How to Combat Shoulder Pain

5 Ways to Combat Shoulder Pain

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Shoulder pain can really do a number on your day. Especially when it’s most days. 

When it comes to intermittent shoulder pain, it can sometimes be aggravating enough to impede you from doing everyday tasks you enjoy or even need to do to accomplish tasks at work or home. It can keep you from engaging in enjoyable physical activities, such as swimming or water sports, in conversation or even in sleep.

There are a lot of causes of shoulder pain—and if you’re ready to see a doctor, stop by our walk-in clinic or schedule an appointment. But between now and then, try out these tips to lessen the pain.

1. Warm Up

If you’re exercising regularly, it’ll solve a whole lot of problems with your physical state. But if you’re not exercising properly, it can really do a number on your shoulders. Make sure that before you jump to the bench press you take time to stretch and warm up – it’s key to your exercise regimen.

2. Emphasize Posture

What you were taught in grade school still stands. Sitting up in your chair really does matter. Especially if you work an office, be aware of how you’re sitting at your desk. Plant your feet flat on the floor, support your elbows, sit up and don’t slouch and – potentially most importantly – take a breather every 30 minutes or so by rolling your shoulders and stepping away from the screen.

3. Don’t Slack Off

One of the first instincts we have when we’re sore is to take a load off. But try to resist that urge – plopping down on the couch for an extended period of time when you’re experiencing shoulder pain will likely slow down your recovery (unless recommended by a doctor). Let pain be your guide. If it increases your pain, don’t do it. Healing takes regular blood flow and movement – don’t forget to roll your shoulders and stretch an arm across your body at least hourly.

4. Get a Massage

Now for the fun one – it actually pays to get a massage. Treat yourself a bit and set up an appointment. Massage therapy can do a lot to treat mild and moderate muscle strains – it reduces spasms and inflammation. Let your masseuse know where your experiencing pain and avoid intense rubdowns that intensify your pain.

5. See a Doctor

If the pain is lingering and nothing seems to be nipping it in the bud, it might be time for a doctor to intervene. They can let you know if you should be concerned about a more serious condition, like a fracture or arthritis. It’s the easiest way to regain your regular mobility and eradicate or reduce the pain.

If your shoulder pain is getting out of hand, try out these tips – then call Orthopedic Institute at 605.331.5890. Shoulder pain (and many other types of joint pain) is something we’re well-versed in treating.

What Is Causing My Shoulder Pain?

What Is Causing My Shoulder Pain?

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It happens to the best of us. We wake up, get out of bend and wince – “What is that pain in my [insert body part here]?”

When it comes to shoulder pain, there are a variety of causes, depending on your level of physical activity, age and even career.

Rotator cuff injury

You rely on your rotator cuff muscles to keep your shoulders in position and allow you maximum mobility in your upper body. So when the rotator cuff experiences a tear or strain, it can cause a lot of shoulder pain that might manifest itself most often when you’re lifting your arm up or pull on an object. If you’ve experienced a tear in your rotator cuff, surgery might be the answer to repair it, depending on the severity.

Bursitis

Joints as a general rule are prone to bursitis, and shoulders are no different. Bursitis refers to fluid accumulation in the form of sacs in or near your joints. Bursitis may be common, but it isn’t pleasant – it can cause pain, redness and inflammation. These issues typically occur as the result of some sort of bodily injury, so protect your joints when performing physical activity. Bursitis is typically treatable through a course of anti-inflammatories, but surgery and physical therapy may be necessary for long-term afflictions.

Tendinitis

If your job or your favorite after-work activities involve a lot of shoulder movement that repeats itself on a frequent basis, your tendons might be reacting to an irritation. Think of a baseball pitcher or tennis player who repeatedly moves his or her shoulder in the same way over and over. Your doctor or physical therapist will likely prescribe an over-the-counter medication, joint rest and hot or cold compresses to treat your tendinitis.

‘Frozen shoulder’

Just like any other join in your body, the shoulder can be prone to inflammation and swelling. In some cases, you may notice you’ve lost much of the mobility in your shoulder, causing “frozen shoulder.” This can be the result of inflammation or other sorts of chemical imbalances. The right course of physical therapy and meds often clears up frozen shoulder. But surgery can sometimes be necessary in severe cases. After a shoulder surgery, including total replacement, frozen shoulder should not occur if you are attending regular physical therapy and performing recommended exercises and treatments at home. 

 

Whatever your symptoms, Orthopedic Institute can help – set up an appointment with our team today to get to the bottom of your ongoing shoulder pain.

The OI Way: Proven Weight Loss Support for Optimal Joint Health

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The numbers are staggering according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention one third of all adult Americans are obese, while the National Institutes of Health state that another third are considered overweight. This condition often leads to serious and chronic health issues, including heart disease, stroke, Type 2 Diabetes and certain types of cancer, as well as disabling joint degeneration. For Dr. Matthew J. McKenzie, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Orthopedic Institute in Sioux Falls, consulting with patients who have chronic or severe joint issues is his specialty. What has always concerned him, however, is the sheer number of his patients that have joint problems simply because they’re overweight. “Easily 30 percent of my patients have joint issues as a direct result of their weight,” McKenzie says. “I’ve struggled with my weight my whole life and when I grew up I was one of three kids in my school that had a weight problem. Now 20 to 30 percent of kids have a weight problem. I feel that it’s imperative as a healthcare professional to address the problem for my patients even though that isn’t the primary reason they’re making an appointment with me.”

In the past, Dr. McKenzie and his colleagues would refer overweight patients to local weight-loss facilities for help. However, because there was no way to follow up with their progress, there was also no way to encourage or guarantee weight-loss success and ultimately a better outcome for their joints.

“I wanted to know that I was doing everything I could to give my patients the help they needed, and that’s why we are now offering an incredibly effective weight loss solution called The OI Way within our clinic. This isn’t mandatory and not everybody is going to do it, but we wanted to have the means to help them if they chose to do it. This is a solid solution that gives people tools to control their weight,” McKenzie says.

The OI Way combines professional consultation and support from a Health Coach along with FDA label-approved food and recommended supplements. Depending on the amount of weight loss desired, most patients can expect to be on the program for three months or less.

“With this weight-loss program, we’re advocating a proven and highly-effective solution for our patients. I see many people that feel hopeless about losing weight because they are unable to exercise, their body is literally breaking down and they feel helpless,” McKenzie says. “When we address the original problem about their weight, I believe it will solve other health issues. Patients can come in to achieve not only a solution for their bad joint, but improvement of their overall health. This program is strict but foolproof, if you follow it.”

To schedule an appointment, or for more information about The OI Way, contact a health coach at 605.330.2416 with Orthopedic Institute in Sioux Falls.