What is Impingement Syndrome

What is Impingement Syndrome?

ALVOR Rotator Cuff Treatment Tears Care Physical Therapy physio ultrasound electrical stimulation

shoulder tendinitis diagnosis

What is Impingement Syndrome and why should you care?

Impingement Syndrome is the most common condition of the Shoulder. It really should be called “Compression Syndrome” since that is what it’s describing… compression of various tissues in and around the Shoulder.

Those tissues typically are one or several:

  • Rotator Cuff muscle and tendon (Supraspinatus and sometimes the Infraspinatus)
  • Subacromial Bursa
  • Long Head of the Bicep Muscle
  • Gleno-Humeral Joint (the shoulder joint)

The compression is usually caused by a “collision” of the shoulder blade (scapula) and the arm bone (humerus). The collision of these two bones squeezes one or more of the tissues.

Impingement Syndrome is a bit of a “catch-all” diagnosis since it’s only saying that something is being compressed. It doesn’t tell us “what” is being compressed (which tissue).  Nor does it tell us “why” it is happening.  It’s a bit like diagnosing someone with a “headache”, it doesn’t tell us much. A headache can be from many things: muscle tension, an injury, a migraine (blood supply to the brain), dehydration, sinus infection, etc. all requiring their own specific treatment.

A variety of conditions

under the heading of “Impingement Syndrome” and they are all different.

  • Rotator Cuff tear or irritation of the Rotator Cuff Tendons
  • Tendonitis, that could be either a Rotator cuff tendon or Bicep tendon
  • Bursitis
  • Bone growth closing the space for the tissues (Acromion Type I, II, III or IV)
  • Spasming of injured muscles
  • Changes in our posture that prevent the bones from moving correctly
  • Muscles contracting improperly
  • Swelling of tissues

As a result of these different causes, you will also see a variety of similar diagnoses, yet they all come under the heading of Impingement Syndrome. Here are several of those diagnoses.

  • Rotator Cuff Tear & Rotator Cuff Syndrome
  • Shoulder Tendonitis
  • Shoulder Bursitis
  • Painful Arc Syndrome
  • Internal vs. External Impingement Syndrome
  • Subacromial Impingement
  • Subcoracoid Impingement

A proper specific diagnosis is the key to developing a correct treatment plan.

Most types of Impingement Syndrome respond extremely well to “Shoulder-Specific Exercise”.  This helps corrects the specific position and specific movement of the shoulder. They also help you avoid surgery and quickens your recover.

A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reviewed over 9,351 published shoulder studies. This study determined that “Shoulder-Specific Exercise” is the ONE main Core Treatment that ALL patients should start with. Most other treatments were not found to show good results. To read more about this critical study click here.

Dr. Bock has been treating patients with “Shoulder-Specific Exercise” since 1983, from elite world-class Olympic athletes to his private practice clinic patients. 93% of his patients show significant improvement at their first Treatment and most recover in less than 5 Treatments!

(+351)  282 352 202  (click and call)

Your Shoulder will thank you!

We’re here to Help You at The Pain-FREE Shoulder Clinic.
Your FIRST SOLUTION…not your last!

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Dr. Bock

Pain-FREE Shoulder Clinic
Bombeiros Voluntários Portimão, Suite 2
Rua dos Bombeiros Voluntários
8500-763 Portimão
282 352 202

(+351)  282 352 202  (click and call)
https://fixtheshoulder.com/

Helping people in Alvor with Impingement Syndrome & Rotator Cuff / Shoulder problems all over the Algarve, Portugal, Portimão, Lagoa, Lagos, Alvor, Carvoeiro, Ferragudo, Silves, Porches, Monchique, Almancil, Praia da Rocha

 

https://activequiropratica.com/

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Best Treatment Shoulder Problem

Which Treatment is Best for Shoulder Problems?

There are lots of treatments, no wonder it’s confusing! Why are there so many different treatments? Because… most don’t work, so, there are many attempts to come up with something new and… different.  Yes. Confusing. Read more →

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Why Wait?

Why Wait … for Shoulder Treatment?

waiting for shoulder treatment

It’s “painfully” obvious: the sooner a shoulder injury is treated the quicker the recovery.   So why wait for shoulder treatment?

I can confirm this is TRUE!

After 35 years treating shoulder conditions, from elite world-class Olympic athletes to my private practice “every day” patients… early treatment is the best!

When an injury happens there is a Golden Time in the recovery period. It’s early on after the “injury” happens. The body is actively mobilizing its healing chemicals and cells to begin repair of the shoulder. Beginning with Inflammation there is a cascade of chemicals and cells that prepare the injury for healing and repair.

This happens with nearly every injury, a broken bone or a cut of the skin, the body quickly jumps into action to immediately start the process.  It can last for several weeks. This is the Golden Time.

