The Shoulder
Injuries, Healing, Prevention and Optimization.
Like with any problem with the body, it’s best to try and avoid it. Regular strength training and range of motion exercises for the shoulders will prevent problems. The shoulders are complicated joints, not because of the joint itself but because of the support system of muscles, ligaments and tendons.
Shoulder pain is cruel and unusual punishment for not taking care of your shoulders. Do the right thing. Prevention is the best medicine. Both chiropractic and acupuncture may help. Call Dr. Lou in Portland at 774-6251.
Most of the stability of the shoulder comes from the muscles and ligaments of the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff consists of 4 muscles. These muscles are Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres Minor and Subscapularis.
The joints that comprise the shoulder are the ball and socket joint called the glenohumoral joint. The “AC Joint” or acromioclavicular joint is where the collar bone meets the shoulder.
Maintaining mobility, keeping inflammation down and strengthening the muscles of the shoulder “complex” will reduce the likelihood of a shoulder injury.
Common shoulder pain stems from bursitis, impingement, shoulder dislocation, ac joint separation and the dreaded “frozen shoulder”.
Shoulder injuries often result from repetitive stress like pitching a baseball or adjusting chiropractic patients by hand. Traumatic injuries would be accidents like a fall down the steps or running into another football player.
Rehabilitation of the shoulder with physical therapy, chiropractic care and massage therapy is very effective for many shoulder issues. Surgery and more invasive interventions are typically reserved for traumatic injury and repetitive stress injuries that have not been dealt with properly.
While chiropractic is focused primarily on the spine, brain and nervous system, it also provides chiropractors with adjustments for the shoulders and surrounding joints and tissues. Adjusting the articulations of the shoulders not only helps with pain but also helps with stability, healing and strength.
Our office is committed to your whole body. The video below is a tutorial by movement expert Michael Schwartz of the Workout Lab in Portland, Maine. We hope it is helpful to you.