Tendonitis/Bursitis:
Background:
Tendons are the strong attachments of the muscles to the bones that they move, Bursa are small sacs of fluid that lubricate any area that undergoes a lot of friction (areas between tendons, ligaments and muscles). Both areas are most commonly injured as a result of a repetitive motion or an overuse of the tendon or bursa. This means that you do a motion so often that the stress of the activity overwhelms what the tendon or bursa can take and microscopic tearing begins to occur. This happens when we do an activity properly, but do it to much: however, more often it occurs when we do an activity biomechanically incorrect to many times. There are many tendons and bursa throughout the shoulder that can become damaged depending on the activity that creates the injury.
Signs and Symptoms:
Someone suffering from shoulder tendonitis will complain of pain in the shoulder during and following a specific motion of the shoulder often accompanied by swelling and tenderness over the involved structures. The pain will diminish after stopping the activity, but as the condition progresses a dull ache will remain even after stopping the offending activity. Palpation over the injured tendon or bursa will create intense pain and any use of the affected tissues reproduces the pain.
Treatment:
Tendonitis and Bursitis have been found to respond well to conservative Chiropractic care. If you or someone you know is suffering from shoulder pain due to tendonitis or bursitis, come into Absolute Healthcare Chiropractic and have Dr. Gerwig design a customized treatment protocol, without the use of drugs or surgery, so you can be on your way to living pain free today!
Rotator Cuff/Impingement Syndrome:
Background:
The Rotator Cuff is a group of four muscles (Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Subscapularis and Teres Minor) that start at the scapula (shoulder blade) and insert onto the humerus (upper arm). All four muscles must travel through a very small area underneath the Clavicle/Acromion bones and above the humerus on the way to their insertions, and it is this area that is the most common site for the muscles to become damaged and the impingement of the muscles to occur.
Signs and Symptoms:
Someone suffering from a problem with the rotator cuff will feel pain at the top/back of the shoulder that can radiate down the outside of the arm. The pain is worse with using the shoulder in overhead activities and lifting the arm above the head. Often times someone with a rotator cuff problem will report a specific activity that started the pain and repeating that activity now is painful. Sleeping or lying on the affected side can create pain. This is a common injury in people who perform repetitive overhead activities such as throwing a ball (baseball player) or racquet sports (Tennis player), but it can happen in anyone.
Treatment:
Rotator cuff/impingement syndrome has been shown to respond well to conservative Chiropractic treatment. If you or someone you know is suffering needlessly from shoulder pain, come into Absolute Healthcare Chiropractic and have Dr. Gerwig design a custom treatment protocol, without the use of drugs or surgery, so you can be on your way to living pain free today!
Dislocation/Separation:
Background:
A dislocation and a separation of the shoulder are two separate conditions dealing with two separate areas of the shoulder. Both conditions are traumatic in nature and someone suffering from either of these conditions will report an accident or a fall of some sort.
Dislocation: A dislocation of the shoulder involves the humerus being separated from the Scapula. Someone suffering from a dislocated shoulder will report an accident where they either fell on an outstretched hand or had their arm forcefully externally rotated while the elbow is at the level or above the shoulder. The pain is immediate and requires a visit to the ER to assess the severity of the dislocation because many other structures of the shoulder can become damaged after a dislocation.
Separation: A separation of the shoulder involves the Acromion process (the top outer bone of the shoulder) being separated from the clavicle. Someone suffering from a separated shoulder will report an accident where they fell and landed on the top of the shoulder. The pain is usually immediate and should require a visit to the ER to determine the severity of the separation.
Treatment:
Once both conditions are stabilized, they both respond well to conservative Chiropractic care along with physical therapy and rehabilitation. If you or someone you know is needlessly suffering from pain after a dislocation or separation have them visit Absolute Healthcare Chiropractic and let Dr. Gerwig design a customized treatment protocol, without the use of drugs or surgery, to get you on the road to living pain free!
The Shoulder Labrum:
Background:
The Labrum of the shoulder is a cartilaginous covering of the Scapular fossa (area on which sits the head of the humerus). The labrum is designed to allow the humerus to glide smoothly over the Scapular fossa as is goes through is range of motion. The shoulder joint goes through a tremendous range of motion and the complex mechanics involved in normal shoulder motion puts a great deal of stress on this labrum.
