| If you want to beat shoulder pain, we must first | | | | professional that can provide you with answers, |
| understand the anatomy of the shoulder itself. The | | | | evaluate, and treat your problem. |
| shoulder is a multiaxial spheroid joint which allows for | | | | Evaluating the shoulder should start with an exhaustive |
| its wide range of motion. The major joint within the | | | | history of the chief complaint. Examination should be |
| shoulder is the glenohumeral joint which is stabilized by | | | | the next step. This includes various orthopedic, muscle |
| many underlying ligaments and muscles. The other | | | | strength, and neurological tests. During the examination |
| smaller joints include the acromio-clavicular, | | | | the chiropractor will check for joint dysfunction of the |
| sterno-clavicular, 1st costovertebral, and the | | | | shoulder, upper thoracic spine, 1st rib, and cervical spine. |
| scapula-thoracic joint. All these joints together make up | | | | Diagnostic imaging to view the integrity of the internal |
| an unstable joint that can have tremendous strength. | | | | structures is optional. |
| The muscles of the shoulder are the supraspinatus, | | | | Functional examination of the shoulder begins by |
| infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. These | | | | testing the strength of the serratus anterior muscle; a |
| muscles are considered the rotator cuff which allow | | | | key muscle in the function and stability of the shoulder. |
| the shoulder great strength and range of motion. | | | | Other key muscles that should be tested are the |
| However, these muscles make the shoulder | | | | rotator cuff muscles, and the pectoral minor muscle. |
| susceptible to injury. These injuries include cuff tears, | | | | Treatment begins with manipulation of the key joints |
| impingement, and tendonitis. | | | | involved in shoulder pain. Muscle techniques such as |
| The shoulder has shown to be tremendously complex | | | | Active Release Technique, or post-isometric relaxation |
| to treating physicians. Pain and dysfunction can arise | | | | will be used on overactive muscles of the shoulder. A |
| from other areas in the body such as the neck and | | | | rehabilitation program should be constructed to regain |
| cervical spine. Therefore; cervical spine conditions or | | | | function and proper biomechanics of the shoulder by |
| dysfunction must be examined and ruled out. | | | | strengthening the muscles found weak or inhibited by |
| Overhand throwing athletes, swimmers, and | | | | the treating chiropractor. |
| professionals such as carpenters, and painters are | | | | Following this treatment protocol can significantly |
| susceptible to shoulder pain. | | | | improve your chances of getting shoulder pain relief |
| The first step in beating shoulder pain is finding a | | | | through chiropractic care. |