MSR: Protecting Your Shoulders from Injury

MSR: Protecting Your Shoulders from Injury

THE NEWSLETTER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND CARING FOR YOUR BODY

BETTER PROTECTING YOUR SHOULDERS FROM POSSIBLE INJURY

What would you do with a shoulder injury? If you have been researching those first troublesome aches and pains about your shoulder, then you have probably realized by now, the sheer number of injuries that befall the shoulder area.

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MMA Sports Rehab WON in the category of “Best Physical Therapy” in Washington Family’s annual Best for Families Awards. Thank you so much to all of you that voted and make this possible!

Washington FAMILY

INSIDE :

• Better Protecting Your Shoulders From Possible Injury • Use It Or Lose It!

• Practice News • Exercise Essentials

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THE NEWSLETTER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND CARING FOR YOUR BODY NEWSLETTER

BETTER PROTECTING YOUR SHOULDERS FROM POSSIBLE INJURY That’s because this large joint is the connecting point for so many crucial daily actions. Among the most common types of shoulder injuries are biceps tendonitis, rotator cuff tears and sprains, arthritis and shoulder impingement. Injury Causes Many shoulder injuries result from tasks requiring heavy lifting or repetitive reaching motions. Along with manual labor jobs, work around the house such as cleaning gutters or hanging up wet clothes are common culprits. In addition, athletic pursuits like weightlifting, swimming, and tennis can unfortunately lead to shoulder injuries. Along with these activities, passive movements can also be a problem. If you have continuous poor posture, the improper positioning of your shoulders, can make you extra vulnerable to scapula (shoulder blade) and rotator cuff injuries. INSIDE : • Use It Or Lose It! • Exercise Essentials (continued from outside)

• Practice News • And More!

Know the Warning Signs All of us experience occasional aches and pains from doing too much, which does not necessarily mean a chronic problem is emerging. However, when those pains don’t go away, or when the uncomfortable feelings have certain characteristics, it’s important not to ignore them, and seek help. If you keep experiencing shoulder clicking or “popping,” for example, you may have a ligament tear in your shoulder area. Sharp pain should also be checked out with your physical therapist, as this means the shoulder joint is not moving in good alignment. There are also more easily-ignored symptoms, like a dull pain that runs along the side of your arm, or sudden arm weakness whenever you try to carry something or reach for an object. These symptoms, you should definitely not ignore.

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Use It Or Lose It!

You can certainly ease problems associated with shoulder injury through medical attention and physical therapy. However, protecting your shoulders in the first place is always the best strategy. Make sure your posture is the best it can be at all times, whether it’s while you’re relaxing in your favorite chair, standing in line, hitting the gym, or working long hours at your desk. Think “up and back,” because letting the weight of your head and trunk rest forward puts pressure in all the wrong places, including your shoulders. Positioning yourself before sleep is also crucial; resting on your favorite side when the weight is on your shoulder can definitely create shoulder impingement over time. Avoid any positions where your arm is over your head while sleeping. You’ll additionally reduce wear and tear on your shoulders by being more mindful of how you use them. Does your job or sport absolutely require repetitive lifting, reaching or swinging? If so, it’s helpful to get coaching from a physical therapist -- or even an actual coach -- about how to reduce the strain on your shoulders by shifting your positioning and using correct technique. Along with placing your body more efficiently to perform tasks, it’s also helpful to strengthen your shoulder muscles for light but frequent daily chores as well as strenuous, repetitive motions. Try to do a combination of some basic exercises a few times a week, in order to strengthen a range of muscles, including those in your rotator cuff region.

Doing wall push-ups - essentially a standing push-up in which you “lift off” from the wall rather than the floor - is one classic option. Secondly, consider buying resistance bands, which are inexpensive and portable. Attach them to a doorknob and pull them toward you, holding for a few seconds with each repetition. Do these reps in groups of five, two or three times a day. Lastly, don’t forget that classic “chair push-ups,” in which your arms do the work of lifting off the chair, are great for toning shoulder muscles. If you have questions about an aching shoulder or wondering if you are setting yourself up for injury, give us a call to speak with one of our physical therapists today. Your shoulders will be happy you did!

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Exercise Essentials Try this movement if you are experiencing shoulder pain.

Tasty Recipe

Easy Crock Pot Cobbler

Relieves Shoulder Pain

www.simpleset.net

INGREDIENTS: •2-Cans of your favorite pie filling (apple, peach, cherry) •1-Box yellow cake mix (spice cake mix works well with apple or peach)

SERRATUS WALL SLIDE Place your forearms and hands along a wall so that your elbows are bent and your arms point towards the ceiling. Next, protract your shoulder blades forward and then slide your arms up the wall as shown. Then, return to original position and repeat 6 times.

•1 stick of low-fat butter

INSTRUCTIONS: Pour pie filling in the bottom of your crock pot. Cover with cake mix, do not stir. Cut butter into pieces and place on top of cake mix. Place the lid on the crock pot and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours. Serve with ice cream and enjoy!

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Practice News

MSR holiday dinner at Royal Nepal Restaurant! Eating lot of Momo !

5 Healthy-Eating Resolutions To Continue All Year Long!

1. Eat More Omega-3s - Getting more foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids might just help you keep your blood pressure down. Research suggests that omega-3s can help improve your mood, which we all need a little help with in the short, dark days of winter. Aim to get two servings of fish a week, particularly fatty fish, such as salmon, sardines and some types of tuna, which are rich in omega-3s. Not a fish lover? Opt for walnuts and flax, which are good non fish sources of omega-3s. 2. Pile On The Veggies - The majority of people don’t eat the daily recommended 3 or more servings of vegetables, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Roasting vegetables caramelizes their natural sugars so they taste fantastic. It’s an easy way to cook veggies for dinner—pop a pan of them in the oven and make the rest of dinner while they roast. 3. Up Your Fiber Intake - Getting enough fiber may help prevent cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and a number of cancers. And eating more fiber may help you slim down. But the average person

eats about 14 grams a day—the recommended daily intake is 21 to 38 grams. One of the easiest ways to up your fiber intake is to eat more whole grains. Quinoa, whole-wheat couscous, bulgur and polenta are all quick-cooking options to add to your weeknight repertoire. 4. Eat Less Meat - A popular reason to cut back on meat is for environmental reasons, but you’ll be helping your heart too. When you replace meat with soy, you’ll naturally eat less saturated fat. While tofu might not have a real “flavor,” that’s what makes it so versatile—it soaks up the flavors of a stir-fry sauce or marinade like a sponge, making it taste terrific! 5. Rein in Your Sugar Addiction - We eat too much sugar. We consume 355 calories—or 22 teaspoons—of added sugars a day. Luckily, you can still make treats that satisfy your sweet tooth and cut back on your sugar intake at the same time by choosing treats that are naturally sweet like fruit.

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