‘Frozen shoulder’ is a term sometimes used loosely in connection with any type of persistent shoulder pain. But specifically it is the loss of arm movement at the shoulder joint. The shoulder is the part of the body that is the third most common subject for chiropractic treatment, the lower back and the neck being the two most common. Frozen shoulder can be brought on by the trauma of a fall or car accident, or it may come on gradually as a result of muscle imbalance, overuse and irritation.

Shoulder pain often stems from a problem in the cervical spine, the upper portion of the spine that is, essentially, the neck. Nerves that send and receive signals from the shoulders, arms and hands pass through the vertebrae of that part of the spine. If these nerves are being obstructed by a vertebra or vertebrae that are out of line, shoulder muscles can grow tight or weak and pull the joint out of line.

Golf, tennis or any sport or regular activity that requires repetitive motion of the shoulder can strain the muscles and cause pain. As the pain intensifies, people tend to reduce use of the shoulder. This is a problem because all the parts of the joint will simply adjust to the reduced range of motion. Eventually, a person will lose use of the shoulder.

Chiropractic treatment can address the cervical spine issues if they are at the root of the problem. Talk with your chiropractor about keeping the proper function of your shoulders.

Presented as a service to the community by: Union County Chiropractic Clinic, 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, TN (865) 992-7000 www.unioncountychiropractic.com.