Back and Neck Tendonitis Treatment in Santa Monica, CA
Most of us have probably experienced tendonitis at some point in our lives. The legs, feet and hands being affected most often, but back and neck tendonitis can cause just as much - if not more - pain and discomfort.
One of the main reasons back and neck pain can be so troublesome is that we constantly rely on our spines for support regardless as to whether you're sitting, standing or lying down. This puts stress on back joints known as facet joints, which can deteriorate over time leading to a protective reflex known as guarding.
Guarding is when muscles supporting the spine take up the stress of supporting our weight when a joint is damaged and/or inflamed . As a short term response this is fine, but if chronic (long term) problems are present, the muscles will eventually become fatigued and inflamed themselves. This usually results in tendinitis of the back or neck.
Symptoms of Back and Neck Tendonitis
The most common symptoms of tendonitis in the back or neck include:
- Localized and radiating pain
- Limited capacity for movement (stiffness)
- Swelling
Types of Back and Neck Tendonitis
Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
Resulting from a shoulder injury or overuse, rotator cuff tendonitis can result in sudden pain to the upper shoulder and upper portion of the arms. You may also experience difficulty extending your arm above your head.
Impingement Syndrome
Similar to rotator cuff tendonitis, impingement syndrome can result in the same symptoms, but the cause is a little different. Impingement syndrome is when tendons are pinched between two structures (bone, etc.) that perform rotating functions in the shoulder.
Bicipital Tendonitis
The upper portion of your bicep connects to the front and side of the shoulder and can create pain in that region or radiating pan to the forearm and elbow. This can then cause sufferers to compensate, straining and creating tendonitis in the back/neck.
Cervicogenic Headache
While not strictly tendonitis. Inflammation of the muscles around the spine can cause referred pain to affect other parts of your body. If the source of your pain is high enough on the spine this can result in a headache as the nerves that handle pain in this area also handle the jaw, head and behind the eyes.
Causes of Neck/ Back Tendonitis
Those with rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriasis , thyroid disease , and infection are more likely to develop tendinitis of the back or neck; as are athletes and people who perform manual labor. People who have also experienced trauma or injury like whiplash, those with poor posture and people who work on the computer are at risk as well.
Treatments for Tendonitis affecting the Back and Neck
- Massage
- Electrical stimulation
- Anti-inflammatory medication (non-steroidal)
- Autologous blood injection (ABI)
- Increasing core strength
- Steroid injection (corticosteroid)
- RICE or PRICEMM (Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation, Medication, and physical therapy Modalities)
- Physical therapy
- Osteopathic manipulation
- Chiropractic care
- Improving/ correcting poor posture
- Surgery
- Dry needling
If you have severe back or neck pain that interferes with your day-to-day life and you'd like relief, it could start with a call to your doctor about treatment options.
Request more information about Back and Neck Tendonitis today. Call (424) 365-1800 or contact Dr. Jeremy Fischer online.
Vitality Integrative Medicine
Address
4849 Van Nuys BlvdSuite 104
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(424) 365-1800
www.vitalityintegrative.com
Hours
Mon:
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tue:
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wed:
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thu:
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Fri:
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sat:
8:00 am - 12:00 pm