Shoulder Pain Treatment


shoulder pain chiropracticShoulder pain can have a number of different causes, ranging from an injury like a car accident, to a chronic problem like arthritis. Patients who experience pain  in the shoulder may be surprised by the intensity and duration of the pain. The shoulder area is so essential for completing daily activities that it makes sense that the shoulder injury should be taken seriously and treated to avoid worsening your condition. It is more likely that you will have problems with your shoulder the older you get. Shoulder pain is more common in people who are age 60 or more. The reason for this is that the soft tissue adjacent to the shoulder have a tendency to degenerate with age. If you use the shoulder too much, it can also cause faster breakdown of the soft tissue. Doing things such as playing sports and doing manual labor may also be the cause of shoulder problems.

Symptoms

Some signs that shoulder pain needs immediate attention may include a decreased ability to hold objects, decreased functioning of the arm, pain that persists even while at rest, pain that lasts more than a day or two, and unusual twinges or aches in the shoulder area.

Diagnosis

Chiropractic care can be an extremely effective treatment for shoulder pain regardless of its cause. A chiropractor will often begin with an examination of the patient’s neck area since shoulder pain can frequently be the result of “referred” pain from the neck. Whether the shoulder pain is connected to the neck or is limited to the lower part of the shoulder, it can generally be treated with non-invasive methods of natural healing such as chiropractic care.

Treatment

Care for an injured shoulder may include application of heat, application of ice packs, gentle manipulation from the chiropractor to help the shoulder return to its original state of functionality, and gentle stretching and strengthening exercises that the patient can perform at home.