Your shoulder is the most flexible joint in your body, and when it hurts, it can affect every area of your life, from work to leisure to getting a good nights sleep.
Shoulder pain can vary in intensity from mildly annoying to painfully debilitating. Whether your pain is acute due to an injury or has developed slowly over time, it’s important to determine and treat the cause of the pain and not just mask the symptoms.
Typically, shoulder pain is the result of 5 issues:
Tendon inflammation (bursitis or tendinitis) or tear
Instability (separation or dislocation)
Referral neck or back pain
Arthritis
Fracture
It’s important to get a proper diagnosis, with an understanding of your medical history including any injuries or daily activities that may have caused the pain. You also may be required to have imaging done; such as x-rays, ultrasound or an MRI.
Approximately 90% of people with shoulder pain do not require surgery.[1] The most common treatments may include:
Resting the shoulder area
Ice or compression to help reduce inflammation
Ultrasound
Cold LASER therapy
Stretching and muscle building exercises
A chiropractic adjustment of the shoulder area and spine may be helpful to ensure that your body is in proper alignment. When you experience pain or discomfort, your body naturally reacts by overcompensating in another, and your shoulder pain might be causing other symptoms elsewhere in your body.
Be wary of masking the pain with anti-inflammatory medicine, as this may cause a false feeling of relief and further injury may occur.
If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, please reach out to us, we’re here to help: 519-258-8544
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