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Understanding Shoulder Pain in Active Individuals If you’re an athlete or an active individual who frequently uses your arms overhead, whether you swim, throw, lift, or play volleyball, you might be familiar with shoulder discomfort that doesn't go away. One common issue behind this pain is subacromial impingement syndrome , a condition where tendons in the shoulder become irritated and inflamed due to repeated overhead movement. But what many people don’t realize is that shoulder pain like this often begins with the shoulder blade , also called the scapula . What Is Scapular Dyskinesis? Your scapula plays a critical role in healthy shoulder movement. It acts as a stable base and guide for your arm. When it doesn't move properly, a condition known as scapular dyskinesis, the shoulder joint becomes overworked, leading to pain, weakness, and eventually injury. Common signs of scapular dyskinesis include: Shoulder pain during or after activity A visible "winging" of the shoulder blade Weakness or limited range of motion when lifting the arm A feeling of instability or “catching” during movement New Research Supports a Better Way to Treat Shoulder Pain A recent clinical study looked at young overhead athletes who had subacromial impingement. Researchers compared two treatment programs: Standard therapy, which included stretching, strengthening, and manual techniques. Scapular-focused therapy, which included all the above, plus exercises to specifically retrain and strengthen the shoulder blade muscles. The results were clear: athletes in the scapular-focused group had less pain, better shoulder function, and faster recovery than those who received standard treatment alone. What This Means for You If you’re dealing with shoulder pain, especially during or after sports or exercise, it’s not just about treating the sore spot. It’s about understanding the bigger picture, how your shoulder blade moves, how strong those supporting muscles are, and whether your body is compensating in ways that cause stress or inflammation. At Thrive, we offer evidence-based, individualized care that includes scapular assessment and targeted rehabilitation. Our goal is to not only relieve your current pain, but also correct the underlying mechanics to help you stay active long-term. What to Expect from Treatment  When you visit us with shoulder pain, your treatment plan may include: A full evaluation of your shoulder and scapular movement Mobilization techniques to restore motion Exercises to retrain your shoulder blade muscles for stability and control Education on how to move safely and prevent future injury Whether you’re an athlete, a coach, or simply someone who enjoys staying active, understanding the role of your scapula can be the missing link to lasting shoulder health. If you need shoulder pain relief, come see us or visit our website at www.thrivesportsandspine.info .

Keywords: cervical instability, cervical myelopathy, neck pain, facet joint degeneration, neck curve, spinal cord compression, Thrive Sports & Spine, chiropractic care

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Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears down over time. Studies now show that this may be prevented or even reversed with weight loss! It is estimated that a force of three to six times one’s body weight is exerted across the knee while walking. This means that a person who is only 10lbs overweight can increase the force across their knee joint by 30-60lbs with each step! 1 In fact, in one study it was found that obese women had 4 times the risk of knee osteoarthritis compared with non-obese women. For obese men the risk was nearly 5 times greater! 2 It makes sense that the more pressure you put on a joint the more likely that joint is going to develop arthritis, but the story goes deeper. Being overweight has also been associated with higher rates of hand osteoarthritis suggesting a second factor in overweight individuals as well. 3 Studies show that engorged fat cells increase the release of pro-inflammatory chemicals which may cause increased inflammation arthritis in joints all over the body, not just those that are weight bearing. People who are overweight experience more joint pain than those with a normal weight. But there is hope. If obesity increases the development and progression of systemic joint osteoarthritis can losing does weight reverse the effects? One study noted that in “overweight” women (BMI greater than or equal to 25) there was a significantly lower risk of osteoarthritis when these women lost weight. 4 They concluded that for every 11lbs of weight loss, the risk of knee osteoarthritis decreased by over 50%! Weight loss substantially reduced reports of overall pain as well. You may not have to live the rest of your life with knee and joint pain. A safe and effective weight loss program will help you to stop the progression or even eliminate your joint pain all together. 1 Felson DT: Weight and osteoarthritis. J.Rheumatol. 1995;43:7-9. 2 Anderson J, Felson DT: Factors associated with osteoarthritis of the knee in the First National Health and Nutrition Examination (HANES I). 3 Carman WJ, Sowers M, Hawthorne VM, Weissfeld LA: Obesity as a risk factor for osteoarthritis of the hand and wrist: a prospective study. 4 Felson DT, Zhang Y, Hannan MT, et al: Risk factors for incident radiographic

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