Is your run starting to get a little painful? Fatigue and burning muscles are all something runners get used to, but once in a while, unwanted pain can creep in. Ignoring these problems can result in more serious complications, so you need to know how to deal with them as soon as they occur.

Part of that process is identifying what the problem is. Below, we give our must-know guide to the most common running injuries.

Achilles Tendinitis

Tendinitis is an irritation or inflammation of the tendon. The tendon is a thick cord that attaches muscle to the bone. They are prevalent at numerous locations in the human body, such as the wrists, shoulders, and knees.

Many problems that you have probably heard of are actually caused by tendinitis. These include tennis elbow and jumpers knee. The condition causes tenderness and pain in the inflamed area.

Achilles Tendinitis results from irritation or inflammation in the tendon that connects the calf muscle and heel. It can occur through overexertion. This may include increases in distance or intensity without a properly managed build-up.

Symptoms can include pain just above the heel, swelling along the tendon, a warm feeling, or a limited range of movement in the foot and ankle. If the problem is ignored it can rupture. Tearing the tendon is a serious problem that requires surgery.

Patellofemoral Syndrome (Runners Knee)

Runners knee can affect athletes from a number of disciplines but tends to afflict people who do a lot of running in their sport. Running and jumping create an impact upon the knees, particularly when running over long distances. This results in pain in and around the front of the kneecap known as patellofemoral syndrome.

There are a number of factors that can cause runners' knee. Very often, these are down to your own physiology and how you run. If you have weakness in the muscles around your knees, hips, or any deterioration of the cartilage, you have a higher risk of developing it.

Pain that is caused by a runner's knee can range from mild discomfort to unbearable. It can impact one or both knees and is felt more when walking, jumping, or using stairs. It can increase if you have periods of sitting and becomes stiff as you try to move it again.

The runner's knee should not be ignored, as it may result in cracking or popping sounds. You should book an appointment with a doctor, who may recommend physiotherapy or an X-ray to rule out further problems. It is a very common ailment that impacts around 57% of runners.

Plantar Fasciitis

When the thick layer of tissue on the bottom of your foot, named fascia, takes damage, it is known as Plantar Fasciitis. This damage involves small tears and pulls in the intricate ligaments and tendons. You will feel it as bruising or an ache along the arch of your foot.

The tissue is important as it acts as a system of springs and cushioning in the body. Without it, any impact from running and walking will cause serious problems. Imagine it like a car without any tires or suspension, creating a bumpy ride for the passengers.

Increasing the distance and frequency of runs in a short period of time can cause this problem. Any problems that may impact your calves, such as weakness, tightness, or pulls, can also transfer to the foot and cause Plantar Fasciitis.

Common symptoms include a gradually developing pain in the arch or heel. This manifests as a burning sensation, that is often worse in the morning or after exercise.

Common Running Injuries in the Hamstring

The hamstring is the group of muscles at the back of your thing. They help push you forward when running and decelerate the lower leg during movement. Warming up the hamstring before running is essential, as injuries to it can cause serious problems with flexibility, movement, and strength.

Long-distance runners are less likely to suffer from tears to the hamstring. Instead, they may feel strains caused by numerous small tears in the muscle tissues and connecting fibers. These problems can take a long time to heal and can reoccur quite often if the correct measures, such as physiotherapy, are not taken.

Hamstring injuries manifest as a muscle area that is weak, stiff, and tender to touch. You will have a tight pain in the back of the upper leg.

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (Shin Splints)

Shin splints occur when the muscle around your shin bones begins to tear. The pain will appear in the front, or inner parts of the lower leg. They tend to occur when the distance or volume of running is increased suddenly, particularly if the runner is using hard surfaces such as roads and sidewalks.

You may experience some mild swelling from shin splints. The area could be tender to touch and the pain may increase during exercise. Luckily, shin splints are not serious and by cutting back on running and giving adequate rest, they should go.

Stress Fractures

A stress fracture is the most serious of all running injuries. It is caused by the gradual impact of running on the heel, lower leg, and foot. This begins to form a hairline fracture in the bone that gets worse over time.

