Wrist, shoulder & elbow pain
What is wrist, shoulder & elbow pain?
Arm pain is a very common issue among many people at some point in their lives. When these joints begin to develop functional or anatomic changes, pain usually is first noticed during certain activities such as lifting a grocery bag or reaching above the head, but as it worsens it is felt also at night while in bed or while at rest.
Pain usually occurs due to injuries and inflammation that develop in the muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, or nerves of the arm. Pain can also originate from a problem in another area of the body, such as the upper spine, the neck or the heart.
Symptoms
Arm pain, depending on the location and cause, may be accompanied by numbness, redness, swelling, tenderness, or stiffness of the joints.
Causes
The shoulder is one of the most vulnerable joints as it has such a wide range of motion, which opens it up to various injuries and problems. Wrists are the next most vulnerable joint and are usually due to repetitive use. Elbow injuries are usually a result of repetitive sports activities. Other causes include:
Repetitive stress injuries
Tears
Poor posture
Overexertion
Aging
Osteoarthritis
Frozen shoulder
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Tennis/golfers elbow
How can treatment help
Depending on the cause and condition, the treatment plan will mainly involve chiropractic adjustments, manual physiotherapy and exercises, to help ease your symptoms. The treatments will reduce the pressure and inflammation on your joints and muscles, thereby relieving the symptoms. Stretching and strengthening muscles through exercises will help to prevent worsening of symptoms and aid recovery. Research also indicates chiropractic as a treatment option for nerve-related conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome.