SHOULDER, ARM, and HAND PAIN

The hands and arms, working from the shouders, are a human's handiest "tools." They allow a person to reach away from the body, take hold of things, and use them for survival. The shoulders, arms and hands are involved in even the most routine movements. In making a living or in playing, the shoulders, arms and hands are used for more practical purposes than any other portion of the body. They also are the site of many problems.

TYPES OF PROBLEMS

The most common conditions that are associated with pain in the shoulders, arms and hands are: arthritis, bursitis, neuralgia, neuritis, radiculitis and circulatory changes. The most common conditions usually not associated with pain are muscle weakness, paralysis (partial or complete), incoordination, and tremors.

Arthritis

There are several types of arthritis; they all affect the joints. The shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand and finger joints are common sites for arthritis. The effects can be from very mild self limiting, to very severe and crippling.

Bursitis

Bursitis is inflammation of the bursa (the name for the synovial pouch that caps the shoulder joint). With bursitis, the shoulder may be stiff with moderate pain that becomes acute upon movement of the joint.

Radiculitis

Radiculitis is the term used to indicate there is irritation of the nerve root as it exits the spinal column. This nerve root irritation is a common source of shoulder, arm and hand pain.

Neuralgia and Neuritis

Neuralgia and neuritis are terms used to describe different types of irritation of nerves, other than the nerve root. This irritation usually results in pain. There also may be strange sensations calledparesthesias -that the patient describes as tingling, hot spots, cold spots, crawling sensations, electric shock sensations, stinging, burning, and others.

Referred Pain

Shoulder, arm and hand pain does not always mean trouble where the pain is felt. Often, the problem arises elsewhere and the pain is referred to the shoulder, arm or hand. Neck injuries often result in more shoulder and arm pain than neck pain. Gall bladder, lung and heart problems also may refer pain to the shoulders and down the
arms.

WHAT CAUSES SHOULDER, ARM AND HAND PROBLEMS?

Most conditions that can precipitate shoulder, arm and hand problems (and there are more than those mentioned above) have at least one thing in common nerve irritation. Nerves from the spinal cord exit the spine between the cervical vertebrae (neck bones) and go to the shoulders, arms, elbows, wrists, hands and fingers. There are two types of nerves: motor and sensory. Motor nerves carry messages from the brain to the shoulders, arms and hands, and control their functions. Sensory nerves carry messages of sensations: pain, numbness, tingling, pins and needles, heat, cold and all other feelings including tactile (the sense of touch) from the shoulders, arms and hands to the brain. Irritation of sensory cervical nerves can result in pain, numbness, tingling and changes in the ability to feel. When motor cervical nerves are irritated, the result can be muscle weakness, paralysis, incoordination, tremors and circulatory changes. When spinal vertebrae or other joints in the body such as the shoulder, arm and hand misalign even slightly, or their normal mobility altered, sensory and motor nerves can be irritated or even damaged. This is known as a biomechanicallesion or subluxation complex commonly shortened to just ...subluxation. Chiropractors have found subluxations to be one of the most common causes of nerve irritation, thus one of the most common contributing factors in shoulder, arm and hand problems.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

Correcting the underlying cause is the only way to effectively treat shoulder, arm and hand problems. However, the most common medical approach is to prescribe pain pills, muscle relaxers, anti-inflammatory drugs and other medications to relieve the pain and other symptoms. If the drugs and other medications do not relieve the symptoms, diathermy, ultrasound, hot packs, cold packs and various other procedures, are sometimes used in conjunction with medication. Finally, if the symptoms are severe, as a last resort, surgery is often recommended. At times, treating symptoms is necessary. However, the side effects of drugs and surgery, can at times be more life threatening than the symptoms of shoulder, arm and hand problems.

CHIROPRACTIC CARE

Chiropractic is not an extra-strength "pain pill." Nor are chiropractic adjustments a treatment for shoulder, arm and hand problems. In spite of this people that suffer with shoulder, arm and hand problems are seeking chiropractic care in greater numbers than ever because chiropractors treat one of the most common causes of shoulder, arm and hand pain-nerve irritation caused by subluxations -and have a high level of patient satisfaction. Chiropractors are the most qualified health care professionals, because of training and experience, to analyze and treat subluxations that are the number one cause of nerve irritation that results in shoulder, arm and hand problems. Today, because of our stressful lifestyle, poor eating habits, environmental pollution, lack of proper exercise, etc., millions are suffering from subluxations and nerve irritation, and many people may not even know they have a subluxation until the symptoms become severe, and in some cases so severe it is too late for complete restoration of health. Why? Because:

THE ABSENCE OF PAIN DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THE PRESENCE OF HEALTH

Pain is not a disease process, it is only a symptom. You can have a serious health problem with or without pain. Only sensory nerves carry pain messages and pain is felt only when these nerves are irritated. People without pain might be considered unfortunate because they think the absence of pain means they are healthy and may delay proper treatment. Those that do have pain should not eliminate or cover up the pain with pain killing drugs. This does nothing to correct the cause and may delay proper treatment. The cause must be corrected before long-lasting relief and health can be restored. Therefore, it is important to under- stand that the absence of pain does not necessarily mean the presence of health.

THE CHIROPRACTIC CHECKUP

Everyone should have a spinal checkup periodically whether symptoms are present or not. Spinal subluxations that cause nerve irritation do not always cause pain and a person may have a serious health problem without being aware of it. Although some subluxations and nerve irritation may be self limiting (healing itself) most are not. Most subluxations that cause nerve irritation will require professional health care. If your chiropractor finds you have subluxations, specific manipulation techniques (without drugs or surgery) will be used to correct the subluxation and relieve the nerve irritation. This allows normal flow of nerve impulses that contributes to the restoration of normal function and health. This procedure is called a chiropractic adjustment. The direct purpose of the chiropractic spinal adjustment is to reduce nerve irritation. This allows the body to restore itself to a greater level of health and in the process relieves pain. Anyone with subluxations and nerve irritation needs a proper chiropractic analysis and chiropractic adjustment if necessary.

DON'T DELAY PROPER TREATMENT-CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR OF CHIROPRACTIC ...NOW!

When you have shoulder, arm and hand problems or anyone of hundreds of named conditions or a condition without a name, delaying proper treatment is dangerous and can result in a major health problem. Seek a chiropractic examination immediately to see if yours is a condition which comes within the scope of chiropractic. The pain you suffer may be because the cause of your problem has been ignored and proper treatment has been delayed. Even if you are seeing other health care providers, it is still advisable to see a chiropractor to make sure your spine is subluxation free and your nervous system is functioning normally because everyone needs a healthy nervous system.

Chiropractic Gets ResuIts....Patient Satisfaction Proves It!