The shoulder is one of the body’s most versatile joints and can move in many directions. This versatility, however, allows for greater instability thus creating a greater chance of injury.
Diagnosis of the shoulder comes from the history as well as physical examination findings. Approach to treatment is always the same in that the goal is to create balance within the muscles and ligaments of the shoulder girdle. For example, subacromial bursitis is an irritation of the subacromial bursa (fluid filled sac). Chiropractor Inner West
Irritation of the subacromial bursa can be caused by superior migration of the humeral head (arm bone goes up) which presses into the supraspinatus muscle which presses into subacromial bursa which is compressed into acromion and coracoacromial ligament. These increases in friction cause pain. For this specific problem, treatment would be focused on muscles that assist in the downward pulling of the humeral head as the arm is raised. These specific muscles would be the Teres Minor and Subscapularis. Treatment would consist of specific extremity adjustments, Active Release Technique and shoulder exercises.
It would be too difficult to write out all diagnoses/treatment procedures. However, as stated above treatment for the shoulder is a matter balance. One must first look for the patient’s identifiable painful region but also search out the counteracting weak/taught muscles that caused the painful situation to begin.
The structures above are of the posterior and anterior shoulder girdle. As one can see there are many structures to take into consideration when treating the shoulder. Don’t delay your care, if you have had care for your shoulder with less than optimal results, remember did the doctor address all issues of diagnosis and treatment? If not, schedule yourself for an appointment today.
Chiropractor Rozelle