Are You Shouldering a Lot of Pain?
By Sandy Schroeder
In the rush to keep up, most of us do whatever is needed to keep our daily routines moving. Starting with the morning scramble with the family, and swooping through the day, our bodies often shoulder a lot of weight and worry.
If your shoulders ache at the end of the day, you might want to visit The Joint Chiropractic clinic in your community to diagnose the pain and prevent more serious problems.
Looking Closer
The shoulders never really get a rest. Whatever repetitive tasks are needed, the shoulders get involved. When everything is fine, our shoulders work beautifully, moving in circles, up and down, and side to side. But if something shifts out of balance, it may be hard to reach up or around to the back.
Shoulder pain can set in quickly. You may be out on the tennis court after a long absence, or suddenly reaching out to break a fall when you are walking. Shoulder pain can also show up when tendons tighten with age or arthritis advances.
Chiropractic Assistance
See your chiropractor to find lasting solutions. In your initial visit, your chiropractor will explain how spinal health works. Using a spinal adjustment to realign any dysfunctions, the chiropractor will talk with you about your shoulder pain, and review your medical history. Together you can put together a plan of treatment. Rest with ice packs to reduce inflammation, and ongoing monitoring may be needed.
Your chiropractor may also want to review your normal routines with you, suggesting ways to protect your shoulders in the future. The Harvard health community suggests these steps.
- Don’t overdo activities - If you are getting back into a sport, don’t play all weekend. If you are cleaning the house, do one room, and leave the rest for later. If you are gardening, try a few short sessions instead of one long one.
- Rearrange the items you use - At home, move the things you use most often to the lower drawers. Bring in a step stool to reach upper shelves. At work, make sure your chair and desk comfortably fit your back and your shoulders.
- Keep your shoulders moving - Each time you stand, straighten your back and press your shoulder blades together to relieve muscle tension and strengthen shoulders.
To find the answers you need now, stop by The Joint Chiropractic clinic near you. The Joint provides private affordable pricing programs to eliminate insurance, and extended weekend and evening hours to make visits convenient. Walk-in visits are welcome.