You use your shoulder joints constantly. You use them so much that you probably don’t even think about it when lifting a fork to your mouth or reaching to retrieve something. However, if something is wrong with your shoulder, you feel it immediately in the form of an ache or searing twinge. Instead of missing out on life in New York City, you should get your shoulder pain taken care of early. The faster the cause can be determined, the faster you can begin your treatment with New York Pain Care and the faster your life can return to normal. 

Preventing Shoulder Pain

The first step to staying active and pain free is prevention. Prior to engaging in everyday activities or (especially) sports, take a few minutes to stretch. While these stretches may seem mundane after a while, they serve an important function and warm your muscles so that they are less likely to tear.

Take a minute consider how to handle jobs like snow removal or lifting heavy objects and prepare properly. If necessary, wear a brace to help support your arms, back or joints. Do not lift more than you safely can, and team lift when possible to protect your shoulders and back. Make sure to take breaks every so often to rest your muscles.

Causes of Shoulder Pain

Even the best preventive measures may not protect all citizens of New York City from shoulder pain and there are lots of everyday reasons that you can end up with it. Here are a few:

• Everyday Strain- For instance, one of these snowstorms may finally hit you where it hurts when you shovel your walk. Or perhaps you may strain yourself trying to reach the top shelf at the supermarket. 
• Accidents- Everything from hitting your shoulder on a jutting corner to falling off a ladder or being involved in a car accident can take a toll on your shoulder's health and functionality. 
• Sports- Sports can also do a number on your shoulders. From pitching for your local softball team to skating in a cutthroat hockey game, your shoulders are at risk. If you suffer an injury, do not hide it, as this may not only lead to improper healing, but also keep you from competing in the long run.

Shoulder Pain Treatment in NYC

How shoulder pain should be handled depends on various factors. These can include the manner of your injury, its severity, and your medical history. While the goal of treatment is to help you return to normal life as quickly as possible, at New York Pain Care, we also have to look at the long term effects.   

If you are experiencing shoulder pain in New York City, turn to the shoulder pain experts at New York Pain Care. Call us at 212-604-1300 or book an appointment online now!

Take care of your shoulder. You use it all day, every day. Protect to prevent!

Manhattan recently got hit with nearly a foot of snow in the most recent storm. People with chronic back pain are likely still sore from shoveling themselves out of their homes and are quickly reaching their breaking points. However, many people suffer through their aches and pains because they fear having to go under the knife to seek relief. If you’re looking for back pain treatment in NYC, then rest assured that there are many non-surgical techniques to help you. Below are just a few of the physical therapy and rehabilitation programs that can be used to rid your body of pain.

• Joint Mobilization.  The purpose of joint mobilization is to increase a patient’s range of motion and increase the movement of their joints. A physical therapist will work one-on-one with you to stimulate your joint receptors, and keep you at it until you’ve mastered the exercises. There are a variety of exercises that can be done based on the specific type of back pain you are experiencing and its location. 

• Postural Training.  Some doctors find that people experience back pain because of their posture. A physical therapist can help you learn proper posture so that it becomes second nature. Through this training, you will be strengthening your body’s core muscles, which can help your back immensely.  Common posture exercises include the plank, wall squats, the hip bridge, and reverse crunches. Your physical therapist will design a training schedule that works best for you and your injuries. 
• Cold Laser Therapy.  This type of treatment is a great choice for those looking to avoid taking medications. Cold Laser Therapy has been able to reduce and even eliminate chronic and acute pain through a series of non-invasive laser sessions. A physician will conduct the sessions, and it may take up to ten to achieve the desired effect. 
• Electromyography (EMG).  This is a test that is used to document the electrical activity of one’s muscles. An EMG can also detect any abnormal electrical activity that can be caused by muscle inflammation, pinched nerves, as well as other conditions. After an EMG is done, you can discuss the results and develop a plan of action with your physician. 

If you’re seeking back pain treatment in NYC, it’s important to know that you have options, many of which are non-surgical. Talk to your physician about your concerns and work with them to develop a plan on how to treat your chronic pain. 

December is only half over and the tri-state area has already been hit with four rounds of snow. If this is any indicator of how the rest of the winter is going to go, it's time to review the safest and best ways to remove snow from your driveways and sidewalks. Many see snow shoveling as good exercise; however, it can be extremely dangerous when done improperly. At the very least, the activity can cause pulled and aching muscles but, in some cases, snow shoveling can even lead to heart attacks or severe back pain. 

To prepare for any additional accumulations this winter, review the below tips:

• Stretch! -- As mentioned above, snow shoveling can be great exercise. To avoid injury, it's crucial to take five minutes to thoroughly stretch your body out. Doctors suggest using the same types of stretches that runners use so that you properly wake up your hamstrings, back, and shoulders. 

• Dress in Layers -- Many people think that because it is cold outside, you need to wear as many layers as possible to stay warm while you're working. Although it is true that you want to stay warm, you can actually overdo it -- you'll sweat excessively if you overdress, which is not good in freezing temperatures. Dress in loose layers that can be removed as you begin to work up a sweat.

• Clean Off Cars -- To avoid additional work, remove any snow and ice off of your car first. Speed up the process by turning your car on and blasting the heat for a few minutes -- it will make cleaning off the car that much easier.

• Plan Ahead -- Many people don't actually think about how they're going to shovel snow; they just go out and do it, which often leads to unnecessary work. In order to avoid this, decide where you are going to put the snow ahead of time and make sure to do the hardest parts first while your energy levels are still high.

