Shoulder Pain: When Should I Go To The Doctor?
March 29, 2021
The easy answer to any question about pain, discomfort, or suspected disease in the shoulder is “go see your doctor.” But, it's not always as easy as simply waltzing into your family doctor's office whenever you might have a question or concern about this joint. The trouble and expense of a doctor's visit can be prohibitive, and it can be hard to know what is an extremely minor concern that will go away on its own, and what might require immediate medical attention (beyond obvious injuries). If you have any doubts about whether or not what you're experiencing needs a doctor's professional attention, here are some guidelines that will help you decide when it is necessary to schedule an appointment.
Severity of Pain
We all get stiff and sore once in a while, whether we push ourselves too hard at the gym or decide to be heroes and help a friend with a move. Generally speaking, an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drug, like ibuprofen, should reduce the pain to a manageable level. Any pain should also improve steadily and go away entirely within a few days. Experiencing pain that lingers for several days, doesn't respond to a normal dose of painkillers, or is unusually severe, means you should contact your doctor.
Visible Warning Signs
There are several visual cues that might indicate that something more serious may be wrong with your shoulder and a doctor's advice should be sought out.
- Lots of visible swelling around the joint.
- Redness, especially when accompanied by a joint that is hot to the touch.
- Sudden, visible swelling.
- A joint that looks visibly deformed or out of place.
If you see any of these signs, it is definitely in your best interests to seek out medical advice.
Other Sensations
While we usually talk primarily about pain when it comes to joint trouble, there are several other physical sensations besides pain that might indicate it's time to consult with a doctor.
- A sudden loss of range of motion or extreme stiffness.
- Weakness, a feeling of instability, or an inability to move the joint.
- Numbness or tingling around the joint or even in the extremities closest to it. This is especially important because it might indicate injury to a nerve by swelling or pinching, which should be promptly treated to avoid permanent damage.
It can be expensive, and a hassle, to visit the doctor, and so it may be many people's inclinations to wait and see if a problem with the shoulder will go away on its own. For little aches and pains, this might not be bad advice, as lots of minor strains or pains will heal quickly on their own. There are several warning signs that indicate that you should definitely ask your doctor to take a careful look at your shoulder, and hopefully, these tips will help you make the right decision if you are ever wondering when it's time to get some medical advice.
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March 20, 2023
Driving Away Back Pain
Many of us spend a significant amount in our cars commuting. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, it is estimated that the average time to work in the United States is slightly in excess of 25 minutes. Being stuck in traffic can cause significant stress and strain on the neck and cause pain and stiffness.
While we may not be able to avoid driving our cars, there are a few simple ways to minimize neck discomfort. Maintaining good posture, good head support and proper mirror positions are easy fixes that will go a long way to make your drive more comfortable. Additionally, a cervical stabilization program designed to strengthen the muscles of your neck and shoulder can help too.
Here are a few tips that may ease aches while driving:
Start with good driving posture
Make sure your seat is adjusted to your specific height to sit comfortably and view the road clearly. The best angle for the back of your seat is at 100 degrees. Keep your hands on the 3 and 9 o'clock positions on the steering wheel
Support your lower back
If your car seat does not offer lumbar support, place a small pillow against the bottom part of your seat back. This maintains the right shape from your tailbone to your neck.
Adjust your mirrors
Move your mirrors to give yourself the widest field of vision to minimize head movement or neck strain
Take a break
If you start feeling aches or pains, feel free to pull off at a stop to stretch and walk off any kinks
SimpleTherapy provides complete exercise therapy programs for the neck, shoulder and upper back to minimize the stress and strain on your neck.
Download the SimpleTherapy app to start progressing yourself today!
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October 1, 2021
Stability 101
What Exactly is Stability?
Stability is our ability to remain balanced. It is critical for ensuring proper exercise execution and safe completion of daily tasks. The better your stability is, the more equipped you are to exercise safely and avoid sudden injury. Our core muscles are at the center of all stabilizing movements however local stability in joints such as the shoulders and knees can be equally as important when it comes to preserving proper movement patters and keeping the muscles and joints in the area healthy.How Can I Improve My Stability?
