Do chiropractors treat rotator cuff injury?

Answer 1

Chiropractors get extensive training in the treatment of many musculoskeletal conditions during their 4 year doctorate program (after their 4 year undergraduate degree), rotator cuff injuries included. Some chiropractors even do additional sport science residencies through the College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences (CCSS) following their chiropractic doctorate, which is an additional 2 years of specialized training for sport-related injuries. Treating a rotator cuff injury involves proper assessment followed by a few weeks of ice, heat, rehabilitation exercises, deep tissue therapy, and often will also include spinal manipulation, electrical stimulation, ultrasound and/or cold laser treatment. Then specific strengthening exercises must be done to prevent future injury.

Note: Chiropractic spinal manipulation alone cannot fix your rotator cuff, but in combination with modalities to reduce inflammation and strengthening exercises to rehabilitate shoulder biomechanics, spinal manipulation has been shown to speed-up the recovery from shoulder conditions (references 1,2,3 below).

References:

1) McClatchie L, Laprade J, Martin S, Jaglal SB, Richardson D, Agur A.

Mobilizations of the asymptomatic cervical spine can reduce signs of shoulder dysfunction in adults. Man Ther. 2009;14(4):369-74.

2) Bergman GJ, Winter JC, van Tulder MW, Meyboom-de Jong B, Postema K, van der Heijden GJ.Manipulative therapy in addition to usual medical care accelerates recovery of shoulder complaints at higher costs: economic outcomes of a randomized trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2010 Sep 6;11:200.

3) Boyles RE, Ritland BM, Miracle BM, Barclay DM, Faul MS, Moore JH, Koppenhaver SL, Wainner RS. The short-term effects of thoracic spine thrust manipulation on patients with shoulder impingement syndrome. Man Ther. 2009 Aug;14(4):375-80. Epub 2008 Aug 15.

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