Shoulder pain is one of the most common reasons that a patient is seen in the orthopaedic office. The vast majority of shoulder pain is treated non-operatively with physical therapy and sometimes a cortisone injection. The most common source of shoulder pain is the rotator cuff. For most patients, they have either a partial rotator cuff tear or tendinitis. Partial tears of the rotator cuff occur with increasing frequency with increasing age, but overhead activities can certainly incite more severe symptoms. These are the types of injuries that very rarely require any type of surgical intervention. Therapy and an injection normally resolve 80 percent of these problems. There are only a small percentage of patients who continue to have symptoms for greater than six months, despite therapy. For those still symptomatic despite conservative treatment, shoulder arthroscopy becomes an option. The patients who have a full thickness rotator cuff tear, particularly tears that are large, will require surgery to repair the cuff. Although this can be done arthroscopically, rotator cuff repairs will require at least three months of physical therapy post operatively. The consequence of not repairing a rotator cuff is a tear that continues to worsen potentially leading to severe arthritis.

The old adage, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” always puzzled me. I don’t know about you, but one of the last things I need during painful times is someone to encourage me (or try to at least) by telling me that as long as I still have a pulse in the end, I’m better because of it.

From July 2-6 all new patients receiving an initial spinal evaluation will receive a free 30-minute massage. Mention this ad to receive the special. Appointments are filling up fast so call to schedule yours today with Dr. Tanya Bindl.

So many times patients will come to us with an ache or pain and after two or three visits, their pain is resolved and they stop their therapy. More often than not, these same patients return to us because the pain returns.

There's a siege mentality about Michael Bay's movies, as though viewers are the enemy holed up in a bunker and he's the guy ordering heavy-metal music around-the-clock to wear down our morale and force us to surrender.

Acupuncture gets a thumbs-up for helping relieve pain from chronic headaches, backaches and arthritis in a review of more than two dozen studies — the latest analysis of an often-studied therapy that has as many fans as critics.

Recently, I attended the AANP (American Association of Naturopathic Physicians) Convention, which was here in Phoenix at the Biltmore Resort.

Recently, I attended the AANP (American Association of Naturopathic Physicians) Convention, which was here in Phoenix at the Biltmore Resort.

Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, a member of Catholic Healthcare West, has been named an Accredited Chest Pain Center by the Society of Chest Pain Centers, a non-profit international organization. The hospital received the accreditation in recognition of its efforts and expertise in educating, screening and treating patients with heart attack symptoms.

Throughout the course of 2010, Surprise dealt with turmoil involving the exits of two prominent city leaders while also celebrating its 50th anniversary and welcoming a number of tennis superstars to one of the Valley’s biggest tournaments.

Banner Health is hosting a question-and-answer session for women living with pelvic discomfort and dysfunction. All Right Now: Solutions for Better Pelvic Health will address the real-life challenges that pelvic disorders create for more than 37 million women in the United States, many of whom are unaware they suffer from a diagnosable disease.

It is time for Americans to get comfortable with the idea of getting mail every other day — or maybe not at all.

I collect memories and stories of happy and resilient people. I am thankful that I have the sacred opportunity to step into people's lives and ask them real questions. We ask about their family, their work, their goals, their bodies, their health, their challenges and more.

I collect memories and stories of happy and resilient people. I am thankful that I have the sacred opportunity to step into people's lives and ask them real questions. We ask about their family, their work, their goals, their bodies, their health, their challenges and more.

About 43 percent of all existing homes that changed hands in the Phoenix area in July were foreclosures, the highest percentage since January, according to a study recently released by Arizona State University.

Dr. John Boardman of Ahwatukee Spinal Aid Center recently added a revolutionary non-surgical spinal decompression therapy table to his facility, trying to provide new hope to patients convinced medication and surgery are their only options. The Zero Gravity decompression table is the only one of its kind in the entire state, but Boardman said his main purpose is not to focus on that, but to simply help as many people as possible in the community who have low back pain avoid medication and surgery. "I've had several patients who progressed but reached a plateau and I had to refer them to somewhere else," Boardman said. "They've come back and said decompression really worked." The new technology allows the patient to relax in a comfortable position while lying on the decompression table. In fact, unlike most tables, Zero Gravity does not require the patient to brace themselves with their arms or hands during the procedure. "The patient doesn't have to assist in any way, which makes it different than other technology out there," Boardman said. Zero Gravity's decompression technology relieves pressure caused by disc herniation, disc bulge, sciatica, spondylolisthesis, degeneration and facet arthrosis syndrome by creating a vacuum-type suction, which reverses high pressure inside the disk and draws the bulging or herniated material back into the disk. A typical treatment program, Boardman said, is four to six weeks long. Patients make several 30-minute visits to the clinic each week. Boardman also provides proper strengthening routines to prevent future injury. "We are really excited about bringing this revolutionary treatment to the community," Boardman said. "There are currently over 150 centers in the country, but we are the first to serve Ahwatukee and the East Valley." For more information about decompression, visit www.spinalaid.com or call (480) 704-0312. Ahwatukee Spinal Aid Center is located at 4232 E. Chandler Blvd., Suite 20.

An Ahwatukee Foothills nurse wants Valley residents to understand that managing chronic pain isn't a matter of being an addict.