If you feel a pain in these areas that starts off almost imperceptible then increases over time, it could be a stress fracture. You may get inflammation, tenderness and some bruising in the area the pain emanates from.

It is advised that you see a doctor right away if you suspect you have a stress fracture and cease exercise. They will perform an X-Ray and you may have to wear a cast or use crutches for six weeks as part of the healing process.

Pain Management

All of these common running injuries can cause setbacks, but when managed properly should not take too much time from your schedule. While some may be more serious than others, the most important factor is getting rid of the pain so you can continue to exercise.

AZ Pain Doctors can treat a number of conditions, including those brought on by running. We have experienced, expert staff on hand to help with your injuries. Contact us for a quote today so we can get you back to your personal best!

If you've never tried acupuncture, you might be worried that it will hurt. Ironically, pain relief is one of the many benefits of acupuncture.

We know, it still seems a little scary. Funnily enough, acupuncture also helps relieve anxiety and stress.

Perhaps, now, you're worried about infection? Don't be.

We make sure the needles are completely sterilized. (And, of course, acupuncture strengthens your immune system to fight off infections, too.)

So, do you have any other objections? Whatever they are, we're pretty sure acupuncture solves those as well.

If you don't believe us, see for yourself! The following is a list of 9 awesome health benefits of acupuncture that you may not know about. Before you think up any more naysay, consider these amazing acupuncture benefits.

1. Pain Relief

One of the most evidence-backed benefits of acupuncture is pain relief. It's especially effective at relieving pain in one's neck, back, and joints. It can even reduce pain from certain types of arthritis.

Acupuncture is also good for reducing the severity and frequency of headaches. This includes tension headaches and migraines.

2. Stress Relief

Acupuncture enthusiasts often report on the stress-relieving qualities of this treatment. Specifically, it reduces stress-causing hormones as well as physical tension. That's why it's so effective for treating tension-induced headaches and shoulder, neck, and back pain.

Besides that, you can see that there's a whole list of benefits that result from regular acupuncture treatment. This ancient practice has been used to treat hundreds of symptoms for thousands of years. Getting relief from these other symptoms also relieves you from all the stress they cause in your life.

3. Mood Improvement

Lowering your stress also means improving your mood and reducing stress-bourne mental illness. Acupuncture patients should definitely see a reduction in depression and anxiety symptoms.

After the treatment, you feel generally more at peace. That's because acupuncture stimulates your central nervous system, triggering the release of endorphins and other mood-boosting chemicals.

4. Sleep Improvement

Speaking of chemical releases, acupuncture also stimulates the production of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that governs our sleep patterns.

When we have enough of it in our bodies, we fall asleep easily and rest well all night. But unhealthy habits and lifestyle choices can inhibit our bodies' production of melatonin.

This lowers the quality of sleep we get and causes us to develop sleep disorders like insomnia. Ultimately, this leads to a plethora of other health problems.

Fortunately, acupuncture jumpstarts your melatonin production. It's like hitting the reset button on your sleep health. After that, though, it's up to you to keep healthy sleep habits.

5. Relief From Allergies

Acupuncture is also used to treat both seasonal and year-round allergies. Besides reducing the severity of allergy symptoms, it works to strengthen your body against allergic reactions.

Thus, for seasonal allergies, this treatment works best if you start it before your allergy season. That is, if you strengthen your body ahead of time, it will be ready when allergy season hits.

6. Improved Immune System

Since the COVID-19 epidemic started, most of us have been looking for anything we can do to boost our immune systems. But you probably didn't think to try acupuncture.

Acupuncture strengthens the body in its fight against pathogens and infections. And it can help you heal faster than normal.

It can even help those whose immune system is overactive. This is good because an overactive immune system can cause you to develop certain autoimmune diseases. Acupuncture helps regulate your immune system so that it performs optimally.

7. Improved Digestion

You're probably starting to notice a pattern, here. What acupuncture does for your immune system, it does for most of your bodily systems. That is, it stimulates the various systems of your body and gets them working the way they're supposed to.

