3/16/2022 1 Comment Causes of Neck and Shoulder PainNeck and shoulder pain can be classified in many different ways. Some people experience only neck pain or only shoulder pain, while others experience pain in both areas.
Causes of Neck Pain
Causes of Shoulder Pain The shoulder is a ball and socket joint with a large range of movement. Such a mobile joint tends to be more susceptible to injury. Shoulder pain can stem from one or more of the following causes:
How Are Neck and Shoulder Pain Treated? The treatment of soft tissue neck and shoulder pain often includes the use of anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve or Naprosyn). Pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) may also be recommended. Depending on the source of pain, drugs like muscle relaxers and even antidepressants might be helpful. Pain also may be treated with a local application of moist heat or ice. Local corticosteroid injections are often helpful for arthritis of the shoulder. You can also consult the chiropractor for shoulder and neck pain. A doctor of chiropractic is a great person to turn to for all of your shoulder and neck related pain.
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12/9/2020 0 Comments How to Keep your Bones HealthyAccording to Thomas Gehrmann, bones are essential for the body as it helps protects the body organs and muscles while providing structure and storage of calcium. While growing up, our bones go through metabolism where they break down old bones and grow new ones faster to increase their mass. As we grow older, the bone mass reaches its peak and begins to lose more bone mass than it gains. Therefore, building a strong bone while growing up is very essential as it helps keep your bones healthy and protected.
Many people develop osteoporosis early in life, a bone condition where the body produces little bone, or losses many bones. This can result in a weak and brittle bone that often breaks from a fall or bumps because of an unhealthy lifestyle. “Your middle-age years is an opportunity to build strong bones and correct any unhealthy habit that can affect your bones when you get old,” says Thomas Gehrmann. Adjusting now will help you live a pain-free life when you get old and prevent you from surgery. Read on as Thomas Gehrmann, a licensed chiropractor living in Colorado Springs takes us through tips to keep your bones healthy. Risk factors Related to Bones 1. Calcium Intake Inadequate calcium intake lead to a reduction in bone density and an increase in bone loss. 2. Age As we grow older adults, our bones reduce in mass and become weaker. 3. Genetics You are more at risk if you have a family history of osteoporosis. 4. Diseases Diseases such as food disorder, arthritis, anorexia, Crohn’s disease, and many more reduces the body’s ability to absorb calcium which often leads to bone loss says Thomas Gehrmann. 5. Drugs The intake of drugs such as cortisone, phenytoin, phenobarbitone, dexamethasone, and many more results in bone damage. How do you keep your Bones Healthy? Here are tips for healthier, stronger bones: 1. Exercise your Body Doing weight-bearing such as walking, climbing, or jumping helps to build strong bone mass and healthy bones. Resistance exercise such as lifting or pulling weight also promotes overall health and helps to maintain good bone. 2. Change your Lifestyle · Stop smoking: Research has shown that smoking leads to loss of bone and smokers show an imbalance in bone mass which increases the risk of bone breakage. · Reduce your alcohol intake: A regular assumption of alcohol increases the risk of bone fracture, and reduces bone density. It also interferes with how the body regulates and absorbs vitamin D and calcium. 3. Increase your Calcium Intake Calcium helps to build healthy bones and reduces the risk of osteoporosis. 1000 mg is the calcium intake daily recommended between the age of 19-50 and 1200 mg above the age of 50. Food like oatmeal, beans, vegetables, and fruits such as nuts are a great source of calcium. Seafood is also packed with protein, calcium, and a great source of fatty acid that enriches the body. The addition of whole milk or yogurt to your oatmeal gives it an extra boost of calcium important for your bone mass. 4. Boost your Vitamin D Intake Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps to increase the intake of magnesium, phosphate, and calcium. Without Vitamin D the body cannot absorb calcium properly which makes your bone weaker and increase the risk of fracture. Incorporating food such as cereal, egg, Salmon, fish, mushrooms and many more into your diet increases your calcium intake as they are a good source of Vitamin D. Also, spending time in the sun for 5-10 minutes daily increases the production of Vitamin D in your body. 5. Consider taking Supplements Do you find it difficult to reach your calcium daily recommendation? You can as well take supplements recommended by Thomas Gehrmann. Many over-the-counter calcium supplements can help you achieve your goal and you can also talk to your doctor about the best supplement that will work for you. Originally Published: https://thomasgehrmann-chiropractor.com/chiropractor-tips-bones-healthy 11/26/2020 0 Comments Muscle Strain Causes and TreatmentAccording to Chiropractor – Thomas Gehrmann, a muscle strain occurs when you overstretch the muscle and it becomes damaged or torn. This often happens when the muscle is stretched beyond its limit or forced to contract during your normal daily activities, lifting of heavyweight, sports exercise, among others. In mild cases, the muscle fibers are stretched or torn partially and can be reversed by resting or doing some specific exercise. In severe cases, the muscle fibers and tendons surrounding the muscle are completely torn and unable to function optimally. This often leads to pain, muscle weakness, muscle swelling, bleeding, bruising, and damage to small blood tissues which need immediate medical treatment.
