The neck and shoulder have a huge range of movement and thus they are more prone to injury. The ball and socket joint at the upper arm is the shoulder and both the neck and the shoulder are made up of soft tissues, muscles and ligaments. 

Reasons behind pain Injured rotator cuffs: 

Rotator cuffs are the tendons supporting the shoulder. If they are injured it might lead to a chronic loss of the range of movement. This is more commonly known as a frozen shoulder. 

Dislocation: Dislocated disc of the neck or shoulder due to an accident would cause severe pain in the affected area. 
Fractures: Fractured collarbone or the upper arm bone may result in chronic pain. 
Tendonitis: This occurs due to the over usage of the arms or neck or strains due to over exertion like in sports. 
An unstable shoulder joint: If there is instability in the ball and socket joint of the upper arm, chances of having a chronic pain is high. Others: Degenerative arthritis, herniated disc, and even heart attacks can be the other possible causes of chronic neck and shoulder pain. 
When to go to the doctor? 

When the patient experiences a pain due to a severe blow or injury, the neck pain radiates down the legs and arms, a feeling of numbness and tingling sensation, or has a stiff neck with fever or vomiting, it is essential to seek the advice of a Doctor. 

Diagnosis for shoulder and neck pain X-ray: 

The main form of diagnosing a pain is an x-ray. It helps to reveal diseases from arthritis, tumour, slipped disc, narrowing spinal cord, fractures and spinal cord instability. 

MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging or simply the MRI reveals the detail of nerve-related issues along with the problems in the ligaments and tendons. 
CT scan: There may be instances when the injuries are difficult to be diagnosed. And, in the case of a fracture, a CT Scan is advised for more details. It is also an alternative to MRI. 
ECG: An Electrocardiogram is a way of diagnosis if shoulder and neck pain continues along with chest pain or shortness of breath. If there is a risk of an individual having a heart attack, then an ECG is recommended. 
Electro Diagnosis: Electromyography referred to as EMG and Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) are used to diagnose pain in the arm, neck, shoulder followed by a numb feeling on the affected areas. 
Treatment for chronic shoulder and neck pain 
A simple sprain on the neck and shoulder would demand a rest for a few days along with pain medication. If the pain is due to muscle spasms application of dry or moist heat may provide relief. In the case of a swelling due to injuries, a cold ice pack 4 to 8 times a day will provide immense relief. Patients might be advised a cast or sling for the shoulder pain. The soft tissues in the neck and shoulder can be treated with pain relievers taken for a few days. Muscle relaxants are also prescribed depending on the severity of the pain. Local corticosteroid injections are helpful for shoulder arthritis. Platelet rich plasma injection is another modern treatment for arthritis or tendinopathy. In some situation, radio frequency procedures are very helpful. Exercises are very effective for both neck and shoulder pain movement. Surgery might be an option if nerve roots are affected.

Chronic Shoulder & Neck Pain - Ways It Can Be Diagnosed!

Tennis Elbow is involved with the muscles and tendons of one s forearm. It leads to inflammation of the tendons which join the forearm muscles on the outside of the elbow. Physiotherapy treatment can be of great help. The primary goal of this treatment is to improve the strength as well as the flexibility of one's forearm muscles. Now, before we take a look at the tips regarding physiotherapy treatment, let us briefly discuss its symptoms and causes.

Symptoms

If a person suffers from the problem of tennis elbow, then it s sure to cause pain and tenderness on the outside of one s elbow. The pain is at its peak when the elbow is kept still, while there might be variations in the pain when it is in use. There are other symptoms, which include:

Trying to lift the arm can cause discomfort as it results in pain.
One can also feel the pain while writing or even when anyone tries to grip small objects.
People can even encounter stiffness accompanied by pain when they try to extend his or her arm at full length.

Causes

There are a number of causes behind the occurrence of Tennis Elbow. They include:

Incorrect movements of the arm on a repeated basis, which can result in the tendons getting torn.
Those who play sports like badminton, tennis and squash that require excessive movement of racquets.
Any manual work that requires regular lifting of the wrist.
Sports activities that involve an extensive amount of throwing.

