Healing Chronic Shoulder Pain

As we get older, years and decades of mechanical stress may lead to deterioration of joints, ligaments, and tendons. This degenerative process, commonly known as arthritis, primarily affects weight-bearing joints such as the hips and knees and those found in the lumbar spine. The shoulder, too, is especially prone to undergo arthritic changes owing to its extreme mobility. The extensive range of motion at the shoulder is built-in to the design of this structure, but the tradeoff is instability. The design of the shoulder sacrifices stability for mobility.

Degenerative disorders of the shoulder typically involve the rotator cuff. This broad, flat structure is composed of the muscle-tendon units of the four rotator cuff muscles: the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and teres minor. The thick covering of the rotator cuff surrounds the head of the arm bone and supports and strengthens the shoulder joint. But owing to the shoulder's inherent instability contrasted with its great mobility, the soft tissues of the rotator cuff undergo repetitive stress and strain. Ultimately, degenerative changes may occur, leading to the two prominent symptoms of pain and restricted range of motion.

An entire orthopedic sub-specialty focuses on treatment of chronic shoulder pain and includes long-term use of anti-inflammatory medication, corticosteroid injections when medications do not provide sufficient relief, and eventually surgery to repair tears in the various rotator cuff tendons. "Revision" surgery is commonly performed when the benefits of prior surgery are exhausted.¹

The good news is that in many cases, a more optimal approach is available, one that utilizes the body's own natural recuperative powers. For many people, chronic shoulder pain can be reduced and chronic loss of mobility can be improved by engaging in specific activities and performing specific rehabilitative exercises. The goals of rehabilitation are to increase shoulder range of motion and build up shoulder strength. As these goals are accomplished, the likely result is reduction of intensity and frequency of occurrence of shoulder pain.

Engaging in an overall strength training program is an important general approach to managing chronic shoulder pain.^2,3 Strength training should be done progressively, starting with light weights and building up over time. Exercises specific to the shoulder include seated dumbbell or barbell presses, dumbbell or cable lateral raises, seated bent-over rows, and internal and external rotation exercises done with very light dumbbells on a flat bench. If one has experienced an acute shoulder injury, early rehabilitation should precede rehabilitative strength training. Early rehabilitation includes pendulum exercises and finger-walking up a wall in both forward-facing and side positions.

Your chiropractor is experienced in injury rehabilitation and will be able to help you design an effective flexibility and strengthening program for improved shoulder function.

 

 Chronic injuries require specific rehabilitation and a long-term approach. Patience is required and it is important to recall that the problem has developed over the course of years and will not be fixed in a matter of weeks or months. Progress should be obtained in the short-term, but such situations usually require consistent, ongoing attention to achieve a long-term solution.

Performing the appropriate rehabilitative activities is critically important and chiropractic care can be of great assistance in getting the most out of your exercise program. Regular chiropractic care improves the mobility of your spinal column and removes nerve interference which may cause tight, inflamed muscles. The result is a body that is optimized for good health and full function. By enabling maximum spinal mobility and maximum function of your nerve system, regular chiropractic care helps maximize your body's ability to recover from chronic injury.

Please let us know if we can help you improve your health in any way!

(386) 492-4881 or reach us on the web at www.AtlanticChiroFL.com

¹Keener JD: Revision rotator cuff repair. Clin Sports Med 31(4):713-725, 2012

²Lewis JS: A specific exercise program for patients with subacromial impingement syndrome can improve function and reduce the need for surgery. J Physiother 58(2):127, 2012

³Andersen LL, et al: Effectiveness of small daily amounts of progressive resistance training for frequent neck/shoulder pain: randomised controlled trial. Pain 152(2):440-446, 2011

Texting Can Be a Pain in the Neck - Literally‏!

As we all know, texting has become a very popular form of communication, especially for kids and young adults.

Frequent texting is causing a dramatic increase in headaches, neck pain and shoulder pain. The term used to describe these health conditions is Text Neck.

Below is a link to a short video from The Doctors TV Show about text neck and provides ways to prevent it. We even show you where you can go to get an App for your smartphone specifically for Text Neck. 

 

 

Please take a few minutes and visit this page and watch the video from The Doctors by clicking on the following link:

Text Neck

 

If you or your child is experiencing headaches, neck pain or shoulder pain from texting, computer or iPad use, please give us a call at (386) 492-4881 to schedule an appointment. We can help!

What is Degenerative Disc Disease?

Degenerative Disc Disease or Degenerative Disc Disorder of the Spine is not technically a disease but rather a condition that describes changes to the spinal discs located between the 33 vertebrae of your spine. Spinal discs change naturally as we age or they may change as a result of an injury. Either way, degenerative disc disease can lead to chronic pain and seriously impact your ability to function daily.
At Atlantic Chiropractic and Wellness Center, we have been helping patients with degenerative disc disease, as well as other degenerative disorders. Using our safe and effective chiropractic care, we have earned a trusted reputation for providing patients pain relief from degenerative disc disease and helping them restore their quality of life.
Please contact us at (386) 492-4881 to schedule an appointment. We can help you with degenerative disc disease!

What Are Spinal Discs?

Spinal discs are soft, spongy discs that separate the thirty three vertebrae that make up your spine. Spinal discs act as shock absorbers for your spine and allow your spine to move with comfort and ease.
The outer portion of a spinal disc is a tough elastic cartilage called the capsule. It surrounds and protects an interior jelly-like material called the nucleus.

Causes of Degenerative Disc Disease

As you age, your spinal discs will naturally degenerate and change. Aside from the aging process, an injury from something like an auto accident or an injury from playing sports may also impact one or more spinal discs and start the degeneration process.  The changes and the type of degeneration typically include one or both of the following:
Reduction in Spinal Disc Thickness:  A spinal disc gradually becomes thinner as a result of fluid loss in the jelly-like interior of the disc.  When spinal discs do become thinner, it narrows the distance between vertebrae and reduces shock absorption and flexibility of the spine.
Tears or Cracks in Spinal Discs:  Small tears or cracks may develop in the outer portion of spinal discs. When this happens, the jelly-like interior may leak into these tiny tears or cracks causing them to bulge or rupture.
The development of degenerative disc disease can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves causing pain and abnormal function.

Symptoms and Types of Degenerative Disc Disease

The symptoms of degenerative disc disease vary depending on the location of the spinal disc degeneration. If a spinal disc or multiple spinal discs in the neck region of the spine become degenerated, it may cause neck pain or arm pain. This is commonly referred to as Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease.
If a spinal disc or several spinal discs in the low back area of the spine become degenerated, it may cause low back pain or pain in the hips, buttocks and legs. This is commonly referred to as Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease.
The degree of pain may also vary from numbness or tingling to intense pain that increases with movement.

Why We Will Help with Degenerative Disc Disease

The practice of chiropractic care focuses on the comprehensive health of the body’s spine and central nervous system. Our doctors of chiropractic are trained to identify and treat problems with the spine and nerves of the human body. When your spine and central nervous system are healthy and free from interference (called subluxations), you will be free from pain.
The best feature about chiropractic care is that it does not use prescription drugs or surgery to treat health care problems like degenerative disc disease. It’s safe and effective.

Find a Resolution for the Pain from Degenerative Disc Disease

Life does not have to be lived enduring the pain and discomfort of degenerative disc disease. Please give us a call at (386) 492-4881 or Schedule an Appointment today!