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Looking for pain relief, without addictive drugs? You're in the right place!

Spine | Joints | Arthritis
Live life well with your Riverbend Chiropractor and Massage Therapy

Edmonton's chiropractic orthopaedic specialist, Dr. Joseph Tanti, and team of chiropractors and massage therapists in the Riverbend area helping you with pain relief without addictive or dangerous drugs - so you can get back to LIVING life!

Jacqui did it, and so can you!

You can get out of pain, fast, completely rehabilitate your injuries, and get back to LIVING life! (without addictive drugs)

I understand the challenges of dealing with pain in your spine and joints while trying to maintain an active lifestyle. You can break free from pain, fully rehabilitate your body, and reclaim your ability to live life to the fullest!

As a chiropractor, and chiropractic orthopaedic specialist with years of experience treating spine and joint-related aches, pains, and injuries, you get personalized care, including a comprehensive rehabilitation program designed to address your unique needs.

Whether you're struggling with arthritis, recovering from a catastrophic injury, or seeking to improve your health, we are dedicated to helping you reach your goals.

Don't let pain hold you back any longer. Take the first step towards a healthier, happier you, and speak with a specialist today.

Hours We Are Open

Chiropractors

Monday 8:00 - 6:00

Tuesday 2:00 - 5:00

Wednesday 8:00 - 6:00

Thursday 2:00 - 7:00

Friday 8:00 - 4:00

Saturday 9:00 - 12:00

*Closed 12 - 2 for lunch

**We will come when we are closed on Saturday and Sunday if you ask nicely, and we will happily charge an absurdly large fee :)

Massage Therapy

Monday 9:30 - 2:00

Tuesday 9:30 - 2:00

Wednesday 9:30 - 2:00

Thursday 3:00 - 9:00

Friday Closed

Saturday Closed

"Its like magic! I feel so much better!"

Marina

"I couldn't hold onto anything. Now I can!"

Lillian

"I feel so great, I could jump to the ceiling!"

Anna

"The pain was permanent...but now its gone!"

Hugh

"My foot feels great, and we had the perfect holiday"

Diane

I would highly recommend Dr. Tanti. I went to see him for chronic headaches and had relief after my first appointment. He has a holistic approach and truly listens to his patients.

Meagan Jakubec

Google Review

After suffering from a chronic SI condition I visited Dr. Joe Tanti at Riverbend Chiropractic. His manner is warm and welcoming and treatments are professionally administered. I also like that he is treating my back issues in a more holistic by including therapeutic exercises which I can undertake at home. A five star review for Dr. Joe.

Sherri Rourke

Google Review

Spine

Spine conditions are one of the leading causes of pain and disability world wide. You don't have to be part of that group!

Joint

Joint pain and injuries can ruin your day, and affect your life. The good news is you don't have to suffer any longer!

Arthritis

Arthritis impacts over 2.4 million Canadians. While there is no 'cure', it can be treated, and often the pain eliminated, and function restored!

Headaches

Headaches affect 50% of people. The most common type of headaches - migraines, tension headache and cervicogenic headache - greatly benefit from chiropractic care!

So if you are suffering with headaches, and would like help stopping them, we can help!

Migraines

Migraines are more than 'just a headache'. They are a complex neurological condition, with head pain being one of the key features.

If you are dealing with migraines, we can help! I have found that if you are suffering with migraines that start with neck pain, you could have a nearly miraculous improvement with chiropractic care!

If you're migraine does not start with neck pain, chiropractic care when combined with a multi-pronged approach can be a game changer.

Neck Pain

Spine pain - including neck pain - is one of the leading causes of disability world wide. The cause of neck pain varies from  person to person.

The short list of neck pain causes are arthritis, muscle, joint, nerve, and disc problems.

The good news is that you don't have to struggle with neck pain anymore! 

Back Pain

Spine pain - including back pain - is one of the leading causes of disability world wide. If you have a foot problem, you can still get around and live life. 

When your back hurts, it makes it nearly impossible to do anything at all. Getting out of bed, getting dressed, even just standing up can be next to impossible. 

As someone who has dealt with serious back pain, I know exactly what it feels like. And I know that chiropractic care is the solution!

Disc Herniation and Bulge

Disc injuries are the leading cause of back pain, causing roughly 40% of all back pain.

These injuries can cause symptoms that range from local stiffness, to pain, to causing lighting, a hot wire, or fire to shoot down your leg!

The good news is that chiropractic care is part of the solution. It takes more than simply 'aligning' the spine.

Disc herniations and disc bulges require a comprehensive approach such as the one we use at Riverbend Chiropractic & Wellness! 

Stenosis

Stenosis is a fancy word for describing a narrowing within the spine that often occurs as we age.

This condition will often cause back pain, neck pain, along with pain shooting into your arm or leg.

This narrowing causes a smaller amount of space for the nerve, along with all of the other neuro-vascular structures to travel through.

When there is dysfunction, restrictions, scar tissue formation in combination with stenosis, you will often experience the symptoms described above.

A conservative, non-surgical comprehensive approach to treating stenosis is often successful in significantly reducing the pain, and improving your function! Obviously no conservative therapies are able to cause structural changes to your spine.