This is true of your digestive system as well. And that's not all.

Digestion in particular is one system that's very closely linked to your overall health. In other words, the state of your digestive system heavily affects how your other bodily systems work and vise versa.

Acupuncture should help with any digestive/gastrointestinal problems you're having. Plus, it should take care of any underlying problems that are causing your digestive issues as well.

8. Increased Physical and Mental Energy

Two of the biggest factors that influence your energy levels are mood and digestive issues. And, as mentioned, acupuncture improves both of these.

We've also described how acupuncture stimulates your nervous system, relieves physical tension and mental stress, and helps you sleep better. Add all this up and the results are a clear head and increased energy.

9. Improved Circulation

It should come as no surprise that poking needles into your skin stimulates blood flow. What's even better is that it does so without the unwanted side effects you might experience with other treatments, like blood pressure medication.

The circulatory benefits of acupuncture include lowered blood pressure and a stronger, healthier heart. Since your blood is what delivers oxygen to all your bodily systems, this will greatly improve your overall health.

Are You Ready to Experience the Benefits of Acupuncture Firsthand?

Wow, all those health benefits of acupuncture sure sound amazing, don't they? The problem is, they're not going to do you any good if all you do is read about them.

So, come on in and try acupuncture for yourself! Or, at least come in for a consultation so you can learn more. Please contact AZ Pain Doctors if you have any questions or click here to schedule an appointment.

Population surveys show that 18 to 26% of adults experience shoulder pains at some point in their lives.

A shoulder is made of ligaments, tendons, and muscles held up together. When one of the components is hurt, the others become affected, resulting in shoulder pains. Wear and tear is the leading cause of shoulder pains, followed by aging and accidents.

Below are descriptions of the different types of shoulder pain. If your shoulders have been aching for a while, this information will give you more insights even as you prepare to go to the hospital.

Achy Pain

This is the most common type of shoulder happen. It is a deep pain that covers the entire shoulder parts. People who suffer from this pain cannot pinpoint the exact areas with the most pain because the whole part is usually covered with pain. The achy pain is caused by:

Rotator Cuff Injury

A rotator cuff injury is common to people aged 35 years and above. The pain happens when one part of the shoulder, known as the rotator cuff, is injured or becomes worn out.

Since the rotator cuff facilitates the shoulder's movement, its injury can cause flexibility issues alongside achy pain. A rotator cuff injury can either be partial or fully torn.

The rotator cuff injury does not need any surgery because it is only caused by wear and tear. People suffering from this ache should rest well, enroll in physical therapy sessions, and use anti-inflammatory medications.

Frozen Shoulders

Frozen shoulder pain happens when the connective muscles of the shoulders thicken and become stiff. The thickening makes it hard to move the shoulders, and the entire shoulder parts can become extremely painful.

The frozen shoulder pain happens in three main stages. The first stage is usually the most painful, with zero flexibility.

In the second stage, the neck pain reduces, and the shoulder becomes a little bit flexible. The third stage is the recovery phase. The pain starts to decline, and flexibility increases.

A frozen shoulder does not need specialized treatment. Patients are advised to stretch, get a massage, and other types of physical therapies.

Slap Tear

A slap tear is also known as the posterior or anterior tear. It happens when a portion of the shoulder is damaged due to continuous wear and tear. The slap tear affects only one segment of the shoulder. The pain is experienced in all the parts of the shoulder; hence it's an aching pain.

Slap tear mostly affects athletes and other people who carry out hefty and engaging activities throughout their lives. A slap tear can also happen when you suddenly lift a heavy object or when someone forcefully pushes your arm.

Slap tear is characterized by reduced strength on your hands and shoulders, deep and aching pain, and reduced flexibility. The pain may disappear on its own, although it is advised to visit a pain doctor for medical examination.

