Shoulder Trapped Nerve

Nerve entrapments around the shoulder

What is it?

A nerve entrapment around the shoulder refers to when a nerve within the shoulder becomes trapped or compressed by tissues surrounding it.

How does it happen?

Nerves in the shoulder may become entrapped when adhesions develop between the nerve and the tissues that surround it. These adhesions may restrict how much the nerve can move forwards and backwards as the arm is moved. This may cause overstretching of the nerve in the area of the adhesions resulting in the interference of signals being conducted by the nerve, or alternatively the nerves in the shoulder may become entrapped by extremely tight tissues surrounding this area. These tissues may compress the nerve and interfere with the conduction of its signals. In the shoulder the most commonly entrapped nerve is the supra-scapular nerve, which can be trapped as it passes over the edges of the shoulder blade.

How does it feel?

Sometimes when a nerve in the shoulder is entrapped there may be no pain at all, however, the most common feeling is severe pain. If the supra-scapular nerve is involved, then pain will be felt over and around the shoulder blade. However, pain may be felt in the arm, neck or chest and weakness may also occur in the shoulder.

What should you do?

Nerve entrapments in the shoulder do not get completely better on their own, they often need manipulation. Although prescribed medication may help ease some of the symptoms, the cause of the entrapment needs to be treated. If you have or suspect you have a nerve entrapment, consult a Chiropractor who is expert in dealing with trapped nerves.

What shouldn’t you do?

If you have an entrapped nerve in the shoulder, do not ignore the problem. This can lead to a very long and very painful recovery.

Could there be any long-term effects?

Nerve entrapments in the shoulder may not produce any long-term effects as long as they are properly diagnosed and appropriately treated. If the source of the shoulder pain is not treated, a wasting of the muscles may well occur.

Management

Seeking advice from a registered B C A Chiropractor is important in the treatment of an entrapped nerve in the shoulder. Initially, they can assist in diagnosing the cause of the problem and establish its severity. Manipulation of the shoulder and the surrounding area will be the best course of action, and far better than the conventional route “Surgery.” or keep taking the “Prescribed Medication” as rarely does this work. However, Cold or Low Level Laser Therapy is a modality with a five star rating for pain relief and the acceleration of the healing process.  Cold laser Therapy – more information on this modality can be found listed under “Pain Relief”section