The #USOpen starts today! #ErinHills in #Wisconsin is waiting for the best in the world… Who is going to hoist the Trophy on #FathersDay ? http://ow.ly/i/vO3M4

#USOpen Is the sternest of tests for the best in the world. Who is your pick? http://ow.ly/i/vO3T9

Our pick for the #USOpen ? Jason Day. http://ow.ly/i/vOepx

Rib problems can develop in many ways. Sometimes they are brought on by an accident or injury; other times, they develop from repetitive strains or poor posture. Rib problems are common during pregnancy or after a whiplash injury. http://ow.ly/i/vCFSB

The term “Rotator cuff” describes a group of four small muscles that hold your shoulder in its shallow socket while larger muscles move it. Strains and injuries to the rotator cuff are the most common cause of shoulder problems, accounting for 4.5 million doctor visits per year. Injuries are classified by the amount of damage as “partial tears”, “full thickness tears” or “ruptures”. A “partial tear” means that one side of your tendon has been partially frayed. A “full thickness tear”, sometimes called a “complete tear”, describes a hole or slit in your tendon, much like what would be created by running a knife length-wise down a rope. A “rupture” is the most serious injury and means that your tendon has been torn into two pieces.
Less than 10% of rotator cuff tears are the result of an acute injury like falling, pushing, pulling, throwing or lifting. The vast majority of injuries are the result of repetitive strains over a long period of time. One of the most common reasons that patients develop a rotator cuff tear is something called ”impingement”.

Impingement basically means that the area where your rotator cuff tendon lives has become too crowded and the rotator cuff tendon is being pinched each time you raise your arm. Those who perform repeated overhead activities are at greatest risk for impingement and rotator cuff tendon problems. This includes athletes who play baseball, volleyball, tennis, rowing, weight lifting, swimming and archery, and jobs that include carpentry, painting, wall paper hanging, cleaning windows and washing/waxing cars. Other known risk factors for rotator cuff problems include smoking, obesity, high cholesterol and prior cortisone injection.
Patients who have suffered an acute rotator cuff injury often report a “tearing” or “snapping” sensation accompanied by severe pain and weakness. Most chronic strains begin silently with symptoms becoming more evident as the tear progresses. Pain is often localized to the front and outside of your shoulder but can sometimes radiate down your arm. Symptoms are usually aggravated by overhead activity and may progress to the point that you have difficulty raising your arm overhead. Pain is often worse at night, especially when you lie on the affected shoulder. Be sure to tell us if you suffer from significant neck pain, shortness of breath, chest pain or chest pressure.

Young patients who have suffered an acute tear or rupture may require surgery, while most others will benefit from conservative treatments, like the type provided in this office. Be sure to avoid painful overhead activity or carrying heavy objects. Try not to sleep on your irritated side, especially with your arm stretched overhead. You may benefit by sleeping on your unaffected side with a pillow between your arm and trunk. Smokers should consider a program to help them quit, and overweight patients will recover quicker if they begin a diet and exercise program. Performing your home exercises is especially important. http://ow.ly/i/uGN4p

Your low back consists of 5 individual vertebrae stacked on top of each other. Flexible cushions called “discs” live between each set of vertebrae. A disc is made up of two basic components. The inner disc, called the “nucleus”, is like a ball of jelly about the size of a marble. This jelly is held in place by the outer part of the disc called the “annulus”, which is a tough ligament that wraps around the inner nucleus much like a ribbon wrapping around your finger.

Your low back relies on discs and other ligaments for support. “Discogenic Low Back Pain” develops when these tissues are placed under excessive stress, much like a rope that frays when it is stretched beyond its normal capacity. Most commonly, disc pain is not the result of any single event, but rather from repeated overloading. Your lumbar discs generally manage small isolated stressors quite well, but repetitive challenges lead to injury in much the same way that constantly bending a piece of copper wire will cause it to break. Examples of these stressors include: bad postures, sedentary lifestyles, poor fitting workstations, repetitive movements, improper lifting, or being overweight.

Approximately one third of adults will experience pain from a lumbar disc at some point in their lifetime. The condition is more common in men. Most lumbar disc problems occur at one of the two lowest discs- L5 or L4. Smokers and people who are generally inactive have a higher risk of lumbar disc problems. Certain occupations may place you at a greater risk, especially if you spend extended periods of time sitting or driving. People who are tall or overweight have increased risk of disc problems.

