The human shoulder is a remarkably complex and capable joint-- and that means that it can easily sustain acute damage or suffer from a variety of painful chronic issues. Whether your shoulder causes you unceasing agony or only hurts when you move it in specific ways, you're probably finding that your shoulder pain places serious limitations on your quality of life. Fortunately, chiropractors can spare many shoulder pain sufferers from invasive treatments such as surgery or the worrying risks and complications of drugs. That's why you'll want to bring your aching shoulder to Zaker Chiropractic, your source for natural shoulder pain relief in Torrance, San Pedro and Newport Beach CA.
The shoulder is made up of many different components, each of which makes its own critical contributions to the joint's strength, stability, and range of motion. The top of the upper arm bone, or humerus, interfaces with the shoulder blade (scapula) and collarbone (clavicle) through a set of four muscles collectively known as the rotator cuff. Tendons attach the rotator cuff muscles to the bones, allowing your shoulder to move at your command. The ball-and-socket nature of the joint permits a great deal of mobility. To prevent excess friction, the bone ends are protected by a layer of cartilage, while fluid-filled sacs called bursae prevent tendons from rubbing against other structures.
Sadly, this intricate arrangement is prone to many different painful conditions. Some common causes of shoulder pain include:
Chiropractors base their diagnoses of shoulder problems, not just on X-ray imaging and direct examination, but also on the way your shoulder pain responds to (or limits) joint motion. For instance, our chiropractor will want to determine whether your pain occurs in both shoulders or only one shoulder. The degree to which you can move your shoulder or arm without pain tells us which tendons, bursae or muscles may be affected. We will also ask you which everyday motions you can no longer perform, which positions make it feel better or worse, exactly where in the shoulder you feel the pain, and whether the pain is sharp, dull, aching et cetera. These questions help us zero in on your specific injury or disorder.
Chiropractic care and related treatment methods can help you master your shoulder pain safe, non-surgical, drug-free way. Our chiropractor can administer adjustments to a dislocated or misaligned shoulder, including manipulation under anesthesia if necessary, to improve shoulder function and relieve musculoskeletal pain. Spinal adjustments and/or spinal decompression therapy can relieve referred pain caused by a pinched nerve. Soft tissue injuries respond well to physiotherapy techniques such as massage therapy and cryotherapy. You may also benefit from physiotherapy to rebuild damaged tissues, increase your shoulder flexibility, and re-train your shoulder to perform certain motions more safely and correctly.
If you're looking for a shoulder pain doctor in Torrance, San Pedro or Newport Beach, make sure you choose one who can resolve your shoulder issues in a holistic, conservative, non-invasive manner. Call Zaker Chiropractic at any of our three offices to schedule care from our chiropractor!