Beyond the Rotator Cuff: Chiropractic Care and Shoulder Issues!
When people think about a complex shoulder issue, their first thoughts usually go to a rotator cuff tear, ligament damage, or joint instability. The public typically responds with rest, ice, heat packs, physical therapy, or surgery, depending on the severity.
I agree with all these approaches; they are often necessary steps in care. But did you know that your shoulder issue might actually be related to your neck (cervical spine) as well?
The Critical Nerve Connection
Let’s dive deeper into why.
There is a bundle of nerves known as the Brachial Plexus. These nerves originate from the lower neck and upper back regions (specifically C5-T1) and are responsible for all the sensory and motor function in your upper extremities: your shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand.
Have you ever thought about how you carry out a simple movement, like lifting your arm? I believe most people don’t really think about it, because it just happens within milliseconds when you decide to do it.
Here’s what’s actually happening: Your brain receives the input of lifting up your arm. It processes that signal, then sends a nerve impulse down the spinal cord and out through the Brachial Plexus to the shoulder muscles, allowing you to lift your arm right now. This entire process occurs within milliseconds, you aren’t even able to notice it!
The Disruption
But what happens if that crucial nerve signal from the brain to the muscle can’t be transmitted at full speed, or if it gets disrupted?
This disruption can lead to issues like muscle weakness, numbness, or radiating pain. And, most importantly, it can disrupt the body’s natural ability to heal. A lot of people completely forget that our body has the capability to heal itself. Our nervous system not only controls movement, but also the function of our entire body.
So, how does nerve impulse transmission get disrupted? Now we need to look at the spine.
Just as your brain is protected by the skull, your spinal cord (the structure that links the brain to the rest of the body through nerve branches) is protected by the spine. When there is a subtle misalignment of the spine (aka vertebral subluxation), it can impact the disc which is located between the vertebrae. Over time, it can result in direct pressure on the nerve nearby, causing all sorts of symptoms—including chronic shoulder pain.
How can a chiropractor help you with your shoulder issue?
First things first, we need a thorough history of your shoulder issue, a detailed physical, neurological, and chiropractic examination, and an X-ray if clinically needed. All of these tests allow us to gather as much information as possible to determine if it’s a purely muscular issue or one that is related to your nervous system as well.
As a chiropractor, our goal is to identify exactly where the nerve interference is and correct the root cause of your shoulder issue first. This helps restore proper communication between your brain and your shoulder, allowing the body’s self-healing mechanisms to function at its best.
If you are experiencing any shoulder issues that you think we can help with, feel free to contact us today.
By Dr Hans Chew