When most people think of chiropractors, the first thing that comes to mind is back pain. However, chiropractic care can be used to treat a variety of conditions from joint pain to migraines. When a patient comes in with complaints of pain in the shoulder and restricted motion in the joint, one possible diagnosis may be acromicioclavicular (AC) joint injury. While it is often an injury that is common among athletes, it can happen to anyone. Fortunately, chiropractic is a very effective treatment.

What is an acromioclavicular joint injury?

There are two bones, the clavicle and acromion, that make up the AC joint. Four ligaments hold the joint together. When those ligaments are strained to stressed, it results in an AC joint injury, often causing at least some joint separation. AC injuries fall into one of two categories: overuse and traumatic.

Overuse injury occurs over a period of time and is caused by excessive stress on the joint that is repeated or consistent. This causes damage to the cartilage and can lead to AC joint arthritis.

Traumatic injury occurs when the damaged ligaments cause a disruption of the joint called a shoulder separation. This is different from a shoulder dislocation which involves the actual ball and socket shoulder joint.

What causes acromioclavicular joint injury?

The cause of an AC joint injury depends on the type of injury.

Overuse AC joint injuries is caused by overuse and is commonly seen in people who perform tasks that involve lifting heavy weight (including military or bench presses) or that perform physical labor that involves often stretching their arms over their heads.

Traumatic AC joint injuries are often caused by a fall. The person may fall and land on their shoulder or fall on their hand then they put it out to brace their fall. It is often seen in cyclists who are involved in crashes, football players when they are tackles, or a laborer who falls from a high place, such as a ladder. These injuries are graded from mild to severe, depending on how much the separation there is in the joint.

What are the symptoms of acromioclavicular joint pain?

A patient with AC joint pain may experience the following symptoms:

• A bump that sits above the shoulder and is easily visible
• A catching sensation or popping sound when the shoulder moves
• Pain and swelling in the shoulder
• Loss of range of motion of the shoulder
• Loss or decrease in shoulder strength
• Tenderness and swelling over the AC joint
• Pain when lying on the affected side
• Discomfort and pain in the shoulder when performing activities that place stress on the AC joint, including:
  • Carrying heavy objects at the side
  • Reaching across the body
  • Lifting objects overhead

What are the treatments for acromioclavicular joint pain?

Mild cases of traumatic AC joint injuries are often treated with physical therapy and chiropractic. Ice, rest, and immobilization can also be used to manage the pain.

Overuse AC joint injuries can also be treated with immobilization and ice as well as physical therapy and chiropractic. More severe cases may require surgery. Doctors may prescribe muscle relaxants, pain medication, or NSAIDs to help manage the pain.

Is chiropractic for acromioclavicular joint pain effective?

Chiropractic has been proven to be very effective for AC joint pain. The chiropractor performs what is called an AC adjustment which involves manipulation of the shoulder.

While it can be a little uncomfortable for the patient, it is one of the best ways to quickly decrease the pain. After the procedure, the chiropractor may recommend icing the area to minimize or prevent swelling and pain. Regular chiropractic care can ensure continued mobility and continued decrease in pain.

The shoulder bears the brunt of a lot of work even in day to day activity. When something goes wrong, it can dramatically impact a person’s quality of life. The joint itself is quite complex with a wide range of motion and that ability can become compromised due to overuse, injury, or age. The goal of the chiropractor is to keep the shoulder moving naturally and ensuring that it is pain free. Frozen shoulder syndrome is one common condition that affects the shoulder, limiting mobility and causing pain. Chiropractic is an effective treatment that helps patients regain range of motion and decrease or eliminate their pain.

What is frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is characterized by pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion of the shoulder joint. It can occur as a result of overuse or after an injury, but can also be caused by diabetes or other diseases or even stroke.

It happens when the tissues that surround the joint become stiff and scar tissue begins to form in the area. Shoulder movements become painful and difficult. It typically has a gradual onset, then goes away just as slowly. It can take a year or longer for the condition to subside.

What are the symptoms of frozen shoulder?

There are three stages of frozen shoulder and from onset to resolution. It develops gradually and subsides just as slowly with each stage lasting several months.

