The shoulder allows the arm to move through a wide range of motion, making it important for everything from reaching overhead to lifting and carrying everyday objects. When the muscles or tendons surrounding the shoulder become injured, even simple movements can become uncomfortable.

Rotator cuff strains and sprains are among the shoulder conditions that can contribute to pain and difficulty moving the arm. Because several different shoulder problems can produce similar symptoms, identifying the source of the discomfort is an important part of choosing an appropriate treatment approach.

What Is the Rotator Cuff?

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint and help support and control movement of the arm. These tissues are involved whenever the shoulder rotates or the arm is raised.

Injury or irritation involving the rotator cuff can make certain movements uncomfortable. Depending on the condition, patients may notice shoulder pain, stiffness, or difficulty performing activities that require reaching or lifting.

Shoulder symptoms can also develop from other conditions, including tendonitis and tendinosis, frozen shoulder, labral injuries, bursitis, joint inflammation, and muscle spasms or stiffness. An evaluation can help distinguish between these problems before treatment begins.

How Can Rotator Cuff Problems Develop?

Rotator cuff problems can be associated with physical strain, repetitive movements, or an injury involving the shoulder. Activities that repeatedly require reaching, lifting, or using the arm overhead can place additional stress on the muscles and tendons surrounding the joint.

The type and severity of the problem can vary considerably. For this reason, persistent shoulder discomfort should not automatically be treated as though every patient has the same injury.

Identifying which tissues are involved helps create a more individualized approach to treatment.

Treatment Options for Shoulder Problems

Several non-surgical therapies can be considered depending on the condition contributing to the patient’s symptoms.

Focused Shockwave Therapy provides one option for treating larger and deeper muscles, as well as areas around the shoulder and knee joints. Because the energy is concentrated and can penetrate deeper than Radial Shockwave Therapy, it can be useful when deeper muscles or larger treatment areas need to be addressed.

Class IV Laser Therapy may also be incorporated into treatment for certain injuries. The laser delivers energy into the treatment area with the goal of supporting cellular responses involved in healing while helping decrease inflammation and pain.

Customized Therapeutic Exercises can provide another component of care when appropriate, with exercises selected to address specific needs involving strength, endurance, flexibility, and muscular imbalances.

Getting the Shoulder Moving Comfortably Again

Shoulder pain can interfere with work, exercise, sleep, and routine movements that normally require little thought. Because the shoulder contains multiple muscles, tendons, and other structures, determining what is contributing to the symptoms is an important part of developing a treatment plan.

Rather than relying on the same therapy for every shoulder problem, treatment can be selected according to the patient’s condition and adjusted as progress is made. Patients experiencing persistent shoulder pain, stiffness, or difficulty moving the arm can learn more about non-surgical treatment options and schedule a consultation at NY Disc Chiropractic.