Recovering from Shoulder Injuries: Why Pick Sports Chiropractic Care & Dry Needling?

Sick of temporary solutions that do not actually fix that shoulder pain?

Shoulder injuries are all too common among athletes and active individuals. Whether you're a professional athlete or someone who enjoys playing sports recreationally, a shoulder injury can be both painful and debilitating. Fortunately, there's a specialized approach to shoulder injury rehabilitation that combines sports chiropractic care with dry needling. In this blog post, we'll explore the benefits of this treatment approach, supported by cited research, to help you understand how it can aid in your recovery.

Believe it or not…shoulder pain/injuries are the most common conditions treated in our clinic outside of neck and back pain!!!

Shoulder injuries encompass a wide range of conditions, from rotator cuff tears to shoulder impingements and muscular strains. These injuries often result from overuse, traumatic incidents, strenuous repetitive work duties, or poor biomechanics during sports activities. Regardless of the cause, they can have a significant impact on an individual's performance and quality of life.

Sports Chiropractic Care: An Overview

Sports chiropractic care is a holistic and evidence-based approach to treating musculoskeletal injuries, including those affecting the shoulder. It involves the assessment, diagnosis, and management of injuries through non-invasive techniques, such as spinal adjustments, soft tissue manipulation, and therapeutic exercises. Research published in the "Journal of Chiropractic Medicine" (2017) highlights the efficacy of chiropractic care in improving shoulder pain and function, thus aiding in the recovery process. Luckily for you…our clinics in Marion & Anna is the home of a certified chiropractic sports physician® who has extensive training in managing these types of conditions!

Dry Needling: An Innovative Solution

Before you completely write off the idea of dry needling because it involves needles, please keep reading and remember that it does not even hurt! Dry needling is a therapeutic technique that involves the insertion of thin, sterile needles into trigger points or knots in muscles. This technique is becoming increasingly popular in sports chiropractic care due to its ability to target and release muscular tension, which often contributes to shoulder pain and dysfunction. A study in the "Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy" (2018) found that dry needling significantly reduced pain and improved shoulder mobility in individuals with rotator cuff injuries.

The Synergy of Sports Chiropractic Care and Dry Needling

When sports chiropractic care is combined with dry needling, it creates a powerful synergy that accelerates the healing process. Here's how it works:

  1. Pain Reduction: Dry needling helps alleviate pain by releasing tight muscles and trigger points, while chiropractic adjustments promote proper alignment and reduce stress on the injured shoulder.

  2. Improved Range of Motion: Both dry needling and chiropractic adjustments contribute to better joint and muscle function, leading to increased shoulder mobility.

  3. Faster Recovery: Research published in the "Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies" (2019) suggests that combining these therapies can significantly shorten recovery times for shoulder injuries.

  4. Preventing Recurrence: By addressing the root causes of shoulder injuries, this combination therapy helps reduce the risk of future injuries and enhances overall sports performance.

Shoulder injuries can be frustrating and hindering, but with the right approach, recovery is possible. Sports chiropractic care with dry needling offers a holistic and evidence-based solution that not only reduces pain but also promotes faster healing and improved athletic performance. Supported by research, this approach has shown promising results for individuals seeking effective and non-invasive treatment for shoulder injuries. If you're dealing with a shoulder injury, consider consulting a sports chiropractor experienced in dry needling to start your journey toward a pain-free and active life.