18°c Overcast
14°c Cloudy periods
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Treatment helps put lilt back into your step
Why was it so hard for me to have a good night's sleep? It wasn't the continuing uncertain state of the economy. Rather, every time I rolled over in bed, my shoulder reminded me it wasn't happy. This wouldn't have happened if I'd been smarter and taken my own advice about prevention. But luckily, Low Intensive Laser Therapy (LILT) has saved me from surgery a second time.
Several years ago, I became involved with trap shooting. I enjoyed the eye-to-hand co-ordination that's required, but one day I got careless and shot too many rounds. That's when the excessive recoil of the gun caused a rotator cuff tear (RCT) in my shoulder. I would have told anyone else to lock up the gun for several weeks to allow healing. But I didn't do it.
What is the rotator cuff and why is it so prone to injury? One problem is the shoulder joint moves in more directions than any other. This requires a complex array of muscles and tendons to connect the humerus (the upper bone of the arm) with the shoulder blade. So, placing too much stress or too much repetitive work on the rotator cuff muscles often leads to a tear and painful nights.
RCTs can occur at any age and under a variety of circumstances. One of my friends can no longer use an overhand serve in tennis because of this injury. Another friend decided to use his arms rather than a winch to lift supplies onto his boat and is now sleeping poorly. Jobs involving lifting, such as those in the construction business, or hobbies that place undue demand on the shoulders, often trigger RCTs. And although this injury can happen at any age, it's more likely to occur as the rotator cuff ages.
Disability depends on the severity and location of the rotator cuff injury. The main complaint is pain that prohibits certain movements. One of my patients, only half-joking, said, "I really need a scotch-and-soda before I try to put on my coat." Reaching over the head, or behind the back, is often impossible due to intense pain. And, if there's a major tear, muscle weakness follows.
Several years ago, I reported a spinal disk suddenly ruptured in my lumbar spine. It caused a pain from hell that left me crawling on my hands and knees. None of the usual methods of treatment helped to decrease the pain and it appeared major surgery would be required. This did not appeal to me.
Finally, I located Dr. Fred Kahn, an internationally known pioneer in the use of Low Intensive Laser Therapy (LILT).
It's a non-invasive treatment that relieved the back pain and had me standing up again after 15 treatments.
LILT is also useful in treating patients suffering from degenerative arthritis, neck pain, tendonitis and sport injuries. Fortunately, for me it has also healed my rotator cuff injury and I'm back shooting.
LILT gives a jump-start to the healing process by delivering energy to the muscles and joints that is then translated into biochemical energy. This decreases swelling and accelerates healing. It also triggers the release of endorphins, morphine-like substances that inhibit pain sensation. And by increasing cortisol, the forerunner of cortisone, a potent anti-inflammatory effect is activated and also an increase in the formation of new blood vessels.
It's unfortunate that, although LILT speeds up the healing of diabetic ulcers, it's not being utilized by physicians. This could save thousands of dollars in treating this chronic condition.
Next time, I'll take my own advice that prevention is better than cure and temporarily put the gun aside. I don't plan on pushing my luck a third time. The same advice applies to those who have jobs or sporting activities that require repetitive shoulder motions. If it starts hurting, it's time for a rest.
See www.docgiff.com for the medical tip of the day. For comments:
info@docgiff.com
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 26, 2010 A29
More Your Health
- Back to Top
- Return to Your Health
More Your Health
(1 of 5 articles for today)
Health Highlights: May 25, 2013
9:00 AM 0Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:
'Nanoparticle' Flu Vaccine ...
Poll
Most Popular Your Health
- PC white grape juice recalled nationally over undeclared sulphites
- Habit reforming
- Baker's cyst A sign of something else
- CT-scans: weigh negative and positive effects
- Vitamin C and lysine proven to keep arteries healthy
- Adrenal fatigue can have significant impact
- Toxic drug that was abandoned in development offered for sale online to athletes
- WHO warns Saudi coronavirus may be spreading; calls for urgent search for source
- Reduced urinary flow a reality for older men
- Drugs for enlarged prostate, baldness may boost risk of prostate cancer
- Smoke sales forbidden at pharmacies, health facilities starting May 31
- Canada lifts lifetime ban on gay men giving blood, but some restrictions remain
- Skin picking gets status as distinct disorder, should help sufferers access help
- Over one million affected by boil-water advisory in Montreal
- New Brunswick discouraging new family doctors from practising: medical residents
- Measles outbreaks flourish in UK years after discredited research tied measles shot to autism
- Baker's cyst A sign of something else
- Vitamin C and lysine proven to keep arteries healthy
- CT-scans: weigh negative and positive effects
- Three companies recall antipsychotic drug quetiapine: Health Canada says
- Baby delivery: safe haven baby drop-off sites open in Edmonton hospitals
- Angelina Jolie's double mastectomy: Q&A
- Smoke sales forbidden at pharmacies, health facilities starting May 31
- Pharmacy assistant who found diluted cancer drugs says label raised questions
- Auditor general takes aim at residential schools, diabetes prevention
- Vitamin C and lysine proven to keep arteries healthy
- Hockey commentator Kelly Hrudey shares daughter's struggle with mental illness
- Baker's cyst A sign of something else
- Biomedical engineer designs exercises, tests to battle Alzheimer's
- No evidence cycle helmet laws reduce head injuries: study
- Canada lifts lifetime ban on gay men giving blood, but some restrictions remain
- CT-scans: weigh negative and positive effects
- Vitamin C and lysine proven to keep arteries healthy
- Skin picking gets status as distinct disorder, should help sufferers access help
- Adrenal fatigue can have significant impact
- Canadian dies with aid of doctor in Zurich; wished it could have been in Canada
- Avoid herpes -- make love like a porcupine
- Three companies recall antipsychotic drug quetiapine: Health Canada says
- Measles outbreaks flourish in UK years after discredited research tied measles shot to autism
- Avoid allergen triggers to keep guests safe when barbecuing this summer
- Vitamin C and lysine proven to keep arteries healthy
- Biomedical engineer designs exercises, tests to battle Alzheimer's
- Adrenal fatigue can have significant impact
- Kidney problems price we pay for progress
- Natural medicine best for lowering cholesterol
- Canada lifts lifetime ban on gay men giving blood, but some restrictions remain
- CT-scans: weigh negative and positive effects
- Hockey commentator Kelly Hrudey shares daughter's struggle with mental illness
- Skin picking gets status as distinct disorder, should help sufferers access help
- Knee repair? Study finds physical therapy as good as surgery for torn cartilage, arthritis
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.