Massage (Body Integration of Louisville)

12/05/2022

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04/23/2022

🔈 NECK PAIN, HEADACHES OR TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT (TMJ) SYNDROME?

[NEUROMUSCULAR INTERACTION BETWEEN SUBOCCIPITAL MUSCLES AND TMJ MUSCLES]

The TMJ is a complex joint that allows us to open/close our mouth. TMJ disorders do not only create pain and limitations with the jaw. Oftentimes, there are associated issues with the neck, face, and ears.

The body is classically divided into systems such as muscular, skeletal, nervous system etc.

However, this is a mirage as these systems are all a part of one super-system that works in unison to create function.

An excellent example of this is the links between the muscles of the suboccipital region, the jaw muscles and the central nervous system.

As you know the suboccipitals are short and have only minor contributions to gross movements of the spine. However, they are loaded with sensory muscle spindles which indicate these muscles have a strong link to the cerebellum and the CNS. Postural distortions that affect the position of the skull and upper cervical vertebrae are immediately relayed to the CNS via these spindle receptors and the ganglion of C2 which is the largest in the body with 49,000 neurons. For comparison, the T4 ganglion has 24 neurons. More neurons = higher speed delivery of information to the brain.

The muscles of the jaw include the masseter as well as the deeper pterygoid muscles. They obviously allow for chewing but also have an interesting link to the CNS. The masseter has been shown to spontaneously activate during periods of stress. The masseter will also activate in unison with the subocciptal muscles during sudden postural changes in order to keep the eyes stable on the horizon.

The suboccipital and TMJ muscles may not be physically linked but they are absolutely “connected” in the cerebellum and in most clinical cases. This relationship tells us these muscles have a large role in stress/sympathetic nervous system syndromes as well as global postural regulation. A patient may present with complaints of neck pain, but now we see how we must look globally at posture, TMJ function, vestibular function and stress management!

04/12/2022

Erik Dalton, PhD. is the founder of the Freedom from Pain Institute, LLC and Dalton Myoskeletal (MAT). He is an affiliate faculty member at Indiana State University's Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
http://erikdalton.com

04/11/2022

04/11/2022

🔈 ROTATOR CUFF SYNDROME
What Does A Torn Rotator Cuff Feel Like?

Rotator cuff injury is one of the common causes of shoulder pain in individuals. To ensure that your shoulder pain is only because of torn rotator cuff, it is important to study the causes of pain, symptoms and also the reason of such condition. It is important to know what it feels like to have a torn rotator cuff and how long does rotator cuff injury take to heal. This information can give you an insight into understanding the possibility of rotator cuff in your case and prompt you to seek timely medical opinion.

Torn rotator cuff can be defined as a tear in one or more of the tendons of the four rotator cuff muscles of the shoulder. This rotator cuff tear can be chronic or acute due to pathological reason or traumatic injury.

What Does A Torn Rotator Cuff Feel Like?
When you wonder what it feels like to have a torn rotator cuff, you need to know the signs and symptoms of torn rotator cuff. Some of the commonest signs of what rotator cuff looks like include:

Pain
The pain occurring from rotator cuff injury occurs at the outer side of shoulder and the upper arm. Such pain also occurs while performing overhead activities or usually happens in the night. If in case the torn rotator cuff is serious, then the pain might awaken the patients from sleep and make them feel stressed.

Decreased Strength
Strength of each rotator cuff tendons can be tested separately by the doctor. They can isolate each tendon and work to find out the extent of tear on each one of them. If in case, significant tears have occurred, the patient will find it difficult to raise their arms over head. Individuals might also find it difficult to hold arm directly out from the body and this is one of the prominent signs of rotator cuff tear.

Inability To Do Normal Tasks
Individuals suffering from rotator cuff tear find it difficult to perform their day to day activities, which include combing their hair, sleeping on the affected shoulder, hooking or unhooking their bra buttons etc. While approaching the doctor patient should ensure to specify activities which have got limited due to shoulder pain.

On average, with appropriate treatment for a torn rotator cuff, it may take around four to six months to heal. However, it depends on the severity of the injury, type of treatment and the rehabilitation.

EXERCISE TO PREVENT SHOULDER PAIN

Pendulum exercise
Stand with your good hand resting on a chair. Let your other
arm hang down and try to swing it gently backwards and forwards and in a circular motion.
Repeat about 5 times. Try this 2–3 times a day.

Shoulder stretch
Stand and raise your shoulders. Hold for 5 seconds. Squeeze your shoulder blades back and together and hold for 5 seconds. Pull your shoulder blades downward and hold
for 5 seconds. Relax and repeat 10 times.

Door lean
Stand in a doorway with both arms on the wall slightly above your head. Slowly lean forward until you feel a stretch in the
front of your shoulders. Hold for 15–30 seconds.
Repeat 3 times. This exercise isn’t suitable if you have a shoulder impingement.