Your cervical spine, or neck, is made up of seven bones stacked on top of each other with a shock-absorbing disc between each level. Your neck is relatively flexible so it 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.

Auto accidents and sports injuries are the leading causes of neck sprains and strains. Other less traumatic activities like reaching, pushing, pulling, moving heavy objects and falls can also trigger these problems. Most commonly, sprains and strains are not the result of any single event but rather from repeated overloading. Tendons and ligaments 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.

Symptoms from a sprain/strain may begin abruptly but more commonly develop gradually. Complaints often include dull neck pain that becomes sharper when you move your head. Rest may relieve your symptoms but often leads to stiffness. The pain is generally centered in the back of your neck but can spread to your shoulders or between your shoulder blades. Tension headaches commonly accompany neck injuries.

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. Seeking early and appropriate treatment, like the type provided in our office, is critical. Depending upon the severity of your injury, you may need to limit your activity for awhile- especially movements or activities that cause pain. Avoid heavy lifting and take frequent breaks from prolonged activity, particularly overhead activity. Following acute injuries, you can apply ice for 10-15 minutes each hour. Heat may be helpful after several days or for more chronic types of pain. http://ow.ly/i/uSftb

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Auto accidents and sports injuries are the leading causes of neck sprains and strains. Other less traumatic activities like reaching, pushing, pulling, moving heavy objects and falls can also trigger these problems. Most commonly, sprains and strains are not the result of any single event but rather from repeated overloading. Tendons and ligaments 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. http://ow.ly/i/vQOyU

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Your hamstring is the group of muscles in the back of your thigh that flex your knee, i.e., moving your heel toward your buttock. The term “strain” means that a muscle or its tendon has been stressed beyond its limit and has frayed, much like a rope that has been pulled too hard. Your hamstring may be “pulled” or “strained” when it is forced to contract beyond its capacity, like during running or from excessive stretch. This tearing leads to bleeding, bruising, swelling, pain and loss of function.

The symptoms of a hamstring strain may vary from mild discomfort to severe pain, depending upon the amount of tissue that has been torn. Over 90% of hamstring strains occur abruptly with a tearing, burning or popping feeling accompanied by immediate pain below your buttock. Your symptoms will likely increase when straightening your leg, walking or flexing forward. You may notice some bruising that starts near the site of injury. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have notable pain in your lower back, if your pain extends into your calf, if your pain worsens with coughing or sneezing, or if you have a rash on the back of your thigh.

Hamstring injuries are more common when your muscles are tired from activity and happen more frequently as we age. Having excessive tightness or weakness in your hamstring, having quadriceps that are significantly stronger than your hamstring, having too little core strength or poor running form also predispose you to injury.

Nearly all hamstring strains can be successfully managed with conservative care, like the type provided in our office. Your healing period will vary based on several factors, including the specific region of your hamstring that has been injured. Tears that involve the part of the muscle closest to your ischial tuberosity (the bones you sit on) take longer to heal than those that occur further down the muscle.

Initially, you should use ice or ice massage over the injured area for 15 minutes at a time, up to once per hour. Our office may advise you to use an ACE wrap or compression bandage to help limit swelling. The use of NSAIDs for hamstring strains is controversial, as some research suggests this may delay healing. Patients who have more severe injuries may need to use crutches. While you are recovering, you may need to limit some activities, like running and jumping and instead, cross train by stationary cycling or swimming. You are more likely to strain your hamstring in the future and recurrent injuries may take twice as long to heal as the initial injury, so be sure to allow yourself adequate healing time, consistently perform your exercises and warm-up properly prior to activity. http://ow.ly/i/uGUTz

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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