We know how much shoulder pain can affect your daily life. Whether it’s caused by an injury, overuse or a long-term condition, our chiropractic care can help. We focus on easing pain, improving movement and helping your shoulder feel and work better.
Shoulder pain can have many causes, from poor posture and overuse to injury or joint problems. We understand how complex shoulder pain can be, whether it’s due to a recent shoulder injury or ongoing strain.
That’s why we take a personalised approach. Through techniques like chiropractic adjustment, we work to relieve pain, improve movement and help your shoulder function at its best.
An AC joint separation or AC joint sprain is an injury to the ligament holding the acromioclavicular joint at the top of the shoulder. Typically caused by falling onto an outstretched arm, these sprains vary from mild (grade 1) to severe (grade 6). Early treatment, including taping for support, is crucial to prevent long-term issues or shoulder deformity.
Causes
The most common cause is a fall onto the shoulder, elbow, or outstretched hand. The impact is transmitted through the wrist and arm to the shoulder joint when attempting to break the fall with an outstretched hand.
Signs & Symptoms
– Pain at the end of the collarbone on the top of the shoulder.
– Initially, widespread shoulder pain that later localizes to a bony point on the top of the shoulder.
– Increased pain when trying to move the arm overhead.
– Swelling, and depending on the injury’s extent, a visible deformity like a lump on top of the shoulder joint may be present.
– Graded from one to six, with grade one being mild with minor ligament damage and no bone separation, while grade six is severe with complete ligament ruptures and visible deformity.
Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis or shoulder contracture. A condition that causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder. This happens when the capsule around the shoulder joint becomes swollen and thick. Scar tissue can form inside, making the capsule tighter. This reduces space for the upper arm bone and limits movement. Frozen shoulder may also occur alongside other problems such as calcific tendonitis or a rotator cuff tear.
Causes
The exact cause of frozen shoulder is unclear. It involves the swelling and thickening of the shoulder joint’s capsule, restricting movement.
Signs & Symptoms
The main symptoms are pain and persistent stiffness in the shoulder joint, making normal shoulder movements challenging and painful. Everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, driving, or sleeping comfortably become difficult. Symptoms range from mild, with minimal impact on daily activities, to severe, where moving the shoulder may be nearly impossible.
A rotator cuff strain is a tear in one or more of the four rotator cuff muscles in the shoulder. These muscles help rotate the arm and keep the shoulder joint stable. Strains are common in throwing and racket sports, where the shoulder is under constant stress. Tears can range from mild irritation to severe muscle or tendon damage.
Treatment usually begins with reducing pain and inflammation. Once symptoms improve, a rehabilitation programme focuses on restoring shoulder mobility, strengthening the muscles and gradually adding sports specific exercises.
Causes
Rotator cuff tears are often caused by overstretching or a sudden twisting of the shoulder joint. The shoulder’s wide range of motion and the need for fast, repetitive movements, especially in throwing sports, put extra strain on the muscles and tendons, increasing the risk of injury.
Signs & Symptoms
Symptoms of a torn rotator cuff include sudden shoulder pain, possibly accompanied by a tearing sensation. Pain may extend down into the arm. Patients often experience difficulty sleeping on the affected shoulder, and signs of shoulder impingement may be present, where the tendon pinches between the ball and socket of the shoulder joint during overhead arm movements.
Shoulder impingement syndrome, also known as swimmer’s shoulder or thrower’s shoulder, occurs when the tendons of the rotator cuff muscles become trapped within the narrow bony space called the subacromial space, located beneath the arch of the acromion. Repetitive pinching leads to irritation and inflammation of the tendons.
Causes
Shoulder impingement syndrome often initiates as an overuse injury affecting the supraspinatus tendon along the top of the shoulder blade. Pain induces dysfunction in the rotator cuff muscles, causing a slight shift in the upper arm bone and potentially leading to inflammation of the subacromial bursa (a small fluid-filled sac). Continuous pain and dysfunction may result in a detrimental cycle, potentially causing the growth of bony spurs that could harm the rotator cuff tendons. Early rest and treatment are crucial to prevent long-term damage.
Signs & Symptoms
Symptoms of shoulder impingement syndrome include pain on the top/outside of the shoulder, especially when raising the arm out to the side and above the head. Pain is particularly notable when moving the arm laterally in a 60-degree arc. To identify the specific cause of pain, a therapist will conduct a thorough assessment.
Tendons are sturdy fibers that link muscles to bones, like the Achilles tendon connecting the calf muscle to the heel bone. Tendon injuries often occur near joints such as the shoulder, elbow, knee, and ankle. While a tendon injury might seem sudden, it typically results from numerous small tears that accumulate over time. Doctors may use different terms to characterize a tendon injury, including:
– Tendinitis, denoting “inflammation of the tendon.”
– Tendinosis, indicating tiny tears in the tissue surrounding the tendon caused by overuse.
Most experts now prefer the term “tendinopathy” to encompass both inflammation and microtears. Nevertheless, “tendinitis” has been widely used for years to describe tendon injuries, and many doctors still use this term.
Causes
Tendon injuries commonly result from gradual wear and tear due to overuse or aging. While anyone can experience a tendon injury, those who repetitively perform the same motions in their jobs, sports, or daily activities face a higher risk of tendon damage. Tendon injuries may occur suddenly or develop gradually, with a higher likelihood of a sudden injury if the tendon has weakened over time.
Signs & Symptoms
Tendinopathy typically manifests as pain, stiffness, and diminished strength in the affected area. Pain may intensify with tendon use, and increased discomfort and stiffness may occur at night or upon waking. Inflammation may present as tenderness, redness, warmth, or swelling in the affected area. Some individuals might notice a crunchy sensation or sound when using the tendon.
Our skilled chiropractors take a targeted approach to relieve shoulder pain. Through thorough assessments and personalised treatment plans, we aim to not only alleviate your immediate discomfort but also enhance the overall health and mobility of your shoulders.
As well as treating shoulder pain, we help you protect your shoulders from future problems. Our team will guide you on better posture, simple strengthening exercises and small lifestyle changes that support long-term shoulder health. These steps can reduce strain, improve movement and keep your shoulders strong and pain-free.
The best way to get in touch is to call 0121 421 4466.
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