Shoulder & Arm Pain

Our hands are our gateway to everyday chores. What if you could not move your hands all of a sudden? Doesn’t the mere thought of it give you a nightmare? That’s because without the flexibility and all round movement of our hands, we can’t perform all our daily jobs. And pain in the shoulder and arm impairs your ability to utilize your hands.

The shoulder joint is compose of several bones, ligaments, cartilage, tendons and muscles. The shoulder is a joint of three bones: Clavicle (collarbone), the upper arm bone called the humerus and the shoulder blade, called the scapula, creating a 90 degree angle. There are two joints in the shoulder, the glenohumeral joint which is formed by the humerus bone and the scapula; and the acromioclavicular joint which is formed by a part of scapula (called the acromion) and the clavicle. In between these two joints, there are sac like structures called bursae containing synovial fluid which lubricates and reduces friction between the joints.

The Primary causes of Shoulder & Arm Pain

The shoulder is a ball and socket joint and is the most mobile joint in the human body. Hence it is susceptible to much wear and tear as well as injuries. Some of the common causes may include-

• Rotator cuff tendinitis.
• Shoulder impingement.
• Injury to neck or bicep.
• Dislocation.
• Frozen shoulder.
• Arthritis.

Pain in the Shoulder and arm can be caused by a neck injury. Neck pain often gets referred to the arms. It can also be caused by a dislocation of a spinal disc. The herniated disc puts pressure on nerves and triggers intense pain. In such cases, lying still for too long, using too big or thin pillows, etc. can trigger pain. Conditions like dislocation of shoulder or frozen shoulder are also causes of discomfort. Pain in the shoulder blade often finds its way into the shoulder and arms. Such pains are generally accompanied by pins and needles in the fingers. Even certain diseases like gall stone or ligament rupture can give rise to pain that eventually gets referred to the shoulder and arms. Condition like osteoporosis damages bones, degrades joints and causes pain in the shoulders. In addition, tumors and cancerous growth around nerve endings can compress nerves and cause immense pain.

Symptoms of Shoulder & Arm Pain

The preliminary sign of shoulder and arm problems is an impairment of free movement. Any reduction in the range of hand and shoulder movements is a cause of alarm. Difficulty in moving and stretching your arms, difficulty in rotating your shoulders and swelling in the shoulder joint are all indications of imminent trouble. Some listed symptoms are-

• Difficulty in rotating or stretching the arm.
• Reduced range of motion of the shoulder.
• Difficulty in rotating the shoulder.
• Swelling or soreness in shoulder.

Treatment

Minor problems can easily be treated at home. You can apply ice and take sufficient rest to ease any swelling and pain. But as it may also be a warning of an underlying disease like gall stone or heart attack, consult a doctor. If the shoulder pain is caused by some accident or severe injury, medical opinion should immediately be sought because such cases are particularly prone to dislocations or cartilage tear. In case of severe pain, our chiropractors prescribe complete rest as any movement can result in torn ligaments. When the pain subsides, our experts combine several massage, stretching and decompression therapy to relieve you of your ailment.

Scientifically treating Neck and Shoulder Pain

ProAdjuster is a modern chiropractic technique that reduces pain and inflammation in the shoulder & arm joint. With this chiropractic technique, the practitioner uses scientific instruments to adjust dislocations in the shoulder & arm joint. This chiropractic treatment is extremely beneficial in curing shoulder & arm pain. With the Adjuster, the chiropractor can graphically locate the precise location of anomalies in the shoulder & arm joint. It is a much more accurate than the traditional practice of diagnosing the abnormality by touching the joints. Having located the problem area, the chiropractor uses the ProAdjuster to the joint to its natural configuration and relieving the pain.

Conclusion

60% of all shoulder & arm pain are due to tendonitis. Sudden pain can indicate a heart attack. Chronic pain in the shoulders inhibits the normal functioning of the patient. Our expert practitioners at Spinewise make use of massage, exercise and modern methods like the ProAdjuster to treat innumerable patients and effectively cure them of their shoulder and arm pain. If you are plagued by problems in the neck and shoulder, call us today to avail your ticket to pain free life.