Did you know that the shoulder is the most mobile joint of the body?
Unfortunately, when shouler pain strikes relief is often hard to find. There may be several contributing factors associated with pain in this area, such as a new injury or chronic inflammation. Those who suffer from damage and deterioration of this joint suffer from reduced range of motion and reduced strength in the affected arm. Injury to the shoulder may also cause radiating pain through the arm and the back, which can negatively impact overall quality of life.
Your shoulder is composed of many nerves, muscles, and bones which work synergistically to provide movement. Your range of motion is supported by different bones called the scapula, the clavicle, and the humerus. Muscles surround bones to support their movements and protect from damage, while nerves provide electrical messages which stimulate movement. Any damage to these tissues will decrease how well the joint moves. Additionally, damage to these parts of the shoulder swell due to inflammation, which cause extensive pain.
Any damage to these structures may render the joint immobile and produce discomfort in the shoulder, neck, and back. Loss of motion in the shoulder may be caused by an injury to the bone or nerves and muscles surrounding this structure. Degeneration of this joint may also be caused by acquired conditions and disease processes which deplete nutrients from the area, which can inhibit normal cellular growth. Conditions that cause shoulder pains include:
- Arthritis (a degenerative disease)
- Bone and joint abnormalities such as bone spurs or tumors
- Bursitis (inflammation of a joint)
- Muscle strain/over exertion
- Pinched nerves
- Muscular and skeletal misalignment due to poor posture
- Osteoarthritis, which worsens with age
- Shoulder dislocation/joint instability
- Tendonitis (generally in the rotator cuff)
- Traumatic injuries
Prolonged injury to this anatomical structure may cause further deformity of the joint which limits range of motion indefinitely. Sometimes, when the injuries sustained deeply penetrate tissues, it can lead to chronic swelling and infection of the shoulder which produces larger amounts of pain in the sufferer. In these situations, it is best to see a doctor to determine the severity of damage inflicted to your shoulder. A doctor may prescribe an X-ray, MRI, or a CT scan to get a better view of the damaged area. Similarly, they may also recommend an electrodiagnostic study to diagnose damage to nerves surrounding the structure.
Your body is a well-oiled machine that sometimes requires tweaking for optimal performance. There are several therapeutic techniques that can be utilized to reduce inflammation, swelling and tissue damage. The reduction of pain relies on the correct diagnosis of your condition, which is why it is imperative to see your doctor about your symptoms. To prevent extensive damage to your shoulder and surrounding structures, you should not ignore signs of pain as they can worsen over time due to how frequently you use this limb. Fortunately, once you are able to identify the origin of pain, it can often be treated effectively.
As with any injury, surgery should only be considered as a last resort. For this reason, it can be beneficial to see a chiropractor first. Dr. Mohr is the highest-rated Tampa chiropractor, and he will assess your symptoms to determine the true source of your shoulder pain. Oftentimes your symptoms may be treated with minimally invasive treatments rather than surgery.
If you would like to discuss your options, give our office a call or request your appointment here.