How to Rehabilitate a Shoulder Injury Problem

            Chronic injuries require specific rehabilitation and a long-term approach. Patience is required and it’s important to remember the problem developed over the course of years and will not be fixed in a matter of weeks or even months. Progress should be obtained in the short-term, but such situations usually require consistent, ongoing attention to achieve a long-term solution. Performing the appropriate rehabilitative activities is critically important in getting the most out of your exercise program.

            As we get older, years and decades of mechanical stress may lead to deterioration of joints, ligaments, and tendons. This degenerative process, commonly known as arthritis, primarily affects weight-bearing joints such as the hips and knees and also those found in the lumbar spine. The shoulder is especially prone to undergo arthritic changes owing to its extreme mobility. The extensive range of motion at the shoulder is built-in to the design of this structure, but the tradeoff is instability. The design of the shoulder sacrifices stability for mobility.

            Degenerative disorders of the shoulder typically involve the rotator cuff. This broad, flat structure is composed of the muscle-tendon units of the four rotator cuff muscles. The thick covering of the rotator cuff surrounds the head of the arm bone and supports and strengthens the shoulder joint. But owing to the shoulder's inherent instability contrasted with its great mobility, the soft tissues of the rotator cuff undergo repetitive stress and wear and tear.

            The good news is that in many cases, a non-surgical rehabilitative approach is available, one that utilizes the body's own natural recuperative healing powers. For many people, chronic shoulder pain can be reduced and loss of mobility can be improved. The best results involve balancing the shoulder musculature by performing specific chiropractic adjustments and rehabilitative exercises. The goals of rehabilitation are to increase shoulder range of motion and build up shoulder strength. As these goals are accomplished, the likely result is reduction of intensity and frequency of occurrence of shoulder pain.

            Engaging in regular chiropractic care and an overall strength training program is an important general approach to managing chronic shoulder pain. Strength training should be done progressively, starting with bands or light weights and building up over time. If one has experienced an acute shoulder injury, early rehabilitation should precede rehabilitative strength training. Early rehabilitation includes pendulum exercises and finger-walking up a wall in both forward-facing and side positions. At Chiropractic USA we are experienced in shoulder injury rehabilitation and will be able to help you design an effective flexibility and strengthening program for improved shoulder function. Call us today. (916) 973-1661.

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Andersen LL, et al: Effectiveness of small daily amounts of progressive resistance training for frequent neck/shoulder pain: randomised controlled trial. Pain 152(2):440-446, 2011