• Rest, Shovel, Repeat -- You may not realize it, but as you shovel you are lifting and carrying hundreds and hundreds of pounds of snow. This job will definitely take a toll on your body, so it's important to give yourself a break. Don't expect to go out one time and get the whole job done. During breaks, be sure to hydrate with water.

• The Shovel Stance -- To avoid back pain in NYC and the surrounding areas, review the proper shovel posture. Remember to use your leg and calf muscles as much as you can. This means that when you're pushing or lifting the snow, use the bottom half of your body. When moving snow, start in a squat-like position and keep your back straight. You should also hold the shovel as close to your upper half as possible and avoid twisting the area when you throw the snow.

Don't take chances with your physical health! Reviewing these tips will help you stay safe when you have the tough task of removing snow from your sidewalks and driveway.

Back pain can be debilitating, troublesome and extremely annoying at times.  There are multiple ways to suffer from back pain, and they can range from mild to extremely serious; if suffering from this type of injury, find solace in the fact that you are not alone!  There are many famous individuals throughout history who have suffered from chronic back pain.  Here are just a few of them!

                                   

Bruce Lee

While performing a back exercise called the "Good Morning", Lee heard a pop and realized he tore something.  It ended up being the sacral nerve in his back, and in 1970 he was hospitalized.  At the time, doctors told him that he could not continue his martial arts training and would likely have to give it up.  Refusing to take that as an answer, Bruce spent the next months reading and absorbing everything he could in regards to weight training, martial arts and endurance. 

The reason he hurt his back was that he failed to warm up properly when performing the good morning.  With the weights on the barbell stacked at 135 pounds, his approximate bodyweight, Bruce recounted that failing to warm up properly beforehand caused the strain on his back.  He eventually healed from the injury enough to return to his martial arts, but he struggled with intense back pain for the rest of his days.

George Clooney

We all know him as an extremely popular and successful actor, but did you know that he struggles with severe back pain as well? In 2005, while filming the movie "Syriana", he hit his head on the floor while filming a particularly violent scene; in the process, he tore the dura, which is the wrap around the spine that holds in the spinal fluid.  Clooney mentioned to reporters that after some corrective surgeries, the pain was so bad that he considered "ending it all" at one point.  While he received surgery to reinforce his spine with bolts, George has stated that the injury has never fully healed, leaving him to deal with back pain on a daily basis.

Overall, it doesn't matter who you are: back pain can affect anybody.  If you are suffering from back pain, our back specialists in NYC have the expertise and a unique approach to managing it.  Taking a holistic approach and view of each patient, we have the ability to help determine the best course of action to take, and develop plan suited to your individual needs. 

Dr. Amr Hosny recently received the 2013 Patient's Choice Award from Vitals.com.

As one of over 870,000 practicing physicians and dentists throughout the country, only five percent received these top scores from their patients.  There are many elements that factor into the types of ratings a doctor would receive, such as their knowledge, bedside manner, accuracy of their diagnoses, effectiveness of treatment and so forth.  The Patient's Choice program then compiles the data assembled from these various reviews and is able to provide scores for each doctor.

With over fourteen years of experience in pain management, Dr. Amr Hosny continues to impress his patients with a dedication to offering top-quality pain management in New York. It is extremely important that when you end up choosing a pain care professional, that it is someone you can completely trust to help you get back to yourself pre-injury. With a special expertise in Minimally Invasive Spine treatments, it is a rare combination to find a healthcare professional such as Dr. Hosny that combines the elements of knowledge, cutting-edge methods and professionalism. 

As we go about our daily lives, it is increasingly important that we dedicate time towards the protection and health of our bodies. Since back pain is high on the list of potential injuries, it is important that one maintains their health by exercising, eating right and practicing safe methods to avoid any and all potential injuries.  If you do ever need a pain management doctor, do not hesitate to contact New York Pain Care; Dr. Hosny has your best interests at heart, and the skills to back it up. Call (212) 604-1300 to book an appointment.

There are many methods employed by doctors around the country and the world when it comes to treating injuries and improving the healing process.  One such method that is not mainstream, yet has seen a wealth of users such as famous athletes, is Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy. 

How it Works

The procedure basically entails the withdrawing of about 50 cubic centimeters of blood from a patient, where it is then spun in a centrifuge.  The spinning separates and isolates the platelets within the blood, where it is then injected directly into the tissue, tendon or muscle that has been directly affected.

Who is Using It?

Basketball superstar Kobe Bryant just recently went to Germany to have PRP on his injured knee in order to heal it at a quicker rate than conventional therapy would allow.  He is not the only sports star to swear by this procedure; there are numerous others who have utilized PRP to help heal their injury so that they can get right back into the thick of things.  Tiger Woods, Hines Ward, Troy Polamalu and Alex Rodriguez are a few big names that have found the procedure effective.  Hines Ward had been extremely   positive in his praise of the procedure by stating that "The injury that I had was a severe injury, maybe a four or six week injury.  In order for me to go out there and play in two weeks, I don't think anyone with a grade-2 MCL sprain gets back that fast."

Why Choose PRP For Your Injury?

PRP therapy has done wonders for thousands of individuals, who have seen and experienced significant increases in their recovery period.  Symptoms often improve quite quickly, and can potentially eliminate the need for more aggressive treatment and therapy.  Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy can be the step towards a speedy and efficient recovery; contact us today at

(212) 604-1300.