SOMA Living December 2022

FROM THE DOCTOR Intermittent shoulder pain and discomfort may be the result of tendonitis of the rotator cuff. This happens when the muscles become irritated, or the bursa (fluid filled sac in the shoulder) becomes inflamed and swollen (bursitis), or when the tendons of the shoulder musculature become trapped between a narrowing space between the shoulder joints causing pain and irritation (impingement). If you have pain and stiffness when you lift your arm, this is a hall mark sign of shoulder impingement. There may also be pain when the arm is lowered from an elevated position. However, it is more common with lifting the arm. Rotator cuff pain is common in both young athletes and seniors. Athletes who use their arms overhead for swimming, baseball, and tennis are particularly vulnerable as well as those who do repetitive lifting or overhead activities using the arm. In the early stages of shoulder impingement/tendonitis, symptoms can be mild, so patients don’t always seek treatment. The pain eventually gets worse and the symptoms increase. Most common symptoms are pain at night, loss of strength and motion, difficulty doing activities that place the arm behind the back, such as buttoning or zipping clothing. In some cases, the pain comes on suddenly, as tenderness and painful, limited motion. Treatment is designed to reduce pain and restore function. Patients get a medical exam by either a primary care MD or a PT for the diagnosis. In most cases, non-surgical treatment is optimal. This can include rest with activity modification such as avoiding overhead activities. Non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is another route to limit the pain and swelling. Once the pain improves, your therapist can develop a strengthening program for the rotator cuff muscles. In some cases, injections can help as well - but they are a last resort. SHOULDER IMPINGEMENT/TENDONITIS

South Orange Rehabilitation & Wellness We provide professional, individualized and effective physical therapy. Our health and wellness interventions promote healthy living and enhanced quality of life for all athletes and patients.

Specializing in: • Post Surgical Knee & Shoulder • Spinal Decompression for Herniated and Bulging Discs • Cold Laser to Increase Healing

SouthOrangeRehab.com (973) 761-0077 177 Valley Street, South Orange, New Jersey 07079

Dr. Daniel Roig South Orange Rehab Wellness SouthOrangeRehab.com 973-761-0077

DECEMBER 2022 | SOMA LIVING 15

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