Health & Wellness Newsletter: A Comprehensive Look at How Posture Affects the Shoulder by Restore Physical Therapy
HEALTH & WELLNESS The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body
A Comprehensive Look at How Posture Affects the Shoulder
Restore Physical Therapy
Burlington County’s Longest Independent Physical Therapist Owned Practice CELEBRATING 18 YEARS
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HEALTH & WELLNESS The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body
Shoulder pain is an all-too-common complaint, making routine activities like lifting, typing, and even sleeping difficult. It seems like every week we get a patient who comes to us with shoulder pain related to poor postural habits. A lot of people know the old song about how the foot bone is connected to the knee bone (and the knee bone is connected to the thigh bone and so on). In the world of physical therapy, we call this regional interdependence. This means something in one area of the body is affecting another area. As the song says: it’s all connected. Well, this is definitely true when it comes to the functioning of our shoulder joints. Poor postural habits and prolonged slumped postures put the shoulder in a vulnerable position, making it susceptible to pain or injury. The good news is our therapists at Restore Physical Therapy have extensive training in identifying all the factors that are contributing to your shoulder pain and, most importantly, how to resolve them, one by one! How Posture Impacts the Shoulder One significant factor contributing to shoulder pain is Upper Crossed Syndrome (UCS). This condition is characterized by postural changes that affect how the muscles of our upper back and shoulder girdle work, which in turn affects the normal movement patterns in the entire upper portion of the body. A Comprehensive Look at How Posture Affects the Shoulder
The classic signs of Upper Crossed Syndrome include:
• Forward head posture: The head is positioned forward in relation to the shoulders. • Rounded shoulders: The shoulders are rounded forward, causing the upper back to appear hunched. • Increased thoracic kyphosis: The upper back has an increased curvature, leading to a rounded appearance. • Protracted shoulder blades: The shoulder blades are positioned more forward and away from the spine. • Weak deep neck flexors: The muscles at the front of the neck that help stabilize the head are weak. • Tight pectoral muscles: The muscles in the chest area are tight and may contribute to the rounded shoulder posture.
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• Joint Replacements • Balance Disorders • Vestibular Rehabilitation • Sports Injuries • And More!
• Neck & Back Pain/Radiculopathy • Hip, Knee, Ankle & Foot Injuries • Elbow & Shoulder Rehabilitation • Arthritis — Painful Joints • Headaches & TMJ Disorders
A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT HOW POSTURE AFFECTS THE SHOULDER
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• Weak scapular stabilizers: The muscles that stabilize the shoulder blades are weak, leading to altered movement patterns. These issues often lead to shoulder pain, limited range of motion, and impaired muscle function. Although the signs are common in a lot of people, not everyone with these signs will have the same symptoms. This is why it is essential to consult one of our physical therapists to identify your specific needs and design a tailored treatment plan that addresses your situation. The Role of Physical Therapy In Resolving Your Pain The first step to resolving your shoulder pain is a comprehensive evaluation. Our physical therapists will conduct a thorough history and physical exam that includes an assessment of your posture as well as the function of your shoulder blade musculature to identify any obvious changes to muscle activation and movement patterns. Based on the assessment, our physical therapists will design tailored exercise regimens that address not only muscle length and strength but also neuromuscular factors. This could lead to more lasting relief and functional improvement. Our team uses a functional approach that is rooted in neurology. We consider the interaction between your nervous systems, biomechanics of your spine and shoulder joints, as well as It’s Your Body, It’s Your Choice No Doctor Referral Necessary Whether you want to come in for a check-up, suffered a recent injury or want to improve your health, a doctor referral is not needed. In the state of New Jersey, you have direct access to physical therapy! Why not use it!
muscle function. This allows us to not only identify and address any imbalances in muscle length and strength but also from neuromuscular factors like muscle recruitment. These exercises may include work on your spinal joint mobility and strengthening exercises to correct any postural dysfunctions contributing to your conditions. Our team spends a lot of time educating you about how you are holding and moving your body to ensure you have the tools to train your body in the proper movement patterns that help to correct imbalances and offer lasting relief. Take the First Step Towards Lasting Relief Today If you’re experiencing persistent shoulder pain, limited range of motion, or discomfort in your upper body, the time to act is now. These signs are not just distressing; they can have a long-term impact on your quality of life and overall well-being.
Reach out to Restore Physical Therapy today for a comprehensive assessment and personalized treatment plan designed to restore balance to your muscles, improve your posture, and, most importantly, alleviate your pain!
Time is running out! Take charge of your health today and make the most of your insurance benefits! 856-396-8131 If you’ve already met your
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deductible this year or have funds left in your HSA account, you can take advantage of our
remarkable opportunity at Restore Physical Therapy. Starting now and continuing
until the end of 2024, you can address your aches and pains at little to no cost.
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Patient Success Stories “ “The experience at RESTORE Physical Therapy was amazing! As soon as I walked in the staff was so friendly and accommodating. Kyle was excellent at pinpointing where the pain was in my shoulder. He immediately structured planned exercises to eliminate the pain. Within several sessions I was feeling much better. They were very flexible with scheduling around my busy week as well. Thank you Kyle and the staff at RESTORE...I highly recommend!” — Sean R. — Actual 5 Star Google Review “Dave at Restore Physical Therapy diagnosed my calf problem. He is very knowledgeable and professional. Dave constructed a rehab plan that worked perfectly. I am back to doing all of my normal workout exercises and daily activities with no pain.” — Gregory H. — Actual 5 Star Google Review We Want to Hear Your Success Story By sharing your success story you can help us reach more people in our community — inspiring someone to find relief from pain and become stronger and healthier.
Go to the Pain… Not Through the Pain The days of “no pain, no gain” are hopefully in the past. The idea of emphasizing pushing through discomfort to achieve results is not an effective solution for most people dealing with a painful condition, injury, or chronic condition. In fact, recent research suggests that a more holistic approach is effective and, indeed, safer for patients. Pain is our body’s way of letting us know that something is happening in the body. When a nerve ending is triggered, an impulse travels to the brain, alerting us that something is happening. It is a warning sign or an alarm. How this impulse is interpreted varies from person to person and is influenced by a multitude of factors. Aggressively pushing through pain can worsen the underlying issues and potentially result in long-term damage. The key is getting help from people who work with painful conditions every day, like our therapists at Restore Physical Therapy! How Physical Therapy Can Help You Find Relief In cases of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries, applying excessive stress on already agitated tissues can prolong the healing process and even cause further injury. In comparison, going to the pain but not through it means cautiously approaching the edge of discomfort without crossing it, which can help your body progress without delaying your recovery. Our objective is to work within a “therapeutic window”: a range of activities that stimulates the body’s natural healing mechanisms without triggering negative responses. At Restore Physical Therapy, we educate our patients about pain to help them understand their conditions better and actively participate in treatment. Our therapist can help you learn “pacing,” where activities are broken down into manageable parts, helping you to avoid extreme ups and downs of feeling good one day and an increase in pain and inactivity the next. By respecting the body’s pain signals and working within a therapeutic window, our approach aims to achieve long- term functional gains without the risks associated with pushing through pain. 856-396-8131
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