Shoulder pain in Ascot Vale and Moonee Ponds
The facts
Do chiropractors treat shoulders? Absolutely.
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The shoulder has a huge range of motion, which it does at the expense of bone stability. This puts more demand on ligaments, muscles and tendons which is why it is commonly injured.
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For a shoulder to move without injury, all the muscles and joints need to work in harmony.
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The shoulder is actually made up of multiple muscles and four joints:
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Acromioclavicular
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Sternoclavicular
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Glenohumeral
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Scapulothoracic.
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You don't need to worry about which joint is which - that's our job!
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Symptoms of shoulder pain
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Shoulder conditions give pain and/or weakness in the shoulder, though symptoms can vary from person to person.
It can refer into the arm.
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Types of shoulder pain
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As the shoulder is a complex joint, there are many different ways it can be damaged. Therefore, there are multiple different causes of shoulder pain.
Some common shoulder complaints may include:
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Bursitis (inflamed bursa[s] in the shoulder)
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Tendinitis (inflamed shoulder tendons)
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Impingement syndromes (inflammation in the shoulder joint due to damage of tendons or the joints causing pain)
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Labrum tears (tears in part of the cartilage of the shoulder)
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Dislocated shoulders (usually out of place due to injury, will require medical visits for imaging and relocating)
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Fractures/broken bones (will require imaging and may require surgery depending the degree of the fracture/ break).
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Correct treatment must be centered around diagnosing and treatment.
Treatment of shoulder pain
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Chiropractic care can help with shoulder conditions. It may include:
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Joint mobilisation
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Soft tissue techniques
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Dry needling
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Postural retraining
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Ergonomic modification
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Rehabilitative exercises.
Before treatment can commence, a chiropractor or other health practitioner will need to confirm the diagnosis and confirm that chiropractic care is appropriate for your condition.
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Please note that some serious conditions like heart conditions can refer to the shoulder. If you're suffering from these, you should see a doctor.
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Do you have shoulder pain and live in Ascot Vale, Moonee Ponds or surrounding area? If so, have a chat with us today!
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References:
1. Souza T. Differential diagnosis and management for the chiropractor, Protocols and algorithms, Fourth edition. Jones and Bartlett Publishing 2009
2. Washington University orthopedics https://www.ortho.wustl.edu/content/Patient-Care/3127/Services/Shoulder-Elbow/Overview/Shoulder-Arthroscopy-Information/The-anatomy-of-the-shoulder.aspx
Photos References:
By Jmarchn - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=67117834
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