I am excited to highlight a guest blog from sport chiropractor DR. ANDREW COHEN from ProActive Chiropractic in the heart of San Francisco CA. Dr. Cohen is a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP®) with extensive knowledge of human form and function. As chiropractors we often use other modalities like kinesiology tape to help patients get better faster. Products such as RockTape help accelerate the healing process and reduce pain when applied effectively by your practitioner.

This is an exciting article showing kinesio-taping should be a piece of shoulder pain management, luckily we’ve been doing this for years for our San Francisco athletes!

Kinesiology tape may be as effective for shoulder pain as the traditionally used sub-acromial injection, according to a recent article published by Clinical Rheumatology.  A group of Turkish researchers looked at 70 patients with anterolateral shoulder pain, which they diagnosed with “Sub-acromial Impingement Syndrome”, for which many people are prescribed an injection to help settle the pain.  In this study, they divided the subjects evenly into a group that had a traditional injection, and a group that had kinesiology tape applied for three weeks (five days on, two off repeated three times).  Both groups were also given identical exercises aimed at stretching and strengthening the muscles around the shoulder.  The study measured the subjects’ pain via a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), their range of motion (ROM) and used the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index outcome measure (SPADI).  This was done at baseline, at one month, and at three months.

Both groups showed significant improvements from baseline at both one and three months for all measures- pain, ROM and SPADI.  This prompted the authors to state that kinesiology taping could be just as effective as injection therapy in shoulder pain management.  However, they also correctly point out that given both groups completed the exercise program, it could be the exercise therapy alone that gave the benefit, regardless of the additional tape or injection that these people had.  In line with our philosophy at Rocktape, I would argue that the exercise therapy is the imperative intervention in shoulder pain, however taping is a useful adjunct and a much cheaper, less invasive procedure than injection, so should be our first line adjunct for this population.

Subasi, V., Cakir, T., Arica, Z., Sarier, R.N., Filiz, M.B., Dogan, K.D. & Toraman, N.F.,(2014). Comparison of efficacy of kinesiological taping and sub-acromial injection therapy in sub-acromial impingement syndrome. Clinical Rheumatology doi 10.1007/s10067-014-2824-7

A little about DR. ANDREW COHEN--

I treat you like an Olympic athlete who wants to get back into the game pain free ASAP.

Andrew Cohen, DC, CCSP®

http://www.proactivesf.com

Myofascial Release; You might have heard this term if you have been around a gym, done any athletic activity, or talked to anyone who does. It is taking over the rehabilitation and training world as the most effective way to reduce muscle fatigue, strain, and pain. So first lets break down the word:   

MYO= muscle

FASCIA= richest sensory organ and the network of connective tissue that transmits forces globally through your body

RELEASE= overall goal to increase range of motion, decrease muscle soreness/tightness, and increase length/tension relationship of your muscle (stretch)

The real key to the effectiveness of foam rolling for MYOFASCIAL release is when and how you use it:

PRE-WORKOUT:

The “Search and Destroy” method-

Before you work out a specific muscle group roll up and down the foam roller finding a “Hot” spot that is specifically tender or especially tight. Locate that area and oscillate the “hot” spot for a minimum of 10 seconds. Once you are done with one specific area roll up and down the surrounding muscle groups to facilitate blood flow and circulation. You can repeat this process for numerous “hot” spots you find.

POST WORKOUT:

The “this might hurt a little” method-

After you finish working out a specific muscle group (legs after running, shoulders after swimming) roll up and down those specific tissue/muscle groups. Locate any “hot” spots that are specifically tender or especially tight. Once you have located that “hot” spot, place pressure (using your body weight or manipulating your limbs to place extra pressure on that area) and hold for a minimum of 30 seconds. Once you are done with a specific area, roll up and down the surrounding tissues to facilitate blood flow and circulation.  You can repeat this for other “hot” spots (even areas that are tender or tight from previous workouts)

ALL-THE TIME:

The “find it, pin it, move it” method-

The best use of your foam roller for day to day mobility is to roll up and down your desired muscle group until you find a “hot” spot that is tight or tender and apply slightly more pressure. Once pressure is applied, move that particular muscle group through its range of motion (this is also a great time to use the more specific LAX ball)--HOW TO: The LAX ball

It is recommended that you use the foam roller daily whether you are working out a specific muscle group or for general maintenance to:

• Increase circulation
• Reduce fatigue
• Reduce pain
• Increase range of motion
• Reduce muscle tightness
• Stimulate motor control receptors in your brain

The foam roller can enhance your performance, improve function, and be a great tool to self treat in between appointments with a chiropractor, trainer, or physical therapist.