Here Are Some Common Shoulder Injuries
By Madhusudhan Tammisetti
Shoulder injuries may frequently occur due to athletic activities that involve repetitive, excessive overhead motion, such as tennis, swimming, weightlifting, and pitching. You may also suffer from shoulder injuries by doing daily activities such as hanging curtains, washing walls, and gardening.
Most shoulder problems involve the tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Athletes are more vulnerable to shoulder problems. In athletes, the problem may grow slowly through repetitive, rigorous workout routines.
Many people may tend to disregard the pain and get along with a shoulder injury. This kind of negligence may aggravate the situation and may create further complications. They may often overlook the magnitude of their injuries because steady pain, restriction of joint motion, or weakness in the arm may become part of their life.
Shoulder problems are categorized into instability and impingement.
Instability
At times, a shoulder joint may move or slip from its usual location. This disorder is called instability, which may lead to a dislocation of one of the shoulder joints. People having instability may feel pain when lifting the arm. They may feel as if their shoulders are falling out of place.
Impingement
Impingement is triggered by repetitive brushing of the shoulder muscles with the shoulder blade's upper portion, known as the acromion.
Impingement problems may occur when performing tasks that involve repetitive overhead arm motion. If medical care is not provided immediately to the inflamed shoulder, the condition may lead to a severe injury.
Rotator Cuff Injuries
The rotator cuff is made up of a group of tendons and muscles that hold the shoulder joint bones together. The rotator cuff muscles enable people to raise their arms to stretch overhead. People suffering from rotator cuff injury may not regain the complete shoulder function necessary to participate in an athletic event.
If you want to identify whether you're suffering from a shoulder injury, then check whether the shoulder is stiff or are you able to rotate the shoulder normally. Have you seen a decline in your shoulder's strength and motion? If you're suffering from any of these conditions, consult a doctor or chiropractor.
Exercises to Relieve Shoulder Pain
Your chiropractor may recommend a set of exercises aimed at strengthening the shoulder muscles.
Some of the shoulder muscle strengthening exercises includes wall pull-ups and wall push-ups.
A wall pull-up is a simple shoulder strengthening exercise. Connect a doorknob to an elastic tube at home. Push the elastic tubing softly towards the body. Hold for five seconds. Repeat with each arm five times.
Put your palms on the wall and keep your feet shoulder-width apart, stand facing the wall. Do a push-up slowly. Repeat five times. Hold for five seconds. Perform these exercises at your convenience. Don't push hard, as pain may aggravate. The aim is to strengthen your shoulder muscles, not bodybuilding.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Houston, Tex.