Radiating Pain

This type of shoulder pain is characterized by sharp pain moving from the shoulder to the neck and the lower back. The pain is never profound, but it can be sharp and irritating. Sometimes, it can interfere with the flexibility of your shoulder muscles. Here are the main types of radiating pain:

Shoulder Arthritis

Arthritis refers to any cartilage damage. Cartilage is the part that covers the body joints, and thus it is present in every joint of the body. Shoulder arthritis happens when the shoulder cartilage becomes worn out, and it is common in adults aged forty years and above.

There are three main stages of shoulder arthritis. In the forest stage, the cartilage becomes very soft due to wear and tear.

After that, the surface of the cartilage starts to develop cracks. With time, the entire cartilage surface becomes wholly worn out, and the whole shoulder becomes inflexible.

Osteoarthritis is the common cause of shoulder arthritis, which comes due to aging. The second cause of the pain is rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disorder. It happens when your body cells attack the healthy cells of the shoulder.

Lastly, shoulder arthritis can be caused by post-traumatic effects, especially if you were involved in an accident. You can manage the arthritis shoulder pain by using medication or going for therapy sessions.

Your doctor may also recommend shoulder arthritis injections, depending on the severity. The pain does not require any surgery unless there is an underlying condition.

Biceps Tendinitis

Biceps Tendinitis is a sharp irritation on the upper part of the shoulder known as the tendon. The tendon is a tissue that connects the shoulder joints to the biceps.

Wear and tear is the leading cause of Biceps Tendinitis. The pain is common to athletes and people who carry out heavy daily work. Too much straining affects the typical structure of the rotator cuff tendon and causes sharp pain.

People suffering from this type of pain can minimize it by resting from the normal hefty activities. Steroid injections, medication, and physical therapy can also help. Surgery may be an option, too, if the tendon is badly damaged.

Burning Pain

The last type of shoulder pain is the burning sensation, which affects some parts of the shoulder or the entire shoulder area. The burning sensation comes from the bursa's inflammation- a shoulder sac that is usually filled with fluid.

You might also feel the burning pain when you have an underlying rotator cuff injury. The main symptoms of burning pain include shoulder numbness, tingling, and shoulder weakness. The pain can disappear on its own, although it's advisable to seek medical attention first.

Learn More about the Different Types of Shoulder Pain

For more information on the different types of shoulder pain, please visit the nearest medical facility.

Ensure that the hospital you visit has well-trained doctors and therapists on shoulder treatment. The right technician will educate you, examine you, and give you informative shoulder management tips.

Azpaindoctors .com is a pain management clinic. We understand how frustrating chronic pain can be, and that's why we deliver the best to our patients. We evaluate the patients carefully to pinpoint the cause of the pain and then initiate an appropriate treatment plan.

All our physicians are certified, friendly, and affordable too. Please schedule an appointment with us today to get the help you need. We will follow up and set the date and time.

Are you suffering from a neck injury? Or perhaps you know someone who’s going through one?

Studies say that neck pain registers an annual prevalence rate of 30% among American adults.

As more people choose to work from home, the prevalence of neck and back pains also increases. The current pandemic is not helping.

Also, neck pain is a manifestation of different types of neck injuries. And to address the pain, you need to address the root of the injury. But what exactly are the most common neck injuries that hound men and women?

How can you avoid these neck injuries, to begin with?

Continue reading below as we discuss seven common forms of neck injuries and how to keep them at bay.

1. Pinched Nerves

Did you one day wake up asking yourself “why does my neck hurt?” There can be many possible reasons behind the pain you’re feeling. But one of the most common neck injuries that cause those kinds of pain is a pinched nerve.

Pinched nerves happen when your tissues, tendons, and bone spurs pushing against the nerves that surround them. Sometimes, it is a case of herniated discs that will put pressure on the nerves.

People who have arthritis can also experience pinched nerves.

When this happens, you will feel pain in your neck. Some also report numbness. Others feel a tingling sensation on their arms and hands.

How to avoid it: different ways can help you avoid having pinched nerves. The first is to maintain good positioning. Avoid lying in one position for a long time.

The same thing goes for crossing your legs for a long period.

