Avoid Shoulder Pain With Chiropractic and Stretching
By Sandy Schroeder
When shoulders become tight and painful, simple tasks become major issues. Changing clothes or reaching the top cabinet may be difficult or almost impossible.
The shoulder is the most complex joint in the body. Keeping shoulder muscles strong and flexible can be the difference between healthy shoulders and stiff painful ones that limit everything you do.
See your chiropractor for ongoing support and guidance, and use ongoing daily stretches to maintain flexibility.
See Your Chiropractor
The Joint Chiropractic clinic near you staffs a wellness center with doctors of chiropractic who help people find the best solutions for pain and health and wellness.
When you come in, your chiropractor will explain how maintaining spinal health may play out in the best overall health. The spine keeps us mobile, and the central nervous system inside coordinates all of our brain-to-body communication.
Gentle targeted spinal adjustments may ease aches and pains in shoulders and other joints, and generate a sense of well-being. Individuals often report sleeping better, feeling more relaxed, or enjoying more energy.
Weekly 15-minute spinal adjustments keep the benefits going and provide a great platform for practicing daily shoulder stretches. Your chiropractor can monitor your progress and catch any new issues before they become major problems.
Stretch for Flexibility
When you don't stretch enough, shoulder muscles tighten up. The more you stretch the longer and more flexible the muscles become, boosting range of motion, improving posture, and lowering the risk of injury, according to Harvard Health.
Before you stretch, warm up muscles to get your circulation moving and make the muscles more receptive. Pump arms, roll shoulders forwards and backwards, or take a short walk.
When you stretch, begin with 30 seconds and work up to two minutes. Always keep stretches gentle and pain-free, and never bounce stretched muscles, which can trigger injury.
Here are some shoulder stretches from Harvard Health. Use a doorway or wall to support the stretch.
Climb the wall - Stand facing a wall. Extend left arm with elbow unlocked. Put hand on the wall at shoulder height and gently walk fingers up the wall moving closer as your hand moves up. Walk the fingers back down. Switch arms and repeat.
Shoulder/chest stretch - Stand next to a wall. Put left hand on wall a little below shoulder level, palm facing forward touching wall. Keep shoulders back and down. Turn body slowly to the right away from wall until you feel a stretch in shoulder and chest. Switch sides and repeat.
When you are ready to get started with the best health moves, stop by The Joint Chiropractic clinic near you. No reservations are required and clinics are open evenings and weekends. Affordable personal healthcare packages and plans eliminate the hassle of insurance.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Lakewood, Calif.