Tips Regarding Physiotherapy Treatment For Tennis Elbow

Consult a physiotherapist to undergo physiotherapy treatment for tennis elbow, the therapist would help to provide strength and flexibility of forearm muscles. The following are some of the tips regarding Physiotherapy treatment to treat tennis elbow:

A physiotherapist can offer the modern technique of dry needling the wrist extensions in order to improve the range of motion among patients.
Modern physiotherapy treatment for tennis elbow also includes the use of Kinesiology Tape, which can relieve pressure, relax associated muscles and also increase blood circulation.
Cupping is another mode of physiotherapy treatment, which can help increase blood flow to the affected tissue and improve the length to rest muscles
Physiotherapy can include a patient wearing an elbow strap, which wraps around his or her upper forearm in such a way that the pressure gets relieved on the tendon attachment.
A physical therapist might even apply ice and electrical stimulation to ease out the pain and improve the healing process of the tendon.
Physical Therapy sessions can also include iontophoresis, which makes use of mild electric current to insert anti-inflammatory medicine.
Once the pain subsides, a physical therapist provides inputs on different exercises like Elbow Bend, Wrist Turn, Wrist Lift and Palm Up, Towel Twist etc.

Physiotherapy Treatment In Tennis Elbow!

Osteoporosis is a condition wherein the bones become brittle and weak; so much so that even mildly stressful activities such as coughing, bending over or even a slight fall (such as the one from a high rise chair) can result in fractures. Osteoporosis-related fractures commonly occur in the spine, hip or the wrist. The human body has a continuous mechanism of bone absorption and removal. In case of osteoporosis, the creation of new bones doesn t happen in accordance with the removal of old bones.

Spinal Fractures:

The bones of the spine get extremely vulnerable to breakage and even cracking open. The fractures in the spine, also known as vertebral compression fractures can cause a sharp stinging pain in the back that may make sitting, standing, or even walking a very tardy task.

Risk Factors:

Increasing age

Abnormally less or high body weight

Smoking

Menopause or low levels of sex hormones

Gender: This disorder is more likely to affect women as compared to men. Also women, who are above 50 are more likely to suffer from this debilitating disorder.

Race is a significant risk factor of osteoporosis. If you are of Asian descent, you are more likely to be affected by it.

Having a family history of osteoporosis will put you at a greater risk of this disorder.

Symptoms:

Fractured or collapsed vertebra causing back pain

A stooped posture

A shrunken appearance (as if one has had loss of height)

Very fragile bones, thus increasing risks of fractures

Severe and sudden pain in the back

Difficulty in twisting or bending the body

Lower spine fractures are way more troublesome as compared to fractures in the upper spine. Fracturing more than a bone in the spine also remains a huge possibility.

Diagnosis and Treatment:

Firstly, an X-ray or a computerized tomography (CT scan) will be done to have a closer look at the bones. A bone density test is another commonly used method of diagnosing osteoporosis. 

Steroids and medications: Some medications may be used to prevent or combat osteoporosis. These include alendronate, ibandronate, risedronate and zoledronic acid.

Physical therapy: Just like muscles, bones get stronger too when you exercise. Weight-bearing and muscle- strengthening exercises are the most helpful in this regard and are considered best for the treatment of osteoporosis. Cardiovascular exercises such as walking, jogging or even swimming can prove to be immensely beneficial.

Diet: Make a diet chart that includes high-calcium food items, dairy products such as yogurt, cheese, and low-fat milk, tofu, green vegetables such as collard greens and broccoli, sea fish such as salmon and sardines.

Salt: Limit salt intake

Therapy: Hormone replacement therapy (treatment method consisting of estrogens to alleviate and treat symptoms of osteoporosis) is another method of treatment that can be recommended by the doctor.

Osteoporosis Spine Fractures: Risks, Symptoms and Treatments

Today  working  usually implies sitting at a desk from morning to evening. While this may seem more comfortable than working in the fields, sitting at a desk can trigger a host of back problems. This is because sitting in the same position all day makes the spine bend forward and lowers the efficiency of the back muscles. Working at a desk not only strains your back, but also restricts your movements to typing on a keyboard and moving a mouse. 

Once a back problem begins, it usually lasts a lifetime hence; here are a few tips to save your back.

Get yourself a good chair: Your chair is crucial to your back s health. Avoid the hard backed plastic chairs and pick a more flexible mesh backed office chair if you sit at the table for a long span of time. Ergonomic chairs may seem expensive, but are worth the expense in the long run.
Stretch your muscles: Sitting in the same position all day, puts the muscles under stress and with time can constrict the muscles. Make it appoint to stand up every 30 minutes and stretch your back and sides. Also try rotating your hips and shoulders form time to time.
Take a break: No matter how much work you have in front of you, take a break at the end of each hour. Taking even 2 minutes off out of 60 every hour can have a huge impact on your health. If you still feel guilty skip using the phone to connect with your colleague and walk over to their desks instead.
Get a pedometer: Keeping a pedometer will help you track the number of steps taken in a day. Ideally, a person should take 10,000 steps a day to stay healthy. If you sit at a desk for majority of the day, take every opportunity you can to up the count on your pedometer. Go for a walk around your office after lunch or park your car a little way off from the office to create opportunities to walk.
Take the stairs: As far as possible avoid escalators and elevators. Instead climb stairs for a quick workout. If your office is on the 20th floor, walking up may not be feasible, but you could get off the elevator on the 18th floor and walk up the remaining two floors.
Eat healthy: Lastly, pay attention to what you eat. Avoid eating at the office canteen or picking up a bite at the coffee shop and carry lunch from home. This ensures that you eat a balanced meal.