Muscle strain can take place anywhere in the body however, it is common in the lower back, hamstring, neck, and shoulders. Read on as Thomas Gehrmann a licensed chiropractor in Colorado Springs takes us through its causes and treatment to get your muscle back in good shape. Muscle Strain Grades A muscle strain is graded based on its severity and the type of treatment needed says Thomas Gehrmann. Grade 1: This is a mild strain to the muscle fibers, only a small part is stretched and the individual still retains its normal strength. Grade 2: Damage to the muscle fibers is moderate. However, it is accompanied by severe muscle pain, loss of strength, mild swelling, and a noticeable bruise. Full recovery often takes two to three months. Grade 3: This is a complete shearing away of the muscle from its tendons. Grade 3 muscle strain is a serious injury that can lead to discoloration of the muscle fibers, pain in the affected area, swelling, and sometimes complete loss of muscle function. This kind of condition is often treated by surgery. Causes of Muscle Strain A muscle strain is caused by improper use of the muscle such as poor flexibility or not warming up properly before starting weight lighting exercise. Poor body mechanics, fatigue, or persistent stretching of muscle in one area can also lead to muscle strain. More so, muscle stiffness during the lower temperature, poor posture, and practicing sport activities such as running, soccer, basketball, tennis, football, can strain the muscle over time. Treatment of Muscle Strain From home remedies to surgery, here are ways you can treat muscle strains: Rest Resting is very important when you have a muscle strain. It helps speeds up the healing process of the muscle and also reduces pain in the affected area therefore, take some time off and rest your muscle especially if there is an increase in pain when you walk. Start using the affected muscle slowly after a few days and stay away from painful activities Apply Ice Ice helps to minimize swelling and bruising. Be careful with the ice and do not apply directly to your skin. You can wrap the ice in a towel or use an ice pack. Keep it on the affected muscle for 20-30 minutes and repeat the same procedure for several days. Apply Compression Compress the affected muscle by using an elastic bandage to wrap it recommended by Thomas Gehrmann Chiropractor. This decreases swelling of the area and also provides support to the muscle but avoid wrapping it tightly as it can reduce blood circulation to the area. Use the Elevation Method Propping up the injured leg while sitting helps to reduce swelling and pain in the area. Medicine Over the counter, medicine such as NSAIDs can be used to relieve pain and increase mobility. However, it is not advisable if you have kidney disease or you are on other medication. You can also talk to your doctor who will recommend the perfect medicine for you. Surgery Surgery is sometimes the way out when the muscle is completely torn from its tendons and needs to be replaced. 11/23/2020 0 Comments Hand Exercises for ArthritisAccording to Thomas Gehrmann - Chiropractor, arthritis can be a very painful condition and is particularly difficult to manage, but certain exercises can help reduce pain and stiffness.
Here are some exercises for hand arthritis recommended by Thomas Gehrmann: 1. Hand Clench
2. Thumb and Finger Lift
3. Thumb Stretch
4. Finger and Thumb Touch
5. Side-to-side Wrist Bend
11/20/2020 0 Comments How to do Toe Raises Exercise?According to Chiropractor - Thomas Gehrmann, doing toe raises on a regular basis is a great way to take care of your feet. This exercise only takes a few minutes a day and you can even do it while watching TV.
