Winter weather can bring potentially serious injuries if we are not careful. We should always be aware of our surroundings no matter the weather, but in winter it is more important to be aware and take precautions. Needless to say, avoiding winter injuries can save you from lost time at work or from recreational pleasures.

Slip-and-Fall Injuries

Winter can be a beautiful time of year but it presents challenges, especially for those over 40 years of age. Most individuals reach their peak bone mass between the ages of 25 and 30. By the time we reach 40, many of us slowly begin to lose bone mass; weakened bones are in danger of breaking if a fall occurs.

Fresh air and spectacular snowscapes can make it tempting for many to enjoy a winter walk. For many individuals walk their dog once or twice a day, regardless of conditions, because it is not an option. Freezing temperatures and hidden icy patches present hazards. Hip fractures, head injuries, and wrist fractures often occur during winter storms. When trying to force the body to stop from an imminent fall, smaller injuries can occur such as bruising, sprained ankles, and pulled muscles.

Across Ontario, every day, dozens of people visit an emergency department for injuries from a fall involving ice and snow, especially older adults.

Tips to Avoid Falls:

• Do not be in a rush; take slower and shorter steps.
• Be sure you are wearing proper winter footwear with excellent quality rubber tread for traction.
• Always be aware of the conditions of what you are walking on, even ice can form on fields.
• Be especially careful walking on the side of the road during and after a storm. Sidewalks covered with plowed snow, and if conditions include poor visibility, can potentially create an accident scenario in which you get hit. If moving vehicles are close by and you are walking on a slippery surface then stop. This will eliminate the potential of you falling into harms way.

Snow Shoveling

Shoveling snow poses another serious injury risk throughout the winter season. Soft tissue injuries of ligaments and muscles, especially in the lower back, are common from the heavy lifting, bending and twisting.

Those with heart trouble know that the mere act of walking in heavy snow can put a significant strain on the heart, let alone shoveling it. In fact, those over the age of 55 are four times more likely to experience a heart problem while snow shoveling.

Do not think that a snow blower is the answer to snow shoveling safely. Snow blower injuries are more common than many realize because people reach in to un-jam snow blowers resulting in the loss of fingers and in some cases, a hand. Always turn the machine off and use a broom handle or another tool to clear a stuck snow blower.

As for snow shoveling, lessen your chances of getting hurt while shoveling snow. Be sure to:

• Pace yourself and if need be take frequent breaks.
• Wear proper winter boots.
• Push snow as opposed to lifting. Avoid twisting and tossing snow over the shoulders.
• Listen to your body and stop if you get short of breath, start sweating profusely, or experience chest pain.

There is more information on our website: Snow Shoveling Safely; be sure to give it a read.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

It happens, someone is standing at a corner waiting to cross the street, a car hits a patch of ice causing it to swerve into the innocent bystander. Don`t be that person. When walking outside, even waiting at a bus stop, always be aware of your surroundings. Those who keep their head down, and are wearing ear buds focusing on their cell phone will have a greater chance at being that person who gets hit as opposed to the person who is paying attention and can jump to safety.

Frost Bite and Hypothermia

Hypothermia is defined as a core body temperature less than 35 degrees C and results from prolonged exposure to cold environment, drugs, and underlying pathological conditions. In Canada, there are 8,000 deaths a year due to hypothermia. In fact, cold temperatures kill about 20 times as many people worldwide as hot temperatures do. This was an issue addressed by CBC in a May 2015 article titled: Cold deemed deadlier than heat when it comes to weather deaths.

Frostbite is an injury caused by freezing of the skin and underlying tissues. It is most common on the fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks and chin. Skin that is exposed in cold, windy weather is most vulnerable; however, it can occur on parts of our body that is covered, but not sufficiently.

Generally, when you start shivering, it’s your body telling you it’s time to seek warmth. Being proactive by dressing in warm, dry layers, and wearing a hat and gloves is advisable.

