As a chiropractor, I am always suprised when people ask me 'do chiropractors do anything for shoulder injuries?'. In fact chiropractors successfully treat all joints and their associated structures (muscle, tendon, ligament, bursa, fascia) including shoulders, knees, ankles, thumbs, ribs and even jaws.

The most common shoulder injury is rotator cuff tendonitis. The rotator cuff muscles are four muscles around the shoulder which anchor and stabilise the shoulder to the shoulder blade. Two of these rotator cuff muscles are the infraspinatus and teres minor muscles. These muscles are the most susceptible to tendonitis injury. Biceps tendonitis is another common shoulder injury that responds well to chiropractic therapy. Tendonitis occurs when the muscle is spasmed or shortened through repetitive use and pulls so hard on the tendon that it strains the tendon causing inflammation. This ailment is quite easily corrected with the use of chiropractic adjustive therapy, muscle release techniques and tendon release techniques. Treatment of most tendonitis injuries lasts for four to six weeks.

Other common causes of shoulder injuries include referral of pain from neck subluxations, impingement syndromes caused by subacromial bursitis, rotator cuff tears in the elderly or young (associated with severe trauma and often dislocation), and osteoarthritis. All of the above conditions can be treated successfully with chiropractic care.

Less common causes of shoulder pain include fracture of the upper humerus or shoulder blade, frozen shoulder, rheumatoid arthritis, and bone cancer (osteosarcoma, or malignant metastases). These are often difficult or impossible to treat chiropractically.

It is important to get the advice of a chiropractor on shoulder injuries as we may be able to save you from unnecessary surgery, or if necessary guide you on to the appropriate specialist.