However, we are able to make functional improvements, and I have often helped my patients suffering with stenosis become pain free!

Sciatica

Sciatica is a fancy word the medical community uses to describe leg pain. There are many potential causes of sciatica. These causes include a pinched or inflamed nerve, joint or muscle. 

While each condition can cause sciatica, they each require different treatment strategies. 

The good news is that we are experts in determining what is cause for your sciatica pain is, AND treating it!

Pelvic Girdle Pain

Pelvic girdle pain is especially common during and after pregnancy. When you are pregnant, not only are biomechanical changes happening to your body, but hormonal changes as well.

You may have noticed feeling different? Food cravings? Unexplained happiness or bursting into tears for no reason at all? Feeling "hormonal"?

These hormonal changes also affect how you feel, and how your joints and muscles work, leading to pain.

This pain can even last postpartum. The good news is that we are experts in getting you feeling better, back on track, so you can focus on whats important - taking care of your beautiful baby, without having to worry about your pelvic girdle pain.

TMJ - Jaw Pain

The temporomandibular joint (often referred to as the TMJ) causes pain and problems for many people.

Whether from stress (clenching and grinding), or trauma (a fall, head butt or punch to the face), the TMJ can become injured.

Pain, popping, and locking are all common side effects. If you are dealing with TMJ problems, we can help!

Shoulder & Rotator Cuff

The shoulder is one of the most commonly injured joints in the body.

I've injured my left shoulder myself. So I know all about shoulder injuries, the pain, and the rehabilitation that is required!While the rotator cuff is most commonly injured - either a strain, tendinopathy, or tear- other issues can also cause shoulder pain.

Bursitis, impingement, labrum, bankart injuries and dislocations (like the one I had - OUCH!), just to name a few.

Bottom line: if you are dealing with a shoulder problem, we can help!

Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow (and golfers elbow) does not only affect tennis players and golfers!

Elbow pain can range from a slight annoyance to making it impossible to grab anything. Even turning a door handle can be painful!

Many methods fail to appropriately treat elbow pain because they simply stop at pain reduction. To make lasting change, you need pain reduction strategies, an appropriate tissue loading and strengthening approach, along with a thought out approach to managing the bio-mechanical stressors affecting your elbow.

Bottom line: we can help get rid of your elbow pain, even if others could not!

Hand & Wrist Pain

Hand and wrist pain can come in many shapes and sizes. For some people it is a mild inconvenience.

For others, they are completely handicapped. Not being able to use their hand for anything due to the pain.

At Riverbend Chiropractic & Wellness, we can help solve your hand and wrist pain. From sprain/strains, to tendonitis, pulley ruptures, and more. 

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common peripheral nerve injuries. It is caused by compression of the median nerve inside of the carpal tunnel - your wrist.

Let me ask you: does your hand go numb at night? While working, typing, or grabbing things? Are you dropping stuff? Do your hands feel clumsy? Are your hands numb, burning, or tingling?

If yes, you may have carpal tunnel syndrome. I have found that mild to moderate cases of carpal tunnel syndrome can be effectively treated without surgery or shots. Severe cases can also be treated, however, it is much more challenging, and takes much longer.

Often patients re not willing to do what needs to be done, and surgery is required.

This is why it is so important to treat carpal tunnel syndrome BEFORE it becomes severe. Fortunately, at Riverbend Chiropractic & Wellness we can help!

Hip Pain

Hip pain does not just affect seniors. I've successfully treated children, young adults, and not - so - young adults successfully for their hip pain.

There are many possible causes of hip pain. These include problems with the joints, muscles, tendon's, bursae, and nerves.

Many people with hip pain think it is due to arthritis. While this does occur, it is not as common as people believe, especially under 50.

At Riverbend Chiropractic & Wellness, we assess, diagnose and successfully treat all causes of hip pain on a daily basis.

If you are struggling with hip pain, you owe it to yourself to get it under control. We can help get you there!

Ankle Pain

Ankle pain and injuries can severely affect your mobility, and ability to function in every day life.

If severe enough, you can't even put any weight on it. While most ankle injuries get better on their own, some require extensive therapy.

You certainly don't want to end up having a chronic ankle sprain! Where nearly every other day your ankle gives out from just stepping off the curb.

The good news is at Riverbend Chiropractic & Wellness, we can help you with even the most severe of ankle sprains. Even the chronic ankle sprain that your just sick and tired of dealing with.

Plantar Fasciitis & Foot Pain

If you have been experiencing heel pain those first few steps in the morning, you may have plantar fasciitis.

Sometimes it feels like you are stepping on a marble, or even a nail. If it gets worse, the pain starts to travel into the arch of your foot, and starts to affect you throughout the day. No longer just those first few steps.

Some people with plantar fasciitis walk like they are walking on broken glass!

Fortunately at Riverbend Chiropractic & Wellness we have all the tools needed to get you back on your feet - pain free!

Neck Arthritis

Constant discomfort and pain that accompanies neck arthritis shouldn't hinder your daily joys and independence.

You have likely been told, or may think that there is 'nothing you can do about it". Wrong.

