Massage by Wendy Rowe, LMT

17 years as a Licensed Massage Therapist 🎉

THE TRUTH ABOUT IT BAND SYNDROME

The iliotibial (IT) band is a thick sheet of connective tissue on the outside of the thigh and is a common source of pain on the outer knee.

We used to think that the band got tight and rubbed over the outside of the femur, causing 🔥friction and inflammation of a bursa on the outer knee. We now know that the IT band is locked down tighter than Fort Knox and isn't moving anywhere. And that bursa doesn't even exist.

What's really going on is a compression syndrome.🗜 While there is no bursa, what is present is a fat pad with a lot of nerve endings. And when the IT band gets taut, it compresses on the fat pad, causing pain.

❌So the last thing we want to do is add more compression by rolling on it! If you've been rolling and you're not seeing results, put the roller away as you may be prolonging the irritation.

✅Instead, spend time working on the muscles attached to it at the hip. Then address movement faults that lead to the compression in the first place.

🔊 PAIN CAUSED BY STERNOCLEIDOMASTOID

What SCM Pain or Sternocleidomastoid Muscle?

The SCM or the Sternocleidomastoid Muscle is one of the largest muscles of the neck. This muscle is divided into two parts. It begins at the skull just behind the ears. From there, it forms two parts of which one attaches to the sternum or the breastbone and the other attaches to the clavicle or the collar bone. SCM or the Sternocleidomastoid Muscle is located just underneath the skin and can be visualized when moving the neck completely to one side. Since an individual moves the neck and the shoulders many times during the day hence this muscle is used extensively by the body. This makes it prone to overuse and this results in what we call as SCM Pain or the Sternocleidomastoid Pain. Putting stress to these muscles, having abnormal sitting posture, or sudden movements of the neck or shoulder like in a motor vehicle accident can cause SCM Pain or Sternocleidomastoid Pain.

What are the Pain Patterns of SCM Pain or Sternocleidomastoid Pain?

When we speak of SCM Pain or Sternocleidomastoid Pain, it becomes important to understand the pain patterns of it as the SCM muscle is divided into two parts and both parts have different pain patterns.

Pain in the Sternal Part of SCM or the Sternocleidomastoid Muscle: The sternal division of the SCM or the Sternocleidomastoid muscle may cause pain to the cheek which can be mistaken for a case of trigeminal neuralgia which is a condition in which a nerve irritation causes intense facial pain. In some cases, there may be pain to the breast bone. It can also cause pain deep in the eye resembling pain from sinusitis. It can cause pain in the tongue when swallowing food.

Pain in Collarbone Part of SCM or Sternocleidomastoid Muscle: The clavicular or collarbone pain pattern causes severe pain in the forehead, in the ear or behind the ear. In some cases, an individual can also feel pain in the face and cheeks as well.

How is SCM Pain or Sternocleidomastoid Pain Treated?

Massage: Coming to treatments for SCM pain or the sternocleidomastoid pain, massage is the best form of treatment. This therapy is simple and can be done by the experienced massage therapist or the patient themselves can do it as well. The patient can use the thumb or the forefinger to squeeze the muscles gently so as to relax the muscles. This can be done through therapy as well. Apart from this, stretching and strengthening the Sternocleidomastoid Muscle may also help treat the SCM pain.

Sternocleidomastoid stretch

1. Standing with feet comfortably apart. Roll/fold a regular bath towel lengthways into a strip roughly 6” wide. Drape the towel strip evenly over the shoulder of the affected side. Grip the end of the strip hanging behind the back in the hand of the affected side, and the end at the front using the other side.

2. Apply firm downward pressure to the shoulder by pulling simultaneously on each end of the towel. Then slowly and in a controlled manner tilt the head away from the towel toward the opposite shoulder. Then also rotate the head away from the towel. When a stretch is felt in the neck, stop and hold the position for 20 seconds whilst breathing slowly and deeply. Return to starting position.

16 years as a Licensed Massage Therapist!🎉

Cervical Radiculopathy: Referral and/or Pain Patterns. “A pinched or irritated nerve in the neck causing pain, numbness, or weakness radiating into the chest or arm.”

Image Credit: PhysioOsteoBook

🔈 IMPROVE YOUR HAND MOBILITY - FLEXTOR AND EXTENSOR EXERCISE

➡️ Technique 1
Sit or stand upright. Flex the elbow at a 90-degree angle, and extend the wrist as far as possible. Point the fingers upward.
With the right hand, push the fingers on the left hand toward the elbow.

➡️ Technique 2
Sit or stand upright. Turn the left arm so that the palm faces up and flex the elbow to a 90-degree angle. Flex the wrist to a 90-degree angle, and flex the fingers so that they are pointed toward the elbow. Place the right hand on top of the fingers and press the fingers down toward the forearm.

➡️ Technique 2
Squeeze against the ball for 1 second. Open & spread against the cord for 1 second. Repeat until comfortable fatigue.

♾ Let's stay pain free and share the knowledge!

