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Category: Shoulder Pain

Keep Your Shoulders Healthy

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You may be experiencing shoulder pain due to any number of reasons, from sitting at your computer all day, to picking up your kids, to playing sports. Heck, even scratching your back, reaching for something in a cabinet, or moving the wrong way at the gym can leave you with an achy shoulder. You’re not alone: between 18 and 26 percent of the adult population suffers from some kind of shoulder pain in their lives. 

The most common causes of shoulder pain include:

  • Tendon inflammation (tendinitis or bursitis) or tendon tear
  • Instability
  • Arthritis
  • Fracture

Some pain is temporary while other pain is chronic and can be treated with state-of-the-art minimally invasive treatments. Here’s how to keep your shoulders healthy and pain free. 

Shoulder Health at Work

Many shoulder injuries happen in the workplace. Here’s how you can prevent them while on the job:

  • Ask for an ergonomic assessment to ensure your work space accommodates your specific needs.
  • Keep your elbows and arms close to your body when lifting heavy objects. Ask a co-worker for assistance. 
  • Understand workplace hazards such as slippery or hazardous conditions, and avoid them.
  • Organize your work space so your computer and desk are at waist to chest height.
  • Stay away from highly repetitive tasks that require use of the upper body, as well as overhead lifting. If you do have to engage in repetitive tasks due to the nature of your job, take frequent breaks to stretch. 

Shoulder Health at Home

Here are some tips to protect your shoulders during daily life. 

  • Divide chores into smaller ones and spread them out over several days rather than tackling them all at once.
  • Keep up with an active lifestyle.
  • Get a physical every year and promptly treat conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid issues which may impact shoulder health.
  • Refrain from smoking cigarettes, as they increase your risk for cancer and can impact your overall orthopedic and shoulder health.

When to See a Specialist

If self-care, gentle exercises and OTC medications do not work, it may be time to see a specialist. Here are some signs it’s time to make the call:

  • Your shoulder pain is persistent and does not lessen after a couple of weeks. 
  • You can’t lift your hand over your head without experiencing stiffness and pain.
  • You fell directly on your shoulder. 
  • You can’t fall asleep at night due to the pain over many weeks.

Your doctor will likely recommend a few treatment options, such as activity changes, anti-inflammatory medications.  Surgery is usually a last resort, as it comes with long recovery times, pain, the need for rehab, and a possible reliance on opioids. 

Experiencing Persistent Shoulder Pain? Contact Summit Spine & Joint Centers Today!

Whether due to injury or overuse, our many treatment options including Radiofrequency Ablation , can relieve your shoulder pain so you can enjoy your active lifestyle again. Call Summit Spine and Joint Centers today at (770) 962-3642 to schedule your consultation with our pain management specialists.

Shoulder Arthritis Causes and Treatment

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Shoulder arthritis results from damage to the cartilage inside the shoulder joint. It usually happens to older adults, but can happen to younger people as a result of injury. Most commonly, it develops with gradual wear and tear of the cartilage over time. It tends to develop in stages.

First, the cartilage gets soft, then it develops cracks in the surface before deteriorating and flaking. Then, it wears completely away to expose the bone. Now, it doesn’t have a smooth, gliding surface for ease of movement, and pain sets in. But cartilage doesn’t wear away all in the same manner or at the same rate of speed. Often, this leads to pitting with an irregular surface.

Who’s at Risk?

People over the age of 50 are more likely to get osteoarthritis and shoulder arthritis. As we said before, it can happen to younger people, but usually as a result of a sudden injury or trauma (think: fractured or dislocated shoulder). This type of arthritis is called posttraumatic arthritis. Also, if you have a family history of osteoarthritis, you could be at an increased risk for shoulder arthritis.

Symptoms

Pain is the main symptom, especially while moving the shoulder and right after moving the shoulder. But you can experience shoulder pain even when sleeping. The next symptom is limited range of motion, followed by a clicking or creaking noise when you move the shoulder.

Treatments

There are many treatments for shoulder arthritis. Your doctor will likely recommend treatments that don’t involve surgery at first, to see if there is any success. Those treatments include:

  • Resting. To properly rest the shoulder joint, you will have to make changes to the way you move the arm while going about your daily life. You may opt for sweaters that zip up the front rather than pullovers, for instance.
  • Taking OTC nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These include aspirin or ibuprofen and they help with inflammation.
  • Engaging in physical therapy as directed by a doctor.
  • Performing range-of-motion exercises to increase flexibility.
  • Applying moist heat or ice to the shoulder a few times a day. 
  • Taking dietary supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin.

