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All Posts Tagged: chronic shoulder pain

WHAT-CAN-BE-DONE-FOR-CHRONIC-SHOULDER-PAIN

WHAT CAN BE DONE FOR CHRONIC SHOULDER PAIN?

Chronic shoulder pain treatment often involves soothing inflammation, swelling, redness and strengthening muscles. Here are several ways you can take care of and relieve your shoulder pain.

  • Anti-inflammatory medication

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications relieve pain and lower inflammation. Reducing inflammation is important in some of the shoulder injuries.

  • Compression

Wrap the shoulder with an elastic medical bandage to reduce swelling and pain. Wrap it snugly but not too tight. You don’t want to block blood flow. If your hand begins to feel numb, or turn blue, loosen the compression bandage.

  • Heat therapy

Heat helps to relax muscles tension and soothe a stiff shoulder. It can help with muscle pain in the shoulder. Use a heated gel pack, heating pad or a hot water bottle.

  • Activity modification

It reduces shoulder pain with specific recommendations and based upon the underlying diagnosis. Reduction or avoidance of overhead activity is the mainstay of chronic shoulder pain treatment because this avoids the painful arc. Avoiding heavy loading can also help with the pain. Certain overhead activities can precipitate instability symptoms. Cross-body shoulder adduction, such as the motion performed in the golf swing or while weight lifting, should be limited because it can recreate painful joint.

  • Muscle relaxants

Muscle relaxants may help treat pain if you have tense muscle or spasms around the shoulder joint. You will need a prescription from your doctor for muscle relaxants.

Remember that they cause drowsiness and shouldn’t be taken if you’re driving or operating machinery.

  • Physical therapy

Physical therapy confines a large range of chronic shoulder pain treatment. There are therapeutic modalities designed to alleviate pain directly and stretching and strengthening exercises intended to relieve pain by improving overall shoulder function. The type and focus of physical therapy depends on the underlying condition. Little evidence exists for the use of therapeutic modalities alone. A recent review showed that stretching and strengthening provide improved short-term recovery and long-term function in patients with shoulder pain especially with rotator cuff disease. When the patient actively participates in the rehabilitation process on a daily basis and the underlying diagnosis is known, the success of physical therapy is optimal.

  • Injections

If patients have a poor response to initial chronic shoulder pain treatment then corticosteroid injections combined with a local anesthetic can be administered. The injection needs to be directed into the affected area where they start reducing joint’s inflammation.

  • Surgery

Although most chronic shoulder pain conditions get better with other treatments but there are some conditions which require surgery as chronic shoulder pain treatment. These include; rotator cuff injuries, glenohumeral osteoarthritis, glenohumeral joint instability, and adhesive capsulitis.

Pain management institute works to cure acute and chronic long-term pain to resume a normal lifestyle. PMI has provided many treatments like stem cell therapy and many others.

For more details call on 815.412.6166

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2018-11-22

Easy Shoulder Pain Treatments & When to See a Doctor in Case of Shoulder Pain

Each shoulder has two joints, as a result making the most flexible parts of the body. The principle shoulder joint (Glenohumeral) is a ball and socket joint. The reason behind its name is on the grounds that the top point of the upper arm bone (Humerus) is shaped identically to a ball. The function of this ball is to fit into the blade bone, which works in a way as the socket, allowing the shoulder an extensive range of movement.

Anybody can be influenced by the common joint issue. Cartilage, ligaments, muscles, nerves, or tendons could play a role in the shoulder pain. It can likewise include the shoulder blade, neck, arm, and hand.  Prompt shoulder pain treatment is imperative. The timeline could go up to eight weeks or longer in order to heal the shoulder pain.

Easy Shoulder Pain Treatment Options

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medications/NSAIDS that are Available Over The Counter

Above are two noteworthy conventional kinds of NSAIDs: Ibuprofen and Naproxen.  They are used by prescription and are fairly protected to utilize per their labels.

