What is Shoulder Pain and How to Deal with it?

Arrgh, this shoulder pain is annoying, debilitating and interferes with daily tasks! What can be done? Your chiropractor, doctor and physiotherapist are available to help!

Shoulder pain arises from the joint or from its surrounding muscle, tendons and ligaments. Pain from the joint usually worsens with movement of the shoulder, while the referred pain remains the same with movements.

Causes

1. Tendon inflammation (Bursitis or Tendonitis)

• Bursa is a tiny fluid-filled sac that functions as a cushion between tissues of the body. Shoulder bursitis occurs due to injury, infection or underlying rheumatic condition.
• Shoulder tendonitis is an inflammation injury to the tendons of your shoulder’s rotator cuff. It usually results from sports injuries, by repetitive movements impacting the affected area.

2. Instability

• Shoulder instability is when head of upper arm bone is forced out of shoulder socket.
• When the joint slide out of place slightly, it is called shoulder subluxation.
• When the joint is completely out of place, it is called shoulder dislocation.

3. Arthritis

• Degenerative joint disease, eg osteoarthritis is common in the shoulder.
• Osteoarthritis due to chronic wear and tear caused by sports, old age or even work injury.

4. Fracture

• Shoulder fracture involving clavicle (collarbone), humerus (upper arm bone), and scapula (shoulder blade).
• Usually caused by high force injury or contact sports injury.

Symptoms

• Pain can be dull or sharp and severe.
• Onset of the pain can be gradual or sudden.
• Shoulder stiffness.
• Swelling.
• Shoulder or arm weakness.
• Muscle spasm.
• Numbness or tingling sensation.
• Visible deformity.
• Inability to move the arm.

 

When to See a Chiropractor, Doctor or Physiotherapist?

• Pain that is continuous for a few days.
• Inability to lift objects or use the arm.
• Signs of infection like fever, skin redness and warmth.
• Pain that occurs at night.
• Other associated symptoms with shoulder pain.

 

Treatment

1. Activity changes

• Strict rest and proper physiotherapy for the affected shoulder joint.
• Avoid strenuous activity which involves shoulder joint.

2. Medication

•  Aim is to ease shoulder pain and swelling.
• Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatories Drugs (Ibuprofen, Diclofenac)-only to be taken under prescription for a prescribed period time due to side effects.
• Steroid injection – a shot of cortisone injection by your doctor into the area of pain to treat inflammation and alleviate pain.

3. Surgery

• Only performed in severe condition or fracture by an orthopaedic surgeon.

 

Role of Chiropractic Care in Shoulder pain

Chiropractic care is usually preferred for shoulder pain because it’s minimally invasive and works without the use of drugs. It can be achieved through manipulation and other treatments

Chiropractic treatments help to reduce pain, improve range of motion, increase flexibility and restore the function of the joint. Different types of chiropractic techniques are used according to type of injury and condition. Ischemic compression techniques have been found useful in certain types of shoulder pain.

 

Prevention of Shoulder Pain

• Always do some stretches before any heavy exercise on the shoulder.
• Maintain a good posture while sitting and standing.
• Avoid carrying heavy backpacks.
• Physical therapy especially to those with arthritis to strengthen shoulder muscle and maintaining joint range of motion.
• Use of shoulder support.

 

Shoulder pain is a common problem nowadays. For most people, it will improve over time with appropriate treatment. Seek professional help if the shoulder pain bothers your daily activities.

 

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References

1. Why do shoulder hurts? [Internet][cited 2018 Dec 3] Available from:

https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/neck-shoulder

2. Shoulder pain. [Internet][cited 2018 Dec 3] Available from:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/shoulder-pain/

3. Chiropractors and chiropractic treatment. [Interneet][cited 2018 Dec 3] Available from:

https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/chiropractic-pain-relief

4. Avoiding shoulder pain at work. [Internet][cited 2018 Dec 3] Available from:

https://www.healthline.com/health/chronic-pain/shoulder-pain-at-work#takeaway

Tags

• chiropractic
• joints
• pain
• shoulder pain