Chiropractor for Shoulder Pain in Anchorage, AK
Shoulder Pain Treatment at Better Health Alaska
Are you suffering from shoulder pain? Does it burn? Is it sharp and piercing? We can help.
Our chiropractors have been treating shoulder pain since they opened their doors in 1998. Headed by Dr. Brent Wells, our team has seen and treated innumerable cases of shoulder pain from the rare to the unique to the ever-so-common.
We know that shoulder pain comes in a lot of varieties. And every person has their own unique needs. Here’s just a sampling of the shoulder conditions we’ve handled:
- Bursitis
- Tendonitis
- Frozen Shoulder
- Fractured Shoulder Bone
- Osteoporosis
- And Bone Spurs
We know the shoulder is relatively easy to injure, but we’ve got the tools to repair it. Whether you’ve sustained an injury directly or simply through some repetitive activity, our holistic, natural chiropractic treatments in Anchorage, targeted to your individual needs, will address your shoulder pain and get you back to living pain-free again.
What to Expect?
You can expect both unsurpassed professionalism and unparalleled expertise from our chiropractors. We’ve been treating shoulder pain for over 20 years and we know how difficult it can be.
Your First Visit
The first thing to expect when walking through our door is a thorough exam and evaluation to get a proper diagnosis. One of the most common diagnoses is an impinged rotator cuff tendon – but not always.
Shoulders can be tricky – in fact, they’re sometimes misdiagnosed by general practitioners. They are often confused with a problem limited to the shoulder area when, in fact, they may originate from an issue in the cervical spine or neck.
Chiropractors, however, are experts in the musculoskeletal system. We have the experience, the knowledge, and the tools to provide an accurate diagnosis. And once we have the diagnosis, we can set about building a treatment plan tailored to best combat it.
Benefits of Regular Chiropractic Treatment
The most obvious benefits of regular chiropractic treatment for your shoulder are pain relief and resolution of the underlying cause. We can devise a plan to get you feeling better.
In addition to prescribing exercises and stretches, we’ll give you tips on diet, and sleeping habits. We’ll also provide you with hands-on chiropractic adjustments to shift the shoulder joint as needed. Correcting underlying misalignments will go a long way in restoring health to your shoulder.
If in doubt, take a look at what other satisfied Anchorage, AK residents have said about us. Their reviews reveal the scope of our abilities.
If you suffer from shoulder pain and want relief that lasts, contact us at 907-346-5255!
What Is Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder pain is common, not as common as back pain, but common because of the fact that the shoulder area itself is designed to favor mobility over stability. That being the case, it’s relatively easy to injure (directly or through repetitive motion or exercise) and can be impacted by a variety of joint, bone, and soft tissue-based issues. The level of pain varies depending on the cause and, well, you! Everyone’s a little different.
What Are the Different Types of Spinal Decompression?
It really depends on the cause. Has an injury to your rotator cuff led to substantial inflammation in your shoulder bursae? If so, that would lead to a degree of bursitis. Has it inflamed the tendon itself? That would be tendonitis. Suffering from a frozen shoulder? Did you get into a vehicle accident and suffer a fractured a shoulder bone? Is the discomfort caused by an arthritic condition like osteoporosis or bone spurs? This is why it’s imperative to speak with a professional when there’s an issue. Here’s a sampling of some types of shoulder pain.
- Shoulder Blade Pain
- Pain Under Shoulder Blades
- Sharp Pain in Shoulder when Breathing
- Pain Directly in Shoulder Joint
- Lateral, Bilateral Shoulder Pain
Shoulder Pain Diagnosis
For adults, impingement of the rotator cuff tendon is the most common cause of shoulder pain. Our clinics have been in Alaska since 1998, so we can attest to that. Thing is, it’s also common for shoulder pain to be misdiagnosed by general practitioners as a local problem with the shoulder when the issue is with the cervical spine or neck. We use simple physical assessments and shoulder pain tests, or even imaging technology, to diagnose and design shoulder pain treatment programs that incorporate chiropractic medicine and rehabilitative therapy.
How to Treat Shoulder Pain?
Topical ointments may have their place, but will not address the underlying cause of pain. Rest and ice packs may also be found beneficial for temporary minor aches and pains. At our clinics, we’ll focus on using chiropractic adjustments when necessary to address the shoulder joint, shift it forward or backward, restore alignment and help the body heal itself. We can also employ physical therapy methods, help you address and correct any posture issues, and work with you in terms of food and exercise because they often play a huge role.
How Should I Sleep with Shoulder Pain?
Well, if you’re a side-sleeper, avoid sleeping on the side that has shoulder pain. Kind of a no-brainer, and easily avoidable if it’s hurting. Instead, grab something soft to hug and choose the other shoulder until you’re healed. For back-sleepers, see if you can’t put a little cushion under the affected shoulder just to lend it a hand. And, if the shoulder pain comes with neck pain, a soft ergonomic pillow positioned between your neck and impacted shoulder can help as well.
Shoulder Pain Exercises
Because of how common rotator cuff injuries are in the sports and fitness worlds, you can imagine there are plenty of ways to use your injured shoulder without making it worse. It just depends on the cause of the shoulder pain, and whether you know what you’re doing! Stay away from military presses and heavy kettlebell swings. Instead, go for moves that are more for functionality and strengthening smaller muscles around the shoulder area by using lightweight equipment, fitness bands, or even just your own body weight, etc.
Shoulder Pain Stretches
Rather than only reading about upper body and shoulder-specific stretches (many of which could be considered exercises as well), we’d like to refer you to HealthLine.com’s article, “5 Exercises for Rotator Cuff Pain” because they included little demonstrative animated gif images so you can see the stretches in action.
- Doorway Stretches
- Side-Lying External Rotations
- High-to-Low Rows
- Reverse Flys
- Lawn Mower Pulls
Conditions Helped by Chiropractors:
Same-Day Chiropractic Appointment. 10-Minute Wait Promise.
Better Health Alaska Chiropractors has helped thousands of patients get their life back through safe, effective, and cutting-edge treatments like the Alaska Back Pain Protocol. We use a multi-pronged, non-invasive approach to treat different conditions. And it’s done at a reasonable cost. We accept many types of insurance, and most insured patients pay $25 or less per visit. We even have options for the uninsured.