What most people call their ‘shoulder’ is actually a combination of joints, muscles, and tendons. Shoulder pain may be the result of a disease or an injury to the shoulder joint. This may affect the tendons, bursae, and ligaments surrounding the shoulder joint. An injury to the shoulder may even affect the bones of the joint, menisci (plural for meniscus), cartilage, and ligaments. If you look at the design of the shoulder joint, you will see that mobility is more important than stability. The shoulder is at risk for injury because it is an extremely mobile joint that is vitally important in the function of a major extremity. Shoulder pain is also possible with conditions or diseases that involve the nerves that supply sensations to the shoulder area, bones surrounding the shoulder, soft tissues, and the shoulder joint. Most of the shoulder problems fall under four major categories. These include:
- Fracture (broken bone)
- Arthritis
- Instability
- Tendon inflammation (bursitis or tendinitis) or tendon tear
How does chiropractic help shoulder pain?
While there is plenty of tissue that supports and surrounds the shoulder joint, it is possible for the shoulder joint to shift out of alignment with relative ease. This causes the ligaments and muscles to pull differently. This leads to pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms. Depending on the symptoms, a chiropractic adjustment can shift the shoulder joint forward, backward or distract it. This can be done through manual adjustment, a reflex-type hammer tool, or a drop table piece. It is also possible to help relieve shoulder discomfort by having both the neck and upper back adjusted as well. Moreover, a comprehensive shoulder pain treatment may also include ergonomic support in order to ensure that the person suffering from shoulder pain uses the correct posture throughout the day. It is possible to develop postural syndrome (shoulders rolling forward) if work or recreation involve long periods of sitting. With the correct posture, it may be possible to reduce the amount of shoulder pain as well.
How does massage therapy help shoulder pain?
A dislocated shoulder or torn rotator cuff would obviously lead to shoulder pain, but so might sitting in a single position for too long. If you experience shoulder pain, soreness, or stiffness, shoulder massage can really increase the range of motion. The reason for that is that the massaged muscles receive oxygen-rich nutrients because of the supply of fresh blood to the muscles. Especially a deep tissue massage that works against the grain of the muscles is able to provide relief for pain, stiffness, and tension. You can experience temporary relief from rubbing your own shoulder with your opposite hand, but this is no replacement for a professional massage therapist. Sometimes it is possible that you feel a contusion underneath the skin that gives way to the pressure, this indicates that the tissue and muscle adhesions responsible for the shoulder pain are breaking up. A qualified massage therapist can recommend the right amount of pressure to use in order to provide relief for the shoulder pain.
How does physiotherapy help shoulder pain?
Physiotherapy is about more than just alleviating the pain, it is about taking an encompassing approach to ensure that the pain does not return in the immediate future. This may include specific treatment or massage, but it may also mean paying attention to posture. Long-term posture issues or uncomfortable work positions can lead to shoulder pain that does not go away on its own. Even though it is possible to temporarily reduce the pain, the underlying issue (in this case poor posture or a non-ergonomic workspace) still needs to be addressed. A physiotherapist may recommend a number of different treatments, ranging from rest (allowing the acute inflammation to subside) to ice and heat application. It is also possible to recommend stretching and exercise. Both of these are able to provide long-term relief and can make the surrounding area stronger.
Why it is important to take action for shoulder pain?
Certain types of shoulder pain are going to go away on their own. Especially if you hyperextend or otherwise injure your elbow, chances are that the swelling or bruising is going to heal on its own. However, other times it may be indicative of serious injuries or chronic conditions that would need to be addressed. One of the ways that shoulder pain develops is if people are continuously using poor posture in their daily life or have poor form while exercising. Keep in mind that addressing shoulder pain is not merely about what you can do to alleviate the pain right away, but also about what you are able to do to ensure that the pain does not come back. If you want to take steps to reduce shoulder pain for good, visit Total Back Care today. Call 8357 8211 now to set up an appointment.
