Shoulder Pain

First thing that needs to be figured out when you are referring to shoulder pain is where exactly do you mean by your shoulder? Many people say that their upper trapezius muscle between their neck and their tip of their shoulder is their shoulder. Technically your shoulder is a joint between your arm and your shoulder blade that allows you to move your arm up and down overhead. The shoulder joint is one of the most complex joints in the human body as it needs to be stable but also extremely flexible to allow overhead movements throwing actions, and more. On this page will discuss both of the common areas of shoulder pain and what you can do about them.

Your shoulder is put together by three different bones. Your arm bone we all know because it’s the region we get our injections, your shoulder blade is the part on the back of your rib cage and your collarbone is the long bone on the front just above your chest. The three bones connect together and form the shoulder joint.

True shoulder pain in the joint has a few causes that are possible. The most severe ones that you need to have ruled out before considering other options are tumours, infection and nerve pain. More common but less serious issues include arthritis, an unstable joint or inflammation in one of the structures in your shoulder. A fracture can occur and is often caused by a fall onto an outstretched arm or a fall straight onto the shoulder joint itself.

Inflammation can occur in a couple of different places in the shoulder. The tendons are prone to inflammation because they can be ‘over used’ and therefore become stiff and sore. Throwing sports or age related wear and tear can be a factor in tendon inflammation. There are also bursa in your shoulder, which are basically small sacks of fluid that allow a cushion between the bones to reduce friction as you’re moving a shoulder. If these bursa become inflamed they can cause pain, inflammation and inability to move your arm.

Another common form of injury in the shoulder a tendon tears. There is a vast majority of people who are over the age of 65 who will have a tear, whether they feel any difference in the muscle or not. While tendons can tear they can also become crushed underneath the bones in your shoulder. You can usually tell if you are having a impingement or tendon squashing if you rotate your arm so your thumb is pointing down and then try and lift your arm up over your head. If this is painful it’s best to seek advice from a qualified professional like one of Chiropractors.

The other more commonly named shoulder pain is actually your upper trapezius. This is the muscle that connects your true shoulder joint onto your neck. The upper trapezius muscle also goes down your back. The reason this muscle become sore so often is because of our head position. Most of us are leaning forward looking at our phones, driving our cars or sitting on a computer screen at work. We are always leaning our heads forward which stretches these upper trapezius muscles overtime, making them weak. A weak, stretched muscle that has to hold up extra weight of you leaning forward your head forward is eventually going to send pain signals to tell you to stop.

This is why it feels nice to have your upper traps massaged, but it doesn’t remove the problem. In order to really get on top of this problem one must examine their posture and perform appropriate exercises, strengthening and manual therapy to ensure that your posture is good, your shoulder is stable and your muscles are strong and happy. It is not advised to stretch your upper trapezius muscle even though this might feel good in the short-term, you are doing harm in the long-term by stretching a muscle that is already long. For self-care you should use something like a heat pack or a friend to massage your muscle.

This will feel better but it’s also important to be checked if you want the pain to be gone and not coming back. Our Chiropractors create specific detailed treatment plans for people with all kinds of shoulder pain. Generally people are treated two times a week at the start to build momentum and reduce pain in the area. You will be introduced to postural and rehabilitative exercises throughout this period to ensure that once your pain is gone, it is not coming back. Lifestyle changes should also be made so that the good work of the Chiropractor is not becoming undone by eight hours of leaning forwards sitting at a screen. For more help and information call us or book online and one of our Chiropractors can help.

10 Facts About Shoulder Pain You Should Know

1. Shoulder pain is the third most common musculoskeletal complaint.

2. Shoulder pain can be caused by a variety of issues, including tendinitis, bursitis, rotator cuff tears, and osteoarthritis.

3. Your shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, and it’s more prone to injury than other joints.

4. Poor posture can contribute to shoulder pain.

5. Repetitive motions, such as those involved in sports or certain jobs, can lead to overuse injuries.

6. Shoulder pain can be accompanied by other symptoms, such as swelling, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.

7. Treatment for shoulder pain may include physical therapy, medications, or even surgery.

8. If you have shoulder pain, it’s important to seek medical attention to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.

9. Shoulder pain can be managed with lifestyle modifications, such as stretching and strengthening exercises as well as posture corrections.

10. Prevention is key when it comes to shoulder pain. It’s important to warm–up before physical activity and take breaks from repetitive motions.