At Family Integrative Medicine, we understand that it’s tough to live with the limitations of painful shoulder conditions. The shoulder is one of the most vulnerable joints of the human body to suffer an injury. In fact, shoulder pain is the third most common cause of musculoskeletal conditions and why patients receive physical therapy.
The sad truth is that shoulder pain will only get worse with aging and repeated strain. Regardless of your current pain level, diagnosis and functional limitations, Family Integrative Medicine has a knowledgeable, caring team who is committed to finding and fixing the root cause of your painful shoulder condition. Plus, we are one of the only local medical facilities in Central Florida to provide innovative regenerative therapy.
Your shoulder is one of the more complex joints of the body. This joint is a compound of four bones: the clavicle, scapula, humerus and sternum. The shoulder has a ball and socket shape that’s covered by cartilage, with many interconnected muscles and ligaments as illustrated in the photo below.
The head of your arm bone, or humerus, goes into a small socket called the glenoid fossa. Because the shoulder is a fragile structure, protection is provided by the rotator cuff. This is a combination of muscles and tendons, which gives support to the arm when you perform different movements.
Unfortunately, all these structures can be damaged for many reasons. It’s also important to keep bones and muscles strong to prevent lesions from forming in your shoulders. Falls, accidents or even repetitive, daily use can lead to pain and deterioration.
5 Common Painful Shoulder Conditions Treated at Family Integrative Medicine
Here are a variety of the most common shoulder conditions treated at Family Integrative Medicine. We have the experience to diagnose and treat a variety of shoulder pain ailments across many ages and walks of life for our patients, who include senior adults, active military and veterans, families and athletes.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is when the cartilage that protect the bones is worn away or destroyed. Cartilage diminishes the friction created between bones when you move your arm. When the cartilage decreases in thickness, the friction between bones increases, causing pain and loss of mobility.
Rotator Cuff Tear
The rotator cuff is made of four muscles that keep the head of your arm bone within your glenoid fossa when moving the arm. A rotator cuff tear occurs when the shoulder tendons no longer hold or partially hold your arm bone inside the glenoid fossa. If a tear is present, it will be very hard – or not possible – to lift your arm above your head.
SLAP Lesion
A SLAP lesion occurs when someone injures or tears the cartilage, called labrum, that covers their shoulder bones. SLAP stands for superior labrum anterior and posterior, which means that the cartilage has been separated from the bones in the front and rear parts of the shoulder. Shoulder pain occurs from the front and/or back part of the shoulder. Cartilage has the function to cushion the joint by diminishing friction between bones. It also provides stability to the shoulder when the arm moves in different directions.
Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, occurs when a person starts with sudden shoulder pain and later, finds restriction on its range of motion. This is followed by spontaneous partial or full recovery over time. Encumbered movements include external rotation, abduction, internal rotation and flexion. In other words, you will not be able to lift your arm overhead, nor place your hand behind your head and back.
Bursitis
Bursitis is when the small sacs between the muscles, tendons, and bones become inflamed. These small sacs, called bursa, are filled with fluid. The bursa has the purpose of diminishing friction between muscles and bones. When a person does repetitive movements, the bursa can get inflamed can cause tremendous shoulder pain.
Family Integrative Medicine Can Help Alleviate Your Shoulder Pain
Almost every painful shoulder condition related to the musculoskeletal system can be addressed through an integrative medicine approach. If you have been experiencing shoulder pain, weakness or difficulty performing regular activities, call Family Integrative Medicine. We will discuss your painful shoulder condition with you, exploring diagnosis and treatment options that meet your needs and relieve your shoulder pain.
As a leader in person-centered care, Family Integrative Medicine serves patients in Central Florida who want to pursue faster and more effective healing for a variety of chronic conditions treated at our medical clinics, including painful shoulder conditions. Schedule your consultation so that we can support your healthcare needs and improve your quality of life, starting today!