Exercise, mainly through strength training and flexibility training, is the best way to build a high degree of stability. While flexibility training is essential in maintaining a healthy range of motion and proper movement patterns, resistance training helps the body adapt to situations where there is imbalance. This prepares the body to react accordingly when faced with unanticipated situations like slips, trips, and falls. Stability is best utilized in the beginning of a workout. These movements are highly effective in waking up the nervous system, warming the muscles up, and allowing the body to smoothly transition into a highly active state.Methods to Consider:
Free Weights -
Body Weight -
Use Unstable Objects -
Benefits of Stability
Adequate stability in the joints is essential for both the function and longevity of that joint and the surrounding muscles. When a joint is properly stabilized, this typically means that all the muscles responsible for movement in that joint are working harmoniously together. When muscles are out of sync, they can become weak, inflamed, shortened, or even ‘turned off’. Incorporating joint-stabilizing movements into your weekly exercise regimen can help ensure you can continue to perform all the movements and activities you need to continue to enjoy life.Read More
September 30, 2021
Defeat the Pain Cycle
The Dreaded Cycle of Pain; Finding your way out
Envision this: You are in pain and want to be active so you can increase your quality of life, but the movement seems to cause more pain at times. It seems easier to sit down and do nothing compared to the effort it takes to get moving and stretch. Inherently, you know movement is good for pain management, but it feels like a double-edged sword. Moving causes pain but a lack of movement has also led to tight hips and lower back muscles over time. Pain can feel like a never-ending cycle that we get stuck in with no apparent way out. The next thing you know, we are managing pain with “band-aids” like injections and opioids that mask the pain but never really seem to cure it. This inevitably leads to a poor quality of life and trouble performing once simple activities of daily life like tying our shoelaces or going on a walk.Don’t worry, there is a way out, though it may not be a clear-cut path! It will take some mindfulness and effort on your end!It can be very easy to look at health from a one size fits all perspective. Health is a very personal matter and very related to how you are treating your body choices that are made in your daily life. It can also be affected by the environment around you.Let’s break it down by looking at the wellness wheel (click link to view image) and some examples of how pain can affect the different dimensions. Emotional Health:- Are you getting 7-9 hours of sleep per night?
- Keeping a log of your pain and how it differs based on the amount of sleep you get may be eye-opening. Our muscles rest and recover better after a good night’s rest.
- Are you seeking help from a licensed counselor when you are in distress?
- Stress can lead to tense muscles, especially in your neck and upper back! If you are going through a hard time, talking to a licensed counselor through your employee EAP program can make a big difference!
- Improving your intellectual health includes reading and opening your mind/challenging your beliefs. It requires lifelong work!
- Pain can lead to a foggy mind, which impedes our ability to think. It can cause us to feel unfocused and distracted in life.
- Physical health is an area most are familiar with. Exercise, sleep, nutrition, substance use/abuse.
- Limiting medications and alcohol dependence may help your muscles recover faster. *Always take medications as prescribed by your physician.
- Self-medicate by incorporating more movement into your day! Movement causes endorphins (feel-good drugs) to be released in our brains!
- Move regularly and walk often - Our muscles act as pumps to help blood circulate back to our hearts efficiently. Are you starting to feel jittery? This is your body signaling you that it is time to move or change positions!
- Is pain affecting your social life and/or interpersonal relationships?
- Do you have social support? - If you are working to manage your pain, having a strong social circle can help lead to adherence and satisfaction.
- Tell your friends or someone close to you about your plan to manage your pain.
- This is not limited to recycling and “going green.”
- Is there clutter in your life that is causing you not to have time to focus on yourself?
- Make a to-do list and cross things off as you complete them. This can lead to a sense of accomplishment.
- Have you thought about how your actions and persona affect the environment/others around you?
- Financial health is one you’ve probably heard of, setting a budget, paying off debt, preparing for retirement, and mindful spending.
- How does your pain affect your bottom line?
- Copay’s
- Prescription drug costs
- Over-the-counter drug costs
- Medical tests, MRI’s, X-rays
- Injections
- This category is not limited to but can include faith. Think about your morals and beliefs daily. Practice self-care such as meditation and yoga. Set a good example of how to lead your life.
- Think about how pain can have a negative effect on your spiritual health.
- Do you find joy and meaning in your work?
- Do you take full advantage of the resources offered to you by your employer?
- Does pain affect your focus at work and lead to presenteeism?
- Have you missed work due to pain?
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