Upper Limb Injuries
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain is a common problem that affects many people on a yearly basis. Shoulder problems can develop over time, caused by repetitive low-level strain or from traumatic injuries, such as a rugby tackle or a fall.
The shoulder joint is made up of a ball and socket joint, this allows for a wide range of motion, making it one of the most mobile joints in the body. The shoulder joint is held in place by a group of muscles known as the rotator cuff, along with strong ligaments and a capsule.
These soft tissues can be vulnerable to injury at the attachment point in the middle of your upper arm or where they originate in the neck.
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Shoulder complaints chiropractors can help with:
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Rotator cuff strain/sprain
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Rotator cuff muscle spasm
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Impingement
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Poor shoulder joint movement
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Shoulder instability
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Trapped nerve
Elbow Pain
Elbow pain is a very common injury we see in the clinic. Most elbow injuries we see are overuse related as the majority of the workforce are deskbound. RSI (repetitive strain injury) and Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) are two of the most common issues we see related to the elbow.
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Common signs of overuse injuries are
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Recurrent nagging pain
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Does not respond to ice packs or rest
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Aggravated by specific movements
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We also see more acute injuries, these injuries can vary in severity. If the injuries are simple, then we can use gentle soft tissue work and joint mobilisation techniques to speed up the healing.
If the injury is more severe, Chiropractors can refer for imaging such as diagnostic ultrasound, X-rays or MRIs. Using this information we can give you a more specific diagnosis and either change our treatment approach or refer you to an orthopaedic consultant.
Wrist and hand pain
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We often see wrist and hand injuries as a result of trauma. Often related to a fall, sport or DIY. As with most injuries, it is very important to get the injury assessed first before any treatment or recommendations are given.
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Most minor wrist and hand injuries respond very well to Chiropractic care, if the problem is long standing, then a home exercise plan will be prescribed. Most home care plans are designed to increase strength in the weak areas that are preventing full recovery.