Shoulder injuries are an all-too-common occurrence. Because of the unique nature of the shoulder joint, it is predisposed to injuries, and many people will suffer from pain in their shoulder at one point in their lives.
One of the most common shoulder ailments is shoulder impingement syndrome. This troublesome condition causes all sorts of problems for patients, and many people begin to feel like surgery is their only option after they’ve failed to get better with conservative treatments. However, few patients with shoulder impingements have sought out chiropractic care. Could chiropractic care be the solution to shoulder impingement? Let’s take a look!
What is Shoulder Impingement?
On top of the shoulder, there is a key area known as the subacromial space.
The subacromial space is the opening between the hook-shaped acromion bone and the humerus. Within this space, there lies many important tendons. When your posture is perfect and everything functions optimally, the tendons glide through this space without incident.
However, in cases of shoulder impingement, the patient often has slumped shoulders or similar issues, which can effectively close off the subacromial space. In turn, this can cause rubbing and tearing of the tendons in this region.
When these tendons have impinged, it can be hard to use the arm due to pain and weakness. Plus, if the issue is left untreated, it can sometimes progress to a full-blown tendon rupture.
What are the Symptoms of Shoulder Impingement?
As was mentioned previously, a few of the major symptoms of shoulder impingement are pain and weakness. However, one can also experience symptoms such as clicking, popping, and decreased range of motion.
In fact, shoulder impingement can make it very hard to lift your arm over your head, both because of the pain and the limited motion due to poor scapular posture.
Who Gets Shoulder Impingement?
Shoulder impingement can occur in nearly everyone. That being said, athletes and older adults tend to suffer from this injury at the highest rates. This is due to a variety of reasons, such as higher activity levels in athletes and generally worse posture in older adults, but what matters most is how to fix the problem!
How is Shoulder Impingement Treated?
In many cases, shoulder impingements can improve with rest, stretching, and exercise. However, this is not true for everyone. Some people will have symptoms that linger on for much longer than is expected and which don’t respond to conventional treatments.
For these individuals, it can seem like a lifetime of pain medication or surgery is the only viable option.
But pain medications pose some serious risks, and going in for shoulder surgery should always be the last option after every other possibility has been exhausted.
Interestingly, one treatment that many people don’t investigate for their shoulder impingement symptoms, but one that eliminates pain in tons of individuals, is chiropractic care.
Chiropractic Care for Shoulder Impingement
Chiropractors generally deal with the spine. By keeping the spine in good alignment and by correcting any spinal subluxations, chiropractors can help to reduce pain in tons of different areas of the body.
When it comes to shoulder impingements and shoulder injuries in general, chiropractors may be able to manipulate a specific part of the spine which can lead to a better range of motion in the upper body and less pain in the shoulder.
Do you have a nagging shoulder injury that just won’t get better? You need to consider chiropractic care! Our team at Keystone Chiropractic can help you address your pain and get your life back. Book your appointment now!
