Dealing with Contrary Body Parts

By Sharon Truelove

As a massage technician (and dancer), I come across various injury complaints (…shoulder, knee, back, neck…). A great many seem to be shoulder related, which is a common injury site. They can be acute (happening as the result of one episode) or chronic (occurs over a longer period of time)  in nature, and can be very devastating. Even the most minor injury can evolve into something of major proportion if you aren't aware of the consequences of ignoring the initial injury. Even the smallest  accident; if you feel pain, no matter how momentary it is, you have done damage to your body! That’s why we have pain! It is your body's way of telling you, “Pay attention, something is wrong!”

The shoulder is an intricate ball and socket joint, which relies mostly on muscles and tendons, and to a certain extent, the capsule and ligaments for stability. Some of the more common grievances to the shoulder include muscle strains/sprains, capsule tears, bursitis/tendonitis, Shoulder dislocation and separation.

Muscle strains/sprains can result from a severe injury or a chronic condition (faulty body mechanics and/or overuse). The difference between a sprain and a strain is:  A strain consists of injury to either a muscle or a tendon (a simple overstretch or a partial/complete tear). A sprain involves a ligament (stretching or tearing).

Strains may occur when activity requires the muscle to constrict forcefully and the muscle is not properly stretched or warmed up before an activity. Strained muscles hurt and moving them may be difficult. There may also be a burning or a feeling as though something has "popped." Bruising or swelling may be involved as well as muscle spasms.

Treat strains with rest (to reduce pain and swelling), ice (reduces inflammation via blood vessel constriction), compression, and elevation. Anti-inflammatory medications might also be used to help relieve pain and swelling. Activity that caused the injury should be avoided until the muscle is healed.

Sprains generally occur in a fall and the person lands on an outstretched arm, on the side of their foot, or twists a knee while the foot is planted firmly on the ground. This can overstretch or tear the ligament supporting that joint.

Functional ability can be affected, which may involve pain, swelling and bruising. These symptoms can vary in intensity, depending on how severe the sprain is; and a pop or tear may be experienced.

It is important to see a physician if any of the following is experienced:

• Severe pain and inability to put weight on the injured joint.
• The area over the injured joint or next to it is very tender when touched.
• The injured area looks crooked or has lumps and bumps not seen on the matching, uninjured joint.
• Inability to move the injured joint.
• Incapable of walking more than four steps without significant pain.
• The limb buckles or gives way when you try to use the joint.
• Numbness in any part of the injured area.
• Redness or red streaks spreading out from the injury.
• If the joint has been injured several times before.

·         Pain, swelling, or redness over a bony part of your foot.

Tears of the rotator cuff can be incapacitating and warrant immediate attention. Ice, rest from any activity that reproduces the pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be helpful, and (if range of motion is limited) prompt referral to a physician is crucial. Muscles and tendons have good restorative capabilities, but proper rehabilitation is necessary. Some may benefit from steroid injection, and a few require surgery.

Capsule tears can be acute or chronic. Acute tears are the result of too much torque placed upon the joint, usually rotational. Chronic tears can be result because of too much stress on the joint over a prolonged period of time. Examples would be of baseball pitchers, javelin throwers, and gymnasts because of their activity. Traditional treatment consists of strengthening the surrounding structures in order to not aggravate the area. Treatment should be symptomatic: icing when inflamed, modification of activities that make the symptoms worse, and rest when irritated.

Bursitis and tendonitis recur because of too much use and/or bad body mechanics (poor posture, body structure, muscle imbalance, and incorrect overhead lifting mechanics. When the bursa sack and/or tendon is impinged repeatedly, it becomes inflamed. Once inflamed, it becomes more easily impinged and the cycle goes on and on. Better posture, stretching of chest muscles, and strengthening the upper back muscles can help reduce symptoms. As always, modification of aggravating activities is essential to allow proper healing.

Shoulder dislocation and separation are more extreme injuries. Separation may be incurred by a fall or being hit on the top of the shoulder, tearing the ligament that attaches to the collarbone (clavicle) to the top of the shoulder (acromion). The intensity of dysfunction is associated with the degree of the tear (the more sever the tear, the more disability there will be). Dislocation is when the ball comes out of the socket, causing instant disability. Immediate medical attention is imperative so that no further injury to the surrounding tissue, nerves, and blood supply occurs. Typically a sling is used for one to two weeks following injury to protect the shoulder. Physical therapy is prescribed to decrease stiffness.

Hopefully, the above information won’t be needed. We all need to realize that dance is a sport. We need to be aware of our limitations as we would in any other sport in order to avoid injury. The leader needs to understand the limitations of their partner's body.  A couple of private lessons can help fix a problem with leads or follows. Even though some girls/followers blame guy’s/leader’s leads for aches and pains they suffer, often it is the follower fighting the leads that cause the problem. By thinking of your partner first (whether leading or following) and polite consideration of other dancers on the dance floor, dance injuries may often be prevented!

Happy Dancing!!!

Sharon Truelove, BS, MS, LMT

639-6201