If you are driving, always keep extra warm clothes in your vehicle. If you wear shoes, be sure to have boots in the car. Accidents happen and you could literally be left out in the cold for a long period of time. If you are not prepared then you may end up with more troubles than just the accident itself.

CHIRO-MED REHAB CENTRE: REMINDERS

While shoveling, in the event you start to feel heaviness or discomfort in the arms, neck or chest areas, stop shoveling immediately. If it does not subside right away, call 911. Other signs of heart attack to be aware of include a prolonged shortness of breath, dizziness, faintness, excessive sweating, or if you begin to vomit.

Do not work yourself to the point of exhaustion because this contributes to injury, hypothermia and to possible frostbite.

Should you sustain any soft tissue injury while shoveling – stop shoveling right away! If you cannot move or are in serious pain, call 911. If the injury isn’t as severe, then see a health professional as soon as possible. Should there be any inflammation, apply ice right away.

Established in 2007 by Dr. Behfar Sanjari, Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has a proven record of commitment providing quality health care services in the Greater Toronto Area. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has qualified professionals who can provide chiropractic and physiotherapy to help with winter injuries. We have clinics located in Richmond Hill and Newmarket, visit Chiro-Med online or call 905-918-0419 or 905-235-2620 for more information.

Many people only visit a Richmond Hill chiropractor only when they have back pain, not realizing that regular chiropractic care can benefit many other parts of the body besides just the spine.  A qualified chiropractor can provide relief for a variety of ailments related to the spine, such as joint pain, headaches and sciatic nerve problems, but many people are surprised to learn that they can also find relief from seemingly unrelated disorders, such as asthma, allergies, and digestive disorders such as constipation simply by visiting a chiropractor on a regular basis.  Chiropractic treatment is also effective for carpal tunnel syndrome, sprains and other minor injuries.

When you visit Richmond Hill for chiropractic treatment you can rest assured that you will receive the highest quality care from a qualified professional.  Your chiropractor will assess your condition and schedule treatment accordingly.  It is important to understand that it will take more than just one visit to correct your problem.   In order to maintain good health, you should visit your chiropractor regularly, even when you are feeling well and pain-free.  Your Richmond Hill chiropractor will advise you of the frequency of visits that he or she recommends, and by faithfully attending your scheduled chiropractor visits you can be sure that you will notice a difference in your energy levels, moods and overall feeling of well-being.

So remember, don’t wait until you are injured or feeling pain before you schedule an appointment with a Richmond Hill chiropractor.  Make chiropractic care part of you regular health maintenance regimen and it may be possible for you to ward off pain before it starts.  Maintaining proper spinal health will help keep all parts of your body functioning properly and keep you feeling better than you have ever felt before.

The human foot is truly remarkable as it contains a combination of 112 ligaments, 33 joints, 26 bones and a vast network of nerves, tendons and blood vessels that work hard when you run. Before considering to go out jogging or to take up running, it is very important to make sure that your feet are in good working order because the balance, support, and propulsion of a running body depends on the foot.

Before starting to run, there are some things you can do before you hit the pavement to ensure your running experience will be an enjoyable one. Before getting into the helpful hints, what needs to be said is to hydrate before you run or jog – this is very important.

First of all, are your running shoes appropriate? Your choice of footwear needs to be determined based on your foot structure, your weight, how your feet function and where you run. If you are flat footed when you run, or if you run on the balls of the feet, then an orthotic device should be considered. The shoes should provide shock absorption.

Next, proper foot hygiene needs to be practiced. Be sure your feet are kept dry with appropriate socks and powdered. This is especially important if you have blisters. Getting into the habit of powdering will help to keep athletes foot at bay.