Apply Heat to the Shoulder

This can be done by a gentle hot shower on the shoulder for around 5 to 10 minutes. Or on the other hand, you can utilize an electric hot pack. In the event that utilizing the electric hot pack, it best to set on medium heat, avoid high heat level. As per the conducted research, the results demonstrate that human bodies react to medium heat levels better, as compared to extreme heat levels.

Apply Ice to the Shoulder

An ice pack inside a pillowcase for about ten minutes can be productive. Ice massage is likewise an alternative yet ice ought not to be left in direct contact with the skin for more than 5 minutes because of the genuine plausibility of frostbite.

Stretches

It is useful to stretching the musculature that includes the shoulder joint and can help ease the pain as well as perhaps avert future injury.

Salt Bathe

This treatment is certainly traditional yet has some recent importance as seen on TV as well. In order to get a salt bathe, fill a bath with warm water and include Epsom or another brand of bathing salts.

Massage

In this case, you can get a relative in order to knead your muscles that are sore. Or on the other hand, if you are independent, get a sock and a tennis ball. Put a tennis ball inside a sock. Toss the ball onto your back shoulder. Then go against a wall in order to apply pressure to the tennis ball and roll around, consequently giving yourself a massage.

When to See a Doctor In Case of Shoulder Pain

Except for you’ve had a serious injury or get a sudden, constant pain, the shoulder pain can usually be treated without seeing a doctor.

In the event that, after two weeks of treating yourself, you notice the pain isn’t going away, it is advised to see your doctor or a physiotherapist.

It is likewise best to see your doctor at the earliest opportunity on the off chance that you:

  • Get into a serious pain in both shoulders
  • Similarly feel the pain in your thighs
  • Feel feverish or unwell

These can be indications of the condition known as (Polymyalgia Rheumatica) which required immediate treatment.

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PainManagement

Can do simple activities anymore?

Painful Shoulder

Whether or not we’re carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders, shoulder pain gets us down in several ways.  Primarily, pain is twinge and never fun.  It frustrates us and get in the way with everything we do. We use our arms for almost every activity and most movements, so if it happens to the arms, it happens to the shoulders, too!

Secondly, when shoulders are unsteady, fragile and painful, they draw our posture out of alignment and this creates a cascade of other effects, such as weakened abdominal muscles, unhappy back muscles and a literal pain in the neck. Severe shoulder arthritis and chronic shoulder pain can formulate the daily-life activities we perform such as, combing hair, reaching for a lamp or putting on clothes gets enormously difficult. If you can’t do the simple things you once did, you may be suffering from a shoulder condition.

Chronic shoulder pain is a common complaint in the pain medicine physician’s office,” says Dr. Zaki. Successful treatment relies upon an precise diagnosis of the more common etiologies: rotator cuff disorders, adhesive capsulitis, acromioclavicular osteoarthritis, glenohumeral osteoarthritis, and instability.

At Pain Management Institute, Dr Zaki Anwar is very experienced in interventional treatments. Dr. Zaki Anwar is a world renowned Pain Medicine Physician. He has been practicing ways to cure pain leading to serious problems for the past several years and has achieved remarkable results. Get his expert opinion by just making a phone call at 815-464-7212.

Shoulder conditions and treatments

  • Rotator Cuff Injury / Shoulder Tendonitis:

It gets better with reduced activity, especially overhead movements, posture adjustments, and changing movements to help the healing, as well as ice, heat and OTC anti-inflammatory drugs. Physical therapy is effective and so is massaging.

  • Shoulder joint instability:

Recovery involves strengthening rotator cuff muscles and scapular muscles to reduce dislocations. Taping is another treatment that is recommended.

  • Shoulder Dislocation:

Treatment is done using ice, rest and anti-inflammatory drugs.

  • Frozen Shoulder:

Treatment includes massage and myofascial release.  The tissue experiencing sticky inflammation needs to be gently coaxed apart. Particular exercises, such as shoulder rolls, scapula rolls and arm stretch are especially therapeutic for this condition.  Acupuncture and electrical micro-current stimulation are also helpful. And, once the shoulder has recovered, keep it warm, supple, strong and stretched with regular movement and exercise.