If these lifestyle treatments don’t work, non-invasive treatments like platelet rich plasma therapy (PRP), specifically for rotator cuff injuries, or corticosteroid injections can be a successfully solution.

Surgery is a last resort, such as total shoulder arthroplasty (shoulder joint replacement), hemiarthroplasty (replacement of the head of the upper arm bone), or resection arthroplasty (removal of a small piece at the end of the collarbone).

 

Contact Summit Spine and Joint Centers

If you suffer from shoulder arthritis, there is a better way to cope. Call us today at 770-962-3642 and make an appointment to visit one our 23 pain centers including our featured new location for Pain Management in Athens, GA.  We utilize state-of-the-art techniques to restore function and improve your overall quality of life.

 

Help! I’m Experiencing Pain All Over My Body

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Help! I’m Experiencing Pain All Over My Body

Experiencing pain on one part of you body can be painful, now imagine if you were experiencing pain all over your body. Experiencing generalized pain throughout the body can be a distressing and perplexing experience. This type of pain, often described as a persistent, all-over ache or pain in multiple areas of the body, can arise from various causes and conditions. Among these, Fibromyalgia is a prominent and somewhat complex example. Some symptoms of Fibromyalgia include: feeling fatigue, stiffness after staying in a position, muscle pain, feeling depressed, swelling, and numbness. However, these symptoms can also be related to other conditions. Let’s dive in and get a better understanding of generalized body pain and possible causes.

Understanding Generalized Body Pain

Generalized body pain can manifest in different ways. It may be a dull, constant ache or a series of sharp, intermittent pains. This pain might be accompanied by fatigue, sleep disturbances, and in some cases, mood disorders like anxiety and depression. The severity and frequency can vary from person to person and might be influenced by environmental factors, stress levels, and overall health.

Possible Causes of Generalized Pain

  1. Fibromyalgia: Characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tenderness in localized areas, Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition. Its exact cause is unknown, but it’s often associated with traumatic events, repetitive injuries, certain diseases (like rheumatoid arthritis), and family history.
  2. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: This is a complex disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that worsens with physical or mental activity but doesn’t improve with rest. The pain associated with this condition can be widespread.
  3. Vitamin Deficiencies: Deficiencies in certain vitamins, particularly Vitamin D and B12, can lead to widespread body pain.
  4. Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can cause widespread inflammation, leading to pain throughout the body.
  5. Sleep Disorders: Poor sleep quality can exacerbate or even cause widespread body pain.
  6. Mental Health Issues: Stress, anxiety, and depression can manifest as physical pain in various parts of the body.
  7. Other Medical Conditions: Thyroid disorders, infections, and other chronic conditions can also lead to generalized pain.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing the cause of generalized body pain can be challenging due to the range of possible causes. For conditions like Fibromyalgia, there’s no specific test; diagnosis is often made based on a history of widespread pain lasting more than three months and the exclusion of other medical conditions.

Treatment and Management

  1. Medications: For Fibromyalgia, doctors may prescribe pain relievers, antidepressants, and anti-seizure drugs. Over-the-counter pain relievers may also help alleviate symptoms.
  2. Physical Therapy: Physical therapy can improve pain management through specific exercises that strengthen muscles and improve flexibility and posture.
  3. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT can help manage pain by changing the way one perceives and responds to their pain.
  4. Lifestyle Changes: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and good sleep hygiene can significantly impact pain levels and general wellbeing.
  5. Stress Reduction Techniques: Practices like meditation, yoga, and deep-breathing exercises can help reduce stress, which may in turn alleviate pain.
  6. Alternative Therapies: Acupuncture, massage therapy, and chiropractic care can provide relief for some individuals.

Coping Strategies

Living with chronic pain can be challenging. Developing coping strategies is essential for maintaining quality of life. These may include joining a support group, engaging in hobbies and activities that bring joy, and practicing mindfulness and relaxation techniques.

When to Seek Medical Attention

It’s important to consult a healthcare provider if you experience widespread pain, especially if it’s accompanied by other symptoms like fatigue, sleep disturbances, or mood changes. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve outcomes and quality of life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, experiencing pain all over the body can be a symptom of various underlying conditions, including Fibromyalgia. Understanding the potential causes, getting a proper diagnosis, and following a comprehensive treatment plan are crucial steps in managing this type of pain. Incorporating lifestyle changes, stress reduction techniques, and coping strategies can also play a significant role in improving one’s quality of life. As with any health condition, it’s important to work closely with healthcare professionals to develop a personalized approach to treatment and management.


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