Thirdly, start off slow. Jog for two minutes, then walk fast for five minutes then jog for two minutes, and repeat. If your muscles are feeling stiff, then walk. As the days go by, increase the jogging time 30 to 60 seconds at a time until you are jogging for five, fast walking for five. Keep increasing this and diminish the walking time until you are comfortable with just jogging or running. Be sure to make adjustments for weather conditions; the hotter and more humid it gets, lessen your running time.

The fourth hint is a big one – stretch! Before starting any exercise program and this includes running or jogging, proper stretching is important. When the muscles are properly warmed up then the strain on tendons, joints and muscles is significantly reduced. Walking for 5-10 minutes before stretching is what many joggers and runners do first, and then they stretch for 5-10 minutes. It’s important to remember that stretching is not pulling or bouncing.

Three recommended stretches are:

• Wall push-ups. Stretch one leg at a time by standing a metre away from the wall. Rear leg needs to be straight with the front leg bent as the hands touch the wall. Heels on the ground at all times. Hold the stretch for twenty seconds, and then bend the back leg and hold for twenty seconds, switch legs and repeat three times.
• Stretch the hamstring. Straighten the right leg, place it, with the knee locked, on the curb or other item that is the same height. Squeeze your quadrieps muscle (front thigh) and point your ankle and toes up towards yourself. Hold for twenty seconds. Switch sides and repeat three times.
• Stretching the lower back. Lie down on a firm surface. Bring both knees to your chest and hold for twenty seconds. Repeat this five times.

Last but not least, there is one more thing to consider before taking up jogging or running. Your feet are very important, so visiting a health professional before starting an exercise program may save you a lot of aggravation down the road. A health professional will examine your feet and identify any potential problems. This preventative measure can save your feet from unwarranted injuries.

Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has health professionals on staff who are fully qualified to assess your feet and provide custom orthotics if needed. Conveniently located in Richmond Hill, Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has a walk-in clinic at 10144 Yonge Street, just north of Major MacKenzie Drive. Call 905-918-0419 for more information.

Plantar fasciitis is heel pain that is caused by inflammation of the tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the toes to the heel. Inflammation tends to occur when that band of tissue is overused or overstretched. This condition can become chronic and be painful to the extent that normal activities cannot be enjoyed and walking becomes a challenge.

Those who are more likely to get plantar fasciitis are those who have arch problems (flat feet and high arches), runners, tight Achilles tendon, wearing shoes with poor support or soft soles and those who experience rapid weight gain.

Graston Technique®

The Graston Technique^® has rapidly become the treatment of choice by many health practitioners and this technique is part of the curriculum at almost thirty colleges and universities across North America.

Research on this innovative technique started in the mid 1990’s and it didn’t take long before athletes were using this method of treatment with soft tissue injuries. Michael Phelps, an American swimming Olympian has spoken highly of how The Graston Technique^® has helped him.

Graston Technique® And Plantar Fasciitis

Successful treatment of plantar fasciitis involves stretching the tendons, muscles, and fascia of the foot and calf muscle. The Graston Technique^® is a proven method of successfully stretching these tissues and muscles affected by plantar fasciitis. Getting the range of motion back and reducing pain as quickly as possible is important.

This technique uses instruments made from stainless steel that the therapist uses over the affected area. There are a variety of instruments available to the trained therapist, all are shaped and weighted differently so that depending on the area being treated, the best instrument is used. In order to properly treat plantar fasciitis an instrument is used along the large muscle In the calf, another in the bulge in the heel area on the arch side and another in the small area where the big toes connects to the foot.

The therapist presses the instrument into the affected area and moves it across the area in need of treatment. Many patients may have scar tissue that also causes some pain and this treatment method deals with these problems also. When the therapist manipulates the instrument across an area, there may be a bumpy area felt, this is either scar tissue or an adhesion. During Graston Technique® treatment, the gentle pulling across the tissue helps to break up the scar tissue or adhesions which free the tissue for improving the range of motion. Many patients find that during the course of their treatment they can resume activities

If you suffer with plantar fasciitis this type of rehabilitation therapy will get you back to normal activities quickly. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has a convenient location and qualified health professionals to help you get on the road to recovery. Visit Chiro-Med online or call 905-918-0419 for more information on the Graston Technique^®.