  • Shoulder Impingement:

Physical therapy is the greatest treatment for this condition, as strengthening the muscles and balancing all the muscles and tissues that affect the position of the shoulder effectively can relieve the impingement. Myofascial release and massage help relax the muscles involved so that they can loosen their grip on the bones and everything can relax back into place giving you quick shoulder pain relief. Exercise is helpful with this condition; pendulum, arm stretch.

  • Bursitis:

This condition gets better with reduced activity, RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation), and massage and myofascial release of neighboring muscles. Gently, but rapidly vibrating the arm helps to bring relief, and massaging the arms.

  • Osteoarthritis:

Arthritis requires movement, but it must be measured and appropriate, so a physical therapist guides you about using the appropriate exercises that involves stretching, strengthening and supporting the joint. Treatment can also include heat and ice, anti-inflammatory medications and often steroid injections.

  • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS):

Physical therapy, myofascial release, acupuncture, exercise, and electrical simulation are helpful in relieving the variety of symptoms caused by TOS.

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2018-05-25 (1)

Treating shoulder pain

Treating shoulder pain

Quick Facts

  • Shoulder pain is the third most reported cause of the musculoskeletal consultancy in the primary care
  • 1% of the adults with developing shoulder pain, consult their general physician every year

Risk factors that aggravate shoulder pain

Physical risk factors that are associated with occupation involves repetitive movements and vulnerability to  heavy machines and tools

Psychosocial factors pertinent to work may also be the risk factor for shoulder pain, involving stress, working hours and pressurizing environment, social support and job satisfaction. However, the influence of these factors is a bit weaker

Athletes whose sports activities involve intense pressure and high influencing contact sports are at a higher risk of shoulder pain

Causes of shoulder pain

Patients appearing in primary care usually report a combination of various shoulder problems such as;

Underlying shoulder pain

  • Rotator cuff disorders:
  • Rotator cuff tears.
  • Sub acromial pain, Subacromial bursitis, tendonitis or Tendinopathy.
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Arthritis
  • Infection (rare)
  • Shoulder instability or Shoulder Dislocation

External shoulder pain

  • Pain arises from the neck, spreading to the shoulder
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Lung cancer

The four most common reasons of shoulder pain and impairment in the primary care are the rotator cuff disorders, joint disease and neck pain

Assessment of shoulder pain

At The Pain Management Institute while diagnosing the shoulder Dr Zaki Anwar MD, Pain Management Specialist and founder of the Pain Management Institute asking you a few questions about your historical medical condition

Shoulder Pain Management

Management of shoulder pain in primary care has been often conservative and reduce and prevent overhead activities, medications for pain relief include Corticosteroid injections. If triggers doesn’t settle quickly or are severe, physiotherapy is more helpful to treat any focused cause

Rotator cuff disorders:

  • Can be managed by modifying the lifestyle and activities, involving the movements such as reaching overhead
  • Taking NSAIDs and over the counter pain medications

Rotator cuff tears

  • Physiotherapy and steroid injections may be helpful for minor tears.
  • For larger tears symptoms may benefit from early reference to a Pain Management Specialist or orthopedics
  • Surgical treatment usually involves arthroscopic rotator cuff tendon repair.

 Expectancy

The risk of developing chronic shoulder pain depends on the intrinsic cause

Elderly age, female gender, triggers of gradual onset, long term symptoms, severe or repetitive symptoms and related neck pain are responsible to produce worst outcomes

Recovery for chronic shoulder pain is usually slow, studies have complete recovery in one month in 23 % of patients and 18 months in 59% of patients

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2018-02-10

What hurts my shoulder?

The shoulder is the body’s most mobile joint and enables the arm to have a wide range of motion. This mobility allows us to perform daily tasks like reaching for a coffee cup, showering and answering the phone. However, the repetitive stress can wear down the shoulder muscles, tendons and ligaments, leading to varying degrees of pain and discomfort.

