Rhomboid Muscle Injury

The group of muscles is located in the upper back, on either sides, between the shoulder blades. It is usually the hardest muscle to stretch after an intense back workout or even after an hour long spin class. The pain is often felt between the shoulder blades and spine. 

The symptoms of the strained muscles includes:

While the muscle is inflamed, with the pain at the back and/or pulling sensation from the neck down to the back, sleeping on it during the night will cause discomfort, it is important to get the injury treated by a professional.

However, resting and refraining from any activity involving the rhomboideus in the meantime will help you a tiny bit, by icing the muscle for 20 minutes several times in a day will reduce the inflammation.

The price you pay for inactivity

Been working in a sports injury specialized clinic for a while now, it always baffles me that the majority of my patients are young working adults. Office workers to be exact. The constant curled up position everyday for 8 to 10 hours that is what gets them every single time. The consequences you might ask, are stiff neck and shoulders, and backaches.

But not many people know that one of the main reason for a stiff-and-pain upper body, has a lot to do with our lower body. Think about it, when the base of your foundation is not strong enough for support, you are bound to fall. The theory is that simple.

The faxx are, you are unknowingly risking a shortening of the tendons, muscles and facia when you sit for an excessive period with your legs bent, resulting in restricted mobility and joint function. Over time, you will be susceptible to muscular imbalances and poor posture.

It is always a good idea to try and incorporate plenty of exercise into your daily routine. 

Benefits of Cosmetic Acupressure

Conducting acupressure stimulating various muscles in the facial area increases blood flow in the capillaries and lymphatic circulation. This normalises skin cell turnover and enhances the natural healing powers that each individual possesses. These effects improve the complexion by reducing puffiness, sagging of the skin, filling out wrinkles, eliminating acne and dark spots. Other symptoms such as straining of the eyes and nasal congestion are simultaneously improved because the pressure points around the eyes and nose are also stimulated.

How many needles per treatment?

The numbers are endless, but as you learn and grow, gain clinical experiences in this life as a physician, and only then you’ll realize that you don’t need 10 needles to treat a backache. 

More than just for pain

Cupping that is. You see, about cupping therapy, the suction creates a negative pressure on the muscles that forces blood and extracellular fluids to move and circulate. As a result, increased microcirculation of the muscles encourage healing and regeneration of tissues, and reduces inflammation.

One of the non-invasive treatment that I use it to release the adhesions between the muscles and fascia. In turn, increase range of movement and flexibility. I personally prefer fire cupping to vacuum cupping but both works the same.

I kid you not, I love cupping and have always slept like a baby at night after being cupped. 

Acupuncture for Depression & Anxiety

An in-depth of Acupuncture and mental health. Inserting acupuncture needles into selected acupoints stimulate nerve fibers to carry electrical impulses to the brain. The neurotransmitters such as endorphins which help relieve stress and pain are released. And so