Posts Tagged ‘New Fairfield Arthritis’
Welcome to Chiropractic Life and Wellness Center's New Fairfield Arthritis Archive. Here you can learn more about Chiropractic Life and Wellness Center, Chiropractic, and Dr. Brandon Chorney, today's choice for Chiropractors in New Fairfield, CT. Read Dr. Brandon Chorney's Chiropractic New Fairfield Arthritis for the health of it.
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by Dr. Brandon Chorney | May 21, 2015 | Health Articles
Marvelous May is here! At this time of year we should be in full swing and enjoying the benefits of the sun and outdoor activities. Unfortunately many of us are sitting on the bench or taking medications to play through our neck pain and what is described as a "frozen shoulder". Understanding What is...
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by Dr. Brandon Chorney | Aug 19, 2014 | Health Articles
The dog days of summer are here! At this time of year we should be in full swing and enjoying the benefits of the sun and outdoor activities. Unfortunately many of us are sitting on the sidelines or taking medication to play through the pain. One main culprit is neck pain and what is described as a “frozen shoulder”. If you or a loved one are sitting on the bench missing the fun due to this condition – read on!
What is a Frozen Shoulder?
A Frozen Shoulder or, Adhesive capsulitis, is a condition in which the shoulder cannot be moved normally due to pain and inflammation in the joint capsule of the shoulder. Limited range of motion not only occurs when the individual tries to move the shoulder, but even if shoulder movement is forced. The condition may arise due to no known cause other than lack of use of the shoulder joint.
What Causes A Frozen Shoulder?
A Frozen Shoulder is caused by inflammation, scarring or thickening that occurs within the capsule of the shoulder joint. The capsule of ligaments in the shoulder joint allows the bones in the shoulder to freely move within the joint and if this becomes inflamed, the bones in the shoulder may have difficulty moving or may not be able to move at all. In many cases, there is no known cause for the inflammation and the condition arises from lack of use of the shoulder joint, but some causes that can lead to the condition include diabetes, shoulder trauma or injury, shoulder surgery, tendonitis, bursitis, cervical disc disease, chronic inflammatory arthritis, hyperthyroidism or any type of surgery located in the chest or breast.
Symptoms
The primary symptoms of a frozen shoulder are pain, stiffness and limited shoulder mobility. In most cases, the condition begins with pain that prevents you from using your shoulder and moving your arm in a normal fashion. The pain may have some underlying cause or no cause at all. As you cease to move your arm because of the pain or if you keep it immobilized for too long (such as by putting it in a sling), the shoulder becomes stiff and eventually you cannot perform certain functions or movements. The main difference between frozen shoulder and other conditions that may cause pain, stiffness and limited mobility is that with frozen shoulder, the doctor cannot make the shoulder joint move even by manually moving it.
How is It Diagnosed?
The first step in diagnosing a frozen shoulder will include taking a complete medical history and physical examinations. Questions will be asked related to when the symptoms began, what activities caused the symptoms, and how limited the movement of the shoulder is. The shoulder will be examined and range of motion tests will be performed. The doctor will try to move the shoulder joint manually and if that cannot be done, a diagnosis of frozen shoulder is made. X-rays or an MRI may be ordered to determine if there is any noticeable cause of the immobility, but in most cases of frozen shoulder there are no specific findings, although shrinkage of the shoulder capsule or scar tissue may be apparent.
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Our Expert Team has been assembled to help our community through a variety of treatment techniques achieve the health results they desire. Let our wonderful team help you achieve the quality of life you desire – happy and best of all pain free.
by Dr. Brandon Chorney | Aug 21, 2012 | Health Articles
Years ago, doctors hardly ever told rheumatoid arthritis patients to "go take a hike" or "go for a swim." Arthritis was considered an inherent part of the aging process and a signal to a patient that it's time to slow down. But not so anymore. Recent research and clinical findings show that there is much...
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by Dr. Brandon Chorney | Feb 14, 2012 | Health Articles
For decades, osteoarthritis has been considered a part of aging. But not anymore. Recent research points out that older people don’t have to suffer from osteoarthritic pain. And, surprisingly, people much younger than 65 can develop osteoarthritis.
What Is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA), or degenerative joint disease, affects more than 20 million Americans and is more common in women than in men. The disease affects the cartilage, which is a slippery tissue on the ends of bones that meet in a joint. Normally, cartilage helps bones glide over one another. In an OA patient, however, the cartilage is broken down and eventually wears away.
As a result, instead of gliding, bones rub against each other, causing pain, swelling, and loss of motion.1 Although the majority of patients with OA are 65 and older, recent research shows that osteoarthritis is not a by-product of aging. Family history of OA, being overweight, lack of exercise, and prior joint injuries are suggested as OA risk factors.
How Is Osteoarthritis Diagnosed?
OA is diagnosed through a combination of clinical history, patient examination, and x-rays. Other tests, such as drawing fluid from the joint, are sometimes used.
The signs of OA include:
- Steady or intermittent joint pain
- Joint stiffness after sitting, sleeping, or otherwise not moving for a long time
- Swelling or tenderness in the joints
- A crunching feeling or the sound of bones rubbing against each other.
If you experience any of these signs, consult your health care provider. While the diagnosis is relatively easy to make, it is often harder to establish whether or not OA causes the patient’s symptoms. That’s why the treating doctor needs to not only make the diagnosis, but also rule out other disorders and conditions that can make the symptoms worse.1 Timely diagnosis and treatment can help manage pain, improve function, and slow the degeneration.
Should Osteoarthritis Patients Exercise?
Exercise is one of the best forms of OA treatment and prevention. It strengthens the muscular support around the joints and improves and maintains joint mobility and function. In addition, exercise helps control weight and improves the patient’s mood and outlook, which are important factors influencing the severity of the symptoms.
If you suffer from OA, consider the following exercise tips:
- Low impact or non weight bearing activities, such as walking, stationary training, and light weight training work best for OA patients.
- Use strengthening exercises if the key muscle groups that relate to the function of the joints are weakened by the degeneration.
- If you are overweight, start exercising carefully, so as not to put too much stress on the knee and ankle joints.
- Stair climbing, water aerobics, Theraband workouts, and similar exercises will help to keep the joints mobile without straining them.
- Learn to read the body’s signals and know when to stop, slow down, or rest.
How Can Your Chiropractor Help?
Doctors of chiropractic, by the nature of their work, can detect the earliest degenerative changes in the joints. They see the impact of degenerative changes in the spine, as well as in the hips, knees, and other weight bearing joints. Doctors of chiropractic are also trained to relieve the pain and improve joint function through natural therapies, such as chiropractic manipulation, trigger-point therapy, or some massage techniques.
Doctors of chiropractic can provide exercise counseling, helping you choose exercises that are best for you. If a sore or swollen joint prevents you from exercising, talk to your doctor of chiropractic about other drug free pain relief options, such as applying heat or cold to the affected area. In addition, your doctor of chiropractic can help you choose proper supplements that play important roles in OA prevention and treatment.
References
1. Osteoarthritis: Handout on Health. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. July 2002.
The dog days of summer are here! At this time of year we should be in full swing and enjoying the benefits of the sun and outdoor activities. Unfortunately many of us are sitting on the sidelines or taking medication to play through the pain. One main culprit is neck pain and what is described as a “frozen shoulder”. If you or a loved one are sitting on the bench missing the fun due to this condition – read on!
