If you are experiencing shoulder pain not relieved by at-home treatments, it may be time to see a chiropractor. A chiropractor can provide a more comprehensive evaluation of your condition and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Chiropractic care may include manual adjustments, massage, and exercises to strengthen the muscles and ligaments around the shoulder joint.

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

Various factors, including age, injury, and overuse, can cause shoulder pain. Aging leads to wear and tear on the tendons, muscles, and joints, which can cause pain. Injury can occur due to a fall, sports, or car accident. Overuse occurs when people repeatedly use the same muscles without giving them time to rest, leading to inflammation.

Chiropractors help to identify the cause of shoulder pain and provide treatment options.

Shoulder pain is a common complaint, and there are many potential causes. Chiropractors are trained to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions, so they can often help to identify the source of shoulder pain and recommend treatment options.

Rotator Cuff Injuries as a Cause of Shoulder Pain

Rotator cuff injuries are some of the most common causes of shoulder pain. A rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that attach the shoulder blade to the upper arm bone. These muscles and tendons help to lift the arm and stabilize the shoulder joint. A rotator cuff injury can occur due to overuse, repetitive motions, or direct trauma to the area. Symptoms of a rotator cuff injury may include:

• pain when lifting the arm
• pain when lying on the affected side
• weakness in the arm
• a creaking or popping sensation when moving the shoulder

Chiropractors can often help treat rotator cuff injuries through manipulation, the release of soft tissue, and exercises. Manipulation of the shoulder joint can help to restore normal movement and function. Gentle tissue release techniques, such as massage, can help to loosen tight muscles and improve the range of motion. Exercises prescribed by a chiropractor can help to strengthen the muscles and prevent further injury.

Another common cause of shoulder pain is impingement syndrome. This occurs when the tendons of the rotator cuff muscles become irritated and inflamed as they rub against the shoulder bones. This can occur due to overuse, repetitive motions, or even poor posture. Symptoms of impingement syndrome may include pain when lifting the arm, pain when sleeping on the affected side, and weakness in the arm.

Chiropractic treatment for impingement syndrome often includes manipulation of the shoulder joint, the release of soft tissue, and exercises. Manipulation can help to restore normal movement and function to the shoulder. Gentle tissue release techniques can help to reduce inflammation and improve the range of motion. Exercises prescribed by a chiropractor can help stretch, strengthen the muscles, and improve posture.

Shoulder Pain in Everett: When to See Us

If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, seeing a chiropractor is essential for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. Chiropractors are trained to identify the source of your pain and provide a customized treatment plan to address your specific needs.

Various shoulder injuries can cause pain, and an accurate diagnosis is vital for appropriate treatment. A chiropractor at Everett Spine and Rehab will take a comprehensive history and perform a thorough physical examination to determine the source of your pain. Once the cause of your pain is specified, we will develop a treatment plan to help reduce your pain and improve your shoulder function.

You use your rotator cuff when you put away the dishes, swing a baseball bat or tennis racket, or even putting on a jacket – so it should be no surprise that rotator cuff injury is the most common cause of shoulder pain.

What happens if you injure your rotator cuff? How would you even know if you do? Here’s what you need to know about rotator cuff injuries.

Rotator Cuff Injury: Causes

Rotator cuff injuries vary in severity, from minor degeneration (which causes a dull, aching sensation) to tears (which can be much more painful). There is no one specific cause behind rotator cuff injury, but there are a few facts that can increase your risk. These include:

Age: Your rotator cuff degenerates naturally over time, and people over 60 are most at risk of being injured.

Occupation: Landscapers, construction workers, or anyone with a job that requires repetitive arm motions (particularly overhead) will lead to faster and greater damage to the rotator cuff.

Family history: Like many physical conditions, your genetic makeup does play a role in how durable your rotator cuff will be. Rotator cuff injuries tend to occur more often among certain families.

Lifestyle: You might have a greater risk of rotator cuff injury if you engage in certain lifestyle behaviors. For example, individuals who are particularly active (especially with sports like tennis or baseball) or even people who sleep on the same side every night put greater strain on their rotator cuffs and can suffer injuries more easily.

Symptoms

Every day, your body gives you little signs that help you effectively care for it. When you need to eat, you feel hungry. When you hurt yourself, you feel the pain. But how do you know when a pain in your shoulder is something more serious, like a rotator cuff injury?

According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common symptoms associated with rotor cuff injuries include:

• A dull ache in the shoulder, severe enough to disturb sleep
• Difficulty reaching behind you (for example, while combing your hair)
• Weakness in the arm

These symptoms are clear signs that your doctor should evaluate your shoulder and check for rotator cuff damage.

Rotator Cuff Injury Treatments

Once your doctor has confirmed your rotator cuff injury, it’s time to start thinking about treatment. While surgery to repair or replace the tendons is available for the most severe cases, most people will be able to recover from their injuries with a simple regimen of ice, rest, and physical therapy.

A physical therapist or chiropractor can guide you through exercises that will strengthen your shoulder muscles and help you restore flexibility. Before long, you’ll be using your shoulders without pain once again! Look to Everett Spine & Rehab for a complete one-stop shop for all things rehab regarding injury. We not only have physical therapists on deck, but chiropractors as well. You’ll feel assured that your health is in good hands–call us at 425-347-8614 to schedule your appointment or stop by our Everett chiropractic and physical therapy office. Walk-ins are welcome!

One of the Most Mobile Joints in the Body
The shoulder joint is actually quite shallow, with most of its support coming from muscles, tendons and ligaments. The design of the shoulder makes it one of the most mobile joints in the body – but this mobility also makes it quite easy to injure the joint.

Some of the most common shoulder injuries include:

Rotator Cuff Injuries
The rotator cuff is made up of many small muscles and tendons, allowing for a wide range of motion and ensuring the stability of the joint. The rotator cuff can be torn through injuries, like auto accident injuries or sports injuries. It can also become inflamed through repetitive motion injuries.

Frozen Shoulder
Shoulder pain can be severe enough to cause an individual to stop using the shoulder altogether. If the shoulder remains immobile for too long, adhesions can form that further inhibit movement – making it even harder to use the shoulder.

Bursitis
Bursas are sacs filled with fluid that help the joint to glide smoothly, lessening friction and maintaining mobility of the joint. Bursas can become inflamed, leading to pain when using the shoulder.

Dislocations

Because the shoulder joint is so shallow, it is more easily dislocated than most joints in the body. Dislocations can happen repeatedly, further damaging the joint and making it more painful and difficult to use.

Effective Treatments for Shoulder Pain
We offer a number of effective treatments to help you recover the use of your shoulder, gain mobility, strengthen the joint, reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Some of these treatments include:

Manual Adjustments
Your chiropractor can gently guide your shoulder back into place and use a variety of techniques to encourage proper movement and full range of motion.

Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
Physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises are one of the best ways to heal your injury and prevent further injuries. We can give you appropriate exercises based on your injuries, exercises that will make your shoulder stronger over time.

Massage Therapy
Massage therapy can help to relieve muscle tension, reduce pain and improve range of motion. By relieving tension, massage therapy can also help your shoulder joint remain in its proper position.

Schedule an Appointment with your Everett Chiropractor
Chiropractic care is not just for back pain. Are you suffering from shoulder pain or a shoulder injury? If so, please contact us and let us know. Call (425) 347-8614 today to schedule your appointment at Everett Spine & Rehab! We service Snohomish County cities–Everett, Mill Creek, Marysville, Bothell, Lake Stevens and beyond.