What Waiting Does

Delays Everything.  If we do nothing during this time, and the injury remains, we lose taking advantage of our body’s quick healing response. After this time, the speed of repair begins to slow way down. The injury becomes “cold”, meaning that its healing response cools off and it’s then much more difficult for you to recover.
(Expert Treatment can overcome this loss of time!)

With injured Olympic athletes, we don’t wait.  We take advantage of this early response time and get them into treatment immediately.
So should you!

I know, I know.  There is a tendency to “wait and see”, also, “it might get better on its own”.

While that happens, sometimes… more often, the Shoulder doesn’t get better and the pain and suffering linger for months or years. This is evidenced by that fact that Shoulder problems are the second or third most likely musculoskeletal problem to walk into a doctor’s clinic. Most people do wait. When their shoulder doesn’t improve… they seek care.  But, unfortunately, they’ve already missed the Golden Time. (fear not, we can still get you well quickly!)

At the first hint of a Shoulder Injury or Problem… do your shoulder a favor and seek care immediately.
Now, what type of care is best?

shoulder treatment dr bock woman resting shoulder and arm

The type of care you choose… is critical to your recovery.

The BEST care… is NOT what 99% of clinics provide!

Most treatment therapies DO NOT deliver. Studies have reviewed what works and what doesn’t work.  You’ll be surprised!

This is what the British Journal of Sports Medicine has to say… Click here. (I’ve summarized it for you)

Hint… the best treatment?
Exactly what The Pain-FREE Shoulder Clinic has been providing for 35 years!

While working with Olympic athletes, I’ve had the tremendous opportunity to greatly refine my care and Shoulder Treatment.  Treating Olympic athletes taught me a lot about how to help YOU get better faster.

Even if you’ve missed the Golden Time, you can still get amazingly better far quicker with our Shoulder-Specific Treatment, which I call the “Shoulder Revolution Solution” ™.

I am now helping the insurance industry revolutionize their care and saving them millions of euros. I am happy to help you as well (or anyone you may know who has a shoulder problem!).

93% of our patient’s Shoulder Problems get better in less than 5 Treatment Sessions.

Find out more about the “Shoulder Revolution Solution” ™

Dr. Bock, an Olympic team doctor, discovered and developed the “Shoulder Revolution Solution” ™ while helping elite world-class athletes return to competition in a matter of days/weeks (instead of months/years or surgery).

Call us today for your FREE Consultation and Orthopedic Examination.
(+351)  282 352 202  (click and call)

We’re here to Help You at The Pain-FREE Shoulder Clinic.
Your FIRST SOLUTION…not your last!

<- Back to Blog

Dr. Bock

Pain-FREE Shoulder Clinic
Bombeiros Voluntários Portimão, Suite 2
Rua dos Bombeiros Voluntários
8500-763 Portimão
282 352 202

(+351)  282 352 202  (click and call)
https://fixtheshoulder.com/

Helping people with Shoulder problems all over the Algarve, Portugal
Portimão, Lagoa, Lagos, Alvor, Carvoeiro, Silves, Porches, Monchique, Almancil, Praia da Rocha

https://activequiropratica.com/

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SUPRAspinatus Rotator Cuff

SUPRAspinatus Muscle and Tendon / Rotator Cuff

The Supraspinatus is the top Rotator Cuff Muscle and Tendon. The Supraspinatus is the most commonly injured Muscle / Tendon of the Shoulder and Rotator Cuff.

Rotator Cuff Muscle Tendon Injury Tear Treatment Dr. Bock Pain-FREE Shoulder Clinic

Its main job is to begin lifting the arm upward from the side.
In addition, it helps to slowly lower the arm down to the side.
One of the “stabilizers” of the shoulder joint.

The Supraspinatus can become injured either from Trauma or “Wear and Tear”.  It is sandwiched between the shoulder blade (acromion) and arm bone (humerus) and is often squeezed and rubbed/frayed into an injury or problem.

After 40 years of age, most of us have an “asymptomatic” tear of the Rotator Cuff. We don’t feel the tear but it’s there nonetheless. If that part of the muscle becomes overly stressed/used or damaged we quickly can have a problem. We may feel pain, limited movement, unable to do certain activities, and problems sleeping. The problems may get worse and worse over time.

Early detection by a shoulder expert is paramount to receiving the proper Treatment and having a quick recovery. You need a shoulder expert to correctly identify the problem through a careful history of your complaint and a thorough orthopedic examination.

Don’t waste your time or money on early scans (MRI, CT/TAC or even X-rays).  The newest research is proving that early scans/studies are NOT helpful for early treatment. And, in fact, can lead to misdiagnosis and treating the wrong area of your shoulder… Often. Something is seen on the scan, the radiologist sees it and has to put in the report, but it’s not what is causing your shoulder problem. Remember most of us have an “asymptomatic tear”, which will show up in the scan/report, and that can be confused with identifying the real problem. Only an expert orthopedic exam leads to a proper early diagnosis!

