Archive for April, 2009
Chiropractic Treatment Relieves Shoulder Pain!
Introduction
The complexity of the shoulder joint allows it to accomplish many different motions and activities. Anatomically, the shoulder involves three different bones – the scapula, the clavicle, and the humerus – many attaching ligaments, and approximately 20 different muscles. The primary articulation, the glenohumeral joint, is connected by ligaments and a group of muscles (and their tendon attachments) known as the rotator cuff. Shoulder pain and disability are generally caused by problems with the rotator cuff. As with other joints, shoulder problems can be caused by trauma such as sports injuries, mechanical dysfunction due to imbalances in the muscles, or by wear and tear of the tissues surrounding the joint. Arthritic changes do happen in the shoulder joint, but not as commonly as in the weight-bearing joints of the spine, hips and knees.
Anatomy
The nerves in the cervical spine region animate all of the muscles of the shoulder, elbow, arm and hand and can often pinpoint the origin of the shoulder problem. If these nerves are inflamed, the shoulder muscles can become tight or weak producing dysfunction in the normal mechanics of the joint, particularly in the rotator cuff. A similar situation can occur if one overworks the shoulder causing sports injuries, or in other repetitive activities that cause the muscles of the joint to become overly tight or strained. Many persons are at risk of developing imbalance and shoulder problems if they sit too often in a slouched position, or with their shoulders held forward.
Rotator Cuff Syndrome
Pain and constricted motion will continue to occur until the imbalances and inflammation are rectified. The severity can vary from a slight “catching” or pain to an almost entire inability to use the shoulder. This painful problem is often called Shoulder Impingement or Rotator Cuff Syndrome, and can afflict individuals of all ages.
Frozen Shoulder
Another common problem is ” frozen shoulder. “Extreme irritation of the ligaments and tendons of the glenohumeral joint can cause adhesions to form practically sticking the joint together, thus producing incapacitation the shoulder. This results in intense pain, as well as limitation of shoulder mobility that makes it difficult for some individuals to even get dressed! Attention from a professional, such as your chiropractor is crucial because if left alone, frozen shoulder could take several years to heal if it heals at all. The disorders mentioned above are the most generally known of all shoulder disorders.
Treatment
The treatment of most symptoms of the shoulder is relatively the same. Muscle imbalances can be fixed with chiropractic treatment that includes soft tissue mobilization modalities to restore proper mobility to the shoulder joints and to correct any subluxations in the spine. Special rehabilitation exercises recommended by your chiropractor are also crucial for a completeand speedy recovery.
Is it safe to exercise (go for a run) after a chiropractic adjustment?
I’m feeling a little lightheaded and this is my first chiropractic treatment. Is it safe to exercise?
Anything that tenses the back/core muscles is a bad idea immediately after an adjustment. Yoga would be the best thing to do along with steam or hot tub.
How much can I expect to spend on a first chiropractic visit in the SF Bay area?
I really want to try chiropractic for my back, but am not sure I can work it into my finances. Please do not answer if you are not in the San Francisco Bay area. I am sure it differs from area to area.
just call a chiropracter's office, ask them what it costs if one has no insurance, good luck
Does chiropractic really helpful for lower back pain and neck pain?
Is chiropractic safe, effective and cost-effective for back pain? Does the full spinal x-ray cause any harms to the body? Why are there some practice of chiropractic still continue on without a clear x-ray image? Is the x-ray mandatory for chiropractic?
My first chiropractic experience was out of desperation. I had such pain in my hands and numbness and every doctor offered surgery to cure the carpal tunnel syndrome I had. The chiropractor explained that not all hand pain is from carpal tunnel and checked me out. His opinion was that I had pinched nerves in my neck, treated it and over the course of a couple weeks, eased the discomfort and also taught me ways to help myself. I haven't had to go back because now I know how to help myself. He also brought me through a serious bout of muscle spasm in my back. my regular doctor had me off work for 3 weeks, taking lots of muscle relaxers and laying around the chiropractor told me of natural muscle relaxers and how to care for myself and had me back to work in 3 days but kept treating me for about a week. As far as I am concerned, he is a gift from God!! He also did the exrays and diagnosed the arthritis in my spine years before my regular Doctor did.