A bursa is a small gel-like sac that generally contains a minimal amount of liquid. Bursae are throughout the body but most importantly they are located around the heel, knee, hip, elbow and shoulder. These act as cushions between soft tissues and the bones in order to help reduce friction between the bone and gliding muscles. Should a bursa become inflamed, then bursitis is the result.

Bursitis Risk Factors

Although bursitis is something that can affect anyone those in their later years and women are more at risk. Hip bursitis is the most common and there are several risk factors that contribute to this. They include:

• Leg length – Sometimes one leg is longer than the other, and in some cases by more than an inch. The body tries to compensate as the person walks and this creates stress leading to hip bursitis.
• Calcium deposits – These deposits (and bone spurs) can develop within the tendons that attach to the bony prominences toward the near end of the femur (trochanter). This in turn irritates the bursa therefore causing inflammation.
• Overuse injury – Running, cycling, standing for long periods of time all can contribute to bursitis.
• Previous surgery – Surgeries around a prosthetic implant or hip can lead to bursitis.
• Hip injury – Any blow or injury to the hips can cause inflammation of the bursa.
• Spine disease – Scoliosis, arthritis of the lower spine and other spinal problems can contribute to bursitis.
• Rheumatoid arthritis – This tends to increase the likelihood of bursae becoming inflamed.

Bursitis Symptoms

If an individual has bursitis, then he or she will feel pain. Often there is an achy or stiff feeling and the affected area looks swollen and is red. The affected area will hurt more when pressure is applied.

Bursitis of the hips often starts with pain at the point of the hip and extends to the outer thigh area. At the onset the pain is sharp and it later becomes achy. Typically the pain is worse after sitting for long periods of time, lying on the hip at night, and it may worsen with prolonged activity.

Nonsurgical Treatment Options

The good news is that most people with hip bursitis can get relief with some simple lifestyle changes. Some of these changes include:

• Avoid the activities that tend to worsen symptoms.
• Use anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen and even turmeric.
• Overuse injury – Running, cycling, standing for long periods of time all can contribute to bursitis.
• If only temporary, use a walking cane or crutches to help you get through the worst of it.
• Seek the advice of a health profession who can help with physical therapy.

Some physical therapy methods include the use of heat, ice, electric stimulation, ultrasound and laser therapy, yet having the guidance of a health professional is strongly advised in order to minimize the length of time it takes to recover.

PREVENTING BURSITIS

Of course, like most health ailments, prevention is paramount. Avoiding certain activities that can worsen a pre-existing condition is the first step in prevention. Also, avoid repetitive movements that place stress of areas that have a bursa (especially the hips). Maintaining strength and flexibility in the hip area is really important.

Properly fitted shoes are essential if an individual is aware that one leg is longer than the other.
Last but not least, losing weight may be required to reduce the stress on the hips.

The best plan is that if you have suffered from or it feels like you may have bursitis, see a health professional. Never self-diagnose because things could go from bad to worse before you know it. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has friendly health professionals on staff to help you live pain-free as naturally as possible. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has a walk-in clinic conveniently located at 10144 Yonge Street, just north of Major MacKenzie Drive in the heart of Richmond Hill. Call 905-918-0419 for more information or to book a consultation.

Hip health is something most people never give a thought to until trouble starts. This is a computer-driven world in which far too many of us are spending an inordinate amount of time on a daily basis just sitting. We sit in our cars, sit at work or school, sit watching programs on television or the computer, and we generally sit when socializing.

According to Harvard Health, spending too many hours sitting is hazardous to our health. Apart from the possibility of it being detrimental to our hip health, habitual inactivity increases risks for cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and deep-vein thrombosis. Even the National Health Services in the UK claim that there are studies linking excessive sitting with type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer, and early death.