Secondly, you need to maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight, consider shedding some pounds. Also, include some flexibility exercises and strength training in your regular exercise.

2. Neck Sprain/Strain

A neck sprain or neck strain occurs when you tear a certain set of ligaments. These are your ligaments that connect the vertebra in your neck.

On the other hand, a neck strain involves pulled or torn tendons or muscles of the neck. Neck strains and neck sprains roughly share the same set of symptoms. These include pain and stiffness whenever you try to move your neck; limited neck flexibility, and muscle spasms on your upper shoulders.

However, some people who have severe neck sprains may also feel dizziness. They may also experience fatigue, as well as ringing in the ears.

How to avoid it: when sleeping, consider sleeping on your back. This will help distribute the pressure on your neck. Also, replace your old pillow with one that provides ample comfort and support.

When in front of your computer, keep the monitor at eye level. Also, maintain proper posture. And try not to lift something too heavy.

3. Cervical Fracture

A cervical fracture is another term for a broken neck. This happens when one or more of your cervical vertebrae bones break. As for the fracture, there are many possible causes.

Some of the most common include intense trauma after coming from a serious fall. This usually happens in sporting activities like football, hockey, or diving.

In the worst-case scenario, the fracture can also affect the spinal cord. When this happens, paralysis or death may occur.

How to avoid it: the key is to prevent accidental falls. Start by clearing all the clutter in your home. Check the condition of your rugs and replace the ones that are too slippery.

Also, you need to exercise regularly. Focus on exercises that improve your balance. Moreover, incorporate exercises that aim to strengthen your neck.

Take Vitamin D supplements. Make sure to take the ones that come with calcium. Avoid using your head to block someone especially in contact sports.

4. Herniated Disc

Between each vertebra in the spinal column are discs. They work as shock absorbers for your spinal bones. Inside these discs is the soft and rubbery substance, nucleus pulposus.

When this escapes and pinches a nerve root, a herniated disc occurs. In turn, you will feel a burning or electric sensation from the neck going down to the arms.

How to avoid it: apart from maintaining the right weight, lift heavy stuff the right way. You want to bend your knees instead of your waist.

Perform stretches especially after sitting for a long time. For women, avoid wearing high-heeled shoes. Quit smoking and practice good posture.

5. Osteoarthritis

This occurs when the protective cartilage lining the facet joints in your neck starts to break. This, unfortunately, is part of aging. However, you may experience it earlier if you fail to check your weight.

Common symptoms of osteoarthritis include localized neck pain, stiff neck, and pain that spreads to the back of the head and shoulders.

How to avoid it: You cannot prevent it altogether. However, you can delay and minimize its development by exercising regularly. You should also maintain proper posture and manage your weight.

6. Degenerative Disc Disease

Like osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease happens when people age. This occurs when the spine gets its fair share of wear and tear. This is similar to a herniated disc, though this is more naturally occurring because of aging.

How to avoid it: Like osteoarthritis, you cannot prevent this from happening. But you can slow down its development through a healthy diet.

You should also avoid lifting heavy items. Exercise regularly by taking on swimming, biking, and walking.

7. Whiplash

Last but not least is a whiplash, which usually happens during car accidents. This is also one of those sudden or acute injuries that sometimes prove to be fatal.

Whiplash occurs when impact forcefully moves the neck rapidly, back and forth. Rear-end car accidents tend to cause this to the persons in the vehicle in front.

How to avoid it: since whiplashes are the results of vehicular accidents, you can only cut the risk. Thus, always sit upright and fasten your seatbelt.

When driving, don’t drive too close to the car in front. Moreover, adjust your head restraint. Position the top of the head restraint at the same level as the top of your ears.

Let’s Treat Those Common Neck Injuries and More

Suffering from common neck injuries can be more challenging especially if you don’t know the nature of your injury. And if the pain already affects your quality of life, then you need to consult a management expert right away.

Connect with us today and tell us more about your neck pain. Schedule an appointment and let us put an end to the pain, now!