Can Spinal Manipulation Help Shoulder Pain or Function?

Non-surgical, conservative care to address shoulder pain, especially when caused by shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS), is one of the most common reasons patients visit a chiropractic office.

 

Addressing shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) should be treated with a combination of manual therapies including an exercise regimen for the best outcome. The scientific literature is rich with studies showing the benefits of shoulder exercises to address SIS, and a poorer outcome is more likely without exercise. Manual therapies applied to the shoulder have also been demonstrated to benefit the SIS patient, and it’s common for chiropractors to use both specific exercise and manual therapies in combination when managing this condition. Mid-back thrust manipulation led to immediate improvements in both shoulder pain and shoulder range of motion in the SIS patients.

 

Studies have demonstrated that spinal manipulation applied to the mid-back can lessen shoulder pain (and improve shoulder joint range of motion) without administering any treatment directly on the shoulder.

 

This suggests mid-back dysfunction may play a role, however small, in many cases of SIS and that patients with shoulder issues should receive a thorough examination to identify all possible contributing factors to the patient’s musculoskeletal pain and disability, even those outside the area of chief complaint, something which doctors of chiropractic are trained to do when assessing a new patient.

 

Content Courtesy of Chiro-Trust.org. All Rights Reserved.

 

Dr. Augustine of Augustine Chiropractic in Wesley Chapel, FL, has over 31 years of experience treating patients for their neck pain and their ailments through personalized chiropractic care treatments. The locally owned and operated chiropractic clinic offers both in-office treatments and at-home therapy regiments to help people recover and heal from auto injuries and other conditions. The staff is dedicated to providing alternative and therapeutic solutions for better overall health. Give them a call today at (813) 994-6008 to schedule and appointment and visit their website to learn more about their services!