The shoulder consists of numerous joints that are stabilized by tendons, muscles, and ligaments to allow extensive range of motion and flexibility to the arm. It is the most active and potentially one of the most vulnerable joints in the body to injury. Every year, over 5 million Americans seek help for shoulder pain or injuries. Shoulder pain may be localized or refer symptoms to the areas around the shoulder or down the arm. Causes of shoulder pain include age-related deterioration of surrounding soft tissues, fascia, and connective tissue. In addition, shoulder pain me be elicited by strain, overuse, and repetitive trauma. Most shoulder injuries involve the connective tissues, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The symptoms and treatment of any type of shoulder dysfunction vary depending on the problem.
Early detection is the vital to preventing significant shoulder injuries. You should consult the staff at Merrifield Chiropractic Center if pain is persistent and intense, especially at night. The ultimate goal at MCC for shoulder injuries is to reduce pain, increase range of motion of the shoulder joint, and restore function.

RISK FACTORS OF SHOULDER INJURY

• Overuse with repetitive overhead movement
• Muscular weakness
• Improper sporting activity technique
• Improper ergonomics
• Previous trauma
• Hereditary factors 

SHOULDER TENDINITIS
Shoulder tendinitis is inflammation of the rotator cuff muscles. Inflammation of the bicep muscle tendonitis also considered shoulder tendonitis. Tendinitis of the shoulder is generally a product of natural degeneration, overuse, faulty posture, or acute injury.  Shoulder bursitis may be a co-culprit to tendinitis which will initiate pain when you move the joint or apply pressure to it.

SIGNS AND SYMTOMS OF SHOULDER TENDINITIS

• Pain in shoulder at rest and with activity
• Pain with overhead movements
• Swelling in the anterior(front) of shoulder joint
• Loss of range of motion in the shoulder
• Decreased strength in the shoulder
   

ROTATOR CUFF INJURIES OR TEAR
The rotator cuff muscle group is functionally responsible for flexing, extending, abducting, adducting, and rotating the shoulder joint. This group of muscles includes the Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres Minor, and Subscapularis muscles. These muscles and their tendons may tear due to trauma, weakness, aging of the joint and repetitive overhead movement.

SIGNS AND SYMTPOMS OF ROTATOR CUFF TEAR

• Increased Pain with lifting or overhead movement
• Night time deep ache that makes shoulder uncomfortable to lie on
• Decreases strength
• Atrophy of Muscles
• Reduced range of motion when combing or washing hair
• Extreme pain when putting a shirt or blouse on
• Complete loss of ability to lift arm up 

The functional related treatments at MCC can help reduce pain and improve function regardless if your injury requires surgery or not.

FROZEN SHOULDER
People with a "frozen shoulder" typically suffer from pain, and severely restricted range of motion of the shoulder. This disorder is most commonly caused by a traumatic injury which often leads to a lack of using the shoulder because of pain.  Rheumatic disease development and shoulder surgery which is recent may also cause frozen shoulder.

RISK FACTORS FOR DEVELOPING FROZEN SHOULDER

• Diabetes
• Thyroid Disease
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Cardiovascular disease 

SHOULDER DISLOCATION
Shoulder dislocation may take place when the shoulder joint moves or is strained out of its normal anatomic location. Consequences related to a dislocated shoulder include tearing of the ligaments or tendons that support the joint capsule.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A DISLOCATED SHOULDER

• Shoulder joint is noticeably out of its socket or deformed
• Severe pain
• Severe swelling and bruising
• Numbness, tingling, weakness in the neck or down the arm
• Joint cannot be moved

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