You can get better. You can have better mobility, flexibility, less pain - possibly even no pain!Say goodbye to frustration and fear, and hello to a life of improved mobility and vitality - and feel 10 years younger.

At Riverbend Chiropractic & Wellness we can help you on your journey towards long-term relief and freedom. 

Back Arthritis

Constant discomfort and pain from back arthritis shouldn't hinder your daily joys and independence. Stop letting your back pain decide what your plans are for your day.

You have likely been told, or may think that there is 'nothing you can do about it". 

Wrong.

It can get better! Better mobility, flexibility, less pain - possibly even no pain!

Say goodbye to the frustration and fear, and hello to a life of improved mobility and vitality - and to feeling 10 years younger.

At Riverbend Chiropractic & Wellness we can help you on your journey towards long-term relief!

Hip Arthritis

Hip arthritis can be brutal. The slow onset of stiffness, achiness...then one day the pain starts.

You have likely been told, or may think that there is 'nothing you can do about it". You may have been told that you aren't bad enough for surgery, and to just suck it up.

Maybe you've been told you need surgery...but now what do you do during the 18month wait list?

Told there is nothing else you can do?Wrong.

It can get better! Better mobility, flexibility, less pain - possibly even no pain!At Riverbend Chiropractic & Wellness we can help you with your hip arthritis, and help you on your journey towards long-term relief!

Knee Arthritis

Knee arthritis can be brutal. The slow onset of stiffness, achiness...then one day the pain starts.Limping, dragging your leg...have to take stairs? Forget about it.

You have likely been told, or may think that there is 'nothing you can do about it". You may have been told that you aren't bad enough for surgery, and to just suck it up.

Maybe you've been told you need surgery...but now what do you do during the 18 month wait list? Told there is nothing else you can do?

Wrong.

It can get better! Better mobility, flexibility, less pain - possibly even no pain!Many of my patients are now running up stairs!

At Riverbend Chiropractic & Wellness we can help you with your knee arthritis, and help you on your journey towards long-term relief!

Ankle Arthritis

Ankle arthritis is very rare, unless you've had a bad ankle injury in your past.

It can be constant, and completely stop you from being able to walk.

You have likely been told, or may think that there is 'nothing you can do about it". You may have been told that you aren't bad enough for surgery, and to just suck it up.

Maybe you've been told you need surgery...but now what do you do during the 18 month wait list? Told there is nothing else you can do?

Wrong.

At Riverbend Chiropractic & Wellness we can help you with your ankle arthritis, and help you on your journey towards long-term relief!

Shoulder Arthritis

Shoulder arthritis is common. Especially if you've had a history of a shoulder injury, fracture, or chronic rotator cuff problems.

The pain can be constant, and stop you from being able to use your arm!

You have likely been told, or may think that there is 'nothing you can do about it". You may have been told that you aren't bad enough for surgery, and to just suck it up.

Maybe you've been told you need surgery...but now what do you do during the 18 month wait list?

Told there is nothing else you can do? Wrong.

At Riverbend Chiropractic & Wellness we can help you with your shoulder arthritis, and help you on your journey towards long-term relief, and be able to use your arm again!

Wrist & Hand Arthritis

Wrist and hand arthritis is very common, affecting millions of Canadians.

It impacts your day, and quality of life.Opening jars, doors, buttoning buttons, brushing your hair...nearly everything you do that uses your hands becomes a struggle, if not impossible.

You have likely been told, or may think that there is 'nothing you can do about it". You may have been told that there is nothing that you can do.

Wrong.

At Riverbend Chiropractic & Wellness we can help you with your wrist and hand arthritis, and help you on your journey towards long-term relief!

"Here to make you feel pawsome!"

"Hey there, friend! When you walk through our doors, you're not just another patient—you’re part of our pack! I have a warm, welcoming space where the humans really know how to take care of you. Whether you’re aching or just need a little boost, you’ll find comfort here, and maybe even my wagging tail to greet you!"

  • One of Edmonton's 3 chiropractic orthopaedic specialists

  • Direct billing

  • PhD in Tail Wags, with a speciality in making you smile

  • Open evenings, and Saturday

Murphy - Puppy Overlord and Clinic Mascot

Meet the Chiropractors, Massage therapists and Team at

Riverbend Chiropractic & Wellness

Dr. Todd Berg

Dr. Joseph Tanti

Kim

Julia

Murphy

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you take insurance?

Yes! We direct bill most insurance companies. While there are a few plans that do not allow us to direct bill, most do.

Here is a list of all of the insurance companies we accept:

Alberta Blue Cross

Benefit Plan Administrators - BPA

Blue Cross

Canada Life

Canada Construction Workers Union

Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance

CINUP

Claim Secure

CowanD.A. Townley

Desjardins Insurance

First Canadian

GMS Carrier 49, 50

Great West Life

Green Shield

Group Health

Group Source

Industrial Alliance

Johnson Inc.

Johnston Group Inc.

La Capital and Financial Services

LiUNA Local 83, 506

Manion

Manulife

Maximum Benefit

People Corporation

R.C.M.P. (Blue Cross)

RWAM Insurance Administrators

Sun Life Financial

TELUS AdjudiCare

Union Benefits

V.A.C. (Blue Cross)

WCB

Motor Vehicle Collisions

What problems can chiropractic and massage therapy treat?

