Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain may occur as a result of an injury or for no apparent reason. It may be due to a problem within the shoulder itself or as a result of neck pain or mid back problems referring pain to the shoulder area.
Determining the source of the problem in the shoulder is essential before anyone recommends a treatment regime. Therefore, a comprehensive examination will be required to find the causes of your shoulder pain.
The first step is a thorough medical history – some conditions such as liver, gall bladder, stomach can refer pain to the shoulder – is that the cause of your pain – see picture below for referral patterns. A Chiropractor in Southampton at the Avenue Clinic will determine your general health as well as the possible mechanical or neurological causes of your shoulder problem.
Next, the Chiropractor will perform a physical examination, which may include looking for physical abnormalities, swelling, deformity or muscle weakness, or feeling for tender areas, and observing the range of shoulder motion, how far and in which direction you can move your arm.
When the cause of the pain has been established, you may be treated by some or all of the following:
- Manipulation
- Mobilization
- Ultrasound
- Exercises
- Acupuncture
- Soft tissue massage
The Chiropractor will also discuss your posture and how you sit at work or what you do for recreation. Your daily activities may be causing your problem without you even realizing it!
What Can You Do To Help Yourself?
If you have a problem that is suitable for physical treatment, it will probably need exercises to help increase the strength as well as balancing any faulty movement patterns that have either contributed to the problem or arisen as a result. These exercises need to be tailored to your specific needs in order to be most effective – so contact the expert Chiropractors in Southampton at the Avenue Clinic for advice.
Don’t forget too that over 50% of the strength of the shoulder girdle comes from your core – so you must do core strengthening exercises too. To use your extremities efficiently you need a solid base!