Chiropractic Care Center, LLC
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Shoulders in the Springtime 

With spring upon us, we will be throwing baseballs, playing tennis, swimming or practicing our golf swings. All these sports rely on shoulder power, and so you would think that we would have hulking shoulders. The fact is that many of us do not because shoulder strength and mobility for these sports actually rely upon a set of small muscles well hidden from the outside.

Flexibility is the shoulder’s outstanding attribute — it is the body’s most flexible joint, which is why we can perform such varied movements. But this great range of motion comes at a price. The ligaments that keep the shoulder in place are relatively weak with stability coming from the muscles and tendons running across the joint. If some of these muscles are weak or out of balance with other muscles, the risks of strains or sprains increases. Keeping them strong and flexible may not only prevent injury but can also improve your game.

Unfortunately, the common repetitive motions involved in golf, swimming, tennis, throwing, and other sports often weaken the muscles over time causing microscopic tears that can lead to tendonitis, muscle strains, or ligament sprains. It is easy to understand why so many athletes are sidelined each season with shoulder injuries.

If you are experiencing shoulder pain, call Dr. Smykal for a sports evaluation. Once you have been properly diagnosed, the next step is to decrease inflammation along with increasing range of motion. Next you should progress into strengthening exercises, followed by a healthy return back to your sport.

Dr. Timothy Smykal, DC, FACO, CCSP, CKTAP
Chiropractic Care Center, Menomonee Falls