Signs and Symptoms:
The labrum can be injured in a traumatic accident, but it is more commonly the primary source of shoulder pain in repetitive motion injuries. Baseball players, specifically pitchers, who put such high strain on the shoulder joint due to a repetitive motion, are at a much higher risk to suffer from labral injuries. Someone suffering from a tear or an injury to the shoulder labrum will describe a sensation of pain and possible clicking in the shoulder with most movements, but specifically overhead motions. In significant cases there will be pain with any overhead movement and they will hold their arm next to their body and their forearm across their chest. Rest from the offending activity will often relieve the pain, but when they try to get back into the activity the pain will return
Treatment:
When the labrum is damaged an MRI is necessary to determine the area of the damage and the extent of the damage. Once the injury is classified proper treatment can be made based on the injury and the physical activity of the patient. Whether surgery is needed or not, after the labrum is addressed conservative Chiropractic care can be extremely effective to rehabilitate the shoulder and to fix the offending repetitive motion to avoid future damage. If you or someone you know is needlessly suffering from shoulder pain due to a damaged labrum, come into Absolute Healthcare Chiropractic and have Dr. Gerwig determine a customized treatment protocol, without the use of drugs or surgery, to get you on the road to living, and playing, pain free.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome:
Background:
Someone suffering from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome can experience pain, numbness, tingling, burning or weakness in the arm and hand. This condition is often a contributing factor to many Carpal Tunnel Syndrome sufferers. Thoracic outlet syndrome is caused by impingement of the nerves of the neck as they wind their way out of the Cervical spine and into the hand. This course is treacherous and has numerous areas where the nerves must pass through and around muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, veins and nerves and the nerves can become compressed in any number of these areas. One of the most common causes of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome stems from improper postural habits.
Signs and Symptoms:
The syndrome can create symptoms from pain, numbness, tingling, burning or weakness, either by themselves or in any combination of two or more. The person will usually describe the symptoms coming on without any injury and there is a position or motion that will bring on these symptoms. The condition will often get worse when sleeping and they will report waking up with numb hands and arms that goes away with shaking them out.
Treatment:
By finding and correcting the impinged nerve, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome can be treated and eliminated with conservative Chiropractic Care in the majority of the cases. If you or someone you know is needlessly suffering from symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome, come into Absolute Healthcare Chiropractic and have Dr. Gerwig design a customized treatment protocol, without the use of drugs or surgery, that can have you on the road to living pain free today!
Arthritis:
Background:
Arthritis of the shoulder joint, specifically degenerative arthritis, most commonly happens years after someone has suffered from a shoulder injury. It can be associated with any number of injuries from something traumatic like a dislocation/separation to an overuse injury such as an impingement syndrome. Arthritis of the shoulder can involve either the Glenohumeral joint (humerus into the scapular fossa) or the Acromioclavicular joint (the clavicle into the acromion process), but is more common at the later. For a more detailed explanation of the changes Arthritis creates to the joints of the body see the discussion of Cervical (neck) Arthritis.
Signs and Symptoms:
Someone suffering from arthritis of the shoulder joint will usually complain of pain in the shoulder with the first few movements of the day, but once the shoulder is “warmed up” the pain will diminish. There is often pain and discomfort when lying on the affected shoulder and it can interfere with normal sleep.
Treatment:
Treatment of shoulder arthritis is based on the severity of the condition and what level of use the person needs and wants from their shoulder. Conservative Chiropractic care has been shown to help patients suffering from shoulder arthritis reduce and possibly eliminate their daily pain. If you or someone you know is suffering from shoulder pain due to arthritis, come into Absolute Healthcare Chiropractic and have Dr. Gerwig designed a customized treatment protocol, without the use of drugs or surgery, that can help you start living without pain today.
DISCLAIMER: No individuals, including those under our active care, should use the information, resources or tools contained within to self-diagnose or self-treat any health-related condition. Diagnosis and treatment of all health conditions should only be performed by your doctor of chiropractic or other licensed health care professional. |
