Our shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in our body. It can move the arm freely in all directions and therewith makes our arms such valuable tools.
Shoulder health, therefore, is crucial to keep up your life in the way you want to live it.
To many of you, it may be surprising, but the functioning of the shoulder depends to a great degree on other structures. Your neck and your upper back play an immense role in shoulder function. Without their support, the shoulder can not function well, even though itself is completely healthy.
If you are experiencing shoulder pain, chiropractic care can relieve your symptoms and treat the cause, by addressing all structures linked to the shoulder.
In your daily routine or your work, you use your shoulders and arms to execute repetitive tasks. For example, if you perform manual labor and overhead reaching. But also, and very commonly, if you work on a computer all day: typing or using a mouse requires shoulder movement, in a repetitive manner.
The main risk in these repetitive tasks is overuse of the shoulder or commonly known as Tendinitis.
Indeed, frequent computer use puts tension upon the shoulder.
Tendonitis is an inflamed tendon. The tendon is the structure that links the muscle to the bone, allowing movement by contraction of the muscle. Tendonitis is induced by repetitive friction against a bony structure, creating swelling and pain.
You may encounter pain gradually, at first it will probably feel like tiredness in the shoulder at the end of the day. Later, the pain might become permanent, and aggravated during shoulder movements (especially up and down).
Often tendonitis is associated with neck or upper back tension. Improper postures – such as forward slumping of the neck and shoulders during prolonged sitting – stress the shoulder joint. From the shoulder and the neck, pain may migrate to the arm and hand. The lower back is also implicated. Maintaining the natural curvatures of the entire spine helps you keep your back straight, up to the neck and shoulders.
In this regard, a holistic approach is necessary. Treatment and prevention of tendonitis is possible through good posture and alignment of the neck and upper back.
The chiropractor will evaluate and correct all these structures surrounding the shoulder. Physical examination of the shoulder must be performed thoroughly and must involve postural evaluation, an inspection of the shoulder, ranges of motion and orthopedic tests. The diagnosis is based on the history of the patient and on these clinical findings.
We understand how shoulder pain can impede on your daily activities, causing growing frustration and anxiety. Physical activities become worrisome. Basic activities as lifting or moving objects are apprehended. It affects your whole social behavior.
Therefore, holistic care is essential in treating the shoulder not only because of its complex anatomic structure and mechanical function and its close relationship with structures adjacent to the shoulder – that is the neck and upper back – but also because of its impact on your daily life.
Through soft and non-invasive techniques, the chiropractor will reduce inflammation of the tendon and remove the triggering factors, restoring balance and allowing optimal recovery of the shoulder.