At Riverbend Chiropractic & Wellness, our chiropractors and massage therapists commonly treat problems with the spine, joints, and arthritis.

This includes neck pain, headaches, back pain, disc injuries, shoulder injuries and more.I often tell people, if you are hurt or injured somewhere between your head and your toes, we can probably help!

If you have an organ problem (i.e. a heart attack, stomach ulcer, etc) go to the hospital!

Is treatment safe?

Because chiropractic is non-invasive, the risk of a serious side effect is extremely low. While most people feel a sense of relief, it is possible that following chiropractic manipulations you may experience mild soreness that should go away quickly.

Before you have a chiropractic treatment, ask to discuss any concerns you have with us. If you have any severe or lasting effects or concerns over when to stop chiropractic treatment, talk to us and let us know.

We always work with you, do what is safe and at your comfort level.

Is there any evidence for chiropractic? I heard it is a bunch of mumbo-jumbo...

Chiropractic care is evidence-based. National and international researchers, both within and outside the chiropractic profession, are actively involved in studying the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic for patient care.

In fact, there is a chiropractic PhD in universities in every province across Canada! The Alberta Chiropractic association supports  ongoing Alberta research as well as national research from the Canadian Chiropractic Guideline initiative.

This growing body of evidence continues to prove the value of chiropractic care with consistently high marks for clinical effectiveness, cost efficiency and patient satisfaction.

If you would like to explore research, please visit the World Federation of Chiropractic’s suggested reading list and the Canadian Chiropractic Guideline Initiative’s website.

When should I see a chiropractor or massage therapist?

There are many reasons people see a chiropractor and massage therapist. Stress relief, sports performance, however most people start seeing a chiropractor or massage therapist because of pain or injury.

If you are struggling with sporadic or chronic pain, a chiropractor and massage therapist may be able to help. You do not require a referral to visit a chiropractor or massage therapist. There are a few insurance plans that require a referral for massage therapy to be covered by insurance, but not many. Check your plan for details, or give us a call.

Some people see a chiropractor and massage therapist to avoid having pain in the first place. Like visiting your dentist, and getting your teeth cleaned for 'maintenance', some people find this approach helpful.

Recent Posts

man with shoulder and rotator cuff injury

Shoulder and Rotator Cuff Injury: Beyond Strains and Tears – A Holistic Approach to Recovery

October 16, 202423 min read

Are you tossing and turning in your sleep?

Cant find a comfortable position to get into because your shoulder is keeping you awake?

Finding normal tasks more and more difficult to do… Washing your hair, getting dressed, and reaching into the backseat cause a sharp pain?

These problems could be caused by an injury to your rotator cuff. 

Rotator cuff injuries make up the majority of shoulder injuries. While some  are traumatic - from a fall, collision, or sudden movement - many times they are more gradual.

The “I didn’t do anything” type of injury.

The problem with rotator cuff injuries is that they don’t simply ‘get better on their own”. In fact, typically when left alone, they get worse!

Sure the pain may go…but over time, if you don’t address the problem, it is going to bite you back ten times over. How do I know?

I see it every single day in my office.

So if you are serious about solving your shoulder problem for good, you’ve come to the right place! Just keep reading.

Understanding Rotator Cuff and Shoulder Injury

To understand rotator cuff injuries, we must first understand the shoulder girdle and how the shoulder works. As one of the most mobile joints in the body, the shoulder is a bit complicated.

This mobility allows lets us do wonderful things!  Cartwheels, throwing balls, playing sports, picking up objects or people, reaching for the cookies on the top shelf, and more.

As a trade off for this mobility, the shoulder is inherently less stability. And there are a lot of muscles involved with shoulder movement! The rotator cuff is comprised of:

1)Supraspinatus, 2) Infra spinatus, 3)Teres minor and 4) Subscapularis

However there are other muscles involved with the entire shoulder girdle as well. Here they are:

  • Trapezius

  • levator scapulae

  • Scalenes (posterior, middle, anterior)

  • Rhomboids (major and minor)

  • Latissimus dorsi

  • Teres major

  • Deltoid (anterior, lateral, posterior fibres)

  • Pectoralis major

  • Pectoralis minor

  • Serratus anterior

  • Biceps brachii

  • Coracobrachialis

  • Triceps brachii 

  • Subclavius

  • Omohyoid

Depending how you count, that is 19-24 muscles that attach to just the scapula. That’s a lot of muscle!Of course they all work in uni-sync with other areas of the body as well, which I wont get into here for sake of simplicity. 

It's important to remember, if you have a problem with your shoulder, you are likely eventually going to have a problem with your upper back and your neck. 

What Does The Rotator Cuff Do?

The main role of the rotator cuff is to keep the humerus (your arm bone) in the glenoid fossa and to keep it stable. It acts almost like a suction cup, keeping the head of the humerus intact and congruent with the glenoid fossa. 

The glenoid fossa is similar to the top of a golf tee. And the head of the humorous is like a golf ball. While you are moving your arm around, something needs to hold that ball on the tee.

