The shoulder is designed to be mobile. It is a ball and socket joint, which allows for a wide range of movements. A lack of this motion or faulty movement can develop into pain or injury. Many people with shoulder issues are surprised when they learn that many conditions, including rotator cuff injuries, can be treated conservatively.
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Simply put, static stretching involves applying a stretch, and holding it for a period of time. Usually 30-45 seconds. Dynamic stretching on the other hand, is stretching while moving. It is good to have an understanding of what affect each of them have and also know when to apply them.
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The short answer to this is yes, tight hips can cause pain in the lower back. We can dig a little deeper into this question to shed light on when it becomes a larger factor in causing and slowing recovery of a painful condition or episode.
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The sciatic nerve is a large nerve that travels from the lower back through the hip and down the leg and into the foot. It supplies both skin and muscles. Symptoms can include pain, numbness and tingling, and in some cases weakness. Although some cases can be complicated, most are treated conservatively and never return.
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Shoulder pain is usually mechanical. That means that the structure is fine, no fractures or tears. Instead, the way the shoulder is moving may be a contributing factor to the painful symptoms. The shoulder is a freely movable joint in which its health depends heavily on the muscles that control and support it to be in balance. The shoulder also requires stability from the scapula (shoulder blades).
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Poor posture of the upper back and neck will often result in pain, joint stiffness, and muscle tightness. The cervical spine and the supporting muscles become labored and stressed with a forward head posture. This is a common presentation when the chin protrudes forward rather than remaining in its proper position over the chest. At the spinal level, this can affect the joint movement which may result in wear and tear. An imbalance of the supporting muscles will most often result. The upper trap muscles are among those that become overactive and tight. Continue reading “A Simple Exercise for Neck and Upper Back Pain” »