• Stage 1 – Freezing Stage – The shoulder experiences pain during movement and the range of motion begins to decrease.
• Stage 2 – Frozen Stage – The shoulder is stiffer but the pain may begin to decrease. However, using becomes increasingly difficult.
• Stage 3 – Thawing Stage – The shoulder begins to “loosen” and the range of motion begins to return.

Some patients may experience worsening pain at night which can lead to sleep problems.

What causes frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder often develops when the patient ceases normal use of the joint due to injury, pain, or a chronic health condition. There is no single cause of frozen shoulder; it can be caused by any problem involving the shoulder that prevents the patient from maintaining full range of motion.

It can also happen when the capsule that encases the connective tissue of the shoulder becomes thick and tight. The movement of the shoulder joint is restricted, impacting its ability to move.

People who are 40 and older tend to be more at risk for frozen shoulder, and it occurs more often in women.

Patients who have had prolonged mobility of the shoulder or their shoulder has been completely immobilized are also at risk. These mobility issues may result from conditions including:

• Broken arm
• Surgery recovery
• Rotator cuff injury
• Stroke

Certain diseases can also place patients in the high-risk category for frozen shoulder. Some diseases that may increase that risk include:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes
• Parkinson’s disease
• Underactive thyroid
• Tuberculosis
• Overactive thyroid

How can chiropractic help frozen shoulder?

The primary treatment for frozen shoulder involves pain management and preserving the shoulder’s range of motion. Over the counter pain relievers like NSAIDs and aspirin are often the first line of treatment. Physical therapy may also be used.

In situations where the symptoms persist, more aggressive treatment may be necessary. Doctors may recommend invasive remedies such as surgery and steroid injections.

However, chiropractic can treat the condition from onset through resolution. Even in instances where the symptoms persist, chiropractic can still be very effective. In fact, it can be as effective as more aggressive measures without drugs or invasive procedures. Regular chiropractic care can help return range of motion to the shoulder and return the patient’s quality of life.

Adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder, is a condition that causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint. The onset of symptoms is gradual, steadily worsening over time, then resolving. The entire process occurs over a one to three-year period. The limited range of motion in the shoulder that is a primary symptom is also one of the signs that doctors use to diagnose the condition. An x-ray may be used to determine if an underlying condition such as a broken bone or arthritis may be causing the problem.

What Causes Frozen Shoulder?

The shoulder is one of the most dynamic joints in the body. It has a very wide range of motion and endures a lot of wear and tear with normal use. The joint is a network of ligaments and tendons that connect bone and muscle. It is all encased in connective tissue capsule. When that tissue thickens, it constricts to tighten around the shoulder joint. This restricts movement and causes pain.

In some cases, the cause is due to an injury or other conditions, but in other cases the cause is unknown. There is some evidence that suggests people with diabetes and other chronic diseases are more likely to develop the condition. It is also more prevalent in people who have had an arm fracture or surgery – something that causes them to keep their shoulder immobilized for an extended period of time. Women (particularly postmenopausal women) tend to be at higher risk and it most often occurs in people who are 40 to 70 years old.

Treatment for Frozen Shoulder

According to my friend, who works at Orchard Recovery on the Brazos, most treatments for frozen shoulder focuses on preserving the joint’s range of motion and minimizing pain. Over the counter medications like ibuprofen and aspirin are usually the first line of defense. They help reduce inflammation and pain. However, in more severe cases a doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs and pain medication. Physical therapy may also be an option.

Other treatments for frozen shoulder include:

• Shoulder manipulation – while the patient is under a general anesthetic, the doctor moves the shoulder to loosen the tightened tissue.
• Joint distension – sterile water is injected into the joint capsule. This stretches the tissue and improves range of motion.
• Steroid injection – corticosteroids are injected directly into the shoulder joint.
• Surgery – this is a last resort so it’s very rare, but the doctor may go in and remove the adhesions and scar tissue from inside the shoulder joint.

Chiropractic for Frozen Shoulder

Chiropractic is an effective treatment for frozen shoulder. Many patients see their general practitioner first to get a diagnosis and to make sure that there are no underlying conditions that should be treated before chiropractic is pursued. However, most chiropractors do have the capabilities to use x-rays and other diagnostic tools to adequately assess the patient.

