Shoulder Problems

The shoulder seems to be the site of problems more often than other joints and gives rise to conditions such as bursitis, tendonitis and frozen shoulder, often for no apparent cause. There is a reason the shoulder is so vulnerable and is often the site of pain, with or without an obvious injury.

Many problems arise because the stability of the joint depends on the surrounding ligaments and muscles. Because the shoulder joint must be able to move in many directions, the joint itself is quite shallow compared with the ball-and-socket joint of the hip. The shoulder joint consists of the humerus, or upper arm bone, and the collarbone or clavicle, which also joins the shoulder blade. These three bones allow for a tremendous range of movement in almost all directions.

Many of the muscles which support the shoulder begin in the neck and upper back. If there are problems in joint movement in the spine in these areas, an imbalance is set up in the muscles surrounding the shoulder. This can cause the head of the humerus to move slightly off centre in the socket so that movement becomes abnormal.

With time this faulty movement can strain or pinch tendons and irritate the bursa, a fluid-filled sac between the bones and ligaments in the top of the shoulder. This may develop into tendonitis or bursitis, but the original cause in the back or neck is often overlooked. For this reason many shoulder problems seem to last a long time, or to keep coming back in spite of treatment to the shoulder itself. In severe cases, bursitis will progress to become a frozen shoulder.

Most acute and chronic shoulder problems respond well to chiropractic care because all of the involved joints - both in the spine and in the shoulder itself - are included in the treatment. If you have a problem in the shoulder area, consult this office and I can determine the causes and the best treatment approach.