthritis is a chronic condition. This swelling of the joints causes tenderness, pain, and stiffness. Arthritis often worsens as we get older. With arthritis, the cartilage between the joints breaks down.
- Tendonitis: The tendon that connects muscle to bone can become inflamed. This inflammation is often due to the tendon being overused or misused and is considered an injury.
- Bursitis: Bursitis is considered a chronic condition. Within the shoulders are sacs filled with fluid that cushion the joints. These sacs can become inflamed and cause swelling.
- Impingement: Impingement is a common shoulder problem for older adults who are active. This condition is related to bursitis and tendonitis.
- Frozen Shoulder Syndrome (Adhesive Capsulitis): Frozen shoulder is a disorder that causes stiffness, pain, and loss of motion in the shoulder. Sometimes this happens when a shoulder has to be immobilized following an injury.
Treatment of Shoulder Pain
During your consultation, your chiropractor will help you discover the underlying reason for your shoulder pain. At that point, we’ll work with you to help create a treatment plan that is customized to your needs.
- Adjustments: A chiropractor will manipulate and adjust the shoulder to reduce pain and inflammation. This adjustment may include the neck and back, as they relate to the shoulder pain. This adjustment restores motion into the joint, which can alleviate pressure on a nerve.
- Massage: Massage loosens shoulder muscles, and this will help alleviate shoulder stiffness.
- Acupuncture: Acupuncture works well to relieve inflammation and pain, as well as improve the range of motion.
- Diet: An anti-inflammatory diet can help relieve shoulder pain, as well. Some foods aggravate inflammation leading to shoulder pain. On the other hand, some foods work to suppress inflammation.
- Exercise: Specific exercises and stretches work to decrease pain in the joints. These exercises release tension in the muscles, build flexibility and increase the range of motion.
Find Relief for Your Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain, either from an injury or a chronic condition, doesn’t have to keep you from living the life you want or from performing ordinary tasks. Call Fletcher Chiropractic, located in Lincoln, Nebraska, to discover how we can set you on a path to living free from shoulder pain. We offer multiple treatment options, including adjustments, acupuncture, and nutritional counseling to alleviate inflammation.