Hip Flexor Strain

There is a major muscle group located in the front of the hip that helps us to flex or bend our hips; these are known as the hip flexors. These muscles allow the movement of bringing the thighs toward the chest. The main muscles groups are the tensor fascia latae, quadriceps, psoas major, and the psoas minor. These muscles are essential for powerful leg movements and strength for everyday movement. They are intricately attached to the lower spine, the pelvis, the hips and even the rib cage. So, if there is any hip flexor strain it can cause problems throughout the body.

Hip Flexor Strain and Sitting

The human body tends to adapt to the positions in which we put them in the most. It is suspected that many, if not most people spend twelve hours a day in a sitting position; and this places the hip flexors in a position that is not ideal. While sitting, the hip flexors are in a "shortened position". Basically, this means, in the sitting position, the muscles are pulled in together for most of the day. With too many hours spent sitting, these muscles will start to adapt to that position. Over time, this leaves a person feeling stiff and sometimes sore when standing up. Even if it is not apparent that one of the reasons for stiffness after sitting is the hips, these muscles are certainly playing a significant role. Stiff muscles can easily lead to strained muscles. A strain due to overstretch will be more common for “chronic” sitters since the hips will be stiff and resistant to stretch.

Sit enough and tightness will become the norm for the hip flexors, which could end up in a hip flexor strain. When these muscles are strained it can easily affect the whole body due to their role in core control and balance. Basic activities including walking, getting up and down from chairs, in and out of the car, and even the way you sleep will be affected. When these muscles are strained the two biggest complaints tend to be muscle cramping in the hip flexor muscles themselves and low back pain.

Hip Flexor Strain

Whether the hip flexors are strained or just stiff, they have the tendency to hold the pelvis in a forward position. This causes the back to arch and the entire pelvis to tilt forward. Once this occurs then it may feel as though you are stuck in this position. Once this position becomes the norm, it may feel like you get a charlie horse in the front of your hips even with simple movements due to the position you are "stuck" in. Any movements that specifically involve these muscles may become quite painful.

Solutions

Given the amount of available research, breaking up long blocks of sitting to flex these muscles is very important. Building more activity into every day is critical no matter at home or at the office.

• If need be, set a timer to remind yourself to get up and move around every so often (every thirty minutes is optimum).
• Take phone calls standing up.
• Get an adjustable standing desk for your computer.
• At home, do not sit in a chair or on the sofa while watching television, sit on a stability ball, which makes you use muscles to stay upright.
• If it is possible, get a treadmill and watch your favourite shows as you walk.
• Make sure you have a good exercise routine to promote tissue extensibility throughout the body to prevent strain in the hips and throughout the body.

Movement Suggestions

These are some easy stretches you can do throughout the day regardless of whether you are at work or home. Repeat them as often as you feel comfortable. The more often you are able to do these, the better the results.

Standing next to a wall for support, stand on one leg and swing the other leg forwards and backwards to obtain as much range of motion as you can (do this 12 times). Then move your leg up to the side and across in front of your other leg 12 times. This will be more difficult and the range will be much smaller. Repeat for the other leg. If doing this 12 times to too stressful, start doing these 5 or 6 times – whatever you can manage – then work up to 12 times.

Sitting at your chair, lift one leg up and put it over the other leg so your ankle rests on top of the knee of the opposite leg. Then simply bend forward at the waist until you feel a strong pull through the glut muscles. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat for the other leg. You will notice one leg stiffer than the other. This is likely an indication of a structural shift in your body that has developed over years.

Next, stand up facing your chair about 3 feet away from it. Step up onto the chair with one leg and do a deep lunge forward until you feel a deep pull in the back leg. Make sure you keep your back upright and your core muscles flexed and tight. Hold 10 seconds and repeat for the other leg.

If you are experiencing hip stiffness, discomfort or pain chiropractic and physiotherapy care can help.

