Would you like to switch to the accessible version of this site?

Go to accessible site Close modal window

Don't need the accessible version of this site?

Hide the accessibility button Close modal window
Accessibility View Close toolbar
Round Spine Logo

Call Us Today

(407) 295-1077

Open mobile navigation
  • Home
  • New Member Center
    • Online Forms
    • What to Expect
      • Your First Visit
      • Phase 1: Relief Care
      • Phase 2: Corrective Care
      • Phase 3: Wellness Care
    • Health Resources
    • Payment Options
  • About Us
  • Services
  • Video Exercises
  • 3D Spine Simulator
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Community Content
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletter Library >
  • Smart Shoulders

Smart Shoulders

  • Created in Newsletter Library

Our shoulder joints have the greatest range of motion of any of the musculoskeletal joints in our bodies. The shoulder joint is really two joints, the glenohumeral joint between the arm bone (humerus) and the shoulder blade (scapula) and the acromioclavicular joint between the acromion (a bony projection off the scapula) and the collarbone (clavicle). The glenohumeral joint is a ball-and-socket joint and the acromioclavicular joint is a gliding joint.

Acting together, these joints enable the shoulder to achieve a full 360º of motion in both the frontal (side to side) and sagittal (front and back) three-dimensional planes. The important caveat is that this extensive freedom of motion comes with a price: the shoulder not only has the most mobility, but is also the most unstable joint in the body.

The glenohumeral joint may be easily dislocated, most typically by a fall on an outstretched arm. The ligaments of the acromioclavicular joint are easily sprained and the joint itself is easily dislocated. Acromioclavicular joint injuries may be described as "AC separations". Overall, injuries to the shoulder joint are common, most frequently experienced by people participating in exercise activities and sports and by older people as a result of a fall.

The shoulder joint has built-in protection in the form of the four muscles comprising the rotator cuff, the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis.1 The rotator cuff muscles participate in all shoulder joint and upper arm motions and provide stabilization to the shoulder as the joint moves through three-dimensional space. But the rotator cuff muscle group is itself subject to injury (muscle tears) and degeneration as a person ages of the tendons that attach the muscles to the shoulder and arm bones.

Thus, the shoulder joint needs additional protections to maintain its structural integrity and mechanical performance.

In days gone by, people did demanding physical work every day, automatically providing training and resilience to the anatomical components of the shoulder. But in the 21st century, with the decline of the farming and manufacturing sectors and the rise of the service economy, most people no longer engage in actual physical work. As a result, most of us require regular vigorous exercise to maintain physical fitness and good health. With specific respect to the shoulder, upper body strength training exercises will help provide the necessary activity and mobility to ensure ongoing functionality of our shoulder joints. 2,3

As well, obtaining regular chiropractic care helps ensure that our spines are working properly, providing effective mechanical support to our shoulder joints, and that our nerve systems are working at high levels to coordinate all the physiological activities necessary to our long-term health and well-being.

  1. Sangwan S, et al: Stabilizing characteristics of rotator cuff muscles: a systematic review. Disabil Rehabil 37(12):1033-1043, 2015

  2. Heron SR, et al: Comparison of three types of exercise in the treatment of rotator cuff tendinopathy/shoulder impingement syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. Physiotherapy 103(2):167-173, 2017

  3. Abdulla SY, et al: Is exercise effective for the management of subacromial impingement syndrome and other soft tissue injuries of the shoulder? A systematic review by the Ontario Protocol for Traffic Injury Management (OPTIMa) Collaboration. Man Ther 20(5):646-656, 2015

  • We May Help You With
    • Auto Accident Injuries
    • Back and Shoulder Pain
    • Body Pain
    • Chronic Disease Relief
    • Conditions Affecting Women
    • Headaches
    • Herniated Discs
    • Improved Health
    • Pediatric Ailments
    • Repetitive Use Injuries
    • Respiratory Function
  • About Chiropractic Care
    • What is Chiropractic
    • How Does it Work
    • Who is Chiropractic For
    • Vertebral Subluxation
    • Wellness Resources
  • Chiropractic Techniques
  • Chiropractic Therapies
  • Life is Motion
  • Healthy Thinking
    • Get Positive
    • Relaxation Techniques
  • Wellness Lifestyle Tips
    • Treat Yourself Well
    • Treat Others Well
    • Eat Well
  • Wellness Essentials
    • At Home
    • At Work
    • Exercise
    • Nutrition
    • What You Wear
  • Wellness Perspectives
    • Social
    • Physical
    • Spiritual
    • Mental
  • Wellness4Kids
  • Newsletter Library
    • Weight Loss
    • Staying Motivated
    • Staying Young
    • Life-Work Balance
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Mind-Body Connection
    • Wellness
    • Pregnancy & Parenting
    • Back, Body & Joint Pain
    • Senior Health
    • Healthy Tips
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Chronic Conditions
    • Nutrition & Healthy Eating
    • Injury Rehab & Prevention
    • Breaking Bad Habits
    • Kid's Health
    • Illness Prevention

Contact Us Today!

  • Services

    We strive to provide complete care for our patients. Learn more about all the services we provide.

  • Make an Appointment

    We will do our best to accommodate your busy schedule. Schedule an appointment today!

  • Online Forms

    Our patient forms are available online so they can be completed in the convenience of your home.

Office Hours

Monday:

10:00 am-1:00 pm

2:00 pm-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

4:00 pm- 8:00 pm*

*By appointment only

Wednesday:

10:00 am-1:00 pm

2:00 pm-6:00 pm

Thursday:

2:00 pm-6:00 pm

Friday:

10:00 am-1:00 pm

2:00 pm-6:00 pm

Saturday:

8:30 am-10:30 am

Sunday:

Closed

Location

Testimonial

  • "The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in a proper diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease."
    -Thomas A. Edison

Featured Articles

Read about helpful topics

  • How To Ease Into Exercise In The New Year With New Workout Plans

    Are you planning to exercise more in 2020? Your chiropractor can help you avoid injuries that may prevent you from reaching your goals. ...

    Read More
  • Put Your Health First In The New Year

    Looking for a natural way to improve your health in the new year? Chiropractic care may offer a simple solution. ...

    Read More
  • Does Collagen Help With Joint Pain?

    Have you been wondering if collagen really works for joint pain? ...

    Read More
  • Staying Healthy as a Caregiver

    Maintaining good health is crucial if you're a caregiver. These tips can help you avoid illness and injuries. ...

    Read More
  • Chiropractic and Gut Health

    Medication isn't the only solution if you suffer from digestive system complications. Chiropractic treatment can help treat your symptoms. ...

    Read More
  • Chiropractic and Male Infertility

    Do you struggle with male infertility? Chiropractic treatment offers an all-natural solution. ...

    Read More
  • Can Meditation Improve Your Health?

    Would you like to improve your health naturally? Try to include meditation in your daily routine. ...

    Read More
  • Chiropractic Treatment for Spondylosis

    Are you tired of living with painful spondylosis symptoms? Chiropractic treatment may help ease your neck and back pain. ...

    Read More
  • How to Help Improve Your Children's Quality of Sleep

    Does your child toss and turn at night? These suggestions may improve his or her sleep quality. ...

    Read More
  • The 3 Most Common Chiropractic Questions Answered

    Looking for a natural way to treat pain? Chiropractic care offers an effective solution. ...

    Read More

Contact Us

Follow Us

  • Copyright © 2019 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Health Disclaimer
  • Cookie Policy
  • Site Map