Aug 17th, 2010
by David Turner.
This week it seems like I’m seeing more frozen shoulders due to immobility after surgery. If someone has surgery on a shoulder and keeps it stationary too long, then scar tissue will form around the incision site as well as in the shoulder joint itself. This can cause the muscles of the shoulder to become very tight and the shoulder “locks up” so that the person can’t put their hand to their low back or raise the arm above shoulder height without extreme pain.
I find that in most cases of “Frozen Shoulder” the rotator cuff muscles located on the back of the shoulder become very tight and immobile as well. These muscles (above, on and under the shoulder blade) can be loosened using Neuromuscular Therapy, then, using a Myofascial Release technique, light stretching of the shoulder joint itself can help to decrease pain and increase mobility.
Depending on the severity of the “Frozen Shoulder”, it seems like it usually takes 3 to 5 sessions one week apart to get at least the majority of the mobility in the shoulder back. Sometimes though, with really severe cases, I’ve seen it take up to 2 months of treatments once or twice a week to achieve a return of flexibility.
The best way to avoid “Frozen Shoulder” in the first place is to begin moving the shoulder joint a day or two after surgery (if approved by your doctor), then as the days and weeks go by slowly increase the range of movement and begin strengthening stretches and exercises. If this is done then most people can avoid a lot of unnecessary pain and suffering after their surgery.
Posted in: Massage Therapy.
Tagged: Frozen Shoulder · Massage Therapy
Jul 19th, 2010
by David Turner.
We are please to announce the newest members of our team:
Jennifer Hatley, Massage Therapist
Jennifer graduated from the Massage and Neuromuscular Therapy program at Southeastern Institute here in Charlotte.
“I feel so fortunate to be able to touch people’s lives in a positive way through massage therapy,” Jennifer says. “I truly believe in the healing benefits of massage!”
Faye Turner, Office Manager
That friendly voice you hear answering our phone is Faye Turner. Faye has over 30 years experience in accounting and management. For the last 10 years, she has worked with Alzheimer’s Assisted Living residents, both in the Corporate Office in Accounting and hands-on working with the residents at The Haven.
Posted in: Recent News.
Jun 11th, 2010
by David Turner.
Meet members of the Healing Touch Charlotte’s team: David Turner and Patricia Hollern.
They will be giving chair massages at Zada Jane’s Corner Cafe this Saturday, June 12, 2010 from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Have a relaxing Saturday and grab a bite to eat!
Zada Jane’s Corner Café is located in Plaza Midwood at 1601 Central Avenue Charlotte, NC 28205
Posted in: Events.
Tagged: Events
Mar 1st, 2010
by David Turner.
Do you have headaches, jaw pain, clicking of the jaw when you open your mouth wide and neck pain? One possibility could be TMJ.
TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome) is a dysfunction caused by the misalignment of the jaw. This syndrome can cause pain and clicking when the jaw is opened. It can be caused by grinding of the teeth, or if the teeth are too high or too low, and can cause a variety of symptoms including headaches, jaw pain, loss of concentration, neck and low back pain.
There are a few ways to fix the TMJ disorder including Neuromuscular Massage. At Healing Touch Charlotte we have successfully worked on many clients who have complained of the pain associated with this condition. The massage often includes working the Masseter (jaw muscles) as well as the muscles of the neck and throat and head, and on occasion we have to work the muscles on the inside of the mouth.
Most clients that receive Neuromuscular Massage for this condition report feeling almost immediate relief, although sometimes 1 or 2 additional sessions are required to help re-align the jaw and to keep the muscles loose. If the problem is caused by misaligned teeth however, the client will need to see their dentist or oral surgeon for a more permanent solution.
Posted in: Jaw Pain.
Tagged: History · Jaw Pain · TMJ
Feb 7th, 2010
by David Turner.
“Tech Neck”
One specific type of pain has become so common that massage professionals have given it a nickname: “tech neck.”
A lot of my clients, including my wife, experience this pain because their jobs require them to use a computer for extended periods of time. When a person does computer work, they unconsciously move their head towards the screen. This causes the muscles in the front of the neck, the scalenes, to shorten. Over time, the scalenes remain shortened, and the muscles in the back of the neck try to pull the head back to a neutral position. Since they can’t do this because of the shortened scalenes, the muscles in the back of the neck become tired and sore. The person now feels pain between their neck and shoulder blades.
To alleviate many types of muscle pain, I not only work on the muscles that hurt, but also some muscles that don’t hurt. Why? In order to relax the painful muscles, I have to work on the muscles that are causing the pain, but may not actually be hurting. To relieve “tech neck,” I have to lengthen the scalenes that have shortened in the front, so that the muscles in the back can relax. This is what ends or lessens the pain.
I also give my clients tips on how to avoid causing the pain in the first place. Proper ergonomics, or proper body movement and desk layout, can help prevent “tech neck” and other pains. A few simple things you can do to prevent or reduce “tech neck” are:
- Try to be conscious of the position of your head and neck. If you find that your head had moved too far forward, pull it back to the neutral position. Awareness is fifty percent of the battle to prevent unnecessary pain and discomfort. Your awareness will improve with practice.
- Do neck stretches and neck rolls. If this hurts, then stretch only to the point of pain but not beyond. Keeping the neck stretched is going to go a long way towards helping alleviate the pain in the neck and shoulders.
Clients’ awareness of the daily activities that are causing them pain is the way for them to take an active roll in their health and healing.
Posted in: Keeping Healthy, Massage Therapy.
Tagged: History · Neck Pain · Tech Neck
