Advanced Shoulder Impingement Treatments in Chicago
5 Effective Shoulder Impingement Treatment Options
Shoulder impingement can cause significant pain and discomfort, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks. Fortunately, several effective treatment options are available at Ravenswood Chiropractic in Chicago to help alleviate your symptoms and get you back to your daily routine. Here are five options to consider.
Treatment Options at Ravenswood Chiropractic in Chicago
Class IV Laser Therapy
Shoulder impingement occurs when one or more of the rotator cuff muscles, tendons, or bursa become pinched, irritated, or inflamed due to the narrowing of the sub-acromial space. This can happen when the body adds scar tissue to protect the joint during repetitive overhead movements like painting, tennis, or other similar repetitive movements. The scar tissue or inflammation takes up space reserved for the rotator cuff. As a result, individuals may experience muscle weakness, loss of movement, and pain in the affected shoulder because everything in the joint space is getting pinched (or impinged).
Class IV laser therapy is an effective treatment for shoulder impingement syndrome because it can dissolve scar tissue and reduce inflammation to the injured muscles, tendons, bursa, and nerves. This reduces the impingement.
Class IV Laser Therapy involves using light to penetrate the affected tissue deeply. It helps to loosen the joint by reducing inflammation and stimulating tissue repair. By addressing the root cause of the pain and scar tissue formation, patients can experience long-lasting relief from their symptoms. Class IV Laser Therapy is a non-invasive and safe treatment option for our shoulder impingement patients.
A Class IV Laser can have additional benefits in treating shoulder impingement. This therapy can improve blood flow and reduce swelling, and improve nerve function. Class IV Laser is also effective at suppressing pain signals and increasing the production of endorphins, resetting the chronic pain cycle. Overall, using a class IV laser can be a valuable addition to a comprehensive treatment plan for shoulder impingement.
Class IV Laser Therapy treatment is typically administered in a series of sessions, and many patients report significant improvement in their symptoms after just a few treatments. We offer free consultations. Talk to one of our chiropractic physicians to see if class IV laser therapy is a good option for you.
Physical Therapy
At Ravenswood Chiropractic in Chicago, physical therapy is an effective adjunct treatment option for shoulder impingement. We typically begin Physical therapy once your shoulder has started healing. Our physical therapy team will work with you to develop a personalized exercise program that can help improve your range of motion, strengthen the muscles around your shoulder, and reduce pain and inflammation. Therapeutic exercises are designed to restore complete control and strength of the rotator cuff and scapular stabilizers. These exercises also aim to improve the mobility of the shoulder joint and the surrounding areas, such as the thoracic spine, ribs, and cervical spine. Depending on your level of function and goals, the exercises will be tailored to you to help you return to sport or work. The exercises are generally learned at our office or through telehealth and then worked on at home between visits.
Chiropractic
Chiropractic care is a very effective non-surgical, non-steroidal treatment option for shoulder impingement. A chiropractor can adjust the spine and shoulder to help improve joint mobility and reduce inflammation. Joint mobilizations are often used to decrease capsular tightness. Additionally, mobilizations of the scapula (shoulder blade) may be recommended to improve overall movement and alleviate pain.
Chiropractic treatment for shoulder impingement at our office, often involves a functional movement assessment and therapies which focuses on enhancing the scapula’s ability to rotate upwards. This rotation is necessary to allow for total shoulder elevation without impingement. By addressing the underlying neuro-muscular imbalances, our chiropractors can help relieve your shoulder pain and improve your range of motion.
In addition to shoulder adjustments and manual therapy, chiropractors may recommend activity modifications to help alleviate symptoms. This can include analyzing posture, changing daily activities to reduce impingement, and adjusting sleeping positions to promote healing and prevent further injury. In addition, chiropractors can provide advice on ergonomics and proper body mechanics.
Shoulder impingement can be painful and debilitating, but our chiropractors have over 20 years experience and effective treatment strategies for relief. At Ravenswood Chiropractic in Chicago our chiropractors are experts at treating bones, muscles, and joints and use this knowledge to develop personalized shoulder treatment plans for each patient.
Shoulder impingement syndrome can cause persistent pain and limit daily activities such as reaching behind the back or overhead. If left untreated, it can lead to inflammation and even tears in the rotator cuff tendons, potentially requiring surgery. Therefore, seeking treatment early on is crucial, and various options are available. Consider speaking with a chiropractor or other sports medicine doctor near you to explore your options for managing shoulder impingement. We offer free consultations to discuss your shoulder pain with one of our chiropractic physicians and see which treatment options might be best for you.
Massage
Massage therapy can also be an effective adjunct treatment for shoulder impingement. Soft tissue mobilization and stretching techniques can help to reduce tightness and restrictions in muscles that contribute to imbalances in the shoulder. These techniques may target the pec major and minor, biceps, latissimus dorsi, levator scapula, and upper trapezius. By addressing these areas, massage therapy can help to alleviate pain, muscle guarding, and improve the range of motion in the shoulder joint.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is another adjunct treatment option for shoulder impingement often used by athletes and others looking to accelerate their healing. This traditional Chinese medicine practice involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate healing and relieve pain. Acupuncture effectively reduces inflammation and improves the shoulder joint’s range of motion. Again, seeking a licensed and experienced acupuncturist for treatment is essential and we offer free consultations with our acupuncturist to discuss your shoulder pain treatment options.