You can sense pain handiest whilst you flow your shoulder, or all of the time. The ache can be brief or it is able to retain and require clinical prognosis and treatment. Dr. Zaki Anwer, MD, explains some of the commonplace and reasons of chronic shoulder ache

Chronic Shoulder pain may arise when any of these structures emerge as irritated, injured or inflamed. Minor muscle lines, repetitive use injuries and repeated overhead motions inclusive of swinging a tennis racket

What are the most common causes of shoulder pain?

Once in a while, it’s far hard to inform the exact nature or supply of shoulder pain, but there are some common causes.

Rotator cuff tears

One common motive of  chronic shoulder pain is a tear of the rotator cuff, that’s made of the muscular tissues and tendons that hold the arm bone in the vicinity in the shoulder joint. Whist the rotator cuff is damaged, you may experience a shoulder ache or weak spot when transferring your arm.

Shoulder injuries

Shoulder impingement syndrome occurs whilst there may be immoderate pressure on tendons within the shoulder from the bones of the shoulder. This may be caused by repeated overhead interest which includes painting, lifting, swimming, tennis and different overhead sports.

Frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder is a situation that causes aches and boundaries the shoulder’s variety of motions. Although a sole reason of frozen shoulder has but to be decided, specialists suspect it develops whilst the joint turns into inflamed and scar tissue bureaucracy. When this takes location, tissues inside the joint decrease and harden, making the shoulder more difficult to transport.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis happens when the cartilage that hold up the tops of the bones tears down. The damage of the shoulder causes swelling, chronic shoulder pain and sometimes the generation of bone spurs, when the bones at the end rub together

How long does shoulder pain typically last?

Chronic shoulder pain can last days, weeks, or even longer depending on the underlying cause. You might endure like a dull ache, or it may be sharp and jolting in a specific area. Pain may be restricted to your shoulder or perhaps spread down your upper arm. Applying ice, resting the shoulder and/or taking over-the-counter medications may provide potential relief from chronic shoulder pain

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Know the cause and treatment for your chronic shoulder pain

Shoulder pain is caused by several reasons, symptoms may differ according to the pain caused

However, if your shoulder pain arises from any injury and is getting worse day by day with lesser chances of improvement you should immediately consult your clinician

Common causes

The common causes of your chronic shoulder pain may include;

  • frozen shoulder
  • A rotator cuff disorders
  • An acromioclavicular joint disorder
  • A rotator cuff tear
  • Shoulder instability and you are under 30 years old

These chronic shoulder pain treatment can be conducted by an Orthopaedic surgeon or a Rheumatologist

Chronic shoulder pain treatment alternatives

The alternatives to chronic shoulder pain treatment can be

  • Avoiding such activities that cause your shoulder pain worse
  • Treating it with ice packs
  • Using pain killers and anti inflammatory drugs
  • Physical therapy
  • Surgery
  • Hydrodilitation

The above chronic shoulder pain treatments are discussed in detail with their risks and benefits below

 Avoiding activities that increase shoulder pain

You can avoid overhead arm movements  to avoid frozen shoulder this approach may lead to reduce chronic shoulder pain but may restrict your overall daily activities

Sling

A sling is a supportive bandage used in the case of shoulder injury or sprains in the upper shoulder its purpose is to hold the arm in a stable position with the shoulder,  treating with a sling may restrict day to day activities

Pain killers and anti inflammatory drugs

Are easily available without prescription can relieve pain and swelling,  but may be  harmful if you are experiencing high blood pressure, asthma

Physical therapy

Physiotherapy  includes techniques such as massage and physical exercises, it is very painful, especially in the case of frozen shoulder in the beginning, but improves flexibility and movement of the arm if performed under supervision can be more fruitful

Surgery for frozen shoulder

During this surgery scar tissue is removed from the shoulder to allow the joint to move freely. Surgery is the option if the pain does not last in six months. However the surgery brings high risks such as infections and recovery may take time, physical therapy is recommended after surgery.

