man clutching shoulder in pain

When you think of a chiropractor, you think of pain in the spine and neck – and, if you’ve ever been to a chiropractor, adjustment to correct this pain. A chiropractor probably isn’t the first person you think of when it comes to pain in the arm or shoulder.

What might surprise you is that a chiropractor is actually one of the best medical professionals you can see when you experience pain in your arm and/or shoulder. As one of Austin’s best chiropractors, I can both diagnose and treat arm and shoulder pain.

Causes of Arm and Shoulder Pain

When pain manifests itself in your arm and/or shoulder, the cause is often much deeper in your body. Not surprisingly, a main source of pain you feel in your extremities is the neck and mid-back, which transfers itself to your shoulder and arm in a phenomenon known as “referred” pain. Other causes of shoulder and arm pain can include tendonitis, arthritis and inflammation of a group of muscle and tendons known as the rotator cuff.

Whatever the cause of your arm and shoulder pain, it is absolutely essential that you see a medical professional to diagnose it, rather than simply taking pain medication to treat your symptoms. Chiropractors are uniquely positioned to properly diagnose pain in the body, since we look at health with a “whole patient” approach, even if it doesn’t necessarily relate to the spine or neck.

Treatment of Arm and Shoulder Pain

Once your Austin chiropractor determines the cause of your arm and/or shoulder pain, he or she will prescribe you a course of treatment that not only alleviates the pain you’re experiencing, but which addresses the root cause of the pain. If, for example, the pain is referred from your spine or neck, an adjustment may be in order. Alternatively, the best means of treating pain that’s localized can be as simple as rest, ice/heat therapy or even therapeutic exercise.

Whether you need to see a chiropractor in Kyle, San Marcos or Austin, we have 3 locations for your convenience. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.