You can injure yourself just by lifting something wrong or being the unsuspecting victim of an accident. Shoulder pain can also result from:

✔ Arthritis
✔ Athletic Injuries
✔ Automobile Accidents
✔ Jarring or Abnormal Movements
✔ Spinal Misalignment
✔ Stiffness/Tightness in the Neck and/or Upper Back

The nerves in your shoulder are responsible for its ability to move and function effectively, and those nerves originate in the upper spine. If you’ve suffered an injury to your neck or upper back, you’ll probably have some swelling and, of course, pain. All of these areas are interconnected, so pain in your shoulder may have its origins in your spinal column.

Your body is unique and so is your pain. It may come on suddenly or gradually worsen over time. Either way, your body is signaling that something is wrong, so be especially attentive to the following symptoms:

✔ An Audible Snapping Sound When You Move the Shoulder
✔ Bruising or Swelling
✔ Difficulty or Pain When Carrying Items
✔ Intermittent Shoulder Pain that Comes and Goes
✔ Pain that Worsens at Night
✔ Shoulder Pain Lasting Seven Days or Longer
✔ Trouble Raising Your Arm Above Your Head

Frozen Shoulder Syndrome (FSS) is another condition that my team and I frequently treat at East Cobb Spine & Sport Chiropractic in Marietta. Adhesive Capsulitis, or FSS, occurs when an individual gradually loses his or her range of motion in the shoulder (typically, a 50% decrease or more), and doctors still aren’t sure of its root cause.

Some of the potential causes include:

✔Injury
✔Other Conditions, such as Diabetes and Stroke
✔Overuse

The symptoms occur over time as scar tissue forms and joints grow stiff. Obviously, FSS pain increases as stiffness sets in, but recent studies show that most patients experienced substantial improvement, with 49 out of 50 improving by 50% or more. I will determine if your FSS is considered Primary (no outward signs of trauma; based on symptoms) or Secondary (associated with a traumatic injury or other condition).

Chiropractic treatment for shoulder pain and FSS aims at correcting the cause of the disorder and realigning the spine. There are also exercises you can do to improve your range of motion further and restore normal neural function to the shoulder muscles. I will discuss ways for you to achieve optimal functionality while adapting to changes in posture so that you can experience long-lasting results.

Since you rely on your arms and legs for nearly every daily activity you do, it can be difficult to self-diagnose what’s causing your pain.

When the vertebrae in your neck or lower back become misaligned (known as subluxations), chronic pain in the extremities is often the result because the nerves leaving the spine to become narrow, causing irritation and pain all the way down to your fingertips and toes.

Several injuries are clear indicators, such as:

✔ Pinching a Nerve After a Fall
✔ Repetitive Joint Stress
✔ Sleeping in an Awkward Position
✔ Sports Injury

But pain also develops over time, often slowly, which makes diagnosing the source more difficult. There are many possible culprits, including:

✔ Arthritis
✔ Bursitis
✔ Subluxations
✔ Tendinitis

If your occupation requires repetitive tasks (like typing) or playing vibrating instruments, you may be at risk. Other factors known to cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome include:

✔ Thyroid disorders
✔ Pituitary gland disorders
✔ Obesity
✔ Pregnancy

Here are some of the primary symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:

✔ Lack of Dexterity
✔ Pain in the Palm or Fingers
✔ Burning in the Palm or Fingers
✔ Tingling in the Palm or Fingers
✔ Swelling in the Palm or Fingers

✔ Weakness in the Hand

In the past, most sufferers were forced to endure the pain or undergo expensive invasive surgery. Medication, as always, can help, but luckily chiropractors are able to treat Carpel Tunnel Syndrome directly.

Through gentle, non-invasive movements, I will locate areas in the spine that may be putting pressure on the nerves that lead to the wrist to help relieve the interference.

Unlike traditional approaches, chiropractic health care aims at solving the root problem, so people can live fully without having to find a different line of work or live on pain medication.