Symptoms from disc pain may begin abruptly but more commonly develop gradually. Symptoms may range from dull discomfort to surprisingly debilitating pain that becomes sharper when you move. Rest may relieve your symptoms but often leads to stiffness. The pain is generally centered in your lower back but can spread towards your hips or thighs. Be sure to tell your doctor if your pain extends beyond your knee, or if you have weakness in your lower extremities or a fever.
Repeated injuries cause your normal healthy elastic tissue to be replaced with less elastic “scar tissue.” Over time, discs may dehydrate and thin. This process can lead to ongoing pain and even arthritis. Patients who elect to forego treatment and “just deal with it” develop chronic low back pain more than 60% of the time. Seeking early and appropriate treatment like the type provided in our office is critical.

Depending on the severity of your injury, you may need to limit your activity for a while, especially bending, twisting, and lifting, or movements that cause pain. Bed rest is not in your best interest. You should remain active and return to normal activities as your symptoms allow. Light aerobic exercise (i.e. walking, swimming, etc) has been shown to help back pain sufferers. The short-term use of a lumbar support belt may be helpful. Sitting makes your back temporarily more vulnerable to sprains and strains from sudden or unexpected movements. Be sure to take “micro breaks” from workstations for 10 seconds every 20 minutes. http://ow.ly/i/uGlzT

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) describes an uncomfortable collection of problems affecting the outermost portion of your hip.

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome is 2-4 times more common in females. Sometimes the problem affects both hips at the same time. Approximately 1/3 of patients with GTPS have lower back pain. Patients who have arthritis in their hips and knees are more likely to suffer from ongoing complaints.

Your symptoms probably include a persistent pain on the outside of your hip, buttock, and upper thigh. Your discomfort may be aggravated by sitting with your leg crossed, arising from a seated position, prolonged standing, climbing stairs, and high-impact activities, like running. Sometimes patients find it difficult to sleep, since lying on the painful hip usually increases symptoms.

Conservative treatment, like the type provided in this office, is successful in about 90% of cases. If you have acute pain, you may need to temporarily limit or discontinue activities that increase your discomfort. Using ice or ice massage at home may help. Some patients find temporarily relief by applying sports creams. Very commonly, patients with pain on the outside of their hip suffer from weakness in one of their buttock muscles, called the “gluteus medius.” When this muscle lacks strength, it is unable to protect your hip during normal activities, like walking. Research has shown that strengthening your hip has a dramatic effect on your progress.

Athletes should avoid running on a banked surface, like the crown of a road or indoor track. Be sure to reverse directions each mile if you run on a circular track. Avoid running on wet or icy surfaces, as this can cause increased tension in your hip. Runners with a “lazy” narrow-based running gait will benefit by increasing their step width to minimize stress on their hip. Cyclists need to make sure that their seat is not positioned too high. Overweight patients should consider weight reduction programs. http://ow.ly/i/uUeyc

“Ramin says some chiropractors are completely ineffectual while some are treating patients the right way. Of the latter, “They have stopped seeking vertebral subluxations [partial dislocations] which don’t actually exist on any X-ray or any type of scan, and have moved onto the very excellent practice of rehabilitation. They may ultimately be a back patient’s best hope because they have studied exercise science and they have worked hard on it.””

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Acute torticollis, also called “wry neck,” is caused by an unbalanced muscle spasm on one side of your neck. There are dozens of potential causes for this painful condition, but yours was most likely caused when a joint in your neck became “stuck.” This restriction created a cycle of pain and spasm and as a result, your body is moving your neck away from this inflammation in an attempt to “decompress” the joint.

Torticollis often starts after sleeping in an awkward position, or sleeping under a draft from an open window or fan. Patients will sometimes report a history of unusual or strenuous activity the day before, such as new exercises, travel or something as simple as prolonged head rotation during a movie..

The condition causes a characteristic head tilt. Pain can be severe and even disturb your sleep. Movement of your head, especially into the side of pain, may be difficult or seemingly impossible. Be sure to tell your chiropractor if you develop a fever or symptoms that radiate into your arms or legs.

You should avoid sleeping on your stomach or in drafty conditions, as this would likely cause additional pain. You might even consider sleeping with your neck covered (with a turtleneck or scarf) for a couple of nights. A cervical support pillow may help prevent recurrences. Your chiropractor may recommend a topical cream to help relieve symptoms. Although Torticollis can make you look “crooked” and feel even worse, it generally resolves quickly with chiropractic treatment. http://ow.ly/i/uSf8l

Your posture plays an important role in your overall health. Poor posture leads to chronic strain and discomfort. “Upper crossed syndrome” describes poor posture that results from excessive tightness in your shoulders and chest with weakness in your neck and mid-back. This combination forces your shoulders to roll inward and your head to project forward. http://ow.ly/i/vCCWN