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
Your posture plays an important role in
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
Your radial nerve begins in your neck an
Your radial nerve begins in your neck and travels past your elbow en route to its final destination in your hand. Just beyond your elbow, this nerve passes through a 2-inch area on the back of your forearm called the “Radial tunnel”. “Radial tunnel syndrome” means that your radial nerve has been compressed or irritated within this space-leading to forearm pain or hand weakness.
Radial tunnel syndrome is thought to result from muscular overuse, especially prolonged or excessive wrist extension or rotation. The most common cause of compression comes from excessive tightness in a muscle called the “Supinator”. Workers whose jobs require heavy or repetitive wrist movements are at an increased risk for this disorder. Occasionally, the radial nerve can become irritated from direct compression by a tight band or brace. The condition may be more common in those who have diabetes or thyroid problems.
Symptoms from irritation of the radial nerve depend upon which specific nerve fibers are irritated. The most common symptoms include pain, numbness, tingling or decreased sensitivity along the top of your forearm radiating toward your hand and thumb. The symptoms often mimic those of “tennis elbow.” When the nerve fibers that control muscle function become compressed, you may experience weakness when trying to extend your fingers, hand or wrist. Seventy percent of radial tunnel patients also have problems in their neck or upper back.
Conservative treatment of radial tunnel syndrome is generally successful. Fixing the problem means limiting excessive or repetitive wrist movements, especially extension and rotation. In severe cases, a splint may be necessary to limit your motion. Try to avoid compression of your forearm, particularly from tight bands or braces. Use of a tennis elbow brace will likely aggravate your symptoms. You may find relief by applying ice or ice massage to the area for 10-15 minutes at a time. http://ow.ly/i/uGUh9 http://ow.ly/i/uGUi4
http://ow.ly/i/vw4Az
From the Harvard blog: Because some #med
From the Harvard blog:
Because some #medications carry significant risks, we really shouldn’t be recommending these right off the bat. Rather, we should be providing guidance on heating pad or hot water bottle use, and recommendations or referrals to #acupuncturists, #massage therapists, and #chiropractors.
The “Rotator Cuff” describes a group of
The “Rotator Cuff” describes a group of four muscles that hold your shoulder in its socket while your larger muscles move your arm. Your rotator cuff tendon lives in an area of your shoulder called the “subacromial space”. Sometimes this space can become crowded by: abnormally shaped bones, arthritis, spurs or even lazy muscles that fail to keep the bones separated properly. This overcrowding may create a painful pinching of the rotator cuff tendon and or bursa when you raise your arm. This condition is called “Shoulder Anterior Impingement Syndrome”, or simply “Impingement”. Long-standing impingement leads to rotator cuff tears in much the same way that a rope is damaged by repeatedly being struck by a dull stone.
Impingement is the most common shoulder disorder and accounts for about half of all shoulder complaints seen by physicians. Those who perform repetitive overhead activity are at greater risk for impingement. This includes athletes who participate in: swimming, baseball, volleyball, weightlifting and tennis as well as jobs like: carpenters, electricians, painters and wall paper hangers.
Impingement often starts after a period of overuse. Initially, your symptoms may be limited to a sharp pain during overhead activity or while reaching behind the back to fasten a bra or close a zipper. As your condition progresses, you may develop a constant ache that is present even at rest. Nighttime pain is common, often disrupting sleep. Impingement is a disorder that, if left untreated, will progress through 3 stages and eventually lead to rotator cuff tearing and surgery.
Your successful treatment will focus on restoring your range of motion while avoiding aggravating movements i.e. reaching overhead and behind your back. If you work out at the gym, you should especially avoid overhead presses, lateral raises and push-ups. Avoid sleeping on the “bad” shoulder, especially if this causes pain. You may benefit from sleeping on your “good” side and placing a pillow between your side and “bad” arm.
Therapy modalities like ultrasound, and ice may be used initially to relieve your pain. NSAIDS like ibuprofen are often helpful. Your doctor will use some specialized soft tissue manipulation and stretching to help loosen tight muscles and tendons. Specific strengthening exercises will be prescribed to help restore normal and pain- free function of your shoulder. http://ow.ly/i/uGMNS http://ow.ly/i/uGMVd
Very interesting piece on how many disc
Very interesting piece on how many disc herniations will self-correct without surgery. This is a perfect example of why surgery should be a final option, not an early one.
As you may know, the government of Manit
As you may know, the government of Manitoba has decreased the funding of Chiropractic services. At this time, this will not change anything at our office in terms of pricing of visits, treatment options or booking hours. We will continue to provide the best in Chiropractic as we have for the last 39 years. Thank you for your continued trust.
Your “lumbar spine”, or low back, is mad
Your “lumbar spine”, or low back, is made up of five bones stacked on top of each other with a shock-absorbing disc between each level. Your low back relies on muscles and ligaments for support. “Sprains” and “strains” are the result of these tissues being stretched too hard or too far, much like a rope that frays when it is stretched beyond its normal capacity. The term “sprain” means that the tough, durable ligaments that hold your bones together have been damaged, while “strain” means that your muscles or tendons that move your trunk have been partially torn.
Most people experience low back pain at some point in their lifetime, and 70% of those patients can attribute their symptoms to sprain/strain injuries. Lumbar sprains and strains may result from sudden or forceful movements like a fall, twist, lift, push, pull, direct blow, or quickly straightening up from a seated, crouched, or bent position. Most commonly, sprains and strains are not the result of any single event, but rather from repeated overloading. The spine can 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.
Symptoms from a sprain/strain 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.
Sprain/strain injuries cause your normal healthy elastic tissue to be replaced with less elastic “scar tissue.” 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. 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. Following acute injuries, you can apply ice for 15-20 minutes each hour. Heat may be helpful after several days or for more chronic origins of pain. Ask your doctor for specific ice/heat recommendations. Some patients report partial relief from sports creams. http://ow.ly/i/uGlk4
Nobody loves a good burger more than I d
Nobody loves a good burger more than I do….. Want to know how Gordon Ramsay makes his? Check it out! #SundayMealPrep #Winnipeg #Healthylifestyle
Aberdeen Chiropractic 