Home Care for Shoulder Impingement
REST
If you’re experiencing shoulder impingement, giving your body time to rest and recover is essential. Continuing activities that cause pain can worsen the injury and prolong healing time. It’s best to avoid or minimize activities that aggravate shoulder pain, such as reaching, lifting, throwing, and swimming. These movements can compress your shoulder tendons and exacerbate the problem. Listen to your body and stop any activity that causes discomfort. Rest is critical to allowing your body to heal.
ICE
If you’re experiencing shoulder impingement, using ice can be a helpful way to reduce inflammation and pain. Ice is a natural anti-inflammatory, and applying it to the affected area can help to soothe the discomfort. To use ice for shoulder impingement, apply an ice pack for about 15 minutes three times a day. If you don’t have an ice pack, you can use ice from your fridge wrapped in a cloth. This icing method effectively reduces inflammation without causing any damage to your skin.
FOLLOW PRESCRIBED PHYSICAL THERAPY
Shoulder impingement can be relieved through exercises that promote joint mobility and flexibility. Strengthening exercises will also be done to correct imbalances in weak muscles that affect shoulder movement control. One effective exercise is standing arm swings, which involves swinging your arms forward and back to increase blood flow to the shoulder joint. Another exercise is the shoulder pass-through, which requires holding a long stick and raising it above your head to engage the surrounding shoulder muscles. Lastly, high-to-low rows challenge the upper back and thoracic muscles, providing stability to the shoulder joint. This exercise requires a resistance band and involves pulling the band towards your body while keeping your torso and arm straight. Incorporating these exercises into your routine can improve shoulder mobility and reduce impingement pain.
How Does Shoulder Impingement Happen?
Shoulder impingement is common when the space between the acromion and rotator cuff narrows, causing the acromion to rub against the tendon and bursa. This increases friction, causing pain and discomfort, most significantly when raising your arm to shoulder height. Repetitive overhead activities, such as swimming, baseball, tennis, lifting, and painting, often cause it. In addition, various factors, including muscle imbalances, poor posture, and overuse, can cause it. Sometimes, it may result from a minor injury, while for others it may occur without apparent cause. Regardless of the reason, treatment options are available to help alleviate the pain and improve mobility.
Symptoms of Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder impingement can cause pain, weakness, limited mobility, and discomfort when reaching or lifting in the front and side planes of the shoulder.
Treatment options depend on the severity of the impingement. In minor pain with activity and at rest, conservative treatments such as rest and physical therapy may effectively reduce symptoms and improve the range of motion. Moderate to severe cases may require Class IV Laser Therapy and Chiropractic Care to experience symptom relief. We offer free consultations for diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
What is Shoulder Impingement?
Shoulder impingement is common when the rotator cuff’s tendons and bursa become pinched between the upper arm bone (humerus) and the top of the shoulder blade. This can cause pain and discomfort, especially when lifting your arm above your head. Therefore, seeking treatment early is essential to prevent further damage and improve your chances of full recovery.
If Shoulder Impingement is left untreated, it can lead to more severe problems. The first signs of shoulder impingement may be mild, and patients may not seek treatment immediately. These symptoms can include pain when lifting the arm, weakness in the shoulder, and difficulty reaching behind the back. At this stage, treatment options for shoulder impingement may consist of physical therapy, chiropractic care, rest, and ice. If left untreated, shoulder impingement symptoms may worsen. Class IV laser therapy is indicated in these cases, and symptoms usually improve after several treatments. However, if Shoulder Impingement is left without treatment, the damage will continue to occur, which may lead to thinning of the tendon and subsequent rupture, which requires surgery to correct. Therefore, it is essential to seek medical attention if you are experiencing any symptoms of shoulder impingement.
Do You Think You Have Shoulder Impingement?
The first step in treating shoulder pain or impingement is to get an accurate diagnosis. Choosing a chiropractor or other qualified healthcare professional who is experienced in treating shoulder pain and specializes in functional assessments, physical therapies, and advanced therapies like Class IV Laser for moderate to severe cases is essential.
The first thing your chiropractor will do is gather your medical history and conduct a physical examination. This helps your chiropractor determine the cause of your shoulder impingement and develop the best treatment plan.
During your physical exam, your chiropractor may test the range of motion in your shoulder, check for tenderness or swelling, and assess the strength of the muscles surrounding the joint. In addition, imaging tests like X-rays or MRI scans may be recommended by your chiropractor to evaluate your shoulder further and identify injuries.
Get Relief From Your Shoulder Pain at Ravenswood Chiropractic in Chicago
Shoulder impingement is a common condition that can cause sudden and severe pain in the shoulder. It is essential to seek medical attention if you experience sudden and severe shoulder pain, as early treatment can help prevent further damage and improve recovery time. Call or Text Us at 773.878.7330 to Schedule A Same Day Appointment for Shoulder Pain or Schedule On-Line.
