Common injuries which can be treated effectively.

The rotator cuff (four muscles in total) is also the primary support structure for the shoulder. Therefore, even minor dysfunction associated with these muscles can create significant pain and disability including shoulder pain, arm weakness, and decreased athletic performance. When a rotator cuff injury becomes severe enough to irritate the many nerves that pass through the shoulder joint it is called a Rotator Cuff Impingement. The symptoms associated with an impingement are often more severe and can include numbness, tingling and  shooting pain in the arm or hand  A Rotator Cuff problem can be caused by many everyday activities. These activities include traumatic events (e.g. fall on an outstretched arm, “yanking” of the arm), repetitive motions (e.g. throwing a ball, weightlifting, swimming) and chronic, improper postures (e.g. operating a computer, driving).  My shoulder really hurts. What did I do wrong? Where did this soreness come from? Will my shoulder ever feel good again?” Your rotator cuff may be injured, but it can heal. The rotator cuff muscles and tendons attach upper arm to your shoulder blade. Your rotator cuff helps you use your arm to: reach, throw, push, pull, and lift. Without it, your shoulder would be nearly useless.

Why Your Shoulder Hurts

Your shoulder probably hurts because your rotator cuff tendons are swollen and or injured. This could be caused by a number of factors. Perhaps you fell on your shoulder or strained it by doing too much reaching or lifting. Maybe you threw one too many balls. Or maybe you twisted your shoulder during an exercise class. Even such things as working in the yard or cleaning a closet could have triggered your pain. And the older you get, the weaker your muscles and tendons become. This means they are more easily injured.

Is the pain affecting with your life?

A rotator cuff injury can make everyday activities painful. Does your shoulder hurt during or after movements like the ones below? Does it hurt too much to do these things at all? Use this checklist to help assess your pain. Be sure to tell your Chiropractor about any ongoing pain.

Reaching Overhead

Scratching your mid-back

Throwing a ball overhand

Raising your arm

Sleeping on your shoulder

Carrying shopping or a suitcase

Whether you have surgery or not, your ideal recovery depends on restoring your shoulder’s function. Your Chiropractor will be able to mobilise your shoulder to help to restore the normal function and also do soft tissue therapy and fascial release work on the injured muscles. To build and maintain flexibility and strength, you need to exercise your rotator cuff muscles during recovery and in the future. Your Chiropractor will tell you which exercises you need to do. You’ll also be told how often to do them and where to get tubing or hand weights.

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