Established in 2007 by Dr. Behalf Sanjari, Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has a proven record of commitment providing quality health care services in the Greater Toronto Area. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has qualified professionals who can provide the services you need. Chiro-Med has clinics located in Richmond Hill and Newmarket, visit Chiro-Med online or call 905-918-0419 or 905-235-2620 for more information.

Myotherapy is a form of physical therapy generally used to treat soft tissue pain and restricted joint movement caused by muscle or myofascial pain syndrome.

This form of therapy can best be defined as the assessment, treatment and management of musculoskeletal conditions. When you see a myotherapist, they assess your condition to find out the specific cause of the pain, provide treatment in the form of manual therapy, and restore pain-free functioning.

What is Myofascial Pain Syndrome

First, myofascial are the thin, fibrous strands of tissue that surround and separate muscles. Tendons and ligaments are comprised of bundled myofascia.

Myofascial pain syndrome (also known as myofascial dysfunction) refers to pain and possible inflammation in the body's soft tissues or muscles. Myofascial pain is a chronic, painful condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles). Myofascial pain syndrome involves either a single muscle or a muscle group. There are some cases in which the area where a person experiences the pain might not be exactly where the myofascial pain originates. Experts believe that the actual site of the injury or the strain prompts the development of a trigger point that, in turn, causes pain in other areas. In these cases, this situation is known as referred pain.

Can Myofascial Pain Be Muscle Knots?

Most people have experience a muscle knot. Although this term is frequently used, there is no actual knot even though it feels like it. A muscle knot is actually referred to as being is a myofascial trigger point. Every so often we may have a few random trigger points and this is an annoyance; however, a group of these “knots” is known as is myofascial pain syndrome. So yes, these muscle knots are a form of myofascial pain.

Trigger points can be somewhat debilitating. They can cause far more discomfort than most people believe is possible. Trigger points can generate odd sensations, and the source may not be obvious.

Signs and Symptoms

Those with myofascial pain syndrome usually report regionalized aching, and diffuse, persistent pain in certain muscles and joints. The pain intensity can vary from mild to severe and is usually related to muscle activity. Symptoms may begin after trauma or injury to the affected area or can be of gradual onset. The most commonly affected areas are the muscles in the shoulders and neck.

Trigger points, one of the main characteristics of myofascial pain syndrome, are considered to be hyperirritable, circumscribed spots located in a palpable taut band of skeletal muscle. These points are painful on compression and can produce referred pain, referred tenderness, and even autonomic phenomena. Referred pain and tenderness occur when pain is referred to remote sites from compression of a myofascial trigger point. (For example, pain from compression of trigger points in the scalene muscles of the neck may be felt in the hand.)

If you are experiencing soft tissue pain and restricted joint movement caused by muscle or myofascial pain syndrome then myotherapy may be the preferred treatment.

Myotherapy is not a form of massage therapy, though a qualified therapist may use such a technique during a session if it is necessary for the treatment of your presenting condition. Myotherapy is a form of manual therapy which uses evidence-based assessment, treatment and rehabilitation techniques to treat neuromusculoskeletal (nerve, muscle and joint) pain and dysfunction. Clinical myotherapists use massage as their main tool however have also got the skills and knowledge to apply wide variety of other techniques when necessary to further assist the patient regain optimal health.

Some of the other techniques used by myotherapists alongside massage may include:

• Dry needling or trigger point therapy– when pressure or a needle is applied to a ‘knot’ in the muscle. This aids in the release of these trigger points reducing pain. Even though the same needles are used with dry needling their purpose is different to acupuncture.
• Myofascial release is another very effective technique when applied with massage. Myofascial release aims to release the fascia that surrounds all muscles.
• Heat therapy may be used to increase blood flow to an area by opening up the blood vessels. Heat offers a similar effect to massage in that it helps to promote blood flow and lymph flow which brings healthy nutrients and oxygen to the injured site and assists in the removal of wastes and toxins in the blood.

