Shoulder Pain Treatment In Portland, ME
There’s a misconception that chiropractors only treat injuries related to the spine. That is not true at all! As chiropractors, we are trained to treat the entire body, including the shoulders. In fact, we help people with their shoulder injuries every day. At Chiropractic & Sports Health, we have a host of effective treatment options for people with shoulder pain.
The shoulder is a complex joint, the most mobile joint in the body. It is essentially shaped like a ball and socket with a group of muscles holding it together. Around 70% of people will experience shoulder pain at some point in their lifetime, and 40% of those cases become chronic problems, lasting for a year or even longer! The most important thing is to determine the root cause of the shoulder problem to have the most effective treatment. The underlying cause of shoulder pain can include arthritis, repetitive stress/movements, poor posture, and trauma.
How We Treat Shoulder Pain in Portland, ME
Comprehensive Consultation and Examination
The first step is to determine the root cause of your injury. For that reason, we first need to perform a comprehensive examination of your shoulder. We will listen and take a complete history of your problem and lifestyle to extract any specific habits contributing to your problem. We will then perform physical tests to determine which part of the shoulder is injured and gauge the severity of the problem. It is essential to be very specific to create the most appropriate and customized treatment plan.
Your Individual Treatment Plan to Improve Your Function
With the history and examination completed, our next step will be to create your personalized plan. Based on all the essential information we have gathered, we can determine your functional deficits, like muscle weakness, imbalance, postural issues, and lack of mobility, that have led to your pain sensation. As chiropractors, this is where we specialize. The treatment plan we develop for you will be designed to correct these issues and get you feeling better again. Our customized treatment plan often includes the following:
Joint Manipulation
If your shoulder joint (or adjacent joints) aren’t moving within their normal range of motion, that’s a problem. One of our goals will be to restore this proper motion so you feel like your shoulder is moving freely and without stiffness or discomfort.
Muscle Therapy
If these muscles that hold your shoulder together are tight or in spasm, they will restrict your shoulder movement or cause it to move incorrectly. Our muscle therapy techniques will focus on the problematic muscles and get them functioning correctly again.
Therapeutic Exercise
No shoulder injury program would be complete without therapeutic exercise. Our initial examination will find where you are functionally weak or imbalanced, and we will help develop you with exercises that correct for those deficits. You will work with us directly to learn the proper form and create a home program for you to work on between visits. As you become stronger, you will progress through different dynamic exercises to build you back to where you want to be.
Common Types of Shoulder Pain
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is known as a “wear and tear” disease and is often seen with aging. Past history, such as old trauma or prolonged overuse, may contribute to this development. Osteoarthritis in the shoulder may feel like tenderness, swelling, stiffness, and decreased motion of the joint.
It’s important to understand that osteoarthritis cannot be reversed. However, some treatments will help manage the problem and even help reduce the pain. Many lifestyle factors are risk factors and may influence how your joint feels. Identifying these lifestyle habits and making some simple changes can also help you feel better. These can be things like weight, nutrition, and ergonomics.
Rotator Cuff Impingement
This shoulder injury is one of the more common types that we see. The rotator cuff muscles help stabilize the shoulder joint and are crucial to proper movement. In many people, poor postural habits and weakness create imbalances in the rotator cuff, ultimately injuring it.
A rotator cuff impingement can eventually lead to a rotator cuff tear. While there are other treatment options, such as injections and surgery, a properly prescribed routine of mobility, strengthening, and posture/ergonomics correction can do the trick. The most important thing is to seek help immediately, as it will likely worsen with time.
Sprain
A shoulder sprain is most often related to trauma or a sports injury. A few joints in the shoulder may become sprained, including the AC joint, SC joint, and glenohumeral joint. The first goal is to determine which joints are sprained.
With a shoulder sprain, you may experience redness, swelling, bruising, and even a feeling of “popping” as you move your shoulder around. If this sounds like what you are experiencing, beginning with a round of Rest Ice Compression and Elevation (R.I.C.E.) will help relieve some of that initial pain. An exercise program to help restore mobility and stabilization is essential to further your progress.
Check Out Our Locations Near You
Portland
15 Sewall Street
Portland, ME 04102
Phone:
207-347-2205
South Portland (inside Momentum Gym)
125 John Roberts Rd, Unit #16
South Portland, ME 04106
Phone
207-536-4610
Frequently Asked Questions
Can chiropractors help with shoulder pain?
Yes! Chiropractors are musculoskeletal experts dealing with joint and nervous system health. The shoulder is one of the most complex and mobile joints in the body, and a chiropractor can offer natural, non-invasive pain relief as well as injury recovery and prevention.
Why is my shoulder pain not going away?
You have not addressed the underlying cause of the issue. Pain is our body’s alarm system, letting us know something is wrong. If you only address the pain, it’s like turning off the alarm but not putting out the fire. Our goal is to put out the first for long-term relief.
What could shoulder pain be a sign of?
Arthritis, repetitive stress, poor posture, unresolved trauma, rotator cuff impingement, muscle strain, just to name a few. Identifying the underlying cause of your shoulder pain is critical to creating an effective shoulder pain treatment.
Can I adjust my shoulders by myself?
Your shoulder may naturally “pop” as you move it through your range of motion, but if you are dealing with significant pain or joint restriction, it is advised to have an expert assess the situation. Adjusting your shoulder yourself could exacerbate the problem or lead to more damage.