Painful shoulder conditions that limit movement are very common, and are caused by injuries affecting the shoulder joint, muscles, tendons, ligaments and cartilage. It is possible to do more movements with the arm than with any other part of the body. The arm is such a useful tool that it’s a pity that there are only two of them! The shoulder joint in particular, being a universal joint, has a huge range of movement.
Since the nerves that supply the shoulder and arm originate from the neck and upper spine, conditions originating in the neck will commonly contribute to pain in the shoulder.
Chiropractors can assist with the following shoulder conditions:
- Frozen Shoulder
- Chronic Shoulder Pain and Stiffness
- Shoulder Muscle Spasm and Tension
- Arthritis of the Shoulder
- Diagnosis of Shoulder Pain
- Rotator Cuff Disorders such as tears and strains
- Impingement Syndrome
- AC Joint Injury
In order to determine the cause of your pain, your Chiropractor or Occupational Therapist will conduct a full physical, orthopaedic and neurological examination of the shoulder, cervical and thoracic spine. You may also be asked to perform shoulder range of motion and muscle strength tests. Where the pain is felt, both at rest and during movement of the shoulder, provides important clues as to the cause of the shoulder pain.
It may also be necessary to undergo specialized diagnostic tests such as XRay, Ultrasound and/or MRI scans.
Treatment of Shoulder Pain
Regardless of the cause, treatment of the shoulder complex requires an experienced healthcare practitioner who can test the movements and structures of the shoulder and come to an accurate diagnosis of the problem. [site_discipline] treatment and Occupational Therapy can then focus on the core problem.
The initial objective of all shoulder injuries is to relieve pain and inflammation.
As your shoulder begins to heal, it is vitally important to
- Restore range of movement,
- And later to improve muscle strength so as to stabilize the shoulder and help prevent further injury and aggravation.
Our healthcare practitioners at Langer Chiropractic and Soft Tissue Therapy in Wembley will be able to assist you with suitable shoulder range of motion exercises and shoulder strengthening and rehabilitation exercises during your recovery.