SHOULDER PAIN

Once we have pain in our shoulder area, it can’t be avoided—precisely because our shoulders are part and parcel of the everyday movement that comes with being human. Pain in our shoulders can affect our ability to sleep, drive a car, carry a purse or grocery bag, push a stroller, or pull a golf cart. Shoulder pain is not easily avoided.

Overuse, over-loading, improper alignment during exercise and acute trauma following a fall or other accident are the most common causes of shoulder pain. But often, we find ourselves in pain for unknown reasons. Fortunately, no matter how they become injured, there are a variety of methods for healing our shoulders.

Symptoms Associated with a Shoulder Condition

Because the shoulder joint is highly mobile, it is also a bit unstable, leading to a variety of uncomfortable conditions. Painful movement when lifting the arm is the most common complaint associated with a shoulder injury. A decrease in range of motion or a “pinched” sensation, as well as a radiating, burning sensation shooting down the arm, are all common symptoms of a shoulder disorder.

Possible Causes of Shoulder Pain

Rotator Cuff Tendonitis – Rotator cuff muscles stabilize the shoulder joint and are often under heavy strain, making them the source of most injuries. Within this group of injuries, we see tendonitis, shoulder impingement, and sub-acromial bursitis.

  • Tendonitis is the inflammation of the muscle tendons, usually a symptom of overuse.
  • Impingement Syndrome is a fancy word for “pinching” of the rotator cuff bursa or tendons in the shoulder. When pinched between the head of the humerus (the shoulder’s ball-shaped bone) and the top of the shoulder blade (known as the acromion), inflammation is the result.
  • Bursitis is the inflammation of the shoulder bursa, the fluid-filled sac that reduces friction in the shoulder’s spaces. Although we have several bursae within the shoulder, the subacromial is the most commonly afflicted.

Treating Shoulder Pain Conditions

The shoulder, with its three bones—the clavicle, scapula, and humerus—as well as the numerous muscles, ligaments, bursae, and tendons, presents myriad areas for possible injury. At Cornerstone Wellness Center, shoulder pain is evaluated with a focus on the individual.

As previously mentioned, the majority of shoulder issues begin with inflammation, whether to the bursae, the ligaments, or the tendons. Chiropractic methods are extremely effective in treating inflammation and once brought under control, physiotherapy and joint manipulation can then be very effective in loosening up the related soft tissue, restoring flexibility, and alleviating pressure and friction.

Cornerstone Wellness Center participates in the Medicare DME (Durable Medical Equipment) program. The purpose of DME shoulder braces is to provide stability during the time it takes for the shoulder to undergo the rehabilitation process. Patient treatment outcomes can be vastly improved when DME is prescribed and utilized in combination with chiropractic care.

Any of the following therapies may be prescribed for your shoulder condition:

• Prolotherapy
• Physical Therapy
• Spinal Decompression
• Trigger Point Injection Therapy
• Chiropractic Adjustment
• Joint Injection Therapy
• Cold Laser Therapy
• DME Shoulder Brace

At Cornerstone Wellness Center, we will diagnose your condition and construct an individualized treatment plan to effectively and quickly get you back to living a pain-free life. We work with most insurance plans and our experienced staff can answer your questions and help coordinate the care you need.