Rotator cuff issues may be associated with a misalignment in your spine which is affecting your shoulder. Chiropractic care can help you feel better.
Give us a call (360) 260-6903 to set up a free consultation.
Transcription
Hey, it’s Dr. Troy here the Vancouver Washington chiropractor.
Today I want to talk about rotator cuff. shoulder rotator cuff.
I can’t tell how many times patients come in, they’ve been Googling and they say Dr. Troy I Googled it and I diagnosed myself and I have rotator cuff. I go, well what is that?
There are a group of muscles in the back the teres minor, the teres major, and the supraspinatus which make up some of the rotator cuff issues.
How Do You Know If You’ve Got Rotator Cuff Problems?
One thing is you may not be able to externally rotate or internally rotate your shoulder without pain or tightness or actually a lack of the inability to do that. There could be issues with the joint, with the muscle, you could have some ligamentous tears in there.
When I first got into chiropractic school I actually had a shoulder problem that a chiropractor helped me with. I couldn’t even lift milk out of the fridge, that’s how bad I’d messed up my rotator cuff muscles.
Through adjusting my spine getting the nerves open that innervate my shoulder; the guy actually never touched my shoulder. I worked on my neck to get my shoulder functioning better.
Summary
There are things you can do for the shoulder. Definitely, if there’s a misalignment in the spine that could be affecting the shoulder.
If you’ve got a rotator cuff problem one of our doctors would be happy to evaluate you to see if chiropractic is right for you. Call our office (360) 260-6903.
More Information on Rotator Cuff Injuries
We’ve all probably heard the name rotator cuff (sometimes incorrectly referred to as rotator cup) but most of us likely don’t have a clear idea of exactly what it is or why it’s important. The rotator cuff is actually a group of muscles and their tendons rather than a single joint. Together, they work to stabilize the shoulder. The four muscles of the rotator cuff are the supraspinatus muscle, the infraspinatus muscle, the teres minor muscle, and the subscapularis muscle.
The rotator cuff group of muscles helps the shoulder function properly and maintain the stability of the glenohumeral joint (or simply the shoulder joint). These muscles extend from the scapula and connect to the humerus, forming what we refer to as a cuff at the shoulder joint, hence the name.
What Can Cause Rotator Cuff Injuries
One leading cause of rotator cuff injuries is sport or work-related activities, where the shoulder suffered an impact or repetitive use injury. But many of the people we see at Zenaptic are complaining of shoulder pain while being unable to point to an obvious cause. In these cases, patients might be suffering from a number of symptoms, such as the following:
- Inability to bring arm straight up
- Shoulder pain
- Neck pain
- Inflammation
- Arm lacks full range of motion
- Wake up with sharp stinger in the neck or shoulder area
If you are suffering a combination of these symptoms, you might have a partial tear of one of the rotator cuff tendons, or you could be affected by a pinched or irritated nerve.
Rotator Cuff Analysis and Treatment
Because there are a number of possibilities that could be leading to shoulder pain and rotator cuff injuries, the first step is to have a medical professional examine you. Our first goal will be to treat any immediate pain and reduce swelling, so as to get a better picture of what is happening.
While an x-ray can’t be used to directly diagnose a tear in the rotator cuff, it can help to rule out other possibilities. But in most cases, the most helpful information comes from the physical exam. For example, if a doctor can move your arm in its full range of motion, but you have limited mobility yourself, then it’s likely you have a torn rotator cuff.
Chiropractic Care for Rotator Cuff Injuries
We often get asked what a chiropractor can do for shoulder injuries. Because the skeletal, muscle and nervous systems are so closely linked in the body, any misalignment can have a serious impact on your mobility and range of motion. Pinched nerves are a leading cause of shoulder pain for this reason. A chiropractor can use a combination of spinal manipulations and joint mobilizations to encourage the flow of nutrients, promote proper alignment, and help the body to heal itself without the need for invasive procedures or heavy medications.
Summary
If you suspect that you have a problem with your rotator cuff, schedule a FREE consultation to discuss the full range of treatment options available to you. At Zenaptic, our number one priority is promoting the long-term health and well being of our patients. Call today to speak with one of our friendly medical professionals.