World Spine Day-6 Back Saving Tips for People Who Sit at a Desk All Day

Injuries are an inherent part of sports. All athletes have sustained some injury or another during the span of their careers. No matter which sport you play, be it football, hockey, tennis or cricket, whether you are representing your country or your college, you are likely to get hurt at some time. An injury has the potential to end careers and ruin dreams. That is because the injury takes a toll not just on the body but the mind as well. It instils confusion and hesitation and sometimes after an especially traumatic accident, athletes find it difficult to return to practice because they are crippled by a sense of fear.

That is why along with treatment or surgery, a sportsperson also needs to undergo rehabilitation therapy.

Why Psychological Rehabilitation is Important? 

After suffering a serious injury that almost jeopardized their career, athletes suffer a wide range of psychological and physical challenges, which makes them retreat from the outside world. These are problems they would not be able to cope with unless they opt for rehabilitation programmes.

  It helps them accept that getting back to the game will be a mammoth task 

  Inspires in them the confidence to keep trying 

  Deal with the pain 

  Go about their practice sessions with as little discomfort as possible 

  Overcome feelings of fear or despair 

  Cope with depression 

  Prevents the person from sinking into a state of self-pity which hinders recovery 

  Look at the injury not as something that might put an end to their career but as a mere impediment in the path to success 

Psychological rehabilitation adopts a wholesome and expansive approach to healing the athlete. It takes into account several factors in chalking out a course to recovery that is individualistic   

  The personality- the toughness, determination, will power of the athlete, ability to deal with anxiety

  Medical history- past injuries or illnesses 

  Resources of coping- the athletes  support system, a network of friends and family, management of stress, treatment and medicines etc 

Psychological rehabilitation also takes into account the individual s response to therapy to ensure that it is as effective as possible. These are   

  Cognitive appraisal - Monitors a person s growth or decline in self-esteem or worth as well as confidence. The aim of rehabilitation is to restore the person s faith in his/her capabilities 

  Behavioural response - This ensures that the individual s behaviour shows traces of denial or avoidance because negativity will only delay recovery 

  Emotional response - The profile of Mood States (POMS) is utilized to analyze or gauge the person s emotional reaction to therapy. It is supposed to uplift the athlete mood and deal alleviate feelings of despair or hopelessness. Medicines and physiotherapy become more successful in treating a sports injury when coupled with psychological rehabilitation. 

Athletic Injuries - How Effective Is Psychological Rehabilitation As A Line Of Treatment?

Stress fractures are small cracks that may appear in a bone. It occurs due to repetitive application of force in the same area. It is very common among various sports such as running, tennis and football. It may also occur due to osteoporosis as this disorder weakens the bones and allows stress fractures to occur easily.


The majority of stress fractures occur due to overuse of a specific muscle. The bones and the muscles used in a specific movement do not get time to recover, thus leading to stress fracture.


Causes
The major cause of stress fracture is change in physical activity, such as a sudden increase in exercise. The other factors that may lead to stress fracture are -


1. Poor conditioning: if you are starting an exercise regimen without proper preparation, then it may cause stress on the muscles. It is important that you condition your body before doing any intense activity to prevent injuries.


2. Bone insufficiency: various disorders such as osteoporosis reduces bone strength and increases the likelihood of a stress fracture. If you have low bone density then you are at a higher risk of having stress fractures.


3. Change in surface: change in surface like shifting from running on grass to road tends to cause more stress on the legs, thus increasing the likelihood of a fracture.


4. Improper form: performing any exercise with improper form may lead to a number of injuries. It is recommended to learn the correct technique before exercising, so you may use a spotter or a trainer to guide you.


Symptoms
The symptoms of a stress fracture are: 


1. Pain: you may experience dull to severe pain if you have stress fractures. The severity of pain will depend on the severity of the fracture.


2. Swelling: pain may be accompanied by swelling on the sides and the top of the foot.


3. Tenderness: stress fractures may cause tenderness in the muscles around the affected area.

Causes and Symptoms of Stress Fracture

Don't wait any longer, manage your Shoulder Specialist online with a Lybrate doctor today

Consult for Shoulder Specialist - Online and Easy!

FilterClear All

COMMON SPECIALITIES

COMMON ISSUES