Neck and shoulder tip/shoulder pains are common in the workplace and are not easily eliminated. A program of strength training only worked in those that are doing well and likely to continue program until end (I call them responders).
Influence of frequency and duration of strength training for effective management of neck and shoulder pain: a randomised controlled trial.
Christoffer H Andersen et al
BJSM in press free article here
- 20 weeks training
- Results:
Many years ago a Canadian study was done over the 35 years of a low fat diet on progression of MS. It demonstated quite well that those on a low fat diet, if started early, never ended up in a wheel chair (p<0.001):
Never hear of it? I phoned my MS society and asked for a copy of the diet and they too never heard of it. Reason – it assumed those that were not doing well would just go off the diet and hence create a bias. This article suffers from the same bias – doing well – would continue with therapy.
To be fair, if one does the program and notices benefit, s/he should continue with it. They had regular attendance in 1/2 of their cases.
The details of the strength program can be obtained free fulltext
An interesting note is that it contains NO neck exercises – all are exercises to shoulders and shoulder tips.
Actual treatment of shoulder tip pains is complex and requires treatment to C4/5 facet:
Can’t Get Rid of Shoulder Tip Pain? – Think C4/5 Neck Facet
First rib issues also create problems as a ligament on fits rib stretches the T1 nerve root:
I inject onto first rib with a 30 guage needle (careful with bigger needles as lung is nearby)using 0.5 ml 5% lidocaine – it relaxes it. Of course I inject trapezius as well. There is some suspicion the suprascapular nerve has been irritated and involved as well, and I inject 5% lidocaine into it as well in selected cases.
A forearm support is needed for computer users and I suggest a support:
Articulating Gel Forearm Support with Removable Mouse Tray
Available here
and probably other places..
There is more here and I will add to this…
Any suggestions?