shoulder pain

What is Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can stem from a number of different problems in and around the joints of the arms and upper back. Often caused by trauma or injury, shoulder pain can present itself in many different forms depending on the type of underlying complication.

Because of the wide range of movement that the shoulders allow, they prove more susceptible to ligament tearing, strains and other injuries than anywhere else in the body. Shoulder pain is a common symptom that many will deal with in their life – correcting the problem as soon as symptoms appear will ensure that you don’t suffer further in the future.

The Cause of Shoulder Pain

Injury and over-extension are common reasons shoulder pain occurs. The muscles in the shoulder can strain when overworked without proper stretching while tendonitis and ligament sprain can occur when the shoulder is overstretched.

It’s also possible that problems in the neck are the source of pain in the shoulders. Lower neck pain can spread out through the upper back and shoulder blades (scapula), leading sufferers to falsely believe them to be the problem area.

Muscle strain is a common reason for shoulder pain that usually occurs when the area is overworked. Repetitive movements, improper lifting technique and activity without proper stretching beforehand can leave you with tender, sore muscles and restricted mobility for a week or longer.

The most common diagnosis where shoulder pain is the symptom is shoulder bursitis. This describes inflammation in the shoulder joint where the humerus arm bone meets the torso. Shoulder bursitis can lead to a variety of pains in the shoulder and upper arm and commonly occurs due to continued aggravation, often from a minor initial injury.

It’s also possible for the shoulder to become dislocated from its socket. Shoulder instability refers to a condition where the shoulder dislocates frequently or with ease, often requiring a health specialist to relocate with care. A dislocation will make the arm appear out of position and severe pain is usually felt immediately after the incident occurs. Dislocating your shoulder will leave you susceptible to re-injury until the joint has completely healed.

Shoulder Pain Relief

While painful and sometimes slow to heal, most minor shoulder problems do not require surgery to correct. After a diagnosis of the reason for the pain, exercise, massage therapy and joint adjustments are key steps in providing relief from pain. Realigning the shoulder, soothing inflammation and further mobilising and strengthening the muscles can ensure better range of motion and less chance of re-injury occurring.

At Velca Health Centre, we can help fix shoulder alignment, allowing you to regain freedom of movement and freedom from pain. We correct the problem through chiropractic and/or physiotherapy, aiding the body’s healing process. Massage and joint manipulation can soothe pain, preparing you for a focus on strengthening the area through personal strength and fitness training.

Maintaining a stronger, healthier body will ensure that your shoulder pain doesn’t return in the future. With reinjury such a common concern for those who suffer, prevention is important.

Velca are here to ensure that you’re on the right track to taking care of your body and breaking free from shoulder pain. When correction through chiropractic and massage isn’t the answer, we’ll refer you to another health professional to ensure that you find a permanent solution to your pain.