Shoulder Pain Causes and Treatment

Reaching for your phone on your nightstand in the morning, putting a shirt on, throwing a ball with your children, making a meal, this is just a small list of the incredible amount of everyday activities we do that involve the shoulder, and pain in this area can have a huge impact on many things that we take for granted. 30% of adults experience shoulder pain in any given month. If you are suffering from shoulder pain you may want to consider consulting with a chiropractor. There are many ways that a chiropractor can help with your problem, one of the largest techniques utilized being manual therapy.

Manual therapy isn’t just one therapy technique — it’s an entire category. Techniques that fall into this category involve therapy using their hands to manipulate or mobilize joints and soft tissue. This category of therapy can offer many benefits for shoulder pain treatment, including:

• Reducing the pain of your shoulder issue

• Decreasing the amount of inflammation in your shoulder

• Increasing the range of motion in your shoulder

• Improving your ability to do normal daily activities with your shoulder

• Reducing the risk of recurring shoulder pain or problems

Manual therapy can benefit shoulder pain by addressing various factors contributing to discomfort or dysfunction. Here are some ways in which manual therapy may help:

1. Soft Tissue Mobilization: Therapists use hands-on techniques to manipulate and mobilize soft tissues, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments around the shoulder. This can help improve flexibility, reduce muscle tension, and enhance blood circulation.

2. Joint Mobilization: Manual therapists may perform gentle movements to mobilize and restore normal joint function in the shoulder. This can help improve the range of motion and reduce stiffness.

3. Trigger Point Release: Trigger points, or knots, can contribute to shoulder pain. Our therapists can pressure these points to release tension and alleviate pain.

4. Stretching Exercises: Manual therapy often involves incorporating specific stretching exercises to improve flexibility and relieve tightness in the shoulder muscles.

5. Posture Correction: Poor posture can contribute to shoulder pain. At our office, we can provide guidance on proper posture and offer exercises to strengthen the muscles that support good posture.

6. Pain Relief: Manual therapy techniques may stimulate the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, providing temporary relief from shoulder pain.

7. Education and Self-Care: Our chiropractors often educate patients on proper shoulder mechanics, ergonomic considerations, and self-care techniques to manage and prevent future pain.

It’s important to note that the effectiveness of manual therapy can vary from person to person, and it is usually most effective in conjunction with other treatments such as exercises, heat/cold therapy, and lifestyle modifications.