Shoulder pain is a common condition that impacts about 4–26% of individuals in the United States each year. This part of the body is highly mobile because it consists of multiple joints. However, these joints bear a great deal of responsibility and activity in our daily lives. 

If you suffer from pain in the shoulders, relief does not need to be elusive. At Hood Health & Wellness, our Flint chiropractors understand the impact of shoulder pain and how it changes and limits your life. 

When you want to find relief from your pain, trust in the experience and expertise of our team. Book an appointment today to benefit from a personalized treatment plan and start your journey to a pain-free life!

Understanding the Shoulders

The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint that performs a wide range of movements. Due to this wide range of motion, though, it is uniquely susceptible to injury. Unfortunately, it’s common for people to experience pain in the shoulders. 

The discomfort in the shoulders involves nerves, blood vessels, and musculoskeletal tissue. However, the pain rarely limits itself to the shoulders, impacting your upper back and neck as well. 

Whereas acute pain is short-lived and tends to resolve itself quickly, chronic pain lingers for months on end. Often, people experience shoulder pain as an ache or sharp pain. In some cases, people also experience a limited range of motion and weakness in the area. 

Typically, the pain worsens as you move the shoulder or attempt to lift something. To address this type of pain, it’s important to identify the underlying cause. That’s why it’s crucial to have a thorough examination from an experienced chiropractor. 

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

Unfortunately, there are many potential underlying causes when it comes to this area of the body. However, there are some common causes that might help your doctor identify the root of your distress and help you develop a treatment plan. Here are some of the most common causes of pain in the shoulders. 

Direct Shoulder Injury

Dislocated joints and fractured bones are two clear examples of this pain. For example, you might have a broken arm or collarbone. Here are a few incidents that may lead to a shoulder injury. 

• Trauma from a vehicle accident
• Abuse
• Falling
• Sports injuries
• Twisting or pulling the arm

Overuse of the joint

In many cases, shoulder pain points to damaged tissue in the area or referred pain from another part of the body. When we overexert a joint, it impacts the tendons, ligaments, and muscles, which can lead to pain and inflammation. 

A common example of overuse is a torn rotator cuff. In this injury, the tendons and muscles that keep the arm in the joint sustain damage. Typically, this results from repetitive motions, weakening over time, or overexertion of the tissue. 

Frozen Shoulder

Also known as “adhesive capsulitis,” frozen shoulder is a painful condition that causes stiffness in the joint and limits your range of motion. This is because the connective tissue that surrounds the joint thickens. 

Generally, this condition progresses slowly over time until you can no longer move the shoulder. Unfortunately, it’s not clear why this develops in some people and not others. However, it is more common among those who underwent surgery that required extended immobilization of the shoulder. 

Arthritis

Osteoarthritis occurs after years of wear and tear in the shoulder joint. In this condition, the cartilage in the joint breaks down, causing shoulder pain, stiffness, and swelling. 

Pinched Nerve

When muscle, tendon, bone, or cartilage places pressure on a nerve, it causes a pinched nerve. The pressure impairs the impulses, leading to sensations of numbness, weakness, pain, or tingling. 

Swelling and weakened tissues in the joint from sports injuries, repetitive movements, and arthritis can also place this type of pressure on a nerve. 

Shoulder Pain Relief with Chiropractic Care

At Hood Health & Wellness, we strive to help our patients find relief from pain in a non-invasive manner without the use of medication. Our goal is to relieve your pain in a natural way to help you return to life and the activities you enjoy. While there are many causes behind shoulder pain, our thorough physical and neurological exam helps us identify the source. 

We are then able to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific situation. If you are ready to find relief without a risky surgery, book an appointment with our team today!