| Shoulder impingement syndrome is a condition | | | | |
| that will affect the rotator cuff. This | | | | The most obvious symptom of shoulder |
| condition causes shoulder pain that may | | | | impingement syndrome is shoulder pain while |
| travel down the arm. The rotator cuff is a | | | | raising your arms above your head. It usually |
| group of four muscles that providing | | | | starts out only hurting while your arms are |
| stability for movement by aligning the | | | | overhead then as it worsens it continues to |
| shoulder in its socket. This is what allows | | | | ache even when your arms are at your side. |
| you to raise, lower and turn your arm in many | | | | You might also notice that the pain will |
| different directions, offering you a variety | | | | flare up when you are sleeping because of |
| of ranges and motion. | | | | pressure on the shoulder. Over time your arm |
| | | | will become weak and have very little range |
| Shoulder impingement syndrome will most | | | | of motion. With repetitive motion tiny tears |
| likely happen to people who do activities | | | | in the rotator cuff will progress to larger |
| that regularly require overhead arm movement. | | | | tears in the tendon that could even result in |
| These activities include but are not limited | | | | the tendon pulling off the bone. |
| to swimming, tennis, golf, throwing a ball or | | | | |
| those who have careers that require | | | | How can chiropractic care help with shoulder |
| repetitive overhead lifting. | | | | impingement syndrome? |
| | | | |
| What causes shoulder impingement syndrome? | | | | By visiting your chiropractor you will see |
| | | | that there are many treatment options |
| Shoulder impingement syndrome is caused by | | | | available to you without the use of drugs or |
| repetitive movement of your arm over your | | | | surgery. After a thorough evaluation, |
| head which causes the rotator cuff to come | | | | diagnostic imaging may be ordered to locate |
| into contact with the outer end of your | | | | the exact location of the shoulder |
| shoulder blade near where the collarbone | | | | impingement. Treatment usually begins with |
| attaches, called the acromion. When you | | | | exercises to strengthen and coordinate the |
| repeat this motion it causes tendonitis which | | | | muscles that maintain normal shoulder joint |
| means the rotator cuff has become swollen and | | | | position. Often the chiropractor will adjust |
| inflamed from the repetitive rubbing. The | | | | the spine and offer soft tissue massage to |
| rotator cuff will begin to swell making it | | | | relax tight stressed tissue. Strengthening |
| more likely to become pinched or trapped | | | | and stretching exercises should be performed |
| under the acromion. This can also cause the | | | | at home in between your chiropractic visits. |
| bursa to become inflamed in the shoulder | | | | |
| area. The bursa is a sac filled with fluid | | | | Spinal adjustments and soft tissue therapy |
| that is in place to provide cushion between | | | | are beneficial because some shoulder muscles |
| bones and tissues such as ligaments, tendons, | | | | attach to the spine. By treating this area |
| muscles and even the skin. | | | | you will see benefits that will help relieve |
| | | | your pain and help heal the impingement |
| What are symptoms caused by shoulder | | | | without the use of drugs or surgery. |
| impingement syndrome? | | | | |