You may not realize just how much you depend on your shoulders to help you throughout your day until you suffer an injury. There are numerous ways that someone might suffer an injury of the shoulder; however, one of the most common involves the rotator cuff. If you have been diagnosed with a rotator cuff injury, you might become frustrated because you find yourself unable to carry out your daily routine. You might suffer from chronic inflammation, steady discomfort, and consistent stiffness. The good news is that chiropractic care provides an opportunity for patients to recover from a rotator cuff injury without having to undergo surgery or take prescription medications. There are a few important points that everyone should keep in mind when it comes to rotator cuff injuries.
What Is a Rotator Cuff Injury?
Your shoulders are among the most flexible joints in your body. Unfortunately, this flexibility comes at a price. It is also relatively easy to injure the shoulders because of how flexible they are. Any activity or athletic movement that requires individuals to raise their hands above their heads repeatedly could lead to serious shoulder injuries. Some of the most common ways that people injure their rotator cuffs include:
- Repeatedly pitching a baseball
- Regularly serving a tennis ball
- Swimming thousands of yards per day
- Washing windows on a regular basis
- Painting walls for hours on end
Over time, these repeated activities could cause inflammation in the shoulder at least to a rotator cuff injury. In addition, there are a number of chronic medical conditions that could also lead to rotator cuff injuries. Some of the most common include:
- Shoulder arthritis
- Shoulder tendonitis
- Shoulder bursitis
Similar to other injuries, the sooner they are diagnosed, the faster they will heal. Therefore, it is important for everyone to be familiar with some of the most common symptoms of a rotator cuff injury.
What Are the Symptoms of a Rotator Cuff Injury?
Depending on the severity of a rotator cuff injury, it can present in different ways. Some of the most common ways that a rotator cuff injury might present include:
- There will be a dull ache that is present at the back of the shoulder
- Individuals with a rotator cuff injury might notice arm weakness, particularly when trying to raise the arm above the head
- There could be a markedly restricted range of motion
- Individuals may notice disturbed and disrupted sleep patterns
The good news is that a chiropractor can help individuals rehabilitate rotator cuff injuries without surgery.
How Can a Chiropractor Help with a Rotator Cuff Injury?
In our office we refer rotator cuff injuries out to local Physical Therapists for direct rehabilitation. By receiving your regular adjustment, your injury will heal faster when used in conjunction with Physical Therapy.
Leave a Reply