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Through diligent practice, we provide Calgary, AB with quality chiropractic services, helping the community get back to pain-free health. With a focus on quality service and the scientific approach, Associate Chiropractic Clinic offers wide-ranging therapy options at affordable rates. Research has shown that chiropractic, acupuncture, and massage therapy may be helpful for a wide variety of conditions:

ARE YOU SUFFERING FROM SHOULDER BLADE AND RIB PAIN?

Patient reaching to touch shoulder blade or rib pain.
Pain between the shoulders or shoulder blades can be a common problem arising from overuse of the shoulder muscles, a pinched nerve in the neck, or rotator cuff tendonitis. But one of the most common causes for shoulder blade pain is rib joint dysfunction due to injury and poor posture.

You can experience sharp, shooting pain or a dull throbbing ache in your upper back or between your shoulders because of the trauma of a car accident or inflammation in the region.

Shoulder pain can be due to the following causes:
Musculoskeletal Causes
Damage or injury to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons surrounding the shoulder blade can cause pain and discomfort in your shoulder blades.
The muscles tissues can be damaged in the case of:
- An impact injury from a car accident: You can have shoulder blade pain after a car accident because of injuries like a rotator cuff tear or a fracture.
- Muscle strain or sprain: Shoulder muscle strain and sprain can happen because of:
  • Poor Posture
  • Improper lifting of heavy weights
  • Working on a computer for a long time
  • Improper sleeping posture
  • Overuse of shoulder muscle
 
Cardiovascular causes
The following heart-related issues can cause shoulder blade pain:
  • Heart attack with accompanying chest pain
  • Heart problems, like aorta dissection and pericarditis
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Gastrointestinal Causes
Certain abdominal problems can cause referred pain in your shoulder blades like:
  • Gallstones
  • Pancreatitis
  • Peptic ulcers
  • Acid reflux
  • Liver disease​
Bones and joint-related causes:
You can have shoulder pain because of:
  • Arthritis: You can have arthritis in your shoulders, or it could be a referred pain from arthritis of the chest, ribs, or spine.
  • Osteoporosis: It may affect your shoulders, shoulder blade, and neck.
  • Compressed nerves: Pressure on the nerves in the neck can cause pain in your shoulder blades.
  • Shoulder blade fracture: Though uncommon, you can experience a fracture from a fall or an injury resulting from a car accident.
  • Rib Joint "Out of Place" i.e. Rib Joint dysfunction
 
A Pinched Nerve in the Neck
Nerve compression in the neck by the surrounding muscles, bones, or tissues can happen due to a traumatic injury from a car accident or sports.
Symptoms
  • Sharp, burning pain with numbness or tingling sensation that spreads from the neck to the shoulders
  • Weakness and numbness in the arm or hand
  • Working on a computer for a long time
  • Improper sleeping posture
  • Overuse of shoulder muscle
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Some of the other common symptoms of shoulder pain include:
  • Fatigue and weakness in the affected arm or shoulder
  • A snapping or crunching sound with shoulder movement
  • A tilted posture on the affected shoulder
  • A visible projection of the shoulder blade
How Can a Chiropractor help with Shoulder Blade and Rib Pain?
Initial Visit:
Conventional medical treatment for shoulder and rib joint pain involves treating the symptoms through medication management of anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, and narcotic pain medication without addressing the root cause.

Unlike conventional medicine, our board-certified chiropractors at Associate Chiropractic Clinic relieve your pain by focusing on identifying, diagnosing, and treating the underlying cause of pain, and the source of injury, or irritation.​ Shoulder and Rib pain can be properly diagnosed through interview, physical examination, and in some cases X-ray and Ultrasound may be necessary.
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Follow Up Treatments:
The treatment plan will depend on the underlying cause of the shoulder blade or rib pain, however it typically combines forms of Active Release, Chiropractic adjustments, and potentially GRASTON therapy.

Chiropractic adjustments are designed to alleviate pain, pressure, and improper alignment of the spine, ribs, and shoulder through controlled manual manipulation. Aligning the spine, rib, and shoulder joints significantly improve function of the shoulder blade and thoracic region thus relieving pressure and inflammation and allowing it to heal.

Soft tissue techniques like Active Muscle Release and GRASTON therapy, target the damaged tissues. Lengthening and stretching them to relieve tension and inflammation as well as breaking down damaged tissue while bringing new blood flow to increase rate of healing.
Patient reaching back to touch shoulder blade area for rib pain most common region.
Treatment Plan Example:
Patient presenting with moderate pain in rib and shoulder blade area, often difficulty taking a deep breath. Worse after inactivity and a constant nagging feel of something wanting to pop or be stretched.

Initial Visit:
Thorough History, Examination, Diagnosis and 1st treatment (potentially Active Release, Chiropractic adjustment)
Treatment Plan:
  • 1-2x per week for the first 2 weeks depending on pain level
  • 1x per week for the next 1-2 weeks as pain decreases and range of motion increases. Frequency of visits are spaced out.
  • Follow up 2 weeks later once pain or goal is reached!
  • Follow up 4 - 6 weeks later as a wellness program if desired by the patient to promote health and prevent flare ups 
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*Rib joints cant be fickle. Sometimes 1 treatment is all they need. Other times they are stubborn and require multiple back to back to back.
Chiropractic Services
A chiropractor can help ease your shoulder blade and rib pain naturally by using the following techniques:
  • Spinal manipulation: Adjustment is made to the spine and extremities using a wide range of motion and applying force to the joints and muscles.
  • Flexion-distraction: Spinal decompression to treat disc and joint disorders in the lower back.
  • Soft tissue release techniques: Utilizes precise pressure combined with stretching to focus on releasing tension in the muscles and tendons, regain range of motion, and improve blood flow.
  • Exercise and stretches: muscles are stretched to relieve pain and improve spine mobility.
  • GRASTON Technique: Instrument assisted Soft tissue treatments utilizing a metal tool to help break up scar tissue and damaged sprains and strains, improve blood flow and range of motion, and increase the rate of healing.

 

Visit Associate Chiropractic Clinic For All Sciatica Relief

Sciatica pain, if left untreated, can have long-term consequences. We at Accident Care Chiropractic can provide the best possible care and customized treatment for your unique needs.

Whether your sciatica pain is work-related, a result of an auto injury, or some other reason, our experienced doctors can diagnose your condition to discuss your back pain treatment options. The right treatment can provide immediate pain relief, and help to prevent it from becoming chronic.

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We’ve got your back

From massage to adjustments, we help you get back to your best.

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