Shoulder 2017-07-28T18:46:47+00:00

Shoulder Conditions


Shoulder Pain

When your shoulder is stiff, your realize how much you depend on it for your everyday tasks. There are several shoudler problems you could be suffering from and a practitioner can evaluate and diagnose what condition you are suffering from.

Some of the most common shoulder injuries are:

Bursitis and tendonitis is caused by years of overusing your shoulder by doing the same motion day in and day out (lifting, reaching etc). Repeated overuse can inflame the burs and tendons in the shoulder. The mobility in your shoulder will be limited due to the localized pain.

A rotator cuff injury is when one or more of the four rotator cuff tendons that hold your arm in place are inflamed or torn. This injury is very painful and limits the mobility of your shoulder.

Degenerative arthritis is part of the aging process. This is normal wear and tear that damages the bone, cartilage and saclike bursa in your shoulder. The pain gets progressively worse as the unprotected bone surfaces rub together.

A frozen shoulder is when you underused your shoulder. This can lead to adhesions, which limits your shoulder movement until it "freezes".

A thorough examination including; neurological testing, X-Ray or MRI, if necessary, will help to determine your exact diagnosis and individualized treatment plan.

Rotator Cuff Syndrome

A common injury of the shoulder joint involving a tear or multiple tears of the rotator cuff muscles- a team if muscles and connecting tendons that attach your upper arm to your shoulder blade. A tear may be due to a fall on an outstretched arm, overuse, impingement, or minor stresses in the elderly. The rotator cuff helps stabilize the shoulder throughout all its motion.

Symptoms include painful or painless weakness in the shoulder, pain on the outside of the shoulder possibly radiating down into the arm or front of the neck, pain n the shoulder which is worse at night, stiffness in the shoulder joint. Treatments includes; ice, massage, modalities, adjustments, stretching/strengthening, myofcial release and rest.

Shoulder Impingement

The bursa and tendons of the shoulder are vulnerable to impingement. Structural causes are degenerative changes in the bone, a weak rotator cuff, swollen bursa, or if a bone spur develops. An impingement can cause tendonitis if you participate in any sports or activities that require a repetitive shoulder movement, such as overhead reaching. Symptoms include; pain that is worse with overhead activities, soreness and swelling.