What is shoulder pain?
Shoulder pain refers to any type of swelling, stiffness, or general discomfort that affects your shoulder joints. Each of your shoulders contains a ball-and-socket joint and three bones, the humorous, the clavicle, and the scapula.
Cartilage supports these bones and joints, allowing for a wide range of motion. These components are incredibly tough and hard-working, but they aren’t invincible. General wear-and-tear, overuse, and physical activities can cause damage to your shoulder, resulting in pain and irritation.
What are some common causes of shoulder pain?
Shoulder pain occurs for a variety of reasons. At Shift Wellness, the team treats shoulder pain caused by:
- Frozen shoulder
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Arthritis
- Torn cartilage
- Torn rotator cuff
- Pinched nerves
- Dislocation
- Heart attack
- Bone spurs
- Swollen bursa sacs or tendons
Additionally, the team treats shoulder pain caused by sports-related injuries, work injuries, automobile accidents, and general wear-and-tear.
How is shoulder pain diagnosed?
To diagnose shoulder pain, your Shift Wellness provider conducts a physical exam, reviews your medical history, and asks you about your lifestyle and symptoms. During your exam, your provider feels your shoulder for areas of tenderness or swelling and assesses your range of motion and overall joint stability.
If these measures don’t provide enough information, your provider might also order X-rays or an MRI. These diagnostic imaging procedures provide detailed images of the joints, bones, and soft tissues in your shoulder.
How is shoulder pain treated?
Treatment of shoulder pain depends on the severity of your symptoms and the underlying cause. Your provider might recommend:
Chiropractic care
Chiropractic care is an integrative treatment that uses hands-on manipulation to address mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system and joints. It’s drug-free, noninvasive, and provides near-instant results.
Physical therapy
If your shoulder pain is due to an accident or injury, you might benefit from physical therapy. Physical therapy uses strengthening exercises, manual manipulation, and rehabilitative technologies to ease swelling, limit pain, and encourage healing.
Rehabilitation
If you’re recovering from shoulder surgery, your provider might recommend rehabilitation. Rehabilitation is a branch of medicine that focuses on restoring your everyday abilities. It speeds up the healing process, allowing you to return to the life you’re used to.
Massage therapy
Massage therapy involves careful manipulation of your body’s soft tissues, including the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Massage therapy encourages circulation and your body’s natural healing process. It’s also therapeutic, relieving pain and encouraging stress relief.
Infrared sauna
An infrared sauna uses electromagnetic radiation to heat your body directly. The unique heat that an infrared sauna provides penetrates your skin more deeply, improving circulation, relieving sore muscles, and addressing shoulder pain.
To explore your treatment options for shoulder pain, make an appointment at Shift Wellness. Call the office or book a consultation online today.
