Addison Disc Center

Surgical Vs. Non-Surgical Care for Rotator Cuff Tears

Rotator cuff tears are a common cause of shoulder pain and can occur as a result of injury, overuse, or degenerative changes in the shoulder joint. The treatment options for rotator cuff tears include both surgical and non-surgical approaches.

Non-surgical care for rotator cuff tears typically involves a combination of rest, physical therapy, and pain management techniques. This approach may be recommended for patients with mild to moderate symptoms, or for those who are not good candidates for surgery due to age or other health concerns.

Surgical care for rotator cuff tears may be necessary for patients with severe symptoms or for those who have not responded to non-surgical treatments. Surgery typically involves repairing the torn tendon or reattaching it to the bone using sutures or other surgical techniques. Recovery time after surgery can vary depending on the extent of the tear and the type of surgery performed, but physical therapy is typically necessary to help restore range of motion and strength in the shoulder.

We have had patients that have been told surgery is the only option when our non-invasive therapies have helped improve shoulder pain.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and find out if a non-invasive option is a better choice - www.AddisonBackandSpine.com

Five Exercises to Help Reduce the Risk of Neck Pain

The neck is the most flexible part of your spine and just like any other area of the body, movement exercises and good posture are important for maintaining its health. Neck pain can be brought on or aggravated by how you treat this vital structure. We often neglect our neck when it comes to exercise, focusing instead on our legs, arms, or heart. So, try these helpful hints and incorporate them into your daily routine.

Moving your neck slowly through all its ranges is key. It is important to do pure movements rather than combinations. You should avoid rolling your neck around like a ball and socket joint (such as the hip or shoulder). Instead, flex the neck forward until your chin touches the top of your chest. Then, slowly bend your neck backwards, chin to the sky. These movements should not cause pain if they are done slowly and you have no pre-existing injury.

The next movement is side bending and is accomplished by trying to bend either ear towards the shoulder. Do this in front of a mirror so that you keep your head straight looking forward. Note whether you can do this the same amount to each side.

The last movement is rotation. Simply rotate your chin slowly so that you are looking over one shoulder. None of these movements should cause pain or make you dizzy. If they do, then it’s a sign you have a neck injury.

An important aspect of neck function is how the shoulder girdle influences neck posture and motion. Try rolling your shoulders forwards and backwards, stretching slowly, to help ease tension at the neck. General exercises such as fast-paced walking or hiking are important for your neck too. Remember, your spine is the core of your body and walking is one of the least injury-producing exercise activities so it’s something you can keep up well into your later years.
Lastly, make sure your neck posture is kept upright when you talk on the phone, drive, read, do other tasks, or sleep. A very small pillow is usually best for sleeping and neck support pillows are available to help maintain the normal forward arch of the neck. A small pillow will allow your head to ease back, relaxing the muscles at the back of the neck.

Why Does My Back Always Hurt?

We’ve all heard of the “wear and tear” factor as it applies to clothing, automobiles, shoes, and tires, but it affects our bones and joints too!

A condition that none of us can fully avoid is called osteoarthritis (OA). OA is the “wear and tear” factor on our joints, particularly the smooth covering called hyaline cartilage located on the surfaces of all moving joints. It’s the shiny, silky smooth surface that we’ve all seen at the end of a chicken leg when we separate it from the thigh.

Osteoarthritis is the wearing away of that shiny, smooth surface and it can eventually progress to “bone-on-bone” contact where little to no movement is left in the affected joint. Bone spurs can also occur and be another potential generator of back pain. OA is NOT diagnosed by a blood or lab test but rather by an accurate history, physical examination, and ultimately, an x-ray. However, when the low back is affected by OA, it may not even hurt!

Schedule a free consultation today - www.AddisonBackandSpine.com

Steve Kerr urges people to opt for alternatives over back surgery...

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has been dealing with off-and-on painful symptoms since he underwent back surgery in July 2015, and he is urging anyone with back issues to avoid making the same mistake he made.

“I can tell you if you’re listening out there, stay away from back surgery,” Kerr said. “Rehab, rehab, rehab. Don’t let anyone get in there.”

Visit www.AddisonBackandSpine.com to learn more about our Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression today!

Click on the infographic below and read more about back surgery. Avoid surgery today by visiting www.AddisonBackandSpine.com. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about our treatment methods that are non-invasive and medication and injection free!