SHOULDER PROBLEMS
How is the shoulder designed and what is its function?
There is tree joint in the shoulder. The main joint is a ball and socket joint and it is the most mobile joint in the body. The other two joints in the shoulder complex are the sternoclavicular and acromioclavicular joints.
The muscles of the shoulder complex provide stability and movement. During shoulder movement such as lifting, certain muscle groups help to move the shoulder, while other muscle groups help stabilise the shoulder complex. Much of the stability in the shoulder complex is provided by this muscular coordination.
Cause
Poor posture, muscle weakness or ligament injury can lead to abnormal biomechanics in the shoulder. These can result in abnormal forces in the shoulder, and over time can cause injury to soft tissue. Other causes of shoulder problems can be sports injuries and repetitive strain injuries.
Some of the other more common causes of shoulder pain include:
-
misalignment in the shoulder or collar bone joints
-
tendinitis (symptom)
-
bursitis (symptom)
-
presence of cervical spinal joint restrictions
-
improper workstation setup
-
poor posture
-
prolonged sitting
-
excessive repetitive shoulder motions
-
improper telephone techniques
-
nerve irritation from the neck ("trapped nerve")
-
rib problems
Treatments
The Wolff Clinic treatment for shoulder pain incorporates the use of many therapies (i.e.: Neuro Muscular Strengt Testing, NMST), all of which are gentle, safe, natural and non invasive. in most cases however, the chiropractor will use an adjustment to correct spinal restrictions or joint misallingments. An adjustment involves the gentle and specific application of a force to the joint or spine in order to allow the body to restore normal joint and nervous system function. This is pain FREE. Management of the condition may involve specific advice on exercise and rehabilitative measures as well as lifestyle and nutritional counceling.