Toe raises exercise mainly work muscles in the lower leg, especially the tibialis anterior, which is located in the outer surface of the tibia, or shin. This muscle is responsible for flexing the foot upward, as well as extending the toes. How to do Toe Raises Toe raises can be done every day, at least one to two times per day. You can do them at any time, including when you’re sitting down, standing in line, working, or watching TV, recommended by Thomas Gehrmann. 1) How to do Seated Toe Raises
2) How to do Standing Toe Raises For standing toe raises, find a space that you can stand on securely. That can be:
From there, lift and lower, following the same steps from the seated toe raise. What are the benefits of Toe Raises?1. They Strengthen the AnkleKeeping your ankles strong and healthy helps you in the long run. Both the leg and foot are made up of tendons, muscles, and ligaments that withstand the stress of movement every day. The largest tendon in the body, for example, is the Achilles tendon, which attaches the calf muscle to the heel bone. Without it, doing things like walking would be very difficult. By using these tendons, nearby muscles, and ligaments for toe raises, you work on range of motion and improve your overall foot health. In some cases, you can even relieve foot and ankle pain. This makes injuries such as shin splints, a common concern for runners, and stress fractures less likely. 2. They Help with BalanceStrong ankles and shins help with balance, making you feel more stabilized as you do everyday things, such as stand, walk, run, or jump. Researchers had the participants complete several activities, including modified heel raises without the use of the toes and a single-leg stance on the toes. In the end, it was found that the dancers rely on their use of toe flexors for balance more than non-dancers. Thomas Gehrmann recommended that using modified heel raises with toes off the edge of a block to train muscles that control plantar flexion should be studied further as a nonsurgical treatment option for dancer’s tendinitis. Read More: https://thomasgehrmann.medium.com/toe-raises-1661134e798b 11/17/2020 0 Comments Know When to See a ChiropractorAccording to Thomas Gehrmann, don’t wait for the pain to become unmanageable, a chiropractor can help prevent something from going wrong in the first place.
Signs to keep in mind on when to see a chiropractor. 1. Headaches and Migraines Chronic headaches and migraines are commonly caused by muscle tension in the neck says Thomas Gehrmann. The tension in the muscles and inflammation of the joints can cause headaches that can be very painful. A chiropractor can manipulate your spine, which can reduce some of the spinal tension, which ultimately would reduce the tension in the head. 2. Joint or Muscle Pain People experiencing pain in muscles and joints, should not opt for over the counter medicines as pain could be due to problems with musculoskeletal alignment. A chiropractor is trained to make sure that the body is functioning as optimally as possible by using spinal manipulations to relieve pain in your joints and muscles. 3. Chronic Back Pain Experiencing chronic back pain has been one of the most obvious signs that call for a chiropractic visit. The multiple factors that can contribute to back pain include poor ergonomics, repetitive tasks, working habits, and sitting for a long period of time. A chiropractic doctor can provide you with pain relief without the need for invasive surgery or narcotics. 4. Limited Range of Motion Experiencing a limited range of motion with your legs, arms, and neck with reduced flexibility indicates the need for consulting a chiropractor. Chiropractic adjustments realign the bones and joints, relieving pain and increasing the body’s range of motion. Having a normal range of motion helps the body to function optimally. 5. Shooting Pain in Legs Experiencing a sharp, shooting pain in your legs, or tingling and weakness, could be a sign that you are suffering from a pinched nerve or slipped disc. A trained chiropractor can diagnose the cause of the pain in your leg and perform a spinal adjustment to alleviate the unwanted pressure that is being placed on the nerve and causing you pain. 6. Active Lifestyle People with an active lifestyle who spend time working out or playing sports, are often subjected to additional strain and pressure. Engaging in these activities can make the body prone to pinched nerves, slipped discs, or other alignment problems. Consulting experienced chiropractor like Thomas Gehrmann on a regular basis helps to keep the body functioning at its prime and to continue the active lifestyle. 10/26/2020 0 Comments Prevent Pain When Working from HomeAccording to Chiropractor – Thomas Gehrmann, home has become the place where many of us work and interact with the world. The use of live video chatting technologies to meet with co-workers or connect with friends and family has become part of the new normal for millions.
