Shoulder Problems - How They Arise and How to Treat Them Naturally and Quickly
There are quite a few shoulder problems that can occur in any individual life time. Apart from injuries arising from accidents or traumas such as shoulder dislocations or rotator cuff tears, the most common problems faced by people affected by a shoulder condition are describable in two groups.
On one hand there is the Impingement Syndrome with Shoulder Bursitis and Tendonitis, on the other the Frozen Shoulder, also known as Adhesive Capsulitis. Let's start with the first group. When we move an arm, the rotator cuff tendons keep it into place by attaching themselves to the humeral head on one side and the shoulder blade on the other. During the movement they slide effortlessly against a sack called bursa that prevents them from rubbing against the bones causing wear and tear. Normally this happens without a problem, but due to over use in high demanding jobs or sports, or because the person affected has a narrow space between the humeral head and the shoulder socket, inflammation can take place. Inflammation of the bursa is called Bursitis, and because of the proximity to the rotator cuff tendons, this in turn can lead to Tendonitis. Basically the Bursitis and Tendonitis indicate the same kind of inflammation in two bordering areas. Once they take hold, they lead to a self exacerbating spiral of inflammation and further narrowing of the space between the arm head and the shoulder socket, leading to an ever increasing wear, tear and inflammation that painfully show itself with a pinching, catching feeling. Thus the name Impingement Syndrome. Impingement, Bursitis and Tendonitis are different aspects of the same problem and can take months to cure. Movements, though painful, are possible.
On the other hand a Frozen Shoulder is caused by a thickening and scarring of a membrane protecting the rotator cuff, like a capsule. These scars are called adhesions, thus the medical term Adhesive Capsulitis. These are different from the Bursitis/Tendonitis inflammations, and can completely jam the rotator cuff like a stick or a stone thrown into a mechanism, limiting the range of motion, especially overhead. Typically a frozen shoulder develops in 3 phases: a freezing phase lasting 1 to 3 months, when the pain is greatest, similarly to bursitis/tendonitis, but the range of motion is still possible. A frozen phase, lasting up to 6 months, when the pain subsides but the arm is severely limited in all mundane movements such as combing air or reaching for a cupboard. Finally a thawing phase, lasting up to 1 year, when the adhesions gradually break down and motion is gradually restored.
Impingement Syndrome can be treated with rest, ice packs, anti inflammatory drugs and cortisone injections. Best of all, recovery can greatly be accelerated by following specific rotator cuff exercises devised by a specialist.
A Frozen Shoulder can be Treated by heat, ultrasound, anti inflammatory drugs, manipulation, which is the physical breaking of the adhesions under general anesthesia, or arthroscopy in the most severe cases. In the thawing phase, recovery can be greatly sped up by performing stretching and key exercises for rotator cuff problems.
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Your shoulder is the most flexible joint in your body. It allows you to place and rotate your arm in many positions in front, above, to the side, and behind your body. This flexibility also makes your shoulder susceptible to instability and injury.
Shoulder Stretches and shoulder injury exercises should always be performed under the guidance of a professional therapist who knows the complex structure and functioning of the shoulder joint. They should always be performed to speed up recovery for rehabilitation after a trauma or for all common shoulder problems such as Bursitis, Tendonitis, Impingement, which are all related, and even a Frozen Shoulder, in the thawing phase.
Are you experiencing pain or loss of movement in your shoulder? Do you have pain radiating down your arm or does it go numb if held in certain positions? Have you noticed a loss of use in typing speed or motor function? Did you know that this may be resulting from muscles in your neck and back?
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Following arthroscopy, a program of physical therapy will ensure adequate recovery, regaining strength and flexibility to the shoulder. A rotator cuff surgery recovery should be based on specific exercises of external and internal movements performed weight free or with light resistance, depending on recovery phase.
A rotator cuff injury treatment should always include a program of physical therapy as the foundation of a recovery strategy, with anti inflammatory medication and other remedies like ice packs taken in conjunction with the rehabilitation protocol. The most common symptom of an injured cuff is pain. Pain can be sudden and violent following a massive tear, or a subtle ache growing worse with time. Sometimes it can be even undetectable.
The rotator cuff is a complex muscles and tendons mechanism that offers unparalleled flexibility and range of motion. Unfortunately, it also offers the opportunity for many injuries or disorders to occur. These are traditionally treated with anti inflammatory medication, injections, hot and cold packs and so on. However, a physical therapy program devised around specific rotator cuff exercises can cut down recovery times, eliminating the need for surgery, strengthening the cuff ...
A shoulder rehabilitation program is mandatory after arthroscopic surgery or to help the shoulder joint recover faster from injury or common disorders. While playing sports such as tennis, baseball or weight lifting, it is very easy to tear a rotator cuff muscle. Dislocation is also a common injury that requires physical therapy after a period of rest. Least but not last there are common disorders such as Impingement Syndrome, Frozen Shoulder, Tendonitis and Bursitis.
As a Frozen Shoulder is a 3 phase disorder, there is not a one size fits for all frozen shoulder therapy. The frozen shoulder medical term is Adhesive Capsulitis, a reference to the scars called Adhesions of the capsule membrane surrounding the rotator cuff. Such scarred and thickened tissue restricts the space within the shoulder joint mechanics, preventing the arm from moving freely, causing the typical limited range of motion.
