Shoulder Wellness and Injury Prevention

Shoulder pain is a common issue for active, healthy adults and youth who play sports or engage in other physical activities. At OrthoCarolina, we empower our patients with everything they need to keep their shoulders healthy and functioning to their best potential. Here's what you need to know about shoulder pain, preventative care guided by orthopedic specialists, and non-surgical treatment options for shoulder conditions.

Understanding Your Shoulders

The shoulder joint is one of the most complex joints in the body, with a wide range of motion and many muscles and tendons supporting its movements. The health of your shoulder joints is important for patients of all different activity levels and lifestyles. 

One of the best ways to prevent shoulder injuries is to maintain proper shoulder alignment and posture. This can be achieved through a combination of:

• Exercises
• Stretching
• Strength training

All of these manageable lifestyle changes can improve the stability and range of motion of the shoulder joint, and keep you in top shape for your favorite activities throughout your life.

Shoulder Management with Orthopedic Specialists

Working with an orthopedic specialist can be helpful in identifying any areas of weakness or imbalance in your shoulder muscles, and developing a personalized plan to address these issues. This may include exercises to strengthen specific muscles, as well as stretches to improve flexibility and prevent stiffness.

If you do experience shoulder pain or injury, it's important to seek treatment early to prevent further damage. An orthopedic specialist can help diagnose and treat shoulder injuries, and provide non-surgical solutions to alleviate pain and improve function.

Our clinics provide access to care from several kinds of practitioners, including: 

• Orthopedic doctors
• Physical therapists
• Occupational therapists 

Avoiding Shoulder Surgery with Preventative Care

At OrthoCarolina, we believe in preventive care and regular checkups, so our patients can avoid invasive surgeries and the risks involved. Luckily, with management and guidance through orthopedic care, avoiding surgery is possible regardless of your age, health, or preexisting conditions.

Non-surgical treatments for shoulder pain may include physical therapy, which can help strengthen the shoulder muscles and improve range of motion. Other non-surgical solutions may include injections of corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid, which can reduce inflammation and pain in the joint.

In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair damage to the shoulder joint. However, in many cases, non-surgical treatments can provide effective relief for shoulder pain and injury, especially when combined with preventative measures to improve shoulder wellness.

When to See a Doctor for Shoulder Pain

If you're experiencing shoulder pain or want to improve your shoulder health and prevent injury, a licensed orthopedic specialist can provide personalized care and treatment options to keep you active and healthy. By taking a proactive approach to shoulder health, you can stay at the top of your game and prevent debilitating injuries.

For highly-specialized treatment of shoulder concerns, you can make an appointment at OrthoCarolina’s Brachial Plexus Clinic. Your brachial plexus is a network of nerves that provides movement and feeling to the shoulder, arms and hands. The treatment at our specialized clinic is highly focused on shoulder care, and the parts of your body that can be affected by shoulder issues.

If you’re an active adult or young person (who wishes to continue your active lifestyle for the long-haul) we encourage that you work closely with orthopedic specialists from the start. The best rule of thumb is to seek treatment early, and focus on management and prevention to prevent serious shoulder injuries.

Holistic Care and Shoulder Health

Whole body wellness is at the core of our mentality at OrthoCarolina. We believe in preventative care and management for your shoulders, as well as the rest of your body. Orthopedics focuses on the musculoskeletal system, and it’s important to think of your health and wellness as a connected, high functioning system that requires all parts to run properly. 

If this sounds intimidating, just know that it doesn’t have to be with the help of licensed practitioners, like the specialists who are the core of OrthoCarolina. Orthopedic specialists have the rigorous training and expert experience to help guide you through shoulder health at any stage of life, provide guidance regarding alternative treatment like chiropractic medicine and acupuncture, greenlight activities ranging from sports and hiking to gaming and long days at the office.