Rheumatoid Arthritis Support

By: Dr. Edward Holtman, D.C.
Shoulder Tendinitis: What?s The Answer?

When considering shoulder tendinitis, as if biceps (long head) tendinitis and supra spinatus tendinitis aren?t enough of a concern, the shoulder itself presents many other problems as well: arthritis, bursitis, narrow A-C joint, joint jamming, neuritis, labrum (cartilage) problems, adhesive capulitis (frozen shoulder), or rotator cuff strains or tears.

The shoulder is the #2 area of all joint problems, the elbow being the #1 area because of the prevalence of difficulties. All of these conditions can cause pain and limited range of motion of the shoulder joint. So, when a patient says, ?My arm hurts? it opens the floodgate, and bodes the question, ?What part of your arm hurts??

10 Hot Spots in ?Trouble Making? Shoulder Tendinitis

1. Shoulder Tendinitis and Osteo-Arthritis

This condition may be evident on x-ray as calcium deposits or roughening of the head of the humerus (upper arm bone). Pain on movement and during weather changes is common (in fact, arthritis patients are often excellent meteorologists!). Glucosamine Sulfate can often help as well as heat or cold applications.

2. Shoulder Tendinitis: Bursitis

The bursa is a sack that holds the joint fluid in place. When the sack becomes irritated, it inflames and may secrete more joint fluid causing swelling of the joint. Recommended therapy is cold applications over the entire joint for 10 minutes, twice each day, and rest.

3. Shoulder Tendinitis and the Narrow A-C joint

The acromio-clavicular joint is the smaller of the two shoulder joints. Through injury or over-use it can become narrow and cause pain on the top of the shoulder. Recommended therapy is manipulation of the scapula, which delivers phenomenal results and cold applications for 10 minutes twice daily.

4. Shoulder Tendinitis: Joint-Jamming

Appears as a result of injury or over use. Therapy is ?Pump-Handle? the arm toward the body with a roll of bathroom tissue tucked into the axilla (armpit). Protect the side of the rib cage with padded thin plywood flat on the rib area and under the bathroom tissue.

5. Shoulder Tendinitis and Neuritis

The cause is usually in the spine. Therapy is Chiropractic manipulation (The REAL thing, NOT the empty ?staple gun?) It takes time and may seem worse in the initial stages, but after 6-8 visits, a light can be seen at the end of the tunnel.

6. Shoulder Tendinitis and Cartilage Problems

When the labrum (cartilage) is damaged usually surgery is necessary.

7. Shoulder Tendinitis and Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)

Some experts say exercise is contraindicated. I say without exercise the shoulder will not improve and could even become worse! There is a correct way and a wrong way to perform this exercise; and it requires a helper to perform correctly.

8. Shoulder Tendinitis and Rotator Cuff Strains or Tears

Cause?Heavy workload, or over-extending the shoulder joint. Therapy: Special exercise tubing strengthens the rotator cuff and cold applications twice daily for 10 minutes.

Rotator cuff tears are due to severe strain, usually requiring surgery.

9. Shoulder Tendinitis and Biceps tendinitis

There are two biceps tendons:

A. The long head of the biceps muscle tendon is located on the front side of the shoulder near the shoulder crease. It responds well to our therapy.

B. The main biceps muscle tendon is located at the front side center

(palm up) of the elbow. It too responds well to our therapy.

10. Shoulder Tendinitis and Supra-spinatus tendinitis

This tendon is located at the upper outside (mid-deltoid) area of the shoulder. It responds well to our therapy, as do most of the others aforementioned in this article.

DISCLAIMER

Dr. Holtman is not responsible for any adverse action or reaction encountered as a result of any action you make take concerning physical or medical problems.

About The Author:

Dr. Edward G. Holtman, D.C. has written many articles on the subject of Tendinitis and is a nationally recognized expert on the treatment of tendinitis. Need answers? Call Dr. Edward Holtman, D.C Office Phone: 262- 673- 5650.

Dr. Edward Holtman, D.C.