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How Churchill Chiropractic Can Help With Shoulder Pain and Rotator Cuff

Churchill Chiropractic of Schaumburg enjoys a large success rate with patients who respond well to manipulations and muscle stretching. We have patients who come in to our office who complain about their painful and stiff shoulder. 

Painful shoulder conditions that limit movement are common, and are caused by problems with the shoulder joint and its surrounding structures. This is because the shoulder is more prone to injuries than other joints with its wide range of movement.

Many patients we treat have a rotator cuff disorder. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that help to move the shoulder and hold the joint in place. Rotator cuff disorders result from inflammation or damage to the rotator cuff muscles or tendons, or inflammation of the subacromial bursa (which is a fluid-filled pad that sits under the highest part of the shoulder). The inflammation can be caused by general wear and tear that occurs with age, activities that require constant or repetitive shoulder motion (especially above shoulder level), heavy lifting, trauma, or poor posture. Serious injuries and untreated inflammation of the tendons can cause the rotator cuff to tear.

The pain associated with rotator cuff problems is normally felt at the front or on the outside of the shoulder, particularly when you raise your arm or lift something above your head. You may also notice the pain more when lying in bed. Severe injuries can cause weakness of the shoulder muscles, restricted shoulder movement and continuous pain. There are special movement tests that Dr. Blackford uses to help determine which of the muscles or tendons has been torn in the rotator cuff.

Dislocation of the shoulder can occur after a fall. Shoulder dislocation occurs when the ball-shaped head of your upper arm bone (humerus) comes out of the shoulder socket. It may be caused by a fall, a sporting injury, or trauma, and is an extremely painful condition. A dislocated shoulder is visibly deformed or out of place, and there may be swelling or bruising around the joint. Shoulder movement is severely restricted in people with a dislocated shoulder. Dr. Blackford uses gentle manoeuvres to put the shoulder bones back into place.

Following a dislocation, the shoulder joint sometimes becomes unstable and is susceptible to repeated dislocations. This condition is known as shoulder instability, and causes pain and unsteadiness when you raise your arm or move it away from your body. Your shoulder may feel as if it is slipping out of place when you lift your arm over your head. Arthritis can cause shoulder pain.

Arthritis causes progressive joint pain, tenderness, swelling and stiffness. Both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis can affect the shoulder joint. Shoulder pain can come from other causes such as referred pain. Sometimes shoulder pain is actually due to problems in your neck or a mixture of several different problems.

Dr. Blackford will perform a series of tests needed to determine the cause of shoulder pain. You may also need to have an X-ray, or other scans, such as an ultrasound scan or MRI.  Next, physical therapy will be performed with specific exercises to strenthen the shoulder. If necessary, Dr. Blackford will refer you to a shoulder specialist.

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