Healthy Valentines Ideas!

Keep your special someone healthy with these great Valentines Day treats!  How Sweet!

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

What is it?

A common cause of shoulder pain is shoulder impingement syndrome. This occurs when the tendons or bursa in the shoulder collide with bones at the shoulder joint. Pain is persistent and affects everyday activities, especially when the shoulder is required to elevate in some fashion.  Reaching up behind the back or reaching up overhead to put on a coat or blouse may induce pain. 

How is it caused?

Overuse of the shoulder joint, especially repetitive overhead activity of the shoulder, is a risk factor for shoulder impingement syndrome. The following are some examples of activities that may cause pain: painting, lifting, swimming, tennis, and other overhead sports. Bone and joint abnormalities are other risk factors for shoulder impingement. Poor blood circulation may also be a cause because ligaments and tendons rely on receiving proper nutrients from the blood to help support the shoulder. Over time, impingement syndrome can lead to inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons (tendinitis) and bursa (bursitis). Without proper treatment, tendons may thin and/or tear.

What exercises can treat it?

1. Stand with your feet spread shoulder width apart, facing forward. Start with your hands by your side with your thumbs up. Raise them out in front of you until your hands reach shoulder height. Do one set of 15 reps.
2. Stand with your feet spread shoulder width apart, facing forward. Start with your hands by your side with your thumbs up. This time, raise them up out to the side until your hands reach shoulder height. Do one set of 15 reps.
3. Stand with your feet spread shoulder width apart, facing forward. Start with your hands by your zipper and facing inward (pinky fingers closest to the body). Your arms shouldn't be moving up and down straight out from the front of your body, nor should it be moving up and down straight out from your right side. It should be moving up and down in a plane that is about halfway between the two planes (roughly a 45 degree angle). Do one set of 15 reps.

Are you affected by back pain? Are you a smoker? Did you know smoking may be a reason for your back pain?

Although genetics are the most likely cause of back pain, studies show there is also a strong correlation between smoking and back pain. Smoking can have a significant impact on individuals’ bones and soft tissues, especially in the spine.

First off, smoking reduces bone density. Your vertebrate may be at greater risk for osteoporosis, spinal arthritis, or other degenerative spinal conditions if you smoke. Second, tendons and ligaments are more vulnerable to injury in smokers because the nicotine in cigarettes causes cartilage and other soft tissue to become less elastic and resilient. Next, smokers experience decreased circulation due to the harmful chemicals found in cigarettes. These chemicals damage blood vessels and increase the risk of atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque in your bloodstream. Plaque reduces the amount of blood being transported to your intervetebral disks, which need blood’s nutrients in order to do their job—acting as shock absorbers and keeping the spine flexible.

When vertebrate, cartilage, and intervertebral discs of the spine weaken, you are at a greater risk to experience a variety of back problems such as herniated discs, low back pain, and even leg pain. These issues may be treated with surgery, therapy, and better posture. If you would like the full effect of these interventions smoking must also cease.