3 Treatment Options for Shoulder Problems

Remarkably, about 70% of the general population will experience shoulder pain at some point. The simplest things like sleeping can be nearly impossible. Even small movements can produce excruciating pain.

In this blog, Brian Murphy, DC, MS, and the team of experienced and compassionate health care specialists at Stamford Spine in Stamford, Connecticut, unpack this complex condition and share their insights on treatment options that can relieve pain, help you heal, and possibly make future injuries less likely.

What makes the shoulder so vulnerable to injury?

The shoulder is a ball and socket joint composed of three bones supported by soft tissues like muscles, ligaments, and tendons, which are susceptible to overuse and injury. The ball of the upper arm is larger than the socket of the shoulder, which further increases the likelihood of injury. 

The shoulder is the most movable joint in the body, but its exceptional range of motion also makes it an unstable joint, increasing the chance of repetitive injuries and strain compared to other joints in the body.

Common causes of shoulder problems

The vast majority of shoulder problems fall into four main categories:

• Tendon inflammation or tears
• Traumas/injuries that result in fractures
• Instability
• Degenerative conditions like arthritis

Noninvasive integrative medicine treatments

Regardless of the cause of shoulder problems, the resulting pain centers on tendons, ligament, or muscle problems, which makes chiropractic care, therapeutic exercise, and massage therapy viable treatment options.

Here at Stamford Spine, we customize a treatment plan for your shoulder pain that may include one or more treatment options using noninvasive approaches that don’t require surgery.

1. Chiropractic care

Chiropractic care is all about healing, increasing strength, and enhancing range of motion, making it ideal for addressing shoulder problems. During a treatment session, we use our hands to apply pressure to treat joints or soft tissue to realign your spine.

Chiropractic adjustments, also known as spinal manipulation, relieve symptoms such as pain and inflammation that affect the musculoskeletal system. The goal is to enhance the function of joints and restore or enhance range of motion.

The typical chiropractic care session lasts about 30 minutes, and your treatment plan may include several sessions.

2. Therapeutic exercise

Therapeutic exercise or physical therapy is also a great treatment for shoulder problems. Like chiropractic care, physical therapy addresses pain through healing. With shoulder problems, we develop exercise plans that target injuries, instability, inflammation, and joint pain.

Strengthening muscles and other supporting soft tissue reduces pain and inflammation while enhancing range of motion. Therapeutic exercise often occurs at our facility, but we also give you exercises you can do at home between your in-office sessions.

3. Massage therapy

Massage therapy is a great complement to an integrative medicine treatment plan for shoulder problems that includes chiropractic care and therapeutic exercise. 

Your massage therapist performs soft tissue manipulation, which helps stabilize and strengthen muscles and increase range of motion. It also improves blood circulation, which warms the body and triggers pain relief.

If you’re experiencing shoulder problems, contact us at Stamford Spine to learn how we can help. Call or book an appointment online today.