M3 PT - March 2020

WHAT’S UP WITH MILIA? DIGGING INTO THIS COMMON SKIN ISSUE

WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THEM?

No, milia isn’t the newest celebrity guest on “Dancing With the Stars.” Sometimes called milk spots, milia are the tiny white bumps most of us have probably noticed on our skin at some point. While they may look similar to whiteheads, they aren’t the same, so before you take to squeezing and popping, here’s what you need to know. WHAT ARE THEY? Milia are cysts made up of entrapped keratin, a type of protein that makes up skin, hair, and nails. When dead skin cells get trapped beneath the skin, they appear as small white or yellowish bumps. They often show up around the eyes, nose, and cheeks but can appear on other areas of the body as well. WHAT CAUSES THEM? While many different things can contribute to the formation of milia, one of the main sources is skin damage. Sun damage, in particular, is a big contributor to milia formation. Heavy creams or harsh products used around the eye area may cause milia on the eyelids specifically.

First, avoid the temptation to squeeze or pop the little bumps. This will only damage your skin further and won’t remove the milia. Milia will often go away on their own, but a few things can help speed up that process or even prevent them. Because milia are caused by trapped dead skin cells, gentle exfoliation can treat them and prevent them from cropping up in the first place. Make sure you take off makeup before bed and cleanse your skin properly to help reduce buildup on your face. Also, opt for lightweight moisturizers rather than heavy creams, especially around the eyes. You can also turn to a skincare professional to safely remove the bumps. As dermatologist Dr. Anjali Mahto points out, milia are often the result of sun damage, so another tip to prevent them is to avoid overexposure to the sun. Wear protective layers and hats, and make sunscreen a part of your daily routine, even in winter.

‘DID I TEAR SOMETHING?’ COMMON ROTATOR CUFF ISSUES

Rotator cuff tears are a common injury made all the more famous by sports. It’s not unusual to hear that a famous pitcher, basketball player, or other athlete who relies heavily on overhead motions has been benched after damaging vital muscle tissue connecting their arm and shoulder blade. Thus, many people who encounter shoulder pain or weakness in this region tend to assume they’ve torn their rotator cuff. However, this isn’t necessarily the case.

stem from many of the same causes as a rotator cuff tear. However, it can also be brought on by other serious health issues, such as being prediabetic. Tendinosis, on the other hand, is caused when your muscles become worn with age. Addressing this issue is simply a matter of learning strengthening exercises to compensate for the weakness in your rotator cuff.

GET TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM

LESS TEAR-ABLE

As longtime readers will know, our name “M3” refers to the three modalities we use to treat patients. The very first modality is “movement analysis” because we know the value of not jumping to conclusions when it comes to our patients’ health. With rotator cuff issues in particular, it’s important to have a trained eye for the root issue of the problem. That way, whether you simply need to do some physical therapy exercises and ice your shoulder or if we need to refer you to a physician for more-extensive treatment, you can rest assured you’re getting the treatment you need.

Multiple conditions can cause pain or limit motion in your shoulder. Tears are certainly possible, especially if you recently exerted yourself performing an overhead activity. But alternatively, your rotator cuff may be inflamed or even fraying. Identifying the nature of your pain and/ or shoulder weakness is key to recovery and may even alert you to deeper health issues.

TENDINITIS AND TENDINOSIS

The two other common conditions that can affect your rotator cuff are tendinitis and tendinosis. Tendinitis is essentially inflammation and can

If persistent pain or weakness in your shoulder has been troubling you, come see us and take the first step toward moving better.

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