| he many forms of tendinitis is supraspinatus | | | | directly adversely affects the tendons because |
| tendinitis. This tendon is located at the side of the | | | | good muscle health reflects on good tendon |
| shoulder. The following is a discussion of this form | | | | health. |
| of tendinitis. | | | | One thing that most people do not know is |
| Supraspinatus Tendinitis | | | | tendinitis likes to go chronic. What is the |
| Even as a long-time health professional, | | | | difference between acute and chronic? An acute |
| sometimes I have trouble understanding how | | | | health problem resolves itself (with help) in a |
| health terms originate. Example: How did the term | | | | relatively short time. A chronic problem, on the |
| tendonitis get misspelled’? And why | | | | other hand, needs more regular help for an |
| hasn’t it been corrected? | | | | extended period of time; perhaps a lifetime. |
| Similarly, the term Supra means above. | | | | Example: Diabetes, Certain heart health issues, etc. |
| Spinatus means a spine. | | | | Tendinitis likes to go chronic, especially if the |
| Connecting these terms together and you get | | | | patient continues to use, or over-use the involved |
| Above a Spine. | | | | muscles and tendons. Rest is best! However, |
| The supraspinatus tendon is located at the top | | | | everyone needs to be gainfully employed; but if |
| side of the shoulder and extends a short distance | | | | it’s to the detriment of the tendons, one |
| down the center of the deltoid muscles of the | | | | must forgo the heavy work and consider lighter |
| shoulder. However, this tendon is not located | | | | work. |
| anywhere near the spine! | | | | What is being done for Tendinitis? |
| Some of the various activities that can initiate | | | | The family doctor (M.D.) will often order |
| supraspinatus tendinitis are: Golf, Tennis, | | | | anti-inflammatory drugs and sometimes cortisone |
| Racquetball, Hand-ball, Plumbing work, Electrician | | | | injections. These measures, if proven temporary, |
| work, Mason work, Drywall installation/hanging | | | | will incline the doctor to send the patient to P.T. |
| work, Chiropractic work, Massage therapy work, | | | | (Physical Therapy). |
| Window cleaning work, and numerous factory | | | | Physical therapy will often make the patient |
| jobs. | | | | worse because the P.T’s encourage |
| In short, over-use or abuse, of the supraspinatus | | | | the patient to perform muscle work exercises |
| tendons is the reason it develops. | | | | (And this is what initiated the problem in the |
| What are some of the other causes of tendinitis | | | | beginning!) When the patient declares, This |
| in addition to over-use of which we should all be | | | | makes me feel worse. The P.T. will most |
| aware? | | | | often reply; No Pain, No Gain! |
| Certain prescription drugs can also have adverse | | | | Furthermore, the P.T. might also apply heat (Even |
| effects on the tendons. Examples are: | | | | though alternating with cold) and that is absolutely |
| fluorogiunolone antibiotics, brand names Cipro, | | | | WRONG! |
| Floxin, Levaquin, which are prescribed to treat | | | | If you haven’t as yet consulted a |
| bladder, respiratory and other infections. Also | | | | chiropractor for your own tendinitis, please do so |
| Ciprofloxacin, Enoxacin, Lomefloxacin and | | | | now. But he or she must be a hands-on |
| Ofloxacin. These drugs can actually cause | | | | chiropractor! No empty staple gun |
| tendinitis! | | | | treatment. If you are not well or nearly well within |
| Certain cholesterol lowering drugs such as Zocor, | | | | 6 visits, you need to look further. |
| Lipitor, Baycol. Pravachol. Lescol, and Mevacor can | | | | To my knowledge, acupuncture is not an answer |
| sometimes initiate a condition called | | | | either. Massage therapy helps, but must be |
| Rhabdomyolysis (deterioration of the muscles). | | | | accompanied by special stretching exercises. The |
| This of course, also adversely affects the | | | | only drawback to this method is that the muscles |
| tendons. | | | | need massaging DAILY for best results. |
| Finally, as we age (become chronologically | | | | Sadly, there is no quick fix for tendinitis: No |
| gifted’) we become candidates for | | | | Silver Bullet. Further, there is no single lotion, |
| tendinitis even though over use is not a factor. | | | | potion, pill, or procedure that will cure you of |
| The reason is we lose muscle mass, muscle | | | | tendinitis. |
| strength, muscle tone, and muscle elasticity. This | | | | A good General attacks the enemy from more |
| also adversely affects the tendons. Do | | | | than one side. Similarly, Tendinitis must be |
| Something Good For The Muscles, And You Will | | | | attacked from all sides for best results. The |
| Be Doing Something Good For The Tendons. | | | | attack includes the proper use of heat and cold, |
| (A Published article by Dr. Edward Holtman, D.C. | | | | specific stretching exercises, special |
| further explains this theory.) | | | | supplementation, and vibration. Rest, as mentioned |
| Direct injury to the tendon can also cause | | | | before, is also very beneficial to the involved |
| tendinitis. | | | | tendons. |
| Age related supraspinatus tendinitis | | | | For more information on this and other forms of |
| As we age, we lose muscle mass, muscle | | | | tendinitis; Contact Dr. |
| strength, muscle tone, and muscle elasticity. This | | | | |