Shoulder Pain Treatment in Aberdeen

What are the Best Treatments for Shoulder Pain?

The treatment of shoulder pain depends entirely on the cause of the problem. Therefore, it is important for the chiropractor to accurately diagnose the problem before any treatment can start. Just remember, resting and taking painkillers only, is not a treatment that is likely to help your shoulder in the long term in the absence of treating the root cause.

Rest: The first treatment for many common conditions that cause shoulder pain is to rest the joint, and allow the acute inflammation to subside. It is important, however, to use caution when resting the joint, because prolonged immobilisation can cause a frozen shoulder.
Ice and Heat Application: Ice packs and heat pads are among the most commonly used treatments for shoulder pain. It is important to use it correctly. If you are not sure which part to cool or heat, ask us!
Stretching: Stretching the muscles and tendons that surround the joint can help with some causes of shoulder pain, but can also make things worse!
Exercise: Rehabilitation exercise is an important part of getting better, but it is important to know what to do and when to start exercises. Some exercises can make your condition worse!
Anti-Inflammatory Medication: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain medications, commonly referred to as NSAID's, are some of the most commonly prescribed medications, especially for patients with shoulder pain caused by problems such as arthritis, bursitis, and tendinitis. There are of course some natural alternatives that your chiropractor can recommend. You should be aware of the possible side-effects of long term use.
Cortisone injections: Cortisone is a powerful medication that treats inflammation, which is a common problem in patients with shoulder pain. Discuss with your doctor the possible benefits of a cortisone injection for your shoulder condition. It can be a useful adjunct to chiropractic treatment, but should not be relied on as a treatment on its own. It is quite an invasive approach and not without adverse-effects.
Joint and Muscle Release: This is where Chiropractic excels. Not only can we unwind the tight connective tissue around your shoulder, but we can also get the adjacent joints moving fully to allow the shoulder freedom of motion. This allows it to heal effectively. Then we can help you stregthen the shoulder girdle and prevent future issues".
Shockwave Therapy: Shockwave uses a very specific air pressure device which has excellent results for chronic and acute shoulder pain. We have had amazing results for rotator cuff tendinitis, biceps impingement and frozen shoulder with this device.

Signs that you should seek treatment include:

• Shoulder pain that persists beyond a few days
• Recurring shoulder pain, even if it has a history of settling on its own
• Inability to carry objects or use the arm
• Injury that causes deformity of the joint
• Shoulder pain that occurs at night or while resting
• Inability to raise the arm
• Swelling or significant bruising around the joint or arm
• Signs of an infection, including fever, redness, warmth or swelling

Referred Pain from Internal Organs

It is important to remember that pain from the gall bladder can be felt over the right shoulder and pain from the pancreas can be felt over the left shoulder, and most importantly, heart attacks can refer pain into the left shoulder and arm. Chiropractors are trained in medical diagnosis and one of the priorities in the examination is to rule out more serious medical conditions before any treatment can start. For more information on how chiropractic can help, contact us or book online now.

Call us today on 01224 211517 to book your appointment.