SHOULDERING THE PAIN - COMMON SHOULDER INJURIES

-- The rotator cuff region is a common area of injury for many athletes...

In sports, the shoulder girdle is a common site of injury. In fact, it is second only to the knee as a chronic site of prolonged disability. A serious shoulder injury can be highly debilitating and can easily ruin a promising sports career. Today, I will discuss the basic anatomy of the shoulder joint, describe some of the most common shoulder joint injuries and outline a plan for the management of shoulder injuries.
The shoulder girdle is comprised of four joints: gleno-humerol; acromio-clavicular (A-C joint); sterno-clavicular; and scapulo-thoracic. Each of these joints are supported by various ligaments and muscles which help to stabilize the region. Stability of the shoulder is derived entirely from these soft-tissue and joint structures, there is less stability in comparison to other joints in the body.
Consequently, the shoulder joint is more vulnerable to various injuries.
The soft-tissue structures which afford the shoulder region tremendous range of motion and strength are the rotator cuff muscles. The rotator cuff region is comprised of the following five muscles: supraspinatus; infraspinatus; teres minor; sub-scapularis; and teres major. The rotator cuff muscles blend together to form a common tendon called the rotator cuff tendon. The rotator cuff region is a common area of injury for many athletes (from performing military and bench presses, for instance).
There have been found that the most common sources of shoulder pain are the result of three things: (1) shoulder tendinitis; (2) shoulder impingement syndrome; and (3) cervical subluxation complex with radiculitis.
Shoulder tendinitis is characterized by pain on the lateral aspect of the shoulder. This can then refer pain to the elbow as well. A person can feel sharp twinges of pain with various movements such as putting on a coat jacket or reaching for something above the shoulder level. The onset of pain is gradual, usually over the course of a few weeks to months.
Shoulder impingement syndrome is characterized by pain on abduction (raising the arm from the side) above 90 degrees. The rotator cuff is "impinged" or pinched in the roof of the shoulder girdle (acromion process). An individual suffering from this ailment will have difficulty performing movements which require raising the arm above 90 degrees. Doing so will result in pain and weakness.
Finally, cervical subluxation results in a pain felt in the shoulder, upper arm and even elbow and forearm. This condition actually originates in the neck which then refers pain into the shoulder and arm region. The condition is further characterized by misaligned vertebrae in the neck and/or abnormal movement patterns which irritate the nerves in the neck which then migrate to the shoulder and arm region.
Managing most shoulder injuries is as simple as rest and ice. Rest is essential for healing. In order for the body's normal recuperative repair process to take over, you need to avoid those activities which cause pain. Though the amount of time varies, as a rule of thumb, three to seven days should be sufficient to begin the repair process.
During this period of inactivity, ice should be applied to the shoulder region. Three applications of thirty minutes each per day should be sufficient for the first two to four weeks. Ice packs will reduce inflamation, reduce pain and enhance the healing process.
In some cases, rest and ice will not be enough. If, over time, the shoulder pain does not diminish or grows worse, a professional should be consulted. The best option is to see a chiropractor or osteopathic specialist. This specialist will be able to better diagnose the problem and offer a timely solution, whether in the form of treatment, an exercise regimen or both.