There could be many reasons why your shoulder hurts when you move it to the side or try to lift it over your head. Here are the 5 most common causes of shoulder pain:
Rotator cuff injury: The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that keep your shoulder joint stable. Injury to these muscles or tendons can cause pain, weakness, and limited range of motion. Sometimes these injuries can be rehabbed and other times they require surgery.
Shoulder impingement: This occurs when the tendons or bursa in your shoulder get pinched between the bones of your shoulder joint. This can cause pain and limit your ability to move your arm. Can be worked on with physical therapy, chiropractic, stretching or massage therapy.
Frozen shoulder: This is a condition where the shoulder joint becomes stiff and painful, making it difficult to move very far at all. It can be caused by injury, surgery, or a medical condition like diabetes. At home exercises in conjunction with physical therapy or chiropractic care can often help someone avoid surgery.
Bursitis: This is inflammation of the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that helps cushion your joints. In the shoulder, bursitis can cause pain when you move your arm. Treatments can include anti-inflammatory medications from orthopedists and/or light stretches at home.
Arthritis: Arthritis is a condition where the cartilage that cushions the joints wears away, causing pain and stiffness. It can affect any joint in the body, including the shoulder. Treatments depend on the severity of the arthritis. On a scale of conservative vs. aggressive treatments normally begin with chiropractic care/physical therapy and can extend to medication and surgery.
If your shoulder pain is severe or persists for more than a few days, it’s a good idea to see an orthopedic doctor, physical therapist or chiropractic physician for an evaluation. They can help determine the underlying cause of your pain and recommend appropriate treatment.
If you live in Charlotte and are in need of a shoulder evaluation, check out Active Life Chiropractic in Ballantyne. Our conservative treatments aim to eliminate the root cause of shoulder pain and prevent future flare ups.
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