Shoulder Pain Treatment: A Spokane Valley WA Chiropractor’s Perspective

Spinal Decompression Spokane Valley WA

Often the reason people experience shoulder pain is because they have degenerating or bulged spinal discs in their neck. The spinal discs are the gel-like cushion between the vertebrae that enable the spine to bend and twist. However, due to loss of normal spinal curvature or improper movement of the spine the spinal discs can protrude or begin to breakdown which causes compression on the spinal cord and or nerves in the neck often resulting in neck or shoulder pain, numbness/tingling, or muscle weakness in the shoulder, arm or hands.

Spinal surgery to treat disc problems can be very expensive and risky in the sense of potential complications as well as outcomes. A much safer and effective alternative is spinal decompression therapy, which works by gently stretching the spine relieving the pressure off the spinal discs and nerves.

At River City Chiropractic in Spokane Valley WA we use the Back On Trac spinal decompression chair which assists in hydrating the discs, restoring normal spinal motion and curvature as well as adding in heat and vibration to relax any tight muscles for optimal results. The Back On Trac decompression chair has been a great addition to our Spokane Valley WA clinic helping our patients relieve neck or shoulder pain quickly in conjunction with regular spinal adjustments.

Nutritional Supplementation For Shoulder Pain

What you put into your body either helps it to heal and repair or promotes inflammation and disease. At River City Chiropractic in Spokane Valley WA we are very passionate and knowledgeable in dietary changes and supplementation strategies to reduce inflammation, and support healing and repair to help provide faster relief from shoulder pain.

Common Causes of Shoulder Pain in Spokane Valley WA

Bursitis

In and around the shoulder joints exist tiny, fluid-filled sacs called bursae. These sacs provide cushioning and support for the shoulder joints so there isn’t as much pressure on the adjacent bones of each shoulder joint. Due to things like overuse and wear-and-tear, bursae can become inflamed, which causes a condition called bursitis. Bursitis causes pain typically on top of or on the outside of the shoulder. Lifting an arm overhead or rotating it in circles can be aggravating to the bursae and increase pain. This is problematic because we use our shoulders for so many different movements involving the arm.

Many people are given medications and injections to treat bursitis, but it can also be effectively managed through natural means. Gentle movement exercises can also be effective in helping the bursae to heal. At home, ice can also be utilized to decrease both inflammation and pain and should be applied periodically throughout the day to assist the healing process.

Frozen Shoulder

Another common condition that causes shoulder pain is adhesive capsulitis, more commonly known as “Frozen Shoulder”. The shoulder joints are enclosed in a joint capsule, in which synovial fluid is present to reduce friction during joint movement. When the capsule thickens, it begins to restrict motion in the shoulder, which can cause pain that can worsen over time. Frozen Shoulder often occurs in 3 stages – Freezing, Frozen, and Thawing. In the Freezing Stage, mobility is decreasing and it can be painful at times with certain movements. In the Frozen stage, the pain usually decreases, but movement is extremely limited. In the Thawing Stage, mobility is improving and symptoms are dissipating. Frozen Shoulder commonly occurs in people who aren’t able to move their arm as much, such as people with a broken arm bone or someone who recently had a stroke.

The key to treating frozen shoulder is getting these joints moving again. Chiropractic care along with exercises and stretches should be utilized frequently to help the condition “thaw” so that proper shoulder range of motion can be restored. They should also be continued after improvement is made to ensure the shoulder stays balanced and avoids future episodes from happening. They should also be performed on the unaffected side as well, as it can be common to develop frozen shoulder in the opposite shoulder than the one that initially had it. Keeping the shoulder balanced can help maintain good mobility and posture in the upper part of the body.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, also known as Degenerative Arthritis, is a condition in which the affected joint is worn down over time. It results in decreased joint space and inflammation, which can be painful and limit the shoulder’s ability to function. Some risk factors for developing osteoarthritis include, but are not limited to age, weight, past injuries, and repetitive motions/stress to the joint over time. It can affect any joint in the body, but the shoulder is a particularly common location for it to occur.

With osteoarthritis, it is important to understand that it cannot be reversed. However, it can be appropriately managed to where progression can slow down and even halt. This makes treatment extremely important. At River City Chiropractic, we utilize chiropractic adjustments and weight-bearing exercises to help strengthen the joint and improve its mobility. We have to preserve as much range of motion and function as we can to decrease the chance of it having a detrimental impact on a person’s quality of life. If managed diligently, the impact of osteoarthritis can be diminished, which can allow you to enjoy your life and the activities you love to do.

Rotator Cuff Injury

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles that surround and support the glenohumeral joint in the shoulder, providing some stability in keeping that joint from dislocating. Rotator cuff injuries represent one of the most common types of shoulder injuries you can acquire. Straining a rotator cuff muscle can present with a deep ache in the shoulder that worsens with many different shoulder movements. It is common in athletes, but also in those who work with their arms a lot such as construction workers.

Most rotator cuff injuries can resolve through entirely natural means. Chiropractic, massage, and exercise can be utilized to ensure proper joint movement, joint stabilization, and tissue healing. Utilizing ice and being diligent with exercises and stretches at home can ensure that your recovery from a rotator cuff injury is a smooth and hassle-free process. For more serious rotator cuff injuries, including more extensive tears or even ruptures, more invasive treatment such as injections or surgery may be required. Regardless, it is important to have your shoulder assessed as quickly as possible so the right strategy for care can be implemented.

Shoulder Sprain

Many people tend to confuse the terms “strain” and “sprain”. To put it simply, “strain” occurs to muscles, while “sprains” occur to ligaments that connect bones. The shoulder has several different ligaments which keep the shoulder and arm bones connected and relatively stable. Due to trauma or overuse, it is possible to sprain these ligaments, meaning fibers of the ligament become damaged. This can cause both pain and inflammation to occur, which results in both discomfort and loss of function in the shoulder.

With shoulder sprains, stability becomes the key factor. Joints can sometimes be looser when ligaments are damaged, so we don’t want to further mobilize the joint. Thus, stabilizing exercises are the main method utilized to treat shoulder sprains. At River City Chiropractic in Spokane Valley WA, we have a database of 1000’s of exercises with instructional videos that can be prescribed to assist with building strength and stability in the shoulder muscles while the damaged ligaments heal over time. If the problem is identified promptly, it can usually be resolved through conservative treatment methods.