Shoulder Pain and Pinched Nerves

The spinal column is of crucial importance to the rest of the body. That’s why if you experience pain in your shoulder or arm, you shouldn’t be too surprised if the problem is in your neck. At Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield, we’re experienced treatment providers to people suffering from pinched nerves. We offer several non-addictive, minimally invasive therapies, but to understand why they work, let’s take a closer look at how the shoulder and neck are connected.

 

Several nerves emerge from the spinal cord in the neck, which is also known as the cervical region. They bundle together in the shoulder and split off again into separate sections of the shoulder region, arm, and hand. If a nerve is compressed where it emerges, which is called cervical radiculopathy, a person may feel a lacerating pain along its length, or they may feel a throbbing pain that comes and goes. A pinched might also feel numb or tingly, but pain caused by pinching in the neck would usually only happen on one side of the body.

 

Imaging tests will help us to determine whether there is a blockage in the neck. We will also ask the patient to demonstrate how far they can bend their neck and which movements cause them pain. The problem could be caused by a disc that has degenerated or been torn, causing inflammation or for its gel to push against a nerve. Inflammation could also be caused by osteoarthritis, in which the cartilage between joints erodes and the bones rub each other. We can treat these problems by performing chiropractic adjustments, which will restore the discs and vertebrae to their right position. We can also teach the patient therapeutic stretches that will loosen the neck muscles, making them less prone to inflammation.

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.

Introduction to Osteoarthritis

Joint inflammation, or arthritis, can have all sorts of causes. But the most common, and one of the most common causes of pain and missed workdays in the United States, is osteoarthritis. This disease is often misunderstood to be a normal part of aging, but at Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield, we can help patients to manage or prevent it, allowing them to live free of pain.

Within joints is a slippery substance called cartilage that cushions and lubricates bones. Cartilage is made up of protein called collagen. When the body’s wear on cartilage outpaces its ability to produce new collagen, the cartilage will become deformed and eroded. As cartilage recedes, the bones develop spurs, grind against each other, and flake off. All of these can trigger inflammation, which will put pressure on the surrounding tissues, causing a dull, throbbing pain, and further impede movement.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition. It will be worse when the joints are bearing an excess amount of weight and being used repetitively, and it is likelier to develop in joints that have recovered from a previous injury. We can realign joints and relieve pressure on cartilage by performing adjustments. Therapeutic massages can reduce inflammation and promote the circulation of fresh, nutrient rich blood. We can also use interferential current therapy to loosen up stiff joints, increasing their range of motion during therapeutic exercise.

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.

 

Rotator Cuff Injuries

The Kosak Chiropractic clinic in Fairfield provides care for the entire body. Our whole musculoskeletal system can suffer when any part of it is injured, which is why a holistic approach is necessary. One common injury we see is fraying of the rotator cuff, which too many people unnecessarily use drugs or surgery to treat.

The rotator cuff is the bundle of tendons that strap the humerus, or upper arm bone, into the shoulder joint. The muscles they attach to allow the arm to move in a full circle and they are kept lubricated by a bursa between the joint and bone on the top of the shoulder. The bursa and the muscles are both prone to inflammation when overused or when the patient develops a degenerative condition.

While a disastrous injury can sever a tendon, what is more common is for the fibers that comprise tendons to fray, leaving small holes. As people age, the body has difficulty supplying sufficient blood to tendons in the extremities. This causes them to be weaker and increases the risk that the shoulder bones will develop bony spurs that can irritate nearby soft tissue. Degenerative rotator cuff tears are also common among people who have to make repetitive motions, such as athletes and painters. After diagnosing a rotator cuff injury, we’ll provide patients with several pain relief options, including ultrasound therapy (to break up scar tissue) and electric muscle stimulation (to stimulate fresh blood flow.) We may also recommend that the patient rest when not doing therapeutic exercises, which will target their upper back as well as their shoulder. Our nutritional counseling service can advise patient on what nutrients they need to speed their healing.

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.