But the use of all this technology at home can lead to unwanted pain problems or exacerbate existing issues. The human frame was meant to move freely, not looking down and keyboarding while slouching all day long. A number of my patients who have been forced to work remotely have found it challenging to create a comfortable workstation at home. Here are some tips recommended by chiropractor – Thomas Gehrmann to prevent back and neck pain while working from home:
According to chiropractor - Thomas Gehrmann, one of the most common forms of arthritis is osteoarthritis which is a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis affects 10% of the world population which are mostly women and usually above 50years of age. It is a progressive disease that leads to a change in the structure and functionality of the bone, joint capsule, joint cartilage, and the surrounding tissues. Although any joint can be affected by primary osteoarthritis, the most affected areas are the neck, knuckles, back, wrist, kneels, and others. As people suffering from the disease grow older, the disease becomes more intense and often leads to chronic pain, stroke, and sometimes depression, disability, anxiety, and many more. However, this can be controlled using chiropractic care.
Chiropractors work in health care. They are professionals who are specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of all types of a neuromuscular disorder. They are trained to carry out spinal manipulation and eliminate misalignment in the bone which often causes health problems. Chiropractic care is considered the most effective, safe treatment for primary osteoarthritis. Continue reading as Thomas Gehrmann a licensed chiropractor in Colorado Springs takes us through the treatment of Primary Osteoarthritis using Chiropractic Care. Benefits of using chiropractic care for the treatment of primary osteoarthritis The chiropractic profession is designed to offer their patient conventional care in a very particular and distinct way outside the spine with extreme manipulation. “They are focused mainly on the reduction of pain and increasing the functional activities of patients suffering from primary osteoarthritis,” says, Thomas Gehrmann. Research has shown that spinal manipulation with damp heat shows greater results in the management and treatment of primary osteoarthritis compared to the moist heat treatment alone. Additional treatment for the patient may include nutritional advice, cold laser treatment, an exercise that can help the patient, and many more. It has also been proven that chiropractic treatment gives short term relief to patients suffering from primary osteoarthritis that wants to do arthroplasty surgery. Does an osteoarthritis patient need NSAIDs when been treated by a chiropractor? People suffering from osteoarthritis and other related pain are often dependent on NSAIDs to help relieve their pain. They struggle with their daily task due to chronic pain but chiropractic treatment reliefs you of every other over-the-counter medication. Patients often improve and reduce their need for any kind of pain relief while getting chiropractic treatments. Chiropractic care does not only offer physical care, but it also helps you with your emotional component of pain and your overall health. This will help to be emotionally stable and build a good relationship with the people around you. Chiropractic care also helps decrease the level of your pain and your inability to squat will be removed. Read More: https://themeganews.com/health/thomas-gehrmann-chiropractic-primary-osteoarthritis/ Technology is already fusing into society. From the effect on our daily lives to the educational sector to businesses to health. There is simply no means of escape. According to Thomas Gehrmann, chiropractic treatment can be said to be the diagnosis and manual treatment of the joints that are not properly in alignment. Anyway, chiropractic treatment has surpassed the manual (manipulative treatment), technology has found its way through. There have been more advanced innovations helping specialists with information’s to take care of the patient’s Musculoskeletal Health. Not only in healthcare, it has also extended to other areas such as chiropractic and physiotherapy which before relies heavily on manual therapy.