Golf Ball sitting on a tee

Can't hold the ball on the tee if you moved the tee around...the rotator cuff muscles keep the arm intact with the glenoid fossa (like holding the ball onto the tee)

That is the primary role of the rotator cuff. Although there are other actions of the rotator cuff - the Supraspinatus  lifts the arm up to the side, subscapularis internally rotates the humerus, and infraspinatus and teres minor externally rotate the humerus -  but their main role is in stabilizing the glenohumeral joint in all ranges of motion.

An injury to the one of these muscles, as you can imagine, may potentially destabilize this joint. This 'unstable environment' makes other shoulder conditions more likely. Examples include biceps tendinopathy, bursitis, or "impingement syndrome". 

Rotator Cuff Sprains, Strains and Tears

There are several different types of tendonitis, muscular and tendon injuries.  They range from grade one to grade three strains.

Or more simply, minor injuries to the muscular and tendons structure all the way up to a full thickness tear. 

Tears can range in size from either obviously, tiny, microscopic to full thickness. Each of these injuries are on a continuum, if you will. Full tears can be quite severe, and minor strains are more minor. 

However they can all be quite debilitating. These occur for a couple different reasons. The first and most obvious is due to trauma. If you fall down on an outstretched arm (we call these FOOSH injuries), or you fall on your shoulder, or you're in a car accident holding on to the steering wheel, or you pull something really heavy and you feel a sudden pain. 

Theses scenarios can obviously cause damage to the cuff. The more common types of injuries however, are the “I didn't do anything” type of injury. 

These are due to repetitive micro trauma.  Gradual stress and strain builds up over time until eventually you do one thing that you've done a million times before and then that's enough to put excessive load through the cuff causing an injury.

Lets Meet Sarah

The following is a hypothetical situation that you that you may be able to relate with. Let's take a peek. Sarah injured her shoulder. She's a successful businesswoman, outdoor enthusiast and who has been dealing with minor shoulder issues for quite some time. Lately she has been finding that her shoulder is waking her up at night, and it can be difficulty to find a comfortable position. Sometimes doing her hair can be quite a chore. It hasn't been that bad for the most part, just here and there. That is until recently.

Woman out hiking dealing with shoulder pain

Over the past few weeks at the gym she felt a bit of a pain in her shoulder. It wasn't that bad at first. Then over the next few days it started getting worse. Now Sarah is waking  up every night with a sharp stabbing pain, and dull ache.

It is starting to impact her quality of life.

Getting dressed is a chore. She hasn't been to the gym since. Even doing the dishes, driving, and reaching in the backseat really become difficulty and painful.

The constant pain is really affecting her! She can't do the activities she likes. And worse, she doesn't know if she is able to take that trip she has been planning for for months!

Does your Rotator Cuff Relate? 

Now in order to solve Sarah's problem, first need to come up with a diagnosis. In the following section I'm going to go over an examination of a shoulder and highlight some key findings that Sarah may be may have.

Here is a video of me performing a basic examination for the rotator cuff. There are more specialized tests, and nuanced changes I would do in person, depending on the situation. However this gets the point across.

After our examination of Sarah, we need to determine if we need to send her for imaging.

When do you send for diagnostic imaging?

The purpose of imaging is to get a clearer picture of the tissues. We do this if a potential finding on imaging will change our course of treatment, or provide a more clear diagnosis. 

Some of the possible reasons to do it just send for imaging include:

A full thickness tear, these may require surgery.

If it's partial width, partial thickness, oftentimes those don't require surgery.

If the pain is persisting and not improving with with treatment then imaging is indicated. 

Ultrasound is good for seeing the soft tissues and pretty accessible MRI is the gold standard for imaging of the shoulder, however it is often cost prohibitive and there is a much longer wait period in Alberta for MRI.

Is Sarah's Rotator Cuff Injury A Tear?

In Sarah's case after her examination, and the nature of her injury we were suspecting a possibility of a tear due to the traumatic nature of her injury, and her inability to lift her arm over 30degrees, along with  significant shrugging when moving her arm. So I sent her for imaging. It is also important to note that she had persistent pain for quite some time and then the traumatic onset after working out.

Some of the tests identified a high likelihood of a tear, so we sent her for X-Ray and Ultrasound. Luckily for Sarah, there were no large tears. However, there was were small, 6mm partial thickness tearing in her supraspinatus and her subscapularis. There was also some associated tendinous thickening, along with  subacromial bursal thickening and synovitis around the proximal bicep tendon sheath.

This means Sarah's rotator cuff injury is not a surgical case. We are dealing with rotator cuff pathology and proximal biceps tendon pathology with an associated subacromial bursitis.

Many of these findings may be present from the actual trauma. However, these findings are very likely to have been there for quite some time. 

I’ve read studies demonstrating that if you have some small tearing in your symptomatic rotator cuff, you likely have small tearing in your pain-free other rotator cuff as well!

Sarah has been unable to use her arm the way she would like to. Her rotator cuff has been injure for some time. Her body is recruiting muscles differently and her shoulder is not moving optimally.

Since the rotator cuff's main job is to stabilize the joint, her joint has been 'unstable'. When she has been moving her arm, exercising, it was putting stress and strain on the other shoulder musculature, leading to pain and further injury.

