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Archive for March, 2018

Shoulder Impingement

Posted by Steph Hatt in Common Injuries & Conditions on March 22nd, 2018

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of shoulder impingement include:

  • Weakness and loss of movement
  • Possible swelling in the shoulder area
  • Pain and difficulty lying on the affected side when sleeping.
  • Pain in the shoulder and upper arm when lifting the arm above shoulder height.

 

What are the causes?

It is important to recognise that shoulder impingement is not in itself a diagnosis, as there can be many different causes for its occurrence. Four common causes for shoulder impingement are:

 

Bony changes to the acromioclavicular joint

The acromioclavicular joint is a bony arch positioned just above the shoulder joint, formed by the acromion process (part of the shoulder blade) and the clavicle (or collar bone). After years of wear and tear to this joint, the body lays down bony spurs (or osteophytes) in an attempt to protect the area. These bony changes can then impinge the tendons and soft tissues that lie in between the shoulder joint and the acromioclavicular arch.

 

Inadequate muscular stability

The shoulder is extremely dependent on the muscles around it to move the scapula (shoulder blade) out of the way of the shoulder joint, in order to give the shoulder its full range of movement. When these muscles become weak, they lose control of the scapula and this can impinge on the tendons of the shoulder.

 

Postural Changes

Our posture can be a common cause of shoulder impingement. This is typical of a patient with thoracic kyphosis (or slumped posture). Increased thoracic kyphosis can cause the scapula (shoulder blades) to move forwards making the shoulders more rounded. The altered position of the scapula reduces the range of movement in the shoulder joint and this predisposes the joint to impingement.

 

Acute Tendon Tears

People who perform repetitive arm movements above their head such as throwing, shelf stacking, or hedge trimming can be at risk of shoulder impingement. As you raise your arm the space between the head of the humerus (the “ball” of the ball and socket joint) and acromioclavicular arch becomes less. This increases the potential for impingement of the tendons that run through the subacromial space (the space between the acromioclavicular arch and the shoulder joint). In addition to this, a sudden overhead arm movement may cause these tendons within the subacromial space to tear, the tendon then becomes inflamed and this can lead to further shoulder impingement.

 

How can we help you?

Our highly experienced physiotherapists can provide you with a thorough examination and a diagnosis. From our findings, we will create a personal treatment programme that will focus on areas such as reducing pain, regaining range of movement, strength, and stability. As you progress we can adapt your treatment so that your rehabilitation will be specific to your work tasks and/or sporting activities.

 

What types of treatment are available?

The following are some of the treatment options we can offer to those suffering from shoulder impingement.

 

Manual mobilisation therapy – These are passive movements that the therapist applies to the spine to increase the range of movement, reduce stiffness and pain.

 

Soft tissue massage – Can reduce muscle tension, improve tissue mobility, enhance muscle contraction and desensitise any painful and overactive areas.

 

Ultrasound Therapy – Can speed up and optimise the healing process.

 

Acupuncture – Can stimulate the body’s natural healing response, release pain-killing endorphins and improve the functioning of the hormonal system.

 

Interferential Therapy – Can provide pain relief, muscle stimulation, enhance blood flow and reduce oedema.

 

Exercise and Rehabilitation – We can provide you with exercises that can safely target the right muscles in order to regain both strength and stability.

 

Ergonomic and Postural advice – This can help you manage your day-to-day activities whether you’re sitting at a desk or trying to get a good night’s sleep.

 

If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, get in touch by calling 01380 730473 and we’ll get you booked in for an appointment. 

 

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An Insight Into Why Your Feet Are So Important

Posted by Steph Hatt in Practical Heath Tips on March 23rd, 2018

Have you ever thought about the role your feet play in everyday life?

The 26 bones, 33 joints and 250,000 sweat glands are just a tiny percentage of what makes up your foot.

Healthy feet are vital for well-being and it is only when your feet turn problematic that their importance is appreciated. In a lifetime, the average person walks 100,000 miles carrying half of your body weight through every single step.

Your feet are in contact with the ground during walking, sitting, running, and standing and it is no wonder that 3 out of 4 people some kind of foot problem during their life.

Not only do your feet control your direction and movement, they are also extensions of your legs, back and upper body. Therefore, it is no surprise that having painful feet can also take its toll on the rest of your body.

Countless blood vessels and nerve endings link your feet all the way to the heart, brain and spine. Health problems such as circulation and nerve damage can therefore affect the most vulnerable and dependable aspect of your body, in turn affecting your wellbeing.

In essence, your feet provide the essential platform between the ground that we walk on and between your body, enabling you to simply get from A to B.

It is never too early to start looking after your feet and starting good foot health habits and regular checks early on can help you to walk comfortably throughout life. We only get one pair, so look after them well!

For top tips on how to look after your feet, take a look at this article or give us a call on 01380 730473 to speak with a Podiatrist.

 

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How Physio Can Change Your Life?

Posted by Steph Hatt in Treatment & Rehab on March 22nd, 2018

At Hatts, every day our aim is to get you back to doing the things you love, whilst inspiring you to prioritise your health and motivate you to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

 

Ask yourself a question – what do you want to be able to do, and who is best placed to enable you to make that happen? Construe this “do” in any way, whether it’s be being able to get out of bed without groaning, playing comfortably with your children or grandchildren, walking that mountain with your partner or friends and cherish a weekend outdoors, or even running that race you’ve been promising yourself you’d do for the last 2 years but not quite got round to booking.

 

There are lots of opportunities to make small changes that can build up to make a huge difference in your life. When we think about life changing impacts, there are so many patients that spring to mind, but here’s the story of one in particular – A patient that had debilitating back pain, who was told he’d just have to put up with it. However, when he came to Hatt’s, we were determined to make a change and together, we completely turned things around. So much so, that he no longer suffers agonising pain and goes out running and cycling with his family with an amazing zest for life. These are the life changing stories that demonstrate how much of an impact Physiotherapy can have. These are the golden moments Hatt’s will always remember.

 

But perhaps, you aren’t suffering from debilitating back pain so would like to understand how can a physio change your life?
Well, Physio can also help overcome the smaller niggles that get in the way. For example, if you’re a grandparent that can no longer reach down to pick up your grandchild without aching, or perhaps you have a teenage daughter who can’t play netball with her friends because of  constant knee pain, who then feels left outside of the group.

 

With Physio, as a grandparent you could finally get mobile enough to not only pick up your grandchild but play with them on the floor, and this teenage girl can get back on the court whilst laughing with her friends…this is what makes Physiotherapy so impactful. Not only does it solve physical conditions, it solves the emotional challenges that come alongside being injured or in pain.

 

When you decide to take that step towards making a change and find a Physiotherapist that you can trust, you’ll start to see a difference. At Hatts, we have a wide range of services to give you the best possible chance of getting you back to doing the things you love as fast as possible. It is possible to make a change, so give us a call today if you’d like to see a Physiotherapist or visit our Physio page to find out more about how you can benefit from our service.

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