Shoulder and Neck Pain

Bad posture; sitting cramped over a desk; hunched over a steering wheel; certain sports, such as golf; and illnesses such as asthma, can all cause strain and tension to the neck and shoulders.

The chest muscles shorten and contract, causing the muscles in the upper back to become overstretched. This results in rounded shoulders and tight, inflexible muscles in the neck and upper back. Stretching and relaxing the chest muscles, along with kneading the shoulders can help in reducing pain in the neck and shoulders. Key targeted muscles include the pectoral muscles, sternocleidomastoid (SCM), and scalenes.

Rotator cuff injury

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their tendons, which envelope the main shoulder joint (where the upper arm bone sits on a shallow socket in the shoulder blade). The rotator cuff allows the arm to raise and rotate (at the shoulder joint) and helps to stabilize the shoulder joint during movement. Though each rotator cuff muscle moves the arm (from the shoulder joint) in a specific direction, they all work together to stabilize the shoulder joint. A strain or tear in the rotator cuff may occur suddenly from trauma (such as a fall) or gradually from chronic overuse.

Causes / Risk Factors for Rotator Cuff Injury

Whether injury develops gradually from overuse or suddenly from a traumatic injury, it is often because the rotator cuff is not strong enough for the given task.

Weak rotator cuff muscles.  If any of the rotator cuff muscles are weak, the humerus may not be kept centered in the socket of the shoulder blade, and the surrounding soft tissues may be placed under abnormal pressure. This may lead to irritation and inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons.

Advanced age.  Age-related changes in the tendons leave them weaker, less elastic, and more susceptible to injury.

Chronic overuse of shoulder. (Especially activities involving repetitive overhead movement such as swimming, tennis, stacking objects on high shelves.) Minor injuries that are not given a chance to heal can cause chronic inflammation and degenerative changes in the tissues. Early treatment is important.

Poor Posture.  Slouching places undue stress on shoulder joint.

Participating in contact sports.  Acute shoulder injuries are often due to a blow to the shoulder or a fall.

Symptoms of Rotator Cuff Injury

The main symptoms of rotator cuff injuries are shoulder pain and weakness. Symptoms worsen when lifting the arm above shoulder level. A rotator cuff tear will cause more weakness than rotator cuff tendonitis but the symptoms are similar.

Symptoms may occur suddenly if the rotator cuff in injured by a traumatic injury - such as an accident or fall. The majority of rotator cuff injuries occur gradually and symptoms appear gradually.

Massage Therapy

Deep tissue massage is often used in the treatment of soft tissue injuries such as rotator cuff and tendonitis. Massage therapy relieves pain and increases range of motion while it increases circulation and speeds healing. Massage therapy also reduces stress and the production of stress hormones. Stress hormones heighten the perception of pain and contribute to tight muscles (which may cause or increase pain). The therapist at Precision Muscle Recovery target key and specific areas which relieve pain, increase circulation, enhance range of motion, and help your body recover in a shorter time.

30 Min. Area Targeted	$45
60 Min. Treatment	$65
90 Min. Treatement	$85
120 Min. Assessment & Treatment	$105

Mon. - Fri.	9 am - 8 pm
Sat.	10 am - 2 pm
Sun.	By appt only.