Rotator cuff tears

This surgery can be helpful in treating damaged bones and torn tendons. Surgery can be a good option to prevent any shoulder bone dislocation. This surgery is done with a small incision and can be recovered with complete bed rest, risk of infections are involved and for several weeks wearing a sling is highly recommended

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What can be Done to Obtain Relief from Shoulder Pain!

Performing different household chores, people often get troubled in the situation when they are facing a little stiffness or some chronic pain in their body. Undoubtedly, a small amount of pain only, make people feel fatigued and frustrated in doing the usual tasks. In such a painful condition, people like to relax a bit, quitting all the tasks. There is nothing bad in this, but when this happens on daily basis, it becomes excruciating and not only affects the daily routine but also decreases the enthusiasm in performing the usual tasks.

Steps That Need to Be Followed!!

Shoulder being the most important part of the body that provides the overall movement. If one is facing chronic shoulder pain then you can understand that how badly it will have an effect on your mood as well as your performance on daily basis. In case of chronic pain these tips can be opted for at home as well.

The Painkillers

If you feel that the pain has just started in your shoulder and it is mild, then opt for simple pain killers or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory tablets or creams that will prevent the progression of pain.

Improvement In your Posture!

Feeling shoulder pain? Check for your posture first. There are times when you carry yourself with a poor posture thinking that it is somewhat a comfortable position. But you must be aware that your positions, like slouching or leaning forward at the desk or while standing or sitting can lead you to stiffness in your joints and then to chronic pain. Try to change your position frequently and also work on your posture in order to prevent chronic shoulder pain.

Lessen the Stress on your Shoulders

While performing the daily activities, or involved in our office tasks, we, by mistake lift heavy objects and that too in a wrong posture. This can also contribute towards chronic shoulder pain. The tasks like vacuuming in which you have to bend the upper part of your body, the usage of phones being held improperly or for a greater period of time can also lead to most of the strain in the body.

If you or any of your loved one is suffering from shoulder pain or any other body pain, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at (815) 464-7212). He is an expert anesthesiologist and certified Pain Management Specialist who has been practicing pain relief techniques for the past several years with effective results.

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The Reasons & the Treatment Options for Chronic Shoulder Pain!

Shoulder pain can happen to anyone, be it a housewife, a businessman, a typist or school/college going individual. It is a very common complaint and brings with it the irritation of not being able to perform the usual tasks smoothly. In case, you went through an accident a day or a week before, this means that there might be an injury in your shoulder due to which you are facing the pain. In such a situation, you should definitely pay a visit to a pain management specialist.

The reasons of Shoulder Pain

There are certain medical reasons because of which shoulder pain can occur. These are elaborated as under:

Heart Attack

Though the problem is said to be associated with the heart, it causes shoulder or neck pain which is altogether known as referred pain.

Bursitis

Known as a sac, the work of bursitis is to act as a cushion between the joints and the muscles. As a result of some injury due to an accident, the bursae can become swollen, stiff and painful.

Broken shoulder blade

An injury to this part of the body, is usually associated with some forceful trauma. Leading to a fractured bone such as the upper arm or the collarbone, this condition brings with it chronic shoulder pain.

Rotator Cuff Injuries

Shoulder pain can also be felt in the situation, when the tendons (rotator cuff is said to be a group of tendons) are injured while playing, lifting, throwing a ball or by performing some repetitive activity.

Tendonitis

These are supposed to connect the muscles with the bones. In the situation when stress is experienced in a shoulder the tendons swell following the chronic pain.

Whiplash Injury

In case of sudden acceleration or deceleration in a car accident, whiplash injury can occur that has a direct impact on the structures of the neck and the shoulder thus leading to chronic shoulder pain.

What are the treatment options?

In order to cure shoulder pain the treatment options include:

  • Pain killers
  • Anti-inflammatories
  • Physiotherapy
  • Surgery
  • The use of ice packs
  • Avoiding the activities that can contribute towards chronic shoulder pain
  • Arthrographic distension

If you or any of your loved one is suffering from any other body pain, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at (815) 464-7212). He is an expert anesthesiologist and certified Pain Management Specialist who has been practicing pain relief techniques for the past several years with effective results.

