Most Common Overuse Injuries Occur In The Rotator Cuff Of The Shoulder.

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 sharp, shooting pain into 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. playing golf, throwing a ball, weightlifting, swimming) and chronic, improper postures (e.g. operating a computer, driving).
Rotator cuff tendinitis often times is involved in Frozen Shoulder, these are severe cases where the patient is unable to lift their arm up to 90 degrees, sometimes they can only lift it up to 30 degrees because of severe pain and weakness. Surprisingly in our office the frozen shoulder patients we see are not related to overuse injuries; often times these patients are non athletes. More times than not, they come in a say, "I just work up and I could not lift my arm". With frozen shoulder treatment Dr. Hamel focuses on reducing inflammation and getting better circulation into the shoulder joint, labrum and the surrounding tendons.

Treatment Of Shoulder Injuries

Proper function of the shoulder requires a delicate balance between mobility and stability. Healthy joint mechanics are critical to allowing mobility and the proper combination of muscle flexibility and strength provide the necessary stability.

One of the most important and most commonly injured rotator cuff muscles is called the subscapularis (meaning "under the shoulder blade"). It is often missed by doctors because of its "hidden" position underneath the shoulder blade. When the subscapularis works properly it creates a large space between the arm bone (humerus) and the shoulder socket (glenoid fossa). If this muscle becomes overly tight or "gummed up" with scar tissue the shoulder mechanics become disrupted leading to nerve irritation. Extended periods of nerve irritation can lead to significant nerve damage and chronic pain. Although this muscle can be weak in many cases, strengthening exercises (such as seen with physical therapy) rarely produce a cure. Addressing the cause of the weakness (scar tissue) is the only way to eliminate rotator cuff dysfunction, joint pain and related nerve irritation.

Therefore, treatment for shoulder and rotator cuff pain requires a combined approach that addresses both the joint mechanics and the muscles that support joint function. Joint mechanics are best corrected with corrective chiropractic adjustments. Muscle therapy is effective at restoring both strength and flexibility to damaged muscles. Shockwave therapy provides the latest cutting edge, non-invasive therapy to reduce inflammation and improve circulation into the shoulder joints and rotator cuff muscles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can chiropractic care help with shoulder pain?

Yes, chiropractic care is effective in treating frozen shoulder rotator cuff syndrome, impingement syndrome and other shoulder pains. Chiropractors utilize various techniques such as adjustments, deep tissue therapy, and corrective postural exercises to address the underlying causes of shoulder pain, including misalignments, muscle tension, and inflammation.

What is shockwave therapy, and how does it complement chiropractic care for shoulder pain?

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses acoustic sound waves to stimulate the body's natural healing process. When combined with chiropractic care, shockwave therapy can help accelerate healing and repair by reducing inflammation, and improving blood circulation. At Hamel Chiropractic and Wellness, reducing inflammation quickly is a key to getting all shoulder pain fixed.

Is chiropractic care safe for shoulder pain treatment?

Yes, chiropractic care is safe for shoulder pain treatment when performed by a qualified chiropractor. Dr. Hamel uses gentle and precise chiropractic and non-invasive techniques to address shoulder issues, ensuring patient comfort and safety throughout the treatment process. All the adjustments we do with patients help to stabilize the spine and shoulders allowing for restoration of proper movement.

How does chiropractic care address the root causes of shoulder pain?

Chiropractic care focuses on restoring proper alignment and function to the spine and musculoskeletal system, which can help alleviate shoulder pain by reducing nerve irritation, improving joint mobility, and enhancing muscle strength and coordination. Often times there are muscle imbalances putting significant stress on the rotator cuff says Dr. Hamel; once we get those fixed the patient and their shoulder is a lot happier.

What can I expect during a chiropractic appointment and shockwave therapy for shoulder pain?

During a chiropractic appointment for shoulder pain, the chiropractor will conduct a thorough exam of your shoulder joint, spine, and surrounding muscles. Dr. Hamel's treatments include spinal adjustments, shoulder joint realignment, muscle releasing therapy, shockwave therapy, corrective exercises, and ergonomic recommendations tailored to your specific condition and needs.

How many sessions of chiropractic care and shockwave therapy are typically needed for my shoulder to feel and move better?

The number of sessions needed varies depending on the severity and underlying cause of the shoulder pain. Typically, Dr. Hamel recommends a series of chiropractic adjustments and shockwave therapy sessions, (10 visits within a 6-8 week period), expect noticeable improvement within a few sessions. We not only want to get rid of the shoulder pain for our patients, says Dr. Hamel, we want to make sure they are stronger and able to be active doing their hobbies or daily activities.

After my shoulder feels better, can chiropractic care and shockwave therapy prevent the pain from coming back?

Yes, once the shoulder pain is gone and you feel like you can do all the activities you would like to do with little to no pain in your shoulder, maintenance visits are recommended. We do monthly chiropractic treatments and/or shockwave therapy treatments to maintain your gains or improvements; we don't want patients slipping back to where they were when they initially came in for shoulder pain.

Is shockwave therapy or chiropractic care covered by insurance for shoulder pain treatment?

Shockwave therapy is not covered by insurance, Dr. Hamel offers very affordable treatment packages for shockwave therapy or some patients would rather just pay per visit; it is up to them. Chiropractic care is usually covered by medical insurance. Dr. Hamel's office does accept medical insurance from Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna and also for car accident patients PIP, (personal injury protection), insurance. His office accepts all BCBS and Aetna, PPO, POS, HMO plans, either Texas or out of state plans. For whiplash injury patients Dr. Hamel accepts PIP insurance from USAA, Geico, Farmers, Travelers, Nationwide, Allstate, State Farm, Progressive and more. PIP limits for medical care are broken into 4 levels: $2500, $5000, $7500 or $10000. Each person in the vehicle involved in the accident has one of these limits for all of their medical care. When it comes to insurance, Dr. Hamel and his staff file everything electronically for you so all that you are responsible for is your deductible, a co-pay or sometimes insurance covers the entire treatment and nothing is owed. Our front desk staff will do a free benefits check for you to see what chiropractic services are covered.

Shoulder Pain Chiropractor

Learn more about our treatment of shoulder injuries in Kingwood, Texas with Hamel Chiropractic and Wellness today!