Here is Thomas Gehrmann, a well-known chiropractor in Colorado Springs to help us understand how technology is being used to improve the Musculoskeletal Health. Read on! Musculoskeletal Health Maintenance Musculoskeletal issues are the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of morbidity worldwide. The musculoskeletal system involves the muscles, tendons, bones, joints and other systems that help us to move the body and maintain the right form or posture says Thomas Gehrmann. Any musculoskeletal disorders will not only affect these systems, but it can also result to nerve damage. This has a lot of consequences including an inability to move the whole or part of the body (paralysis). That is why it is very important to maintain adequate musculoskeletal health. Technology in Musculoskeletal Health Chiropractors treat patients having neuromusculoskeletal issues in regards to the nerves, muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments. They use a holistic approach, they don’t prescribe drugs or injections but rather treats patients naturally. The digital tools and equipment used are there to improve patients’ health and promote active rehabilitation. Patiently health is evaluated objectively as these technologies provide the necessary information for diagnosis and provision of adequate care. It is more important for companies to embrace these equipment, manual manipulation is no more reliable, and the need to support it with the right technology is inevitable. Not only does it improves the overall health of the patient, they are also cost-effective in the long run. What are the Technology-based treatments in musculoskeletal health? Technology is morphing and expanding and those that are around today (and still emerging) are here to turn things around in musculoskeletal care. The introduction of imaging modality about 60 years ago in the form of x rays have giving us a glimpse of what is happening in the human body. However, due to its limitation, there have been advancements and innovations to perform better diagnostic functions and high-resolution information. In healthcare settings, ultrasound (X-ray, CT, and MRI) has become an invaluable asset. Generally, it is uncommon for patients not to receive Spinal Decompression Therapy. This is a nonsurgical treatment that is used for pain management in patients suffering from back pain, injured spinal roots or joints problems. In a time where many therapy modalities are failing, extracorporeal shockwave therapy is also here to treat chronic pain problems associated with the musculoskeletal system. This is a technology that has now been widely embraced by sport medicine practitioners, orthopedists, physiotherapists and chiropractors alike. Pain relief is made faster and mobility restoration is made easy, thanks to this therapy. The shock wave produces high energy that is transported to painful spots and tissues. It facilitates faster tissue restoration and reformation of the tendons and bones. 3D printed insoles is also a game-changer that is cost-effective, increase orthotic effectiveness and perform countless functions. Orthoses are not something uncommon and have been in use for numerous years by podiatric in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of the diseases of the human foot. Powered with 3d technology or additive manufacturing, these custom made insoles offer more advantages uniquely for the individual foot. The chiropractors are few among many who have incorporated 3D printed insoles in their regimen to treat patients. Final Words There are many innovations to explore but these few ones given by Thomas Gehrmann should be adopted by health practitioners in order to provide the best for their patient’s Musculoskeletal Health. Originally Posted - https://tomgehrmann.com/technology-improve-musculoskeletal-health/ 1/13/2020 0 Comments Exercises for Shoulder MobilityThe big, muscular shoulder is the new sexy in the fitness world, and this can be the reason why fitness enthusiasts involved in the bench press, shoulder press, go back the following day for more shoulder workout, then turn it into a routine. If this is you, you might probably be neglecting the important part- shoulder mobility. Until pains are growing from mild to severe, an inability to stretch, move or function properly, then the need to work shoulder mobility arises. Don’t wait till all these happen, shoulder mobility is part of what you need for proper functioning and it is all part of that ‘sexy shoulder’. Here is what Thomas Gehrmann, a reputable chiropractor in Colorado Springs, has to say about your shoulder mobility and the ways to get it right.
Why Shoulder Mobility is Important? The shoulder, being the greatest and the most mobile human joints of the body are also the most injured part. Unlike the hip which relies on bones, the shoulders rely on tendons, muscles, and ligaments to function properly and remain mobile says Thomas Gehrmann. The shoulder performs different functions. It gives a range of motion to the arm and allows the strengthening of the upper body. From lifting of the arm above the head, extending the arms to the back, the importance of shoulder mobility either for practice or everyday lives cannot be overemphasized. Not only that, if Squat is your thing in the gym, you need good shoulder mobility even though squat focuses on the lower-body movement. Problems in the shoulders just don’t happen overnights, they develop over time. If placing your hand above your shoulders seems impossible you might be having some mobility problems. Stability and mobility are both important and it doesn’t require much to have a mobile, happy, injury-free shoulders, here are exercises to get you on the right track. Best exercises to increase shoulder mobility Shoulder Car This is a quick warm-up mobility exercise to incorporate into your routine. It improves warm-ups, develops soft-tissue to help joint movement and meets your workout demands. Direction Stay in a straight tall kneeling position while squeezing the fist and the glutes. This will tell you if the other part of the body isn’t involved. Move the shoulder joint in a rotational range of motion as far as you can go. Ensure the rest of the body isn’t bending or moving. Come back to the starting position and repeat. 3-5 reps of this exercise on each side will do. Read More |
AuthorDr. Thomas Gehrmann attends specialized seminars and trainings related to Chiropractic throughout the year to advance his knowledge and enhance patient care. In addition, Thomas regularly communicates with other doctors in order to share best practices and promote positive professional relationships. |