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Work related Problems Leading to Shoulder Pain!!

Normally it happens at work that we get tired in a very short span of time and we feel pain in different parts of our body not knowing the exact reason behind it. People getting tired out of the chronic shoulder pain, rest in the lunch times thinking that this would help alleviate their chronic shoulder pain.

All our measures at work go in vain when we feel persistent shoulder pain that makes all our tasks being performed only in difficulty. Moreover, our bad working styles unknowingly aggravate the pain to a greater extent. We must first know about the reasons that are the leading causes to chronic pain.

The Leading Causes!!

Reaching towards one side

You must not work constantly resting your elbows on one side of your work table. It is recommended that you work with your elbows close to your body which would help the body in a relaxed position. Adding to this, if you are stretched on one side of the body then this would cause extra muscle work thus leading you to chronic shoulder pain.

All this directs to proper workstation. The more proper your workstation is set the lesser are the chances of problems associated with shoulder.

Sitting Too Low

While working, people usually forget regarding the type of posture in which they are sitting. Unknowingly if they are sitting too low then this can cause contraction of the shoulder lifting the muscles that shouldn’t happen. This would in turn reduce the blood flow towards your tissues, which can lead to fatigue and discomfort.

Make sure that your height at the workplace is properly maintained in line with your desk and monitor.

Repetitive Head Movements

While viewing the screen if you are at the same time focusing on some documents kept on the table, and then this can lead to poor repetitive head movements.

In order to prevent this, a better remedy is to keep with yourself a document holder that will help maintain a proper height of your shoulder as well as the angle with the monitor that can eventually lessen the chronic shoulder pain.

If you or any of your loved one is suffering from shoulder pain or any other body pain, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at (815) 464-7212). He is an expert anesthesiologist and certified Pain Management Specialist who has been practicing pain relief techniques for the past several years with effective results.

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Shoulder Pain? Check out the tips and Symptoms!!

A shoulder is said to be that part of the body which has a very wide and versatile range of motion. Now if this bone hurts, you will be frustrated as it will be like all your body would come under big trouble. This in turn would hamper your ability of moving freely wherever you want, thus making you feel chronic shoulder pain and discomfort.

The Cause Of Shoulder Pain

When the pain is persistent, even after following remedies, and you feel full stuck in one place because of the acute pain, then it is advised that you pay a visit to a pain management specialist and get the right treatment.

The causes of chronic shoulder pain are as below

  • The bones and joints abnormalities
  • Degenerative diseases
  • Muscle stress
  • Because of Poor posture
  • Trauma
  • Tumors

As a result of the uncontrollable pain the specialist will ask you the following questions as:

  • Is the pain in one shoulder or not?
  • Is the pain is sharp or it is a dull ache
  • Because of pain is it red, hot or swollen
  • Due to shoulder pain, are you awake at night?
  • What do you do that make you feel better and by what it worsens?
  • Does it hurt when you are moving?
  • Did the pain begin suddenly or was it because of some work you did?

The Tips That Can Be Opted Include

Icing

Ice should be applied on the shoulder for at least 15 to 20 minutes that will help in easing the chronic shoulder pain

Massage

Rub the painful spot back and forth for few minutes that will help in eliminating swelling and scar tissue formation. This technique is quite painful, as it involves rubbing the painful spot, but because of icing before and then massage after it will help ease the chronic shoulder pain.

Rebalance

It is said that the most known reason as to why a person is struck by shoulder pain is because of the joint become out of balance. The shoulder can be balance perfectly by stretching the front muscles and strengthening the back muscles.

If you or any of your loved one is suffering from shoulder pain or any other body pain, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at (815) 464-7212). He is an expert anesthesiologist and certified Pain Management Specialist who has been practicing pain relief techniques for the past several years with effective results.

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