If you have soft tissue pain or restricted joint movement caused by muscle or myofascial pain syndrome then a qualified health professional at Chiro-Med can help.

Established in 2007 by Dr. Behfar Sanjari, Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has been committed to providing quality health care services to the Greater Toronto Area for over a decade. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has qualified professionals who can help you seek relief from migraine pain. We have clinics located in Richmond Hill and Newmarket, call 905-918-0419 or 905-235-2620 for more information.

Adhesive capsulitis or more commonly referred to as frozen shoulder, is when a person loses the ability to move a shoulder around in all directions without pain. The term frozen shoulder best describes this problem because the shoulder becomes stiff and it may not be able to move at all.

Before getting any further ahead, let's briefly discuss how you should be able to move your shoulders in all directions without any discomfort. Testing your shoulder movement is as simple as:

• With both arms, reach up toward the sky.
• Hold your arms straight out in front of you.
• Raise your arms to the sides of your body so that they are level with your shoulder.
• Pretend that you are pulling something out of your back pocket.
• Pretend you are trying to unzip the back of your dress.

All these motions should not cause you pain or discomfort. If they do, then Chiro-Med Rehab Centre urges you to see your health professional.

Causes Of Frozen Shoulder

Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) develops when the connective tissue in your shoulder joint tightens and restricts your joint's movement. Often, this occurs after a time when you have been less active because of another injury, such as a rotator cuff injury, a broken arm or recovering from a surgery.

Another explanation of what causes adhesive capsulitis is that the joint capsule of the shoulder joint has ligaments that keep the shoulder bones together. When inflamed, the capsule impedes in the shoulder bones ability to move freely.

There are even times in which there are no causes, it just happens.
There are risk factors though and they include:

• Hyperthyroidism
• Open heart surgery
• Shoulder surgery
• Diabetes
• Cervical disk disease of the neck

People over the age of 40 are at higher risk for adhesive capsulitis, especially women.

Symptoms Of Frozen Shoulder

The most obvious symptom of adhesive capsulitis is a decreased motion in the shoulder area. Pain and stiffness are also possible indicators that frozen shoulder has set in. Pain prevents you from moving your arm and the lack of movement leads to stiffness. Before long, you become unable to perform activities such as reaching over your head or behind you.

Does The Shoulder Really Freeze?

No, sometimes frozen shoulder can cause the shoulder to just stop moving. This generally occurs if you don't use your shoulder enough or if you use it the wrong way; the shoulder develops scar tissue that stops it from easily moving around.

Diagnosing Frozen Shoulder

A physical examination of the shoulder is the first step to diagnose frozen shoulder. A health professional can check for the range of motion and condition of the shoulder. If the health professional is not certain, then he or she may order blood and urine tests to clarify the situation.

In the event of an injury, an x-ray of the shoulder joint can help and an MRI scan may be required to evaluate the severity of adhesive capsulitis.

Chiro-Med Rehab Centre in Richmond Hill is a trusted health care provider and has assisted people for years in obtaining a proper diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis.

Frozen Shoulder Treatment

Diligent physical therapy is important and treatment can include ultrasound, ice packs, electric stimulation, range-of-motion exercise maneuvers, and when the patient is ready, strengthening exercises. Physical therapy can take several weeks to months for full recovery. This depends on the severity of the scarring of the tissues around the shoulder.

It is very important for people with a frozen shoulder to avoid reinjuring the shoulder tissues during the rehabilitation period. These individuals should avoid sudden, jerking motions or heavy lifting with the affected shoulder.

Chiro-Med Rehab Centre in Richmond Hill can help you get on the road to recovery. Our physiotherapists have exercise and rehabilitation therapies that are designed to help each individual; and every treatment plan is tailor-made. There's no need to suffer any longer, give Chiro-Med Rehab Centre in Richmond Hill a call today.