Chiropractors/Right shoulder blade pain

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Expert: Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman - 1/10/2008


Question
Hello, Dr Leatherman. I am 25 years old female. I've been having acute pain between my spine and right shoulder blade for three days now. It doesn't hurt much when I wake up in the morning, but by the evening, it starts hurting badly. My right side of neck and upper shoulder have been tense as well. I've always had problems with my tense shoulders causing headache, but I have never had this kind of pain by my right shoulder blade. I am not sure if this is related, but I started kickboxing a few months ago. Should I go see a chiropractor? Please let me know. Thank you.

Answer
Dear Sharon,

I would absolutely suggest that you should go see a chiropractor.  We deal with issues such as you have described all the time...musculoskeletal injuries are a main focus in our educational curriculums, and many chiropractors attain post-dcotoral certifications in sports injury as well.

A functional examination of the upper back and neck should be sufficient to determine the cause of the problem, but I would recommend that you try to find a chiropractor who has massage therapists on staff, or who has some advanced training in myofascial release techniques as well.  This is because you most likely have dysfunction in the myofascial system, and it will need to be addressed with aggressive deep tissue work as well as spinal adjustments.

You should be able to see an appreciable improvement such as reduced pain levels and increased function in 4-6 visits, but may also require some functional stabilization training for the scapula or upper back as well.  Make the appointment though.

Good luck Sharon.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net

Chiropractors

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Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman

Expertise

I can answer questions on general chiropractic care, sports injury, whiplash and auto crash, mild traumatic brain injury, structural and functional rehabilitation of the spine, nutrition for inflammation and repair, fitness training, nutrition for sports performance and other general health and nutrition related inquiries. I currently lecture on automobile trauma, occupant kinematics, and forensic risk analysis to local EMS, Fire and Police, as well as nutrition and sports injury to community groups. Rest assured all answers are generated from my clinical experience, and scientific research.

Experience

I have accumulated over 1100 hours of post-doctoral training to include; Certifications in Spinal Trauma and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma from the International Chiropractic Association, Certification in Low Speed Auto Crash Reconstruction and Certification in Forensic Risk Analysis from The Center for Research Into Automotive Safety and Health, Certified Proficiency in spinal and extremity diagnostic procedures from The Motion Palpation Institute, Certified in Sports Injury and Rehabilitation from the National University of Health Sciences and The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, Nationally Certified Fellow of Structural Rehabilitation from The Chiropractic Biophysics Organization, and I have advanced training in manipulation under anesthesia and nutrition. Feel free to check out my website for course listings: www.suncoasthealthcare.net

Organizations
International Chiropractic Association, Florida Chiropractic Association, American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, American Academy of Pain Management, Chiropractic Biophysics, Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Center for Research Into Automotive Safety and Health, Motion Palpation Organization, American Academy of Manual and Physical Medicine, Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce

Education/Credentials
B.A. (Psychology)The University of Cincinnati B.S. (Human Biology)Cleveland Chiropractic College D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic) Cleveland Chiropractic College C.C.S.T. (Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma)The International Chiropractic Association C.C.S.P. (Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician)The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians. *CCST and CCSP 120 hour certification courses are not recognized by the Florida Chiropractic Board due to the fact that they are not 300 hour diplomate level courses*

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