Straight from the Shoulder Info on Arm Pain
No one would disagree that shoulders and arms are pretty convenient things
to have. The Designer of the human body made the shoulders with special kinds
of joints that allow wide ranging, rotating movement. Not only can we swing
a hand we're holding, but also we can wave "hello" with both arms thrown over
our heads in greeting. Our arms are beautifully made to carry tools and babies,
reach into a car's interior or raise a flag or fork.
Of course, many people's lives and jobs depend on their shoulders and arms.
Our country was built by broad shoulders and strong working arms.
No one would disagree that losing some ability of the shoulders and arms is,
at least, inconvenient. Pain and immobility in these areas can have drastic
consequences. Everyone, then, should agree that keeping our shoulders and arms
in working order is critical. So is returning them to health after injury.
Experts agree that evaluating the cause of the pain is the best way to address
the pain. They also agree that the pain, often caused by shoulder instability,
cannot be corrected by medication. Masking the pain by using medications
is very different from helping the body heal itself of the damage that caused
the pain in the first place. In his book, Complete Guide to Sports Injuries,
H. Winter Griffith, M.D., states, "Medication cannot correct the underlying
condition." In another article, a researcher discussed the limitation of steroid
injections to lessen shoulder and arm pain. Though steroids..."have sometimes
dramatic alleviation of pain and inflammation, their effect, is, unfortunately,
'short-lived'".
Everyone knows there are medications, including ones we can pick up at any
grocery store that are advertised as targeting this problem. However, many people
are becoming increasingly concerned about possible negative side effects of
all drugs. There is a valid, effective answer, which also comes with the side
effect of better over-all ever-after health.
The brain directs the shoulders to raise and the arms to wave in greetings
as we want. It's pretty automatic. We don't have to consciously "talk" to our
arms to get them to wave. Our brains take care of it using the spinal cord and
nerve system to make the motion happen. Any interference, as with a vertebral
bone misalignment, cannot only interfere with nerve communication, but also,
cause lack of normal motion, inflammation, cramping, and pain. Shoulder stiffness,
muscle weakness, and swelling in the area can also result from the original
bone misalignment. As Dr. Griffith states: The nerves and blood vessels that
supply the shoulders arms, and hands start in the neck (and upper back) and
pass as a bundle near the cervical ribs and the collar bone. Pressure on these
nerves and blood vessel bundles create symptoms.
Chiropractors work to gently restore motion and message-sending ability back
to the areas that have lost it due to over-use, injury, too much stress, or
accident: Chiropractors address these misaligned, or subluxated vertebral bones,
as the origin of the painful, debilitating symptoms. With educated, precise
movements, chiropractors lessen and, in time, help eliminate the misalignments.
This allows proper nerve flow to begin again. Motion becomes normal, function
is restored, and pain goes away.
Your chiropractor is the one doctor to turn to when you first experience shoulder
or arm pain. Your chiropractor may also be able to help with pain and malfunction
you have been suffering with for many years. With careful examination, your
chiropractor will evaluate your shoulder and spine for possible vertebral bone
subluxation, as well as, other possible injury. You will be told the straight
form the shoulder information on the damage, specific to your injury, and a
course of care will be explained. The sooner you begin, the sooner you can raise
your arms over your head and wave "bye" to the pain in your shoulders and arms.
Call today for an appointment.
Complete Guide to Sports Injuries, by G Winter Griffith, M.D. 1986, the Putman
Berkley Group, Inc.
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