A 2012 study involved reviewing the case files of 20 males and 30 female patients with frozen shoulder who underwent chiropractic treatment. All subjects sought treatment between 11 and 51 days with the median being 28 days. Of the 50 cases:

• 16 resolved completely
• 25 were 75% to 90% improved
• 8 were 50% to 75% improved
• 1 was 0% to 50% improved

Chiropractic can help reduce the pain, improve the shoulder’s range of motion, and speed recovery. The treatment depends on the symptoms that are present, how progressed the condition is, and how long the patient has had the condition.

One common chiropractic technique used to treat frozen shoulder is the Niel Asher Technique. It involves the manipulation of the joints and muscle tissues. The chiropractor applies pressure and stretches key points to help reduce pain and resolve the condition. It can make a tremendous difference in the patient’s life.

The shoulder goes through a lot in a day. It is comprised of an intricate network of ligaments and muscles, with the rotator cuff taking the brunt of much of the movement and exertion.

Not only is the shoulder the most flexible joint in the human body, it is also one of the most unstable. Among athletes, the shoulder injuries are quite common; the shoulder sustains more injuries that almost all other parts of the body.

The shoulder is particularly vulnerable due to its unique construction. Other joints in the body, such as the ankle or elbow, have a somewhat limited range of motion. The shoulder has a wide range of motion as a freely moving joint. This leaves it susceptible to stress, injury, and pain.

The various soft tissues within shoulder, muscles, tendons, and ligaments can be injured from overuse, excessive strain, falls, and improper motion. Treating shoulder pain can be a challenge because it is used so often in the course of daily life. A Doctor of Chiropractic can help relieve shoulder pain and speed healing.

Causes of shoulder injury and pain

Shoulder pain can be caused by a number of conditions. Injury to the rotator cuff is one of the most common causes and is commonly seen in athletes, like gymnasts and football players, who use their arms and shoulders frequently and tend to put increased stress on the joint.

Any activity that involved repetitive shoulder movements can also cause injury. Swimmers, tennis players, and baseball players are highly susceptible to injury.

Athletes are not the only ones who experience shoulder pain and injury. People who work in an environment that requires repetitive motion or strenuous upper body work are also at risk. Construction workers commonly experience shoulder injury and pain as do truck drivers.

Prevention of shoulder pain

Preventing shoulder pain and injury is usually quite simple. Athletes and workers whose jobs require repetitive arm work or rotation should take the warm up and cool down before playing, and they should take breaks often.

Pain should be addressed sooner rather than later with ice packs applied immediately and a chiropractic appointment. Ignoring shoulder pain could lead to a more serious injury.

Taking time off to give an injured shoulder rest is always a smart move. The joint needs rest in order to heal and regular activities should not be resumed until the doctor says it is OK. A chiropractor can also recommend exercises specifically geared toward certain types of injuries or conditions – they should be followed to the letter.

Chiropractic care for shoulder pain

Chiropractic care can be very beneficial for the patient with a shoulder injury or shoulder pain. It can help to reduce or relieve pain, improve range of motion, increase flexibility, and restore function to the joint. Different chiropractic techniques are used depending on the type of injury or condition.

The patient will be assessed by the chiropractor at the first visit and the doctor will determine a treatment plan. Ischemic compression techniques have been found to be very effective for certain types of shoulder pain. It is often favored because it is very effective, in not very strenuous for the doctor to perform, is very safe, and is tolerated well by the patient. Other conditions may respond better to different chiropractic techniques.

Chiropractic care is often the treatment of choice for shoulder pain because it is minimally invasive and it works. As is often the case, pain in one part of the body can cause pain in other areas. In the case of shoulder pain, the spine and neck may become inflamed. Chiropractic care addresses all areas of the body to relieve pain without drugs and gets the patient on the road to healing quicker.  With the added benefit of incorporation of our deep tissue laser therapy, we can help even more quicker than ever before.

Are you or a loved one suffering from shoulder pain? If so, give us a call at 850-654-1850 or fill out the below contact form and someone will be in touch soon.

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