Shoulder Impingement Syndrome and How Your Chiropractor Can Help

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