Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain usually occurs when soft tissues --muscles,ligaments or tendons in the shoulder are injured or overused. This can occur by reaching awkwardly, throwing in sports activities, poor body mechanics and/or poor posture, and
weight-lifting/weight-training. Most shoulder problems respond to chiropractic treatment with physical therapy (which chiropractors are fully licensed to do in California) and changing activities of rest, exercise and medications.
Shoulder pain often radiates into the upper arm. Shoulder pain can fall into 3 categories: tendonitus/bursitis, arthritis, and instability.
Tendonitus involves inflammation and/or injury to the tendons in the shoulder area. Tendons connect muscle to bone. It can be caused by overuse or wear and tear.
Bursitis is a conditionresulting from excessive use of the shoulder and swelling of the bursa (fluid-filled sacs surrounding the shoulder joints).
Arthritis - the suffix -itis indicates inflammation (tonsillitis, appendicitis,etc.)
and in this case inflammation of the joints. Most of us have signs of this after 40.
This osteo-arthritis should not be confused with systemic rheumatoid arthritis.
Instability occurs when bones are pushed out of alignment grossly=luxation or
more subtly=subluxation. Chiropractic is the treatment of choice for instability.

Things to Avoid 1. Poor body mechanics, poor posture. 2. Stopping movement to avoid pain. 3. Repetitive activities especially overhead. 4.Repetitive heavy lifting.
5. Lying on the affected side. 6. Most important --No prolonged heat such as a heating pad.

Things to do 1. Use good body mechanics and good posture. 2. Use ice on the shoulder for 10 minutes each hour when there is inflammation accompanied by pain. Heat will not reduce this inflammation. 3. Remedial, that is corrective stretching, movements, and exercise to improve flexibility and strength should be done with professional instruction. Illustrated exercises are available at my office.