‘Frozen shoulder’ can be painful

A common problem we see in our chiropractic practice is a shoulder that is painful and not moving the way it should.

Often, this is what is called a “frozen shoulder” or “adhesive capsulitis.” Generally, this is a shoulder that is painful many times at night and has decreased motion. Causes are most often idiopathic which means that we do not know why it occurs.

Other common presentations are a minor shoulder injury that does not get moved right away by the patient after the injury; the patient holds the arm at their side and protects the arm and it becomes stiff and painful.

Many times after rotator cuff repair or other shoulder surgeries — during the early post-operative period when we are not allowing the patient to actively move their shoulder — this stiffness and pain can be present post-operatively.

Frozen shoulder seems to have a high association with patients who have diabetes. Other causes are hyperthyroidism, open-heart surgery and cervical disk disease of the neck.

The symptoms again are reduced motion, pain and stiffness, with pain being the most common. The pain that really brings patients in is the pain at night because they cannot sleep. Many times this pain is pronounced with overhead activity.

In these instances, patients cannot get to their back pocket very easily with their hand, and with their elbow at their side they cannot turn the arm out away from their body.

Treatments at our clinic include Active Release Therapy, Low level laser therapy and rehabilitation exercises. These non-surgical treatments often see progress that takes as long as six to nine months for complete recovery.

So if you suspect that you have frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis, you can be seen directly by calling 604-990-6676 and have this evaluated. Should you have early onset of stiffness and pain with your shoulder it is recommended to try to impose early treatment and seek medical attention.

Piriformis: A Key muscle

The piriformis is a small, triangular-shaped muscle in the hip. It is primarily responsible for controlling the rotation of the hip while we walk or pedal. Because of its location, pain in the piriformis can feel like it is coming from the low back, the sacrum, or even the hip joint itself. Piriformis issues are easily mistaken for other, more common back injuries.

It is estimated that almost 1 in 10 cases of back pain actually come from the piriformis.  Often, patients suffering from piriformis syndrome have been through multiple treatment approaches and sometimes have even had procedures performed on them without relief.

Cyclists and runners are especially prone to piriformis syndrome. Because the piriformis controls the rotation of the hip, it is called upon to work hard with each stride and each pedal stroke. Shoes with poor support and especially core weakness can overtax the piriformis, causing it to become painful and eventually dysfunctional.

Certain bikes, with their aggressive seat angles and aero handlebar positions, are notorious for placing stress on the piriformis. Seats that are ill-fitting or just worn out from miles on the road can also be a factor. A good early stop for cyclists and triathletes with hip or back pain is to take their bike to a bike fitter.

Because of its negative impact on core strength, pregnancy is a big setup for piriformis syndrome. Most athletes don’t feel the effects until months or even years later. When their training intensity increases, typically so do their symptoms.

Foam rolling, using a physio roll to massage the piriformis, and strengthening the core are all great ways to get a jump on treating moderate piriformis syndrome at home.

At Grande Chiropractic, I treat this condition successfully with Active Release Therapy (ART) to break up adhesions formed by repetitive stresses put on this muscle. Often the symptom relief is immediate but the patient is aslo instructed on home stretches.

Why Do I Need Glucosamine Joint Formula If I Am Over 40?

Up to age 40 your body makes all the glucosamine it requires, but after 40 glucosamine production drops off, increasing the likelihood that some degree of joint cartilage erosion and inflammation (osteoarthritis) will develop (as it does in 90% of the aging population). By simply taking one capsule per day of Glucosamine Joint Formula after age 40 (even if you are symptom-free) you help decrease the chances that joint cartilage erosion and inflammation will occur in your joints as you age. This product is a key anti-aging product to help ensure that you maintain a highly functional body as you age.

What Does Glucosamine Do?

Your body makes glucosamine sulfate each day of your life, and uses it as a building block for normal cartilage formation (the shock-absorbing material in your joints). With osteoarthritis or cartilage injury, glucosamine supplementation has been shown to help repair or stabilize the cartilage damage. There are no foods that contain glucosamine, so it must be taken as a supplement.

Don’t I Need Chondroitin With Glucosamine?

The simple answer is “No”. In fact, studies show that only 0-13% of chondroitin even gets absorbed into the bloodstream, and there are no studies showing the chondroitin improves osteoarthritic or cartilage problems more than glucosamine can accomplish on its own. So, don’t waste your money on glucosamine supplements that contain chondroitin sulfate, as the chondroitin molecule is too large to be absorbed into the bloodstream. What you need is glucosamine combined with natural anti-inflammatory agents (Glucosamine Joint Formula)

Glucosamine Joint Formula

At our office we carry Adeeva fast-acting Joint formula which Contains a purified and stable grade of glucosamine sulfate along with three natural herbs that support joint health and block key steps associated with the inflammatory process.

How is it fast-acting?

• Studies show that most glucosamine supplements take up to 12 weeks before individuals see improvement in pain, stiffness and swelling

• Glucosamine Joint Formula contains a pharmaceutical grade of glucosamine, combined with three highly effective anti-inflammatory herbs. Much of the pain from arthritis results from inflammation in the joint. These natural agents (bromelain enzymes, MSM and quercetin) block the inflammatory process providing relief of symptoms much faster than glucosamine on its own, or glucosamine combined with chondroitin sulfate.

Flip-flops pose dangers for feet, back

Summer is here in Vancouver and  the hot weather and flip-flops tend to go hand in hand However we caution you to beware when looking at summer footwear, especially flip-flops.  It is estimated about 50 percent of foot pain can be traced back to wearing improper footwear, and flip-flops often fall into that category.  In general, flip-flops are bad for people because most of them are just completely flat pieces of foam with no support and no stability.  Because the foot is straining to hold onto a flat piece of fabric or rubber with no support, tendons and muscles in the leg and foot tense up more than normal and cause pain especially shin splints are common.

Specialists say flip-flops don’t have to be kicked out of the closet altogether, just make sure they’re the right ones.  Cheap flip-flops made of rubber tend to breed bacteria and fungus, which cause warts, while more expensive flip-flops made of leather or hard plastic aren’t as accommodating breeding grounds for fungus.

Dollar flip-flops have the potential to wear out within the first few hours and, after stepping down a few times, the material loses its ability to take impact and wears out very quickly, while orthopedic, more supportive flip-flops usually go for at least $50.

At our clinic, we also carry a variety of custom-made sandal to help patients enjoy the outdoors with open shoes. Call 604-990-6676 for more details. Enjoy your summer with proper foot care. 

Why do back surgeries fail?

All spine surgery carries with it a significant degree of patient risk but when the resulting surgery does not alleviate the problem, or creates even greater problems for the patient, the situation is referred to as a “failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). Read More….