Shoulder Pain

Knecht Chiropractic Center - Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain can develop after any injury, such as a fall. In some cases people find that the shoulder becomes increasingly sore as time passes. Even minor activities like combing your hair can quickly become difficult if your shoulder hurts. A chiropractor can often treat shoulder pain and restore function. At Knecht Chiropractic Center in Sanford, NC, we offer a variety of options to treat shoulder pain.

The Structure of the Shoulder

As a complex joint that includes a lot of moving parts, the physical structure of the shoulder is one reason why it’s susceptible to injury. What we call a joint actually consists of three different bones. The humerus (upper arm bone), scapula (shoulder blade), and clavicle (collarbone) all join at the shoulder. These bones are connected and supported by multiple muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Nerves and blood vessels run through the area as well. Fluid-filled sacs called bursae keep the joint lubricated. If any of these structures become irritated or inflamed, pain is often the result.

Shoulder Pain – Common Conditions

An acute injury, such as a fall, is a common cause of shoulder pain. Overuse from repetitive motions, like a baseball pitcher constantly throwing a ball, may also be the precipitating factor. These can result in the following problems:

• Dislocated shoulder – a medical emergency that needs immediate care.
• Bursitis – inflammation of the bursae.
• Frozen shoulder – stiffness and inability to move the joint that occurs over time, usually the result of limiting movement due to pain.
• Rotator cuff injury – muscle injury in the back of the shoulder.
• Strains or Sprains – overtaxing of the shoulder bones.
• Tendinitis – inflammation of the tendons.

Chiropractic Care and Shoulder Pain

A chiropractor will begin your treatment by assessing your pain level and ability to use and move your shoulder. Pain often makes people resist or change their movements, which can cause other problems related to the initial shoulder problem, such as a stiff neck or arm pain. Treatment strategies include joint adjustments and the use of heat, cold, and ultrasound. Exercises can help restore mobility as well as stretch and strengthen muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Nutritional counseling will help you identify foods that make inflammation worse and improve your overall nutrition.

Your shoulder pain will probably not go away without treatment, and the longer you wait, the more difficult it becomes for a chiropractor to help. Whatever the cause of your shoulder pain, even if you have no idea what caused the problem; please contact Knecht Chiropractic Center at (919) 629-0400​​​​​​​​​​​​​​.

Our office is located at 2631 S. Horner Boulevard in Sanford. We offer many drug-free chiropractic treatment strategies for patients of all ages, as well as other therapies such as massage and spinal decompression.