At some point in their lives, most people will experience shoulder pain at one time or another, from mild muscle soreness to debilitating chronic pain that keeps them from doing even the simplest of tasks. Anyone who has ever experienced shoulder pain knows that it can make even the simplest tasks, such as reaching for a glass of water, feel impossible. The good news is that there are a number of effective treatment options available. For many people, chiropractic care can provide much-needed relief. Here are five common causes of shoulder pain that may benefit from seeing a chiropractor.
1) Hunching over your computer all day long
Chances are you spend many hours hunched over your computer, which can cause tightness in your neck and shoulders. Over time, that leads to pain and, potentially, muscle spasms. If you experience shoulder pain from a prolonged period of hunching over your desk or laptop, try these exercises to stretch out those pained muscles. When you engage with expert, not only can prompt attention alleviate your discomfort and improve your quality of life, but it can also prevent your shoulder problems from worsening.
2) Sleeping on your side without support from a pillow
When you sleep on your side, be sure to support your head with a pillow. If you prefer not to use a pillow, use another body part for support. Sleeping without any support for your head can cause shoulder impingement, resulting in numbness and tingling in your arm. In some cases, sleeping on one side or using an uncomfortable pillow can worsen shoulder pain by pushing the top of your shoulder blade out of place. When you have shoulder pain caused by poor sleeping posture, seeing a chiropractor Christchurch will help ease discomfort and improve mobility.
3) Bad posture
Sitting at our desks for long periods of time or carrying around heavy bags is sure to cause our shoulders to ache in no time. When it comes to those everyday pains, just taking a little extra time off from work can be all it takes to help alleviate stress. But sometimes, bad posture and strain can actually lead to more serious problems down the road. If you’ve been experiencing shoulder pain that doesn’t seem to go away with R&R, make an appointment with your Chiropractor Christchurch ASAP.
4) Carrying heavy handbags and backpacks on one shoulder
Carrying one side of your weight unevenly is one of our top culprits for shoulder pain. Avoid high-heeled shoes or carrying any heavy handbags on one shoulder; using both straps to balance out your load is ideal. You should also refrain from wearing overly tight tops and jackets, as that could lead to poor posture, pulling one side of your body down. The constant strain on a single part of your body can cause inflammation and pain—it’s only normal that you’d want to seek out treatment from an expert!
5) Rotator cuff injuries
Shoulder pain can be caused by a rotator cuff injury. The rotator cuff is made up of muscles, tendons and ligaments that connect your shoulder to your upper arm. These tissues play an important role in shoulder function and strength. If you have ongoing shoulder pain, it could be caused by a rotator cuff injury. If you are currently suffering from some sort of pain in your shoulders, be sure to see our chiropractors in Christchurch for proper diagnosis and care plan.