For 40 years, doctors performed shoulder impingement surgeries on the shoulder that never worked. This is because impingement is a postural problem resulting in postures that cause impingement. Recently, a patient who our office treated for right shoulder pain that was resolved after years of suffering developed left shoulder pain, which an orthopedic doctor diagnosed with bursitis. Our evaluation clearly showed this was due to impingement, which is a postural problem. Rather than allowing the doctor to inject the shoulder, he came to us for our opinion. More than half the pain was gone by working on the lower back and foot postural issues, rather than the shoulder, and he did not realize how restricted the shoulder was or what caused it to ache once raising the shoulder to a certain level. He did understand what impingement was and why the diagnosis was not bursitis. More importantly, he had relief naturally. The problem with the shoulder bursitis diagnosis. As a chiropractic sports medicine provider, I have rarely seen a true bursitis in the shoulder or even in the hip. Usually it would be caused by many of the same things impingement is caused by which can explain the common misdiagnosis of the condition. Bursitis is often caused by rubbing or trauma. Impingement is caused by posture. The misdiagnosis of impingement is caused by only evaluating the shoulder. Shoulder movement is always affected by lower body mechanics. Most doctors are taught to evaluate the shoulder but are rarely taught to evaluate the patient with the shoulder. Chiropractic sports physicians are taught to holistically look at patients, how they move and function. Poor foot posture and asymmetry will lead to adaptations that pull the shoulders forward. This will over time tighten the fascia surrounding the shoulder pulling it forward reducing range of motion, power and overall function. The loss of function is why so many people have shoulder pain, neck pain, elbow, wrist and even thumb pain. Often, the patient may also have numbness or tingling in the hands at night, or while driving the car or working in sustained postures. These are also signs that the patient has a lower body problem causing impingement. You do not need a neurologist, tests and a team of doctors. You need one knowledgeable doctor evaluating you. When doctors don’t know, they test. If you are more thorough, you know more and test less. By ignoring the lower body and the patients history of plantar fasciitis, back pain, hip pain or even sciatica, the doctors evaluation cannot be thorough enough to understand why a patient is having shoulder pain unless direct trauma was involved. Most people grab or reach, feel pain and when it does not improve or they cannot elevate the shoulder, they call for help. What is impingement and why does it cause shoulder pain and other symptoms Shoulder impingement syndrome is a frequent cause of shoulder pain. Shoulder impingement occurs in the shoulder when the tendons or bursa become impeded from the bones. The use of the shoulder during overhead activity is a significant risk factor. Some examples of this kind of activity can include painting, lifting, swimming, tennis, or any other overhead sports. Additional risk factors may consist of bone and joint abnormalities. Unfortunately, pain can become persistent and affect everyday life. Specific ranges of motion may become limited, and can often cause pain. Over time, impingement syndrome can lead to tendinitis and bursitis. Inflammation of the rotator cuff is also common, and, if left untreated, rotator cuff tendons can start to wear away. Longstanding shoulder restrictions can lead to frozen shoulder and painful joint capsule restrictions. You can read more about shoulder impingement here. Why call a sports chiropractor first for shoulder pain. Chiropractic sports physicians are experts at body mechanics and your first visit includes a thorough history and evaluation. Chiropractors are holistic meaning we are thorough and look at everything. Our evaluation begins at the feet and includes the entire body, how you move, how you function. If needed, an x ray may be taken to evaluation the health and quality of the joint. Most people have healthy joints with movement restrictions. The restrictions may not be painful for years until you grab something or realize that sleeping on the shoulder makes the hand go numb or worse, aches in the shoulder. Foot orthotics may be recommended if the problem is secondary to foot posture, a common cause of postural issues. Treatment for impingement of the shoulder often begins the same day and can provider immediate relief without additional tests, medical referrals and invasive procedures. If the joint is badly damaged, we will refer you to the appropriate provider as needed. The good news is that most patients respond well to chiropractic care that may include myofascial release, exercises to improve posture and shoulder range of motion and manipulation of the spine and extremities to improve mobility and resolve pain. Seeing a sports chiropractor first reduces cost, improves outcomes, reduces unnecessary testing or procedures. Who you see first will determine your experience and effectiveness with most health problems. For musculoskeletal problems that involve shoulder pain, seein a chiropractic sports physician is the simplist way to relief and better function of the shoulder. You may also appreciate the other symptoms that were relieved in the back, legs and feet as well by resolving the problem rather than just the symptom. Need help today? Book online now or call either of our offices.