Shoulder and arm pain can be debilitating, especially when there is no obvious cause or injury that needs to be treated. A rare condition known as brachial neuritis can cause spasms along with pain down the arm, followed by numbness, tingling, and weakness. If not diagnosed and treated early, the symptoms can worsen with time. The pain experienced can be described as sharp, searing, and shooting. Brachial neuritis can be intense and disabling when it presents for hours and even days.

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 Brachial Neuritis: Shoulder, Arm, Hand Pain, and Chiropractic Intervention

Utilizing a chiropractic approach, shoulder and spinal adjustments can provide relief and a faster healing/recovery from the inflammatory condition. Individuals experiencing shoulder, arm, and possible hand pain should consult with a chiropractor about a potential home and clinic treatment plan to improve their condition.

Medical History and Examination

The process of diagnosing brachial neuritis involves an individual’s medical history and physical exam. Cases that are more complicated could require imaging studies and electrodiagnostic tests. The first steps in diagnosing the cause of shoulder and/or arm pain include:

Medical history

Information will be collected on an individual’s:

  • Medical history
  • Family history
  • Underlying conditions
  • Recent illnesses or injuries
  • Lifestyle habits
  • How and when symptoms began
  • Current symptoms

Physical examination

A chiropractor will palpate or inspect by feeling the neck, shoulder, and arm for irregularities. Then they will examine the range of motion, strength, and reflexes. If the individual’s history and physical exam suggest that the cause could be brachial neuritis or other condition that involves the nerves, then imaging studies, and diagnostic tests could be required to evaluate further.

Symptoms of Brachial Neuritis

The condition is also known as Parsonage-Turner Syndrome. It affects the brachial plexus, which is a set of nerves that run from the neck and upper back to the shoulders. The condition usually affects only one side of the body and presents randomly.

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 Brachial Neuritis: Shoulder, Arm, Hand Pain, and Chiropractic Intervention

What happens is the nerves become inflamed.

  • Inflammation can be triggered through an autoimmune response. This is often the result of an infection, surgical procedure, or other internal stressors. The inflammation can lead to severe debilitating shoulder pain over a few days.
  • This also leads to long-term numbness, weakness in the shoulder, and arm.
  • The pain becomes worse with movement.
  • Typically, the pain goes away on its own within a few days.
  • Numbness, weakness, or tingling in the shoulder or arm continues.
  • Over time the symptoms begin to worsen and if left untreated could lead to muscular atrophy of the arm.
  • The pain and weakness can make it difficult to move the arm at all, which leads to decreased strength.
  • Symptoms can last up to a year or more.

This is why individuals have to find ways to strengthen their shoulder/arm in spite of the condition.

Chiropractic Relief

Treatment requires a pain management program until the pain subsides. Once the pain is manageable chiropractic, physical therapy, exercises, and stretches could be utilized to improve mobility and strength. Chiropractic can provide relief and tools necessary to prevent the worsening of symptoms. Chiropractic helps to:

  • Reduces pain
  • Improves mobility
  • Restores strength

Chiropractic manipulation will ensure that the nerves near the brachial plexus do not become compressed, but if they are then chiropractic can be utilized to decompress/release them. Trigger point release and massage can help alleviate the tension in the surrounding tissues of the arm and shoulder.

A chiropractor will educate the individuals on effective pain management techniques for home, which will include ice/heat therapy and stretching exercises. These techniques will help restore the proper alignment and flow of the spinal vertebrae, nerves, and muscle tissues, allowing the body to heal quickly, naturally, and more effectively.

Chiropractic Shoulder Pain Treatment

Shoulder Pain Treatment El Paso, TX Chiropractor

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References

Feinberg, Joseph H, and Jeffrey Radecki. “Parsonage-turner syndrome.” HSS journal: the musculoskeletal journal of Hospital for Special Surgery vol. 6,2 (2010): 199-205. doi:10.1007/s11420-010-9176-x

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The information herein on "Brachial Neuritis: Shoulder, Arm, Hand Pain, and Chiropractic Intervention" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

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Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

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We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

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email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

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Dr. Alex Jimenez
Specialties: Stopping the PAIN! We Specialize in Treating Severe Sciatica, Neck-Back Pain, Whiplash, Headaches, Knee Injuries, Sports Injuries, Dizziness, Poor Sleep, Arthritis. We use advanced proven therapies focused on optimal Mobility, Posture Control, Deep Health Instruction, Integrative & Functional Medicine, Functional Fitness, Chronic Degenerative Disorder Treatment Protocols, and Structural Conditioning. We also integrate Wellness Nutrition, Wellness Detoxification Protocols and Functional Medicine for chronic musculoskeletal disorders. We use effective "Patient Focused Diet Plans", Specialized Chiropractic Techniques, Mobility-Agility Training, Cross-Fit Protocols, and the Premier "PUSH Functional Fitness System" to treat patients suffering from various injuries and health problems. Ultimately, I am here to serve my patients and community as a Chiropractor passionately restoring functional life and facilitating living through increased mobility. Purpose & Passions: I am a Doctor of Chiropractic specializing in progressive cutting-edge therapies and functional rehabilitation procedures focused on clinical physiology, total health, functional strength training, functional medicine, and complete conditioning. We focus on restoring normal body functions after neck, back, spinal and soft tissue injuries. We use Specialized Chiropractic Protocols, Wellness Programs, Functional & Integrative Nutrition, Agility & Mobility Fitness Training and Cross-Fit Rehabilitation Systems for all ages. As an extension to dynamic rehabilitation, we too offer our patients, disabled veterans, athletes, young and elder a diverse portfolio of strength equipment, high-performance exercises and advanced agility treatment options. We have teamed up with the cities' premier doctors, therapist and trainers in order to provide high-level competitive athletes the options to push themselves to their highest abilities within our facilities. We've been blessed to use our methods with thousands of El Pasoans over the last 3 decades allowing us to restore our patients' health and fitness while implementing researched non-surgical methods and functional wellness programs. Our programs are natural and use the body's ability to achieve specific measured goals, rather than introducing harmful chemicals, controversial hormone replacement, un-wanted surgeries, or addictive drugs. We want you to live a functional life that is fulfilled with more energy, a positive attitude, better sleep, and less pain. Our goal is to ultimately empower our patients to maintain the healthiest way of living. With a bit of work, we can achieve optimal health together, no matter the age, ability or disability.