What steps do we take to recover from Rotator Cuff Injuries?

We need to utilize in holistic approach to managing Sarah shoulder injury so she can get back to living life and working on her own terms and so she can get so she can enjoy her vacation paid for you only have eight short weeks. 

Phase 1 - Rotator Cuff Injury Pain Relief

This phase is all about pain reduction. It's hard to do much exercise or rehab if you're in a lot of pain. So we want to bring that that pain down as much as possible.

Timeline

Phase one typically takes roughly one to four weeks.

Remember imaging it showed tendinitis, and subacromial bursitis? This means inflammation within the tendon sheath and bursa. 

It is very likely that a lot of Sarah’s pain is coming from that inflammation. The constant aching. Referred pain down her arm is likely due to that inflammation. 

Inflammation causes pain. 

How do we reduce the pain? 

Obviously medication prescribed from your family doctor is an option. Sometimes it's helpful, but don’t hold your breath. Medication also has a fun response to your gut, typically. 

There are other effective strategies as well. Topical analgesic creams (Biofreeze, Voltaren, Stop Pain Clinical, A5/35, etc. 

Ice is nice. Using an ice pack 10 to 20 minutes at a time can be very helpful in desensitizing the area and reducing inflammation.

A TENS machine can be quite helpful in reducing pain. TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation. It zaps you with electricity to help numb those pain nerves, interrupting them from sending pain signals to your brain.

While this isn't going to fix the problem, it does help with pain reduction. So if we can reduce the pain that will help us be able to move which is then going to help get into healing with the healing.

Gentle range of movement exercises such as Codman circles, walking, just moving your arm can be very helpful in reducing pain. Flushing that inflammation out of that glenohumeral joint. 

Motion is lotion, and movement is key.

Chiropractic manipulation of the spine and the glenohumeral joint can be quite helpful in these acute situations. While not curative at this point, it really helps desensitize the area and reduce pain .

The last option in this acute phase is an injection. If the shoulder pain is extremely intense, due to bursitis an injection may be helpful. They stick a needle full of cortisone in that bursa which eliminates the inflammation. Steroids are fantastic reducing inflammation. If that subacromial bursa is the main source of her pain, a subacromial injection into that person to be life saving or at least pain reducing.

The problem with this, is that often people will stop at phase one. They don’t progress to phase two, which its where we get into stopping the reason the inflammation got there in the first place!

This is almost like drawing a beautiful picture, but only finishing half the picture

Phase Two - Rotator Cuff Injury Rehabilitation

Phase two is all about shoulder rehabilitation. The pain is significantly less but it's not completely gone. But now Sarah can actually use her arm and start to exercise it without it that wanting to chop it off. 

Phase two of care typically takes between two to eight weeks long

Now Sarah can start strengthening, mobility, and rehabilitative exercises. The goal in this phase is to improve the functionality, develop strength in those tissues and rehab that rotator cuff so it's able to do its job. Remember the rotator cuff’s job is primarily to stabilized the glenohumeral joint so it's can function optimally and not be sloppy and slosh around aggravate other tissues that cause injury and cause further injury and damage. 

Sometimes it takes a little longer, depending on the severity of the rotator cuff injury. It isn’t to uncommon to take a year to go through the three phases.

One of the problems that can happen when a muscle in the shoulder gets injured is those muscles start to not work quite so well. And because you haven't been using them for a while, they start to get weaker and they start to atrophy. 

Those neural those newer neural circuits between your brain and your and that area start to become a little that wiring starts to become a little thinner doesn't work quite so well. So one of the main goals of this phase is to get those rotator cuff muscles firing and to get them in coordination with all the other peri-scapular musculature. Remember the rotator cuff doesn't work in isolation. It works with all the other muscles as well.

There are several ways we can get these muscles to fire, and several rehab exercises. We need to start these in an integrated fashion. 

I cant tell Sarah to just go exercise your shoulder and then expect her to do it and do it correctly. No, we need to start at the bottom and then slowly work our way back up with some simple straightforward exercises. As she improves, they become more and more complicated and complex.

First we may need to perform some myofascial therapy. This can help relax some of those tightened muscles, and fascial restrictions that have developed. This will allow more mobility through the shoulder girdle and glenohumeral joint. This may include the rotator cuff, latissimusdorsi, rhomboids, pecs, the neck region and essentially the whole upper quarter of your body.

Oh, you thought we were just going to talk about the rotator cuff? If only it were that simple. The shoulder is like a tight knit community. If you mess with one of the structures, they all get mad. So we got to treat them all. Make them all happy. Get them all working together. Coordinated and balanced.

Mobilization and manipulation of the cervical spine, thoracic spine, scapula, AC joint SC joint glenohumeral joint can all be beneficial.

One of the main things that manipulation does aside from improved mobility is improved neuromuscular coordination. Manipulation causes a quick muscular stretch of the Golgi tendon organs. This causes a relaxation of the muscles but also it causes this neurological rewiring. This neurological barrage or stimulus to the central nervous system - your brain- in the region that controls the shoulder. In essence, it gives you better neuromuscular control. 

While some people believe manipulation just “puts things back in place”, it= doesn't quite work like that. It's not quite that simple.

