Chiropractor Costa Mesa Can Help Your shoulder pain. Here’s why:
The complexity of the shoulder joint allows it to perform many different actions and activities. Anatomically, the shoulder involves three unique bones – the scapula, the clavicle, and the humerus – many connecting ligaments, and approximately 20 different muscles. The primary articulation, the glenohumeral joint, is joined by ligaments and a group of muscles (and their tendon attachments) known as the rotator cuff. Problems with the rotator cuff are common causes of shoulder pain and disability. sports injuries, mechanical dysfunctions from muscle imbalances, or wear and tear of the tissues encompassing the joint are often the causes of shoulder problems. Arthritic changes do happen in the shoulder joint, though not as commonly as in the weight-bearing joints of the spine, hips and knees.
Anatomy
Problems in the shoulder often arise in the cervical spine as the nerves from this region animate all of the muscles and other tissues of the shoulder, elbow, arm and hand. If these nerves are irritated, the shoulder muscles can become tight or weak causing dysfunction in the normal mechanics of the joint, principally in the rotator cuff. A similar problem can occur if one overuses the shoulder in sports such as tennis and golf, or in other repetitive activities that cause the muscles of the joint to become overly tight or strained. People are at risk of developing imbalance and shoulder problems if they sit too much in a lazy position, or with their shoulders held forward.
Rotator Cuff Syndrome
Pain and restricted motion will continue to occur until the imbalances and irritation are rectified. The severity can vary from a slight “catching” or pain to an almost complete inability to use the shoulder. This painful condition is often called Shoulder Impingement or Rotator Cuff Syndrome, and can afflict patients of all ages.
Frozen Shoulder
Another common condition is ” frozen shoulder. “This often incapacitating condition occurs when the ligaments and tendons of the glenohumeral joint get so inflamed that adhesions occur making the joint nearly stuck together. This results in extreme pain, as well as limitation of shoulder movement that makes even dressing oneself difficult! Attention from a professional, such as your Costa Mesa chiropractor is very important because if left alone, frozen shoulder could take several years to heal if it heals at all. The disorders mentioned above are the most prevalent of all shoulder disorders.
Treatment
Most shoulder treatments are 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 Costa Mesa chiropractor are also essential for a fulland fast recovery.