It’s just too easy (lazy) to read a report and conclude “that’s the problem”.  And well… because MRI’s and CT/TAC are high-tech studies!  And besides… It says it right there in the report.  Nope.

To illustrate this point, around 43% of the patients that I see have had a scan of some sort and the report states “there’s a tear”.  But the patient’s pain, and problem, is NOT at the location of the tear!  In fact, their problem is on the OTHER side of the shoulder!  Often a doctor prescribes care and the patient has been through physio, but the treatment is at the wrong area.  They don’t get better.

This leads to:
  1. Delayed Healing, not getting better even after a long time, because the wrong area is being treated.
  2. The real problem requires a different type of Treatment (often patients are receiving the wrong Treatment for the wrong problem.
  3. A lot of wasted time and money (hundreds or thousands of Euros/Pounds/Dollars). With the lost time, we lose the “early recovery response” and then the problem becomes “chronic” and is much more difficult to resolve.
  4. Often, patients “fail care” (i.e. the wrong care has failed) and then they are referred to needless surgery. The surgeon also relies on the misunderstanding of the real problem (surgeons also read the same report leading to an incorrect surgery).

Don’t be one of these unfortunate people with an incorrectly diagnosed and treated Supraspinatus Tear / Shoulder Problem.

At the very FIRST sign of a problem of the Supraspinatus Tear / Shoulder Problem make an appointment with us and get the proper diagnostic workup and Treatment.
93% of our patients with a Supraspinatus tear / Shoulder Problem get better in less than 5 Treatment Sessions.

Find out more about the “Shoulder Revolution Solution“™

Dr. Bock, an Olympic team doctor, discovered and developed the “Shoulder Revolution Solution“™ helping elite world-class athletes return to competition in a matter of days/weeks (instead of months/years or surgery).

Call us today for your FREE Consultation and Orthopedic Examination.
(+351)  282 352 202  (click and call)
We’re here to Help You at The Pain-FREE Shoulder Clinic.
Your FIRST SOLUTION…not your last!
Dr. Bock
Pain-FREE Shoulder Clinic
Bombeiros Voluntários Portimão, Suite 2
Rua dos Bombeiros Voluntários
8500-763 Portimão
282 352 202

(+351)  282 352 202  (click and call)
https://fixtheshoulder.com/

Helping people with Shoulder problems all over the Algarve, Portugal
Portimão, Lagoa, Lagos, Alvor, Carvoeiro, Silves, Porches, Monchique, Almancil, Praia da Rocha

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Shoulder Bursitis

Care of Shoulder Bursitis is easier when we correctly understand how Shoulder Bursitis happens.

Bursitis is caused by an Aggravation to the Shoulder Bursa.

The aggravation is most commonly caused by either:

  • Over-use as a result of the tendon rubbing the bursa too much, or,
  • Compression as a result of the shoulder bones repeatedly squeezing the bursa causing it to swell and become painful.

Treatment must be focused on stopping the Compression and/or over-use of the tendon that lays on top of and repeatedly rubs the bursa. (If someone is continually squeezing and pressing on your finger, no amount of “care” to the finger is going to help. We have to stop the squeezing and rubbing!)

Unfortunately…

Old thinking and care are misguided. It says that the “cause” of Bursitis is that the bursa is “inflamed”.  This is incorrect.
There is NO:

  • Infection
  • Inflammatory cells
  • It is not Hot and filled with blood
  • No Bacteria
  • No Virus
  • No Chemical Molecule Mediators
  • Not an Immune Response

Shoulder Bursitis care that attempts to control “inflammation” is doomed to failure since it is not correcting the underlying problem. Patients suffer far too long with the wrong treatment.

At The Pain-FREE Shoulder Clinic, we direct our Treatment specifically to gently stop and relieve the compression of the bursa and correct the over-use of the tendon. The irritation is corrected and the bursa quickly heals and your pain goes away. Your normal movement returns.

Call us for a FREE Orthopedic Evaluation and Examination.  Come in and see if you can quickly get back to your normal life… as 1000’s of others have!

Find out more about the “Shoulder Revolution Solution“™

Dr. Bock, an Olympic team doctor, discovered and developed the “Shoulder Revolution Solution” helping elite world-class athletes return to competition in a matter of days/weeks (instead of months/years or surgery).

Call us today for your FREE Consultation and Orthopedic Examination.
(+351)  282 352 202  (click and call)
We’re here to Help You at The Pain-FREE Shoulder Clinic.
Your FIRST SOLUTION…not your last!
Dr. Bock
Pain-FREE Shoulder Clinic
Bombeiros Voluntários Portimão, Suite 2
Rua dos Bombeiros Voluntários
8500-763 Portimão
282 352 202

(+351)  282 352 202  (click and call)
https://fixtheshoulder.com/

Helping people with Shoulder problems all over the Algarve, Portugal
Portimão, Lagoa, Lagos, Alvor, Carvoeiro, Silves, Porches, Monchique, Almancil, Praia da Rocha

 
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