Why Does My Shoulder Hurt?
Shoulder pain may not be as common as lower back or neck pain, but it can still be debilitating and affect your quality of life. The shoulder is the main intersection between your arm and torso and has dozens of muscles, ligaments, and tendons working together to provide a normal range of motion.
Any disruption of this mechanism can result in pain, stiffness, and even a decreased range of motion in your arm and neck. At St. Johns Chiropractic & Performance, we often see patients with shoulder pain, but the underlying root is suboptimal neck mechanics that alter the signals from the brain to the shoulder. Either way, chiropractic services can help alleviate the issue.
We generally define two types of pain, depending on the duration. Acute pain usually doesn’t last for more than six weeks, while chronic shoulder pain can last for months, and may indicate something more serious than a muscle strain.
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What Causes Shoulder Pain?
As with any type of joint pain, shoulder pain can be due to several different factors. The most common causes of shoulder pain include:
- Rotator cuff tendonitis, where the bony area of the shoulder traps the rotator cuff tendons, resulting in tendon irritation and inflammation
- Inflammation of the bursa that normally protects the shoulder joint
- Injuries of nearby muscles, such as the biceps or deltoids
- Poor posture that affects your shoulder and neck mechanics
In many cases, shoulder pain is a symptom of an underlying condition in another part of the body, such as the lungs or the neck. Referred pain can be difficult to diagnose, but a clue that you’re experiencing referred pain is that it doesn’t change in intensity, regardless of whether you use or don’t use the shoulder.
It’s also important to remember that shoulder pain may not be due to something “broken” but a warning sign that your current actions need correcting.
How Chiropractic Treatment Prevents Shoulder Pain
Shoulder chiropractic near St. Johns, FL can help relieve current shoulder pain or prevent it from happening at all. In many cases, shoulder pain is a warning sign of poor body mechanics, and addressing these underlying concerns can go a long way to keeping your shoulder joint healthy and functional.
Your chiropractor will identify potential areas of concern, such as poor posture, that can lead to pain and provide stretches and exercises to fix these concerns before they cause discomfort and pain. Other common recommendations include the following:
- Building muscle strength and flexibility in the area
- Lifting with good technique, especially on exercises that put pressure on the shoulder, such as bench presses, dips, and shoulder raises
- Maintaining a healthy weight to avoid additional strain on sensitive joints
- Practicing good posture
- Creating an ergonomic workspace, which includes having the desk and monitor at the correct height and distance
How We Treat Shoulder Pain at St. Johns Chiropractic & Performance
At St. Johns Chiropractic & Performance, we believe in a holistic approach that addresses the underlying causes of your pain. Rather than creating short-term solutions, we’ll work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that provides long-lasting relief and improved quality of life.
We start any consultation with a formal examination that may include MRI scans or X-rays to help us reach a diagnosis. Once we’ve identified the root cause of your pain, we’ll use several techniques that may include:
- Neck and shoulder alignment to ensure your clavicle, shoulder, and scapula align correctly.
- Myofascial release to relax tight muscles that may impinge on nerves, as well as releasing the fascia to restore your muscle’s range of motion.
- Take-home stretches and exercises to strengthen your shoulder and prevent future injury and discomfort.
Schedule an Appointment | Chiropractic Care for Shoulder Pain
Whether you recently sustained a shoulder injury or have chronic shoulder pain that has affected your overall comfort levels, St. Johns Chiropractic & Performance in St. Johns, FL, is here to help. Our caring team will develop a personalized treatment plan that will address your unique situation and provide long-lasting pain relief.
Schedule a consultation using our convenient online booking system that lets you choose your practitioner and specific treatment, or contact us at (904) 217-7078 today!
