As experts in the musculoskeletal system, a chiropractor is uniquely suited to help patients deal with uneven shoulders. They can diagnose and recommend treatments that are conservative and non-invasive. A chiropractor's office is a good place to start if you want to fix your uneven shoulders.
A Chiropractor can use a multitude of techniques that may help fix uneven shoulders. It is important to understand why you have uneven shoulders as this will dictate your care.
Depending on the clinical diagnosis, physiotherapy which may include postural education, manual therapy and corrective exercises can be beneficial to correcting these common issues in mild-moderate cases. In more severe cases, surgery and medication may be considered.
If you maintain poor posture, some muscle groups become tight while others weaken. Over time, your body's muscular and skeletal frameworks can develop improper shapes. Uneven shoulders can result from these incorrect configurations.
If a person notices that their shoulders are uneven, they should talk with a doctor. Anyone with severely uneven shoulders, additional concerning symptoms, or uneven shoulders with no apparent cause should also talk with a doctor or physical therapist.
Uneven shoulders could indicate many different things. From scoliosis to a leg length discrepency. Although, in most situations it is indicative of simply a muscle imbalance in the upper extremities.
A chiropractor can help you correct poor posture such as forward head translation or slouching and realign your spine to assure that the body is functioning optimally.
Yes, a chiropractor can realign your shoulder. Chiropractors are trained to diagnose and treat structural misalignments in the spine and joints, including the shoulder. Through a combination of manipulation, stretching, and exercise, a chiropractor can help restore optimal alignment and movement in the shoulder joint.
This could be due to over-activation of back muscles on one side as a result of low back pain, or actual discrepancy due to hip/pelvic bone structure since birth. Another example is pain and stiffness in the neck or tightness in chest muscles can create a pull on the shoulder putting it in upward or forward position.
People with instability of the shoulder joint can sometimes feel the ball of the shoulder come out of its socket or "give way." This is commonly associated with pain. Often, the episodes of giving way occur with specific activities or positions of the arm, such as throwing a ball or reaching behind the body.
Based on the normal asymmetry that the human body has, it is actually quite common to have uneven shoulders. More specifically, it is most common to have the right shoulder lower than the left.
Shoulder asymmetry
However, in most situations, it simply indicates a muscular imbalance of the upper extremities. This can occur from daily activities such as always sleeping on the same side, carrying a heavy bag or purse on the same shoulder, or talking on the phone with your head tilted toward your shoulder.
“If the curvature involves the upper portion of the spine (the thoracic spine), it can often lead to shoulder asymmetry (uneven shoulders). “[The] upper location of the scoliosis can result in one shoulder being pitched higher, with the other shoulder being forced downward, by the curve.
If you notice that you're hunching forward when you stand or that your shoulders cave inwards, don't fret, but it might be time to work on it. Rounded shoulders can be reversed with a little time, patience, stretching, and postural reset.
Take breaks from computer and TV time, and exercise more. "In six to 12 weeks," says Doshi, "you'll see an improvement in your posture."
The good news is that, in most cases, rounded shoulders can be easily fixed or prevented. Just as the muscles and joints have been trained to hunch forward, they can be retrained to find the correct resting position.
If your back or joints feel locked, stiff, and sore or maybe haven't responded to other treatments, then a consultation with a chiropractor is recommended. Soft tissue problems are more commonly treated by physiotherapists as well as joint and muscular problems which are restricting movement and causing pain.
A winged scapula can be treated, fortunately. Chiropractic care and associated therapies can help you get relief from your symptoms, and to strengthen your shoulders to avoid further discomfort.
An examination with history is needed for an estimate of how long it could take to correct posture. Adjustments plus exercises could help your posture in 2-4 weeks. For some, it could take years. And for others, surgery may be necessary to help correct the spine.
To achieve maximum benefits, most injury and pain types will need somewhere between four and twelve sessions. Ongoing maintenance is used to prevent pain from coming back and to prevent additional injuries from forming due to a misalignment of the spine.