Shoulder Pain Treatment in Clearwater, FL

Too often, patients ignore their shoulder pain, assuming it’ll go away. But ignoring your pain won’t stop it and could even lead to lasting damage down the road.

Family Life Chiropractic provides shoulder pain treatment in Clearwater, FL. With four decades of experience, Dr. Jere & Dr. Philip has effectively treated chronic shoulder pain without medication or surgery.

Find out what causes shoulder pain and how they’re treated with chiropractic care here.

Symptoms of Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain develops in two ways: suddenly from an injury or gradually over time. What seems like a minor issue can quickly become a major one when left unchecked, which is why you should be aware of the following signs and symptoms of shoulder pain:

• Muscle weakness or stiffness
• Limited range of motion
• Neck pain or back pain
• Clicking or popping sounds when you move your shoulder
• Warmth or redness in your shoulder

If you can’t move your shoulder or arm, or if you’re experiencing extreme pain and swelling, consider seeking emergency chiropractic treatment.

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

Several factors and conditions can cause shoulder pain. Some of the most common causes include sprains and strains, dislocations, and arthritis.

Other times, shoulder pain is the result of injury to a different area of the body. Referred pain is typically caused by damage to the neck or arms. This pain won’t worsen when you move your shoulder.

Here’s a closer look at the various causes and types of shoulder pain.

• • Sprains and strains – A sprain occurs when your shoulder ligaments are torn or stretched too far, while a strain involves the muscles or tendons. Shoulder sprains are usually caused by falling or suddenly twisting your arm. Strains occur when you accidentally twist or pull your shoulder tendons.

• • Dislocations – Shoulder dislocation is often the result of a fall or a direct blow to the joint.

• • Rotator cuff injury – One of the most prevalent causes of shoulder pain is rotator cuff injury, which results in a decreased range of motion. Your rotator cuff consists of tendons and muscles that allow you to move your arm up and down.

• • Fractures – Shoulder fractures are commonly caused by falling or catching yourself with one hand. An auto accident or collision may also result in a shoulder fracture.

• • Arthritis – While not as common as knee and hip arthritis, shoulder arthritis can cause impaired movement. It wears down the cartilage at the ends of your bones, causing joint pain.

• • Bursitis – Bursitis is an inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs, or bursa, that cushion your shoulder joint. This condition can be caused by overuse, arthritis, or injury.

• • Tendinitis – Tendinitis is an inflammation of your shoulder’s tendons, the tissues that connect your muscles to your bones. The condition is often the result of chronic overuse or injury.

Dr. Jere & Dr. Philip will make sure you get the proper treatment for your pain, even if that includes referring you to another practitioner for treatment of more serious complaints or injuries.

Chiropractic Treatment for Shoulder Pain

Our chiropractors, Dr. Jere & Dr. Philip, provides shoulder pain treatment that is gentle, non-surgical, and drug-free.

He will begin treating your shoulder pain by evaluating it. He’ll look for physical abnormalities, swelling, and tender areas. You’ll also be asked about the potential cause of your pain and how severe it is.

Dr. Jere & Dr. Philip may also use muscle testing to pinpoint the location and issue. Muscle testing works by identifying points of weakness in the body. This means if a muscle group doesn’t resist the applied pressure, your shoulder pain may be related to an underlying condition.

Whether your pain stems from an internal issue or the shoulder itself, Dr. Jere & Dr. Philip will recommend a treatment plan to improve your range of motion and speed up recovery time.

Some of the chiropractic treatments Dr. Jere & Dr. Philip may use to treat your shoulder pain include the following.

Chiropractic Adjustment

During a chiropractic adjustment, Dr. Jere & Dr. Philip uses his hands or specialized instruments to manipulate your arms and shoulders. Shoulder adjustments can relieve pain and numbness in the extremities.

Adjustments can also bring motion back to your shoulders and reduce nervous system disruption, which allows your body to heal itself.

Cold Laser Therapy

Cold laser therapy is clinically proven to stimulate your nerves. This works to relieve shoulder inflammation, increase blood flow to the area, and temporarily eliminate pain.

Dr. Jere & Dr. Philip frequently recommends cold laser therapy to treat shoulder pain because it delivers quick results and it’s suitable for patients of all ages!

Nutritional Counseling

Swelling is a common symptom of chronic shoulder pain, which is why nutritional counseling can supplement your care. With four decades of experience, Dr. Jere & Dr. Philip may recommend types of foods and nutritional supplements that will reduce swelling and alleviate your shoulder pain.

Other Treatments

Rehabilitative exercises are a great way to rebuild strength in your shoulders. Dr. Jere & Dr. Philip may also recommend the following for relieving pain and muscle tension:

• Stretching
• Ice or moist heat packs
• Anti-inflammatory supplements or creams

How to Prevent Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is a complaint that becomes more common with age. Here are a few tips Dr. Jere & Dr. Philip recommends for preventing shoulder pain:

• • Fix your posture – Try keeping your head up and shoulders slightly back to avoid shoulder pain. Letting your shoulders slump can cause pain in the joints. If you work at a desk, position your keyboard and mouse so your arms are relaxed at your sides and your wrists are straight.

• • Stretch before exercise – Stretching will help improve circulation and elasticity in your muscles and tendons. Stretch your shoulders while sitting or standing. Use proper lifting techniques to reduce stress on your shoulders and neck.

• • Exercise the right way – Warm up before you work out, and start slowly if you haven’t played a sport in a while. Throw balls underhand or sidearm. When swimming, do the sidestroke or breaststroke.

• Change your sleeping position – If you notice pain in one of your shoulders, don’t sleep on that side. Sleep on the other side or your back instead. Alternatively, try propping your shoulder up with a pillow.

Shoulder Pain Chiropractor in Clearwater, FL

If you’re suffering from shoulder pain, contact us today to schedule a consultation with our Clearwater chiropractor. We’ll have you on the road to recovery as quickly as possible!

Your shoulder pain consultation includes a diagnostic chiropractic exam, health evaluation, and answers to any questions you have.

Call 727-447-4647 to request an appointment today!