Abstract
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)
INTRODUCTION: Shoulder pain has become a socioeconomic burden in recent times, it is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders. Studies have shown that shoulder pain affects between 2.4% to 4.8% of the general public. Subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) has been reported as one of the common conditions that patients present with.
AIM: The aim of this study was to give a detailed description on the chiropractic approach to treating SIS. The description included treatment protocols, treatment time phases and outcomes.
METHODOLOGY: The study had a total of 10 participants who ranged between the ages of 18 and 65. The patients were assessed accordingly to see if they were compatible with the requirements of the study. Based on the results of their orthopaedic assessment each, of the 10 participants were diagnosed with SIS and included in the study. The patients were treated individually, it was important that each case was treated as a unique and individual case. Treatment protocols were designed uniquely for each patient based on their presentation of symptoms on the day. The treatment time phases varied and were reported, as each patient had unique response time to the treatments.
RESULTS: The results revealed that 7 out of the 10 patients responded favourably to the chiropractic based treatment for SIS. The 7 patients all experienced full restoration of their range of motion and a reduction of their pain levels. These patients did not return for additional treatment and reported an improvement in their quality of life by the end of the study. The other 3 patients also experience partially positive outcomes from the treatment. These patients also experienced partial but satisfactory restoration of their ROM and also reduction of their pain levels. All 10 patients were given home based rehabilitation tasks to perform until they were totally recovered. None of the patients returned for additional treatment by the end of the study phase...