This is one of the reasons chiropractic care shines and can be quite as a huge part of recovering from shoulder and rotator cuff injuries. 

In Sarah’s case, after about 10 days we were through phase 1. She had about 4.5 weeks until her big trip.

During phase two I saw her roughly twice a week. Provider her with her graded exercises over time. Performed myofascial release, manipulated her cervical spine, thoracic spine, shoulder girdle. And we also performed shockwave therapy. 

After about two, she started noticing a significant reduction in pain. She said she felt about 80 to 90% better, but anytime she would do any excessive stress or straining or physical activities. That's when it really started to continue bothering her. 

In Sarah’ case, it took a couple of extra weeks to improve neuromuscular coordination and to improve the endurance and conditioning of those muscles working correctly.

By this time Sarah was all ready for her trip! She was significantly better, just noticing some discomfort periodically with certain awkward movements. 

And good thing to! Because her flight was just a few days away.

I recommended she have a great time on her trip, and that when she comes back we progress to phase 3, so we reduced the chances of this becoming a permanent problem for her.

Phase Three - getting back to life 

Phase one was all about pain reduction. Phase two was about improved mobility and function in daily activities. Phase three is about getting ready to take on life.

Many people drop out after phase one. The pain is ‘mostly’ gone, and they figure they can deal with that.

Next, many people drop out after phase two. It works for the most part, and that’s fine for some people. They don’t mind that the pain is likely going to come back, and they aren’t concerned about making a full recovery.

Phase three is more for those who want to take on life without their shoulder getting in the way. For high achievers. For those concerned about their long term health, Trying to improve their overall health and well being. Those looking for the edge…

So while you are doing 80-90% better now, phases three its to get to 100% and beyond.

Remember, the shoulder is extremely muscular, and extremely mobile. We need to get all these muscles working together, coordinated, fully rehabilitated, to really significantly reduce the chances of it becoming a reoccurring problem. 

Typically, in this phase of care, I don't see patients nearly as frequent because they I show them what they need to do and they need to do it if they don't do it. They don't get better Simple as that.

Some of the exercises you may have seen before, but they're not going to be so much the classic rehab type exercises. You can't just can't expect to move two pounds up and down except expect your shoulder to get stronger. You need to stress your shoulder, force it to get stronger. You also need to be doing some stretches to stretch out those tight muscles and improving your posture and balance. Typically these include the neck, pectorals group, biceps, latissimus dorsi, posterior deltoid and rotator cuff musculature.

Exercises may include push ups, wall climbs various types of rows, pull downs, rear delt flies, exercises to strengthen the posterior delt and posterior rotator cuff musculature. Overhead presses, lateral raises Front Raises. bear crawls, back burners, KB swings, KB presses, bottom up presses

.

The semi-regular ‘tune up’ is always helpful as well to help you recover between your rehab/ exercise sessions as well.

How long is this phase take? 

Typically this phase lasts one to three months. Sometimes longer. You will benefit from semi-regular ‘tune ups’, and also progression of your recovery programming. Because as you get better, it needs to get more challenging, so you continue to improve!

In Sarah’s case, she came into the office for treatment about once every 3-4 weeks over 4 months. We had made significant improvement with her strength and mobility of her shoulder. She was now feeling better than ever!

Now she is back to the gym, lifting more, faster. She is out climbing, riding, running. She is able to roll on the ground with her kids and do everything she wants! 

IV. Holistic Approach to Recovery

Explain the holistic approach to treating shoulder conditions.

Emphasize that holistic care includes addressing not just the physical symptoms but also the emotional and mental aspects of recovery.

Discuss the benefits of a multi-faceted approach that considers nutrition, exercise, stress management, and mental well-being.

V. Dispelling the Myth of a "Life Sentence"

People often think that shoulder strains and tears mean you can never fully recover. But that's not true! Just like with other health issues, it's possible to get better and live an active life again.

When you hurt your shoulder, it might seem like you'll never be the same. It can hurt a lot, and it's hard to do things you enjoy. But our bodies are amazing, and they can heal with the right care. Doctors and specialists who focus on helping shoulders can make a big difference.

To get better, you need to be committed, follow a plan, and believe that you can get back to the activities you love.

Each person's journey is different, but with an expert to help guide you, you can regain your freedom again. You don't have to let shoulder injuries control your life.

Getting Back to an Active Life:

Shoulder injuries, like many health issues, shouldn't make you think you can never be active again. Our bodies are strong and can heal well with the right care. New knowledge and better healthcare approaches mean that you can improve and have an active life again.

It's important to know that shoulder injuries, though tough, don't have to be a life-long problem. You can overcome these challenges with determination, guidance from experts, and the right approach. The journey may be hard, but the rewards of getting your full motion back and living without pain are worth it.

By seeing healthcare professionals who focus on helping shoulders in a holistic way, you can work on your recovery. The right approach can help you regain your active life and inspire others by showing that getting better is possible.

In short, shoulder injuries don't have to stop you from living the life you want. With the right care, you can heal and enjoy an active life again.

