Mid-Spine, Shoulder, and Neck Pain
The interplay of the neck, mid-spine, and shoulder are symbiotic – you can’t help one without connecting the other.
Preparing the shoulder and spine for mobility and movement.
Re-establishing mid-spine, shoulder, and neck muscle connections.
Setting strong movement and coordination foundations.
Head, Neck, and Shoulder Injuries We Treat include:
HEAD & NECK INJURIES
Cervical Muscle Strain / Overstretching or tearing of muscles in the neck, often due to improper technique, poor posture, or sudden movements during turns or lifts.
Cervical Disc Herniation / A disc in the neck bulges or ruptures, pressing on nerves and causing neck pain, numbness, or radiating pain down the arms.
Cervical Facet Joint Syndrome / Inflammation or degeneration of the small joints in the cervical spine, causing localized pain and stiffness, often from repetitive neck movements.
Whiplash / Sudden hyperextension and flexion of the neck, usually caused by a quick or uncontrolled movement in choreography or partnering work.
Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve) / Compression of a nerve in the neck, leading to pain, numbness, or tingling that can radiate into the shoulders, arms, or hands.
Cervical Spondylosis / Age-related degeneration of the neck vertebrae, which can lead to stiffness and pain, especially in older dancers or those with repetitive neck strain.
Concussions / A type of traumatic brain injury. Individuals may experience dizziness, unsteadiness, or difficulty with balance and coordination as the brain struggles to maintain normal equilibrium.
Tension Neck Syndrome / Muscle tightness and spasms in the neck due to stress, poor posture, or repetitive strain, leading to discomfort and limited movement.
Cervicogenic Headaches / Headaches that originate from the neck muscles or joints, often caused by muscle tension or poor alignment in the neck and upper spine.
Cervical Ligament Sprain / Stretching or tearing of the ligaments in the neck, often due to sudden movements or trauma in dance.
Cervical Nerve Entrapment / Pinching or irritation of the nerves in the neck, leading to pain and weakness in the neck, shoulders, or arms.
Cervical Stenosis / Narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck, which can compress nerves and cause pain or neurological symptoms, aggravated by extreme neck movements.
SHOULDER INJURIES
Rotator Cuff Strain or Tear / Injury to the muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint, often caused by repetitive overhead arm movements or poor technique in lifts.
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome / Compression of the rotator cuff tendons between the shoulder blade and arm bone, leading to pain with overhead movements or repetitive lifting.
Shoulder Bursitis / Inflammation of the bursa (fluid-filled sac) in the shoulder joint, caused by repetitive stress or overuse of the shoulder in arm movements.
Labral Tear (SLAP Tear) / A tear in the cartilage surrounding the shoulder socket, often caused by repetitive movements or trauma, leading to pain and instability.
Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Injury / Injury to the joint where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade, often from impact, falls, or improper lifting techniques in partnering work.
Supraspinatus Tendonitis / Inflammation of the supraspinatus tendon (part of the rotator cuff), often caused by repetitive overhead movements in dance.
Shoulder Tendonitis / Inflammation of the tendons in the shoulder, commonly caused by overuse in dance movements that involve repetitive arm or shoulder use.
Shoulder Dislocation / When the head of the upper arm bone pops out of the shoulder socket, often due to trauma or extreme shoulder movement.
Shoulder Subluxation / A partial dislocation of the shoulder joint, where the shoulder slips out of place temporarily, common in dancers with hypermobility.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome / Compression of nerves or blood vessels between the neck and shoulder, causing pain, numbness, and weakness in the shoulder and arm.
Rotator Cuff Tendonitis / Inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons, often caused by repetitive overhead arm movements or poor posture in dance.
Scapular Dyskinesis (Abnormal Shoulder Blade Movement) / Improper movement of the shoulder blade due to muscle imbalances, leading to pain and dysfunction during arm movements.
Shoulder Instability / Looseness or weakness in the shoulder joint, which can lead to frequent dislocations or subluxations, common in dancers with hypermobility or weak shoulder muscles.