Chiropractor For Shoulder Pain Lafayette, CO
Shoulder pain can have a negative effect on everyday activities from spending time with family to being active outdoors. If you are looking for a chiropractor for shoulder pain in Lafayette Colorado, please give us a call at (720) 749-4712. We accept most major insurance!
The shoulder is home to some of the most used muscles and joint capsules in the body. Most people do not realize how much they rely on the pain free function of the shoulder during everyday activities until the have a shoulder injury resulting in pain and decreased range of motion.
Even though shoulder pain is very common among Americans, a chiropractor for shoulder pain can help reduce your pain immediately and ensure that you stay pain free for years to come.
Rotator Cuff Pain
The most common shoulder pain complaint that our chiropractors treat is rotator cuff issues, whether current or in the past. It will often be painful for patients with rotator cuff injuries to reach up for an item in the cupboard above their head, or when shampooing hair in the shower and combing hair.
The rotator cuff is a collection of tendons and muscles that surround the shoulder joint. Their function is to keep the upper arm bone secured in the shoulder joint. When an injury occurs in this area, it causes pain in the shoulder that will worsen as the arm is further away from the body.
Many people have dysfunctional rotator cuffs, most commonly the rotator cuff muscle is shortened. This is due to prolonged poor posture commonly associated with slouched shoulders combined with tight upper back and chest muscles. This causes the rotator cuff to not be as active as it should in everyday activities, which results in weakness and reduced range of motion
Rotator cuff tendinitis can also occur when the rotator cuff tendons become trapped under the bones in the shoulder, resulting in inflammation or pain.
During an initial exam for patients with rotator cuff pain, we consider any past rotator cuff injuries including, strains, tears, and partial tears as well as any treatments such as rotator cuff repairs and cortisone injections.
Frozen Shoulder Chiropractor
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is caused due to lack of use of the arm. This is often because of an injury or medical condition / procedure that causes pain, resulting in the patient being unable to use their arm, leaving it in the same position for a few weeks. When the person is feeling less pain and wants to start moving their arm again, they realize that it is stuck in place from the lack of movement over time.
It typically develops in three different stages, with each stage lasting a few weeks.
- Freezing Stage: During the beginning any movement to the shoulder causes pain, which immediately starts weakening the shoulder and reducing range of motion.
- Frozen Stage: The shoulder becomes more stiff and use is increasingly difficult. Although use is further decreased, some patients may feel less pain.
- Thawing Stage: During the final stage, range of motion to the shoulder beings to improve and the patient can start returning to normal activities involving shoulder use.
When treating frozen shoulder we are attempting to go from the freezing or frozen stage to the thawing stage. Our chiropractors will mainly work on shoulder range of motion using a combination of manual therapies, massage therapy and exercises such as wall washes and wall angels.
Arthritis Of The Shoulder
Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Posttraumatic Arthritis of the shoulder is also common conditions.
- Osteoarthritis: This is caused by normal “wear and tear” over time that destroys the cartilage of the bone. As the cartilage wears away, bones rub against each other causing pain. This is common in people over 50 years of age.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: A chronic disease that is capable of attacking numerous joints in the body, it is often symmetrical meaning joints will be effected on both sides. RA is an autoimmune disease, which causes the body to attack the synovium, which is a lining that lubricates the joint aiding in movement. Attack on the lining causes swelling which contributes to joint pain and stiffness.
- Post-traumatic Arthritis: The form of shoulder arthritis is actually osteoarthritis that may develop after a traumatic injury.
- Rotator Cuff Tear Atrophy: This condition results in arthritis that develops after a long term rotator cuff tear. The rotator cuff can no longer hold the head of the humerus (upper arm bone) in place, causing the humerus to rub up against the acromion. Over time damage may be caused to the bone surface which contributes to arthritis development.
Upper Cross Syndrome (Rounded Shoulders)
Shoulder dysfunction is also a major contributor to shoulder pain. Often times people cannot reach back very far, or control their scapula very well. These problems are often accentuated by poor posture.
Upper cross syndrome can be a major player when it comes to shoulder dysfunction. Working in front of a computer over time causes what is known as “Upper Cross Syndrome”, due to prolonged positions with the head forward and shoulders rounded.
The human frame is meant to be in an upright position. When technology and a prolonged seating posture are added into the mix, the body naturally adapts to this new “posture”.
Unfortunately the new posture that your body has adapted leads to weakened deep neck flexor muscles and mid-back muscles, as well as tight chest and upper back muscles. If this is not properly treated, it can lead to chronic neck pain and an increased risk of osteoarthritis.
This is prevalent in all ages and can be very compromising to spine and shoulder mobility, as well as being a source of chronic neck pain.
Sleeping habits such as face down with neck to the side or on the side directly on the shoulder can contribute to shoulder pain issues. Our chiropractors will go through basic sleep postures with patients after evaluating current sleeping positions that will help reduce pain symptoms. Sometimes we recommend icing the neck before bed to temporarily reduce pain, which acts as a sleep aide.
Chiropractic Treatment For Shoulder Pain
During the initial exam with your Lafayette, CO chiropractor, they will go over medical history and pain symptoms to pinpoint the cause of your shoulder pain. Shoulder pain can be caused by poor posture, misalignment of the shoulder joint, rotator cuff issues, frozen shoulder, arthritis, and other forms of shoulder dysfunction.
At South Pointe Chiropractic we utilize chiropractic adjustments combined with other methodologies such as massage therapy, dry needling with electric stimulation, myofascial release, instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, patient education, and trigger point injections.
We find that the right combination of methodologies is highly effective in reducing shoulder pain symptoms in the short term, and preventing them from occurring in the future.
Benefits Of Chiropractic For Should Pain
We have treated many patients suffering from shoulder pain due to various conditions. Overall chiropractic treatment will help to reduce inflammation, significantly reduce pain symptoms, increase range of motion, improve flexibility, and strengthen the shoulder joint as well as surrounding muscles.
Patient education can play a major role in long term success, as fixing things such as posture and correctness of repetitive motion will keep shoulder pain away for good.
If you are located near Lafayette Colorado and need to see a chiropractor for shoulder pain, do not hesitate to contact us at (720) 749-4712 and find out how we can help improve your quality of life.
Shoulder Pain FAQ's
Is chiropractic good for shoulder pain?
Chiropractic care is an essential tool and is extremely beneficial in treating pain associated with the shoulder and other extremities.
Some of the most common should pain issues include rotator cuff pain, frozen shoulder, and shoulder dysfunction often caused by postural and functional movement issues.
Chiropractic methodologies of reducing pain, inflammation, stiffness, and increasing range of motion in joints and muscles are the perfect treatment for shoulder pain which often stems from the back, spine and neck.
Can a chiropractor adjust your shoulder?
Yes! Chiropractors are capable of using gentle adjustments to the shoulder, also known as manipulations. Manipulations of the shoulder, neck, and spine may help improve alignment which in turn may decrease shoulder pain symptoms.
Shoulder manipulations will help reduce pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms.
How do you massage a sore shoulder?
Targeted tissue massage is excellent for shoulder pain. Depending on the specific type of shoulder issue, the massage that is needed will vary.
We recommend coming to see one of our professional massage therapists to administer the correct massage techniques to treat your symptoms.
Can a chiropractor help with rotator cuff injuries?
Absolutely, rotator cuff injuries and the most common shoulder pain that our chiropractors treat. The main benefits of using a rotator cuff chiropractor is that we can help individuals rehabilitate rotator cuff injuries without surgery or pain medication.
Chiropractic care will help you reduce pain and increase pain free range of motion of the rotator cuff through manipulations, mobilizations, strengthening exercises, and at home stretching programs.
Can I see a chiropractor for shoulder impingement?
Shoulder impingement occurs when the acroim rubs against the rotator cuff, leading to pain stalling, irritation, and inflammation.
Chiropractors excel at restoring normal pain free functional movements using manipulations, massage therapy, and exercise programs.
Can a chiropractor help a pinched nerve in the shoulder?
Yes!
Chiropractors are uniquely qualified to treat pinched nerves. Often times gentle manipulations and mobilizations are used to reduce pressure on compressed nerves.
What happens if frozen shoulder is not treated?
When left untreated, frozen shoulder may cause extreme pain along with loss of mobility and significantly decreased range of motion in the effected side.
If you have the symptoms of frozen shoulder, please contact as right away before it gets any worse.
Can you fix rolled / rounded shoulders?
Upper Crossed Syndrom, also known as rolled or rounded shoulders, occurs when the upper back and chest muscles are tight combined with weak mid back muscles and deep neck flexors.
Chiropractic mobilizations combined with education about proper posture and strengthening exercises can fix and prevent rounded shoulders.