Preventing Back Pain Doggystyle - Ace Physiotherapy Toronto

Preventing Back Pain Doggystyle!

Cervical Disc Herniation

Signs Symptoms and Treatments of Cervical Disc Herniation or Bulge in the Neck by Registered Physiotherapists and Ace Physiotherapy Toronto

http://www.acephysio.ca/education/cervical-disc-herniation

Spinal Decompression Therapy for Neck Pain in Toronto

Spinal Decompression by the Registered Physiotherapists at Ace Physiotherapy in Toronto Treatment of Disc Herniation and Pinched Nerve in the Neck

http://www.acephysio.ca/physiotherapy/spinal-decompression-therapy-for-neck-pain-in-toronto

Frozen Shoulder Knowledge Sheet

Frozen Shoulder

 Frozen shoulder is the classical stiffness and pain in the shoulder girdle that greatly restricts motion and movement across this ball and socket joint. Seen in 2% of general population and with a slightly higher incidence in women, frozen shoulder or Adhesive Capsulitis is more common in middle aged populations with peak occurrence in individuals between 40 to 60 years of age.

What is frozen shoulder?

The shoulder joint is a classic ball and socket joint that enables 3-dimensional movement of upper limb. The movement of upper limb is supported by ligaments that hold the articulating surfaces of the bones to ensure free movement; however, when the shoulder joint becomes inflamed, pain and stiffness results making movement across the shoulder joint difficult.

Sign and symptoms of Frozen Shoulder:

Frozen shoulder is classically the result of capsulitis or inflammation of joint capsule. Following symptoms are characteristic: -          Pain in the shoulder that varies in severity and character, from dull and aching to sharp and stabbing that prevents individuals normal shoulder activity -          Restricted range of motion or shoulder movement -          Stiffness A classic frozen shoulder starts with the pain that limits the movement across the shoulder joint. Decreased activity leads to stiffness of ligaments and tissues supporting the shoulder joint, further limiting the movement and range of motion.

How does Frozen Shoulder develop?

In majority of the cases, no specific cause can be ascertained to frozen shoulder; however, the following risk factors greatly increase the risk: -          Previous history of shoulder surgery or shoulder injury that involves a ligament or joint capsule can lead to adhesive capsulitis due to prolonged inactivity or immobility across the shoulder joint. -          Cervical disc herniation is also a recognized risk factor that manifests itself as frozen shoulder in early cases. -          Long standing, uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus is another established risk factor that impairs the inflammatory response in the shoulder region after a trivial injury. About 10 to 20% of all diabetics develop Adhesive capsulitis at some point of their life. -          Hyperthyroidism as it is known to affect ligaments and muscle spindles. Same is true with hypothyroidism. -          Open heart surgery and neurological diseases like Parkinson’s disease are also known factors Any of the above risk factors increase the risk of irritation or injury to shoulder capsule. Since the shoulder capsule has an extremely rich nerve supply, pain is out of proportion to the degree of tissue damage that limits the mobility of shoulder joint. Prolonged immobility and hypo-activity leads to stiffness and thickening of shoulder capsule that further aggravates pain if any movement is attempted. The patho-physiology of frozen shoulder can be divided into 3 stages: -          Freezing that involves limitation of shoulder activity due to the gradual increase and severity of pain. This stage can last from up to 6 weeks to about 9 months depending on the management -          Frozen stage that lasts for about 3 to 6 months; mild improvement in pain symptoms but stiffness may interfere with the mobility and full range of motion. -          Thawing stage in which the range of motion gradually improves with an absolute return by almost 6 months to as long as 2 years. Ace Physio's Registered Physiotherapists are experts at providing Physiotherapy treatments for Frozen Shoulder.

Rotator Cuff Tendonitis

What is Rotator Cuff Tendonitis?   

Rotator Cuff tendonitis, as the name suggests is a condition in which the tendons of upper limb muscles get inflamed or injured as a result of poorly regulated movements across shoulder joint. The strength and free range of motion, characteristic of shoulder joints is mediated by tough tendons and ligaments that hold the bones in place while providing support during movement; however, sometime excessive activity can damage the micro fibers of tendons leading to inflammatory and degenerative changes.

Rotator Cuff Injury Signs and Symptoms:

Following sign and symptoms are suggestive of rotator cuff tendonitis:

• Moderate to severe pain in the shoulder region that aggravates while performing certain activities that involve stretching of arm (for example in over-head arm movements, pushing or pulling heavy objects and even while sleeping on the affected side of the body).
• Weakness of shoulder/arm movements and limitation of range of motion of shoulder joint
• Often those with rotator cuff injuries will assume a characteristic body posture to make sure the shoulder remains inactive or immobile
• The severity and intensity of pain greatly increases when any activity is attempted involving shoulder joint like combing hair (over head movement combined with external rotation of the shoulder), undoing a bra strap (internal rotation of the shoulder) or lifting weight.
• Pain between shoulder blades may occur due to improper scapular movements, strain of the attached musculature to the scapula, thoracic spine posture, or nerve injury.

How does Rotator Cuff Tendonitis develop?

Shoulder joint is supported by major muscles that connect Humerus to the shoulder blade (Scapula) and collar bone (clavicle).

Rotator cuff Tendonitis is the result of any movement or activity that involves excessive stretching or straining of muscle fibers or tendons of upper limb. Some recognized risk factors are:

• Overuse or abuse of shoulder muscles that may damage the tendons and leads to inflammatory changes.
• Falling on an out-stretched hand
• Lifting heavy objects and placing them in shelves at certain height.
• Advancing age that leads to wear and tear changes in the main structural protein of shoulder joint, i.e. Collagen and leads to degenerative changes in the shoulder joint
• Any condition that increases the deposition of Calcium in the joint space or minor sports injuries that over-time leads to the formation of spurs. Calcium crystals and bony spurs further enhance the rate of degenerative changes in the rotator cuff tendons.  This is referred to as Calcific Tendonitis of the Rotator Cuff.
• Frequent and repetitive overhead movements of arm especially in some sports like throwing base-ball or other sports like swimming.
• Occupations like painters or Carpenters and weight lifters also prone their shoulder joint to repetitive stress and unnecessary strains that leads to bruising and tearing of tendons.

Some people develop muscle or tendon weakness with age or with some medical conditions like steroid use and some blood disorders, in all such cases the risk greatly increases that can be minimized by performing some muscle stabilization and strengthening exercises. 

The Physiotherapists at Ace Physio are experts at providing customized rotator cuff strengthening and stretching programs to assist in the recovery of function and the decrease of pain in the rotator cuff.

Ace Physio also offers Shockwave Therapy which can be excellent for assisting in the recovery of calcific tendonitis, rotator cuff tendonopathy, or partial tears of the rotator cuff.

To Book an Appointment at the Best Physiotherapy in Toronto call 416-900-6653 or book online at www.AcePhysio.ca