Shoulder impingement pain is discussed, along with the areas it can affect and keys to recovery. A study shows laser therapy plus exercise is more effective than placebo laser for reducing pain and improving quality of life. The podcast explores the most common musculoskeletal pain condition, common causes of shoulder pain, and the effectiveness of laser therapy and physical therapy for shoulder pain.
Laser therapy combined with exercise is superior to placebo laser plus exercise in reducing shoulder impingement pain.
High-intensity laser therapy stimulates cellular repair, increases blood flow, and enhances muscle strength in shoulder impingement syndrome.
Deep dives
Shoulder Pain: Common and Activity-based
Shoulder pain is the third most common musculoskeletal pain condition, following low back pain and neck pain. It is often related to activities like shoveling, yard work, repetitive motions, or side sleeping. The most common shoulder problems include rotator cuff tears, arthritis of the shoulder, bursitis, and tendinitis. One prevalent condition is shoulder impingement syndrome, which occurs when the soft tissues are pinched and inflamed between the humeral head and acromial arch. Shoulder impingement causes pain, restricted mobility, and discomfort during movement. Diagnosing this condition can be challenging due to its diffuse nature. However, high-intensity laser therapy has shown great promise in providing relief and promoting healing. It stimulates the body's natural repair processes, increases blood flow, improves cellular function, and reduces the transmission of painful stimuli. A recent study on the effectiveness of laser therapy for subacromial impingement syndrome revealed positive outcomes in terms of pain reduction, range of motion, functional capacity, quality of life, muscle strength, and long-term improvement. Laser therapy is a safe and non-invasive treatment option for various musculoskeletal injuries and conditions.
Understanding Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
Shoulder impingement syndrome occurs when the tissues, specifically the supraspinatus tendon and subacromial bursa, get pinched between the humeral head and coracoid arch. This pinching causes inflammation and swelling, leading to pain and reduced mobility. Ultrasound imaging, rather than MRI or X-rays, is an effective method to diagnose shoulder impingement syndrome as it allows direct visualization of the tissues during movement. Repetitive motion, overuse, injuries, and inflammation are considered potential causes of impingement syndrome. While impingement syndrome is often diffuse, causing deep pain in the shoulder that can radiate to the arm, high-intensity laser therapy has demonstrated its ability to stimulate cellular repair, increase blood flow, enhance metabolism, and restore proper function in the affected area.
Positive Results of Laser Therapy for Shoulder Pain
A well-structured study examined the effectiveness of high-intensity laser therapy for subacromial impingement syndrome. The study divided patients into two groups, one receiving laser therapy and exercises, and the other receiving sham laser therapy and exercises. Both groups showed improvement in pain, range of motion, quality of life, and muscle strength after three weeks of treatment. However, the group receiving laser therapy experienced more significant and lasting improvements, even nine weeks after treatment had stopped. In contrast, the sham laser group started regressing after three weeks with fewer markers showing improvement. The study confirmed that laser therapy, along with exercises, is a highly effective treatment option. Laser therapy stimulates the body's natural healing processes and provides long-term relief without any notable side effects.
Dr. Rountree and Kristi discuss what exactly shoulder impingement is, the areas of the shoulder it can affect, and the keys to successfully recover from shoulder impingement pain. A study from January of 2021 regarding subacromial impingement syndrome shows laser therapy plus exercise is superior to placebo laser plus exercise in reducing pain, improving quality of life, and increasing muscle strength. Listen along to learn more!
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