When you slip a sweater on over your head, do you have shoulder pain? Is there a tingling sensation going down your arm? Are you experiencing arthritis shoulder pain? Pain, numbness and stiffness are terms often used by those who suffer with shoulder pain.
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body. It includes four tendons, which hold muscle to bone. Together, these 4 tendons (rotator cuff tendons) stabilize the upper arm bone to the shoulder socket, allowing for a wide range of motion. The potential for injury is great because the shoulder moves in this way - especially with overuse or if structural and/or imbalances exist. In fact, over 60,000 Americans have shoulder surgeries each year!
Falling on an outreached arm or someone “yanking” on an arm can cause shoulder pain. However, there are many daily activities that also cause shoulder pain. These include household chores (vacuuming, carrying groceries), manual labor, repetitive motion (throwing a ball, exercising) and poor posture while sleeping, standing and working.
Shoulder pain factors vary from patient to patient. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis is crucial prior to creating a shoulder pain treatment program. At Kessel Wellness Center NYC, a diagnosis is based upon a patient's health history, previous injuries, lifestyle, observation and physical examination. Additional diagnostic tests may include x-rays and nerve conduction studies.
Factors that may lead to shoulder injury and pain include:
Referred pain from the neck
Bursitis
Arthritis
Ligament injury
Bicep tendon rupture
Rotator cuff tendonitis or tear
Frozen shoulder
Calcific tendonitis
Shoulder instability, dislocation or separation
Slap lesion
Once the cause is identified, an effective treatment plan for shoulder pain relief is created. This may include Chiropractic Care, Rehabilitation and Exercise, Therapeutic Massage and/or Nutritional Support.
Rehabilitation: The focus is on pain relief, healing, restoring function and movement and to improve body mechanics. Patients learn proper stretching and strengthening exercises. Additional treatment options may include assistive devices.
Chiropractic: By applying a manual adjustment to joints that have become restricted, many patients find that pain and stiffness are relieved. Other treatment/therapy options include Trigger Point Therapy, Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression, Heat Therapy and/or Cold Therapy.
Therapeutic Massage: This treatment option helps to speed recovery from injuries, especially when integrated with chiropractic care. At Kessel Wellness Center NYC, therapeutic massage helps to restore balance to the body, mind and spirit.
Nutritional Support: Poor dietary choices can lead to chronic inflammation, which may increase pain sensitivity. Have you checked your vitamin D level lately? Proper nutrition and supplementation - fuel for the body, are essential for a speedy recovery. Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated! This will help to flush away acidic waste products from the body.
Lifestyle Recommendations: It is vital to change or modify activities that cause pain, modify the home and work areas and maintain proper posture while standing, sitting or sleeping, when seeking shoulder pain relief.
Many patients previously treated with various doctors, specialists and therapists - and found no shoulder pain muscle relief. Some even tried bed rest, RICE (Rest, Incline, Compress and Elevate), and a multitude of over-the-counter or prescription medication, not to mention failed surgeries. Luckily, they came to Kessel Wellness Center and have greatly reduced or eliminated their shoulder pain.