VII. Collaborating with Healthcare Professionals

Open communication with your healthcare team is a powerful tool, just as Sarah has exemplified in her journey toward better health. Sharing your experiences, concerns, and aspirations with your healthcare professionals is the first step towards achieving your health goals.

By speaking openly and honestly, your chiropractic orthopaedic specialist will you with vital information you need to have a tailored treatment plan to your unique needs. They may need to refer you for imaging, to your medical doctor, to a physical therpist, athletic therapist, trainer, kinensiologist, or for injectionsn. Possibly to the surgeon. It depends on your unique siutation. 

This collaborative approach ensures that your care is personalized, effective, and aligned with your aspirations. It allows your healthcare providers to better understand your preferences, concerns, and expectations, ultimately resulting in a more successful health journey.

Sarah's proactive mindset and willingness to communicate have led her toward better health and well-being. In the same way, your active participation and open dialogue with your healthcare team can pave the way for improved health outcomes. Together, you and your healthcare professionals can work as a team, navigating the path toward your health goals with confidence and determination.. 

Empower yourself! 

Here are a few strategies to do so.

1. Consult with Healthcare Professionals:

Begin by seeking medical advice from a specialist - such as a chiropractic orthopaedic specialist - to get an accurate diagnosis and determine the extent of your rotator cuff injury. Understanding the severity of the injury is crucial for creating an effective recovery plan, and setting up realistic expectations.

2. Manual Therapies:

Begin getting manual therapy with someone who specializes in shoulder rehabilitation. Perhaps someone like your chiropractic orthopaedic specialist! Manual therapies, such as soft tissue therapy, mobilization, manipulation, shockwave therapy and rehabilitation exercises are key. They can help improve range of motion, strengthen the muscles, and alleviate your pain.

3. Set Clear and Achievable Goals:

Establish specific and measurable goals for recovery. This might include objectives like regaining full range of motion, reducing pain, or gradually returning to daily activities or sports. Ensure these are realistic! If you have a full thickness, full width tear and you need surgical repair, that is going to take longer than 1 week to recover!

4. Consistency 

Commit to daily rehabilitation exercises prescribed by your healthcare provider. If you don’t make this a staple in your day to day, I’m sad to say, you can kiss your shoulder recovery away. Enjoyed that rhyme? If you don’t stay consistent, you’ll enjoy that rhyme more than you’ll be enjoying your shoulder. 

THIS is crucial for making a full recovery.

5. Lifestyle Adjustments:

Make necessary lifestyle adjustments to support your recovery. Avoid activities that worsen the pain or put strain on the shoulder. Ensure you are getting adequate rest and sleep to aid healing.

6. Nutrition and Hydration:

Consume a balanced diet rich in nutrients that support the body's healing process. Staying well-hydrated is also essential for overall well-being. You are what you eat. And if you eat garbage, your healing capacity will be less than ideal.

7. Stress Management:

Manage stress through relaxation techniques, mindfulness, or meditation. Stress can exacerbate pain and hinder the healing process. As Bob Marley said, “Don’t worry, be happy”.

8. Regular Check-Ins with Healthcare Providers:

Schedule follow-up appointments with your health care provider - your chiropractic orthopaedic specialist - to assess your progress. As things improve, they will adjust your treatment plan accordingly, so you can continue to make strides forward.

9. Knowledge is power!

By educating yourself, like yo uare right now, about rotator cuff injuries and rehabilitation you can make better decisions. Understanding your condition and treatment options can empower you to make informed decisions and take an active role in your recovery.

Taking an active role in recovery from a rotator cuff injury requires dedication, patience, and perseverance. By setting clear goals, tracking progress, making lifestyle adjustments, and seeking the support of healthcare professionals, you can improve your well-being and regain optimal shoulder function. Remember that recovery is a gradual process, and with the right mindset and approach, it's possible to achieve a success!

How to Recover From A Rotator Cuff Injury

Shoulder, and rotator cuff injuries can be challenging to recover from, but it can happen! Using a holistic approach, one that your chiropractic orthopaedic specialist can help guide you with, is a great starting point. 

Injuries, strains and tears do not mean a life sentence of pain and suffering. Using a holistic approach is your best bet to get better, and you can get better! Recovery is possible.

If you are dealing with a shoulder, or rotator cuff injury its time you take action, and get started on your healing journey.

Although Sarah made a great recovery in the end, if she was more proactive initially, she could have avoided a lot of pain, and such a long recovery process. 

If yo tare looking for improved shoulder health and improved quality of life, get started today!

Your Choice: Rotator Cuff Relief or...

Are you ready to take charge of your shoulder health? I would like to invite you to reach out to my office. As chiropractic orthopaedic specialist, I specialize in shoulder health. With expert guidance, you can finally start your path of healing.

You are not alone. This may be your first time, but I've seen hundreds of shoulders just like yours, no matter how 'bad' it may seem now.

Together, we can help you make a full recovery. Your story can inspire others to achieve optimal shoulder health and well-being as well. 

Schedule an appointment today to get started on your shoulder recovery journey today.

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Dr. Joseph Tanti

Dr. Joseph Tanti is a chiropractic orthopaedic specialist, father, and husband. He specializes in helping those with spinal, joint, and arthritic aches, pains and injuries.

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