Expert: Keith E. Biggs, DC - 1/3/2012

Question
Hello,

About 3 weeks ago I travelled back home and had a large and heavy set of luggage. At one point in lifting one of the bags while having another on my shoulder I felt a brief sharp pain in my left shoulder. It remained sore and stiff for the next few days (as if I had slept on it wrong) then got better. Though again today it is acting up and has spread to my neck and lower back on the left side slightly. Again it is sore like I slept on it wrong, mainly focusing at where my shoulder meets my neck so to speak. Though this morning every time I would breathe in, the slight sharp pain would come back. At the moment the sharp pains have gone and it is slowly getting better again. Though I am concerned that I may have done something more serious than i expected. I am not anywhere near proper facilities that would allow me a decent check up. Do you have any suggestions?

Also, it was suggested to me that I do this "treatment" to straighten my Atlas, I can’t seem to find too much about it, or what it does exactly. I must admit I'm not keen on someone moving that thing around, unless it really would do some good. But I don’t want to dismiss the suggestion without being properly informed. Do you have any suggestions on that also?

Thank you so very much for your time, I truly appreciate it.

Best regards,
Wendy

Answer
Dear Wendy,

Straigten your Atlas?  How do you know if it is crooked or not?  I would NEVER do a treament simply on the "suggestion" from somebody else.

I doubt that your Atlas is the cause of your pain... but then again, It is impossible to know the cause of your left shoulder pain without an examination.  Here is a SHORT list of possibilities:

Muscle tear/strain
Ligmanet tear/sprain
Bursitis
Cervical Spondylosis
Cervical facet or lushka joint DJD
Cervical Radiculopathy
Scalenus Anticus Syndrome
Tendon Tear or inflammation
Shoulder labrum tear
Partial or complete rotator cuff tear
Partial or complete dislocation at AC or Glenohumeral joint
Cervical spine subluxation
Muscular trigger point referral of pain, such as from the Pectoralis or Rotator Cuff muscles
Thoracic outlet syndrome
Frozen Shoulder syndrome/adhesive capsulitis


Oh yea... and Atlas subluxation  LOL

Anyway, since, as you say it, it is impossible right now to get to "proper facilities" for evaluation and treatment, time and rest are your first best option, followed by simple and light shoulder and neck stretching and strengthening exercises. Note please that I said that the exercises are best done LATER, after much of the symptoms are better, and only very lightly as to not re-injure the shoulder by jumping in too soon.

Time heals many wounds, and filters out those that are more serious.

I suggest that you get yourself to a good doctor ASAP for an evaluation to determine the true nature of your injury, so that you can follow through with the most appropriate treatment options.

I hope that this gives you some thoughts and ideas.

Keith Biggs, DC
http://www.eastmesachiropractor.com