It is well documented that shoulder, arm and hand problems can be successfully remedied with chiropractic care.
There are many names for shoulder problems
neuritis, bursitis, Neuralgia, rheumatism, frozen shoulder, sprains, strains, “poor circulation” and rotator cuff problems as well as many more are the terms used to describe shoulder, arm and hand conditions.
Brain Control
Your brain is responsible for controlling your shoulders, arms and hands. The brain “talks” with the rest of your body through a communications system made up of nerves and this is called the nervous system. Billions of nerves extend from your brain in a large bundle called the spinal cord; the spinal cord travels down your back and inside your spinal column and exits between your spinal bones reaching to nearly every part of your body.
Plexus
Some nerves go straight to their point of destination but some first mix with other nerves in order to form complicated nerve networks called a nerve “Plexus.”
Brachial Plexus
The brachial plexus is made up of nerves that come out of the middle and lower neck as well as the upper back. After they form the branchial plexus, they branch off to supply different areas, especially the shoulders, arms, elbows, wrists, hands and fingers. Often people will blame their joint or organ problems on old age even though the rest of their body is just as old yet is just fine. Irritation to the nerves could be a more accurate analysis of the problems they experience.
What causes irritation to the nerves?
The nerves that make up the brachial plexus may be irritated as they exit the spinal column. This can occur when the spinal bones in the neck and upper back are misaligned, this results in them damaging the nerves they are supposed to help protect. Misalignment of these bones can occur from any source of trauma including old injures in childhood such as sports mishaps, car accidents, birth stress, or even sleeping in an awkward position.
What symptoms would I experience?
Depending on which brachial plexus nerves are damaged or irritated, different symptoms can occur. Symptoms can include muscle weakness, neck pain or stiffness that may include pain that spreads to the shoulder, arm, wrist, hands or fingers. In some case there is no pain in the neck but pain in the arms, wrist, fingers or hands. Numbness can also occur along with strange nerve sensations that can feel like pins and needles.
What is the chiropractic approach for shoulder, arm, wrist and hand problems?
Chiropractors analyze your structural system in order to locate and correct serious nerve-damaging structural conditions called subluxations. Subluxations are misalignments in the structural system which put stress on your bones, nerves, ligaments and more. By locating and correcting these subluxations with gentle and safe adjustments your body will return to proper form and function. The release of pressure on your structural system results in a healthy flow of nerve impulses from the body and brain. If subluxations are ignored, they can contribute to a variety of health problems that you may not know are related.
Prevention
We encourage everyone to have their structural systems checked, even if you are not experiencing pain, subluxations can exist and make daily life more difficult. By having your bodies checked we can prevent serious issues from occurring. The best offense is a great defense!