Have you noticed a soreness in your shoulder, especially when you lift your arm? You may have felt inclined to let it heal on its own or to just push through it. If so, that could be a costly mistake. At Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield, we provide safe, fast-acting pain relief to people suffering from a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. But non-invasive treatments work best when they are used early in a problem’s development, so we want our readers to understand why it’s important for them to seek care for potential rotator cuff injuries.

The rotator cuff is a bundle of tendons that secure the humerus (the upper arm bone) into a socket formed by the shoulder blade and breastbone. The tendons come from four different muscles, and the shoulder also includes cartilage lining to cushion the ball-and-socket shaped joint, as well as a bursae that provides lubrication. A rotator cuff injury may be the result of either a large tear in at least one of the tendons, or of minor fraying. But fraying tends to get worse over time and can eventually contribute to an acute injury, particularly in older people and people whose activities require them to regularly lift their arms over their heads, such as painters and tennis players.

Rotator cuff injuries are diagnosed through a combination of tactile tests and imaging. Although a person with degenerative fraying may need to rest in the short term, recovery will ultimately require them to engage in exercises that will improve their strength and flexibility. These will include exercises for the upper back as well as their upper arm. We can also provide treatments to reduce inflammation, including therapeutic massages and electric muscle stimulation. As part of our whole-person approach to healing, Dr. Michael Wilson may also wish to examine a patient for subluxations in their neck or upper back that may have contributed to or resulted from problems in their shoulder, and provide chiropractic adjustments as needed.

Kosak Chiropractic is located at 1252 Travis Blvd., Suite G, Fairfield, CA, 94533. To schedule an appointment, visit Kosak Chiropractic online or call 707-426-1111.