TINNITUS AND TMJ DISORDER

Background
There is a close relationship between certain problems with the jaw joint (temporo-mandibular joint or TMJ) and tinnitus. Scientific studies have shown that people with TMJ problems are more likely to suffer from tinnitus. Similarly, some individuals who have sustained an injury to their neck may also suffer from tinnitus. Some people with either TMJ problems or neck problems are able to alter the intensity of their tinnitus by moving their mouth, jaw, face and neck. Successful treatment of the underlying problem can be associated with an improvement of tinnitus symptoms.

What is the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ)?
The TMJ is a complex joint as it has to allow for side-to-side and front to back movements that take place during chewing. The muscles that make the jaw move are some of the most powerful in the body. This means that quite large forces have to act through the TMJ. As a result, the joint is at risk of damage just as much as any other weight-bearing joint in the body. TMJ problems can be due to trauma, such as a ‘pulled muscle’ or a dislocation to the fibrous disc that sits in the hinge joint. Other TMJ problems may be due to longer-term problems such as arthritis within the joint.

What are the symptoms of TMJ problems?
The usual symptoms of TMJ problems are pain, which may be felt as earache, clunking of the jaw, or limitation of movement, causing difficulty in opening the mouth. Other symptoms that may arise are swelling of the joint, headaches, neck pain and tinnitus. Some people notice that when stressed, they grind their teeth - particularly at night - and this can put pressure on the TMJ.

How does the TMJ affect tinnitus?
There are three main theories behind why problems with the TMJ may cause tinnitus, or make it worse. Firstly, the chewing muscles are near to some of the muscles that insert into the middle ear and so may have an effect on hearing, and so may promote tinnitus. Secondly, there can be a direct connection between the ligaments that attach to the jaw and one of the hearing bones that sits in the middle ear. Thirdly, the nerve supply from the TMJ has been shown to have connections with the parts of the brain that are involved with both hearing and the interpretation of sound. The general discomfort associated with TMJ problems can also aggravate any pre-existing tinnitus.

How can TMJ problems be diagnosed?
Your dentist can often diagnose TMJ problems on clinical examination. If necessary, the dentist will refer you for further tests. Disorders of the TMJ may be investigated with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans and even, on occasion, by arthroscopy, which is a small procedure where a tiny camera is inserted into the joint.

What can be done about it?
A variety of treatments are available to treat TMJ disorders. If your tinnitus is related to your TMJ problem, the tinnitus may improve as the TMJ problems get resolved.

There are some simple measures that can help TMJ problems, such as a change to a soft diet, jaw muscle massage and exercises. For people who grind their teeth or clench their jaw, a bite-appliance may be made which corrects the way in which the jaw works and reduces the stresses and loads on it. This can be disposed of when normal function is restored. In exceptional cases a specialist dentist, known as a maxillo-facial surgeon, may be required to perform surgery on the TMJ.

Source: The British Tinnitus Association
Healthy Street

🔈 ANATOMY OF SCAPULA AND SCAPULAR REGION

The clavicle is the boundary demarcating the root of the neck from the thorax. It also indicates the “divide” between the deep cervical and axillary “lymph sheds” (like a mountain range dividing watershed areas): Lymph from structures superior to the clavicles drain via the deep cervical nodes, and lymph from structures inferior to the clavicles, as far inferiorly as the umbilicus, drain via the axillary lymph nodes.

The infraclavicular fossa is the depressed area just inferior to the lateral part of the clavicle. This depression overlies the clavipectoral (deltopectoral) triangle - bounded by the clavicle superiorly, the pectoralis major medially, and the deltoid laterally - which may be evident in the fossa in lean individuals. The cephalic vein, ascending from the upper limb, enters the clavipectoral triangle and pierces the clavipectoral fascia to enter the axillary vein.The coracoid process of the scapula is not subcutaneous; it is covered by the anterior border of the deltoid; however, the tip of the process can be felt on deep palpation on the lateral aspect of the clavipectoral triangle. The coracoid process is used as a bony landmark when performing a brachial plexus block, and its position is of importance in diagnosing shoulder dislocations.

While lifting a weight, palpate the anterior sloping border of the trapezius and where its superior fibers attach to the lateral third of the clavicle. When the arm is abducted and then adducted against resistance, the sternocostal part of the pectoralis major can be seen and palpated. If the anterior axillary fold bounding the axilla is grasped between the fingers and thumb, the inferior border of the sternocostal head of the pectoralis major can be felt. Several digitations of the serratus anterior are visible inferior to the anterior axillary fold. The posterior axillary fold is composed of skin and muscular tissue (latissimus dorsi and teres major) bounding the axilla posteriorly.

The lateral border of the acromion may be followed posteriorly with the fingers until it ends at the acromial angle. Clinically, the length of the arm is measured from the acromial angle to the lateral condyle of the humerus. The spine of the scapula is subcutaneous throughout and is easily palpated as it extends medially and slightly inferiorly from the acromion. The root of the scapular spine (medial end) is located opposite the tip of the T3 spinous process when the arm is adducted. The medial border of the scapula may be palpated inferior to the root of the spine as it crosses ribs 3–7. It may be visible in some people, especially thin people. The inferior angle of the scapula is easily palpated and is usually visible. Grasp the inferior scapular angle with the thumb and fingers and move the scapula up and down. When the arm is adducted, the inferior scapular angle is opposite the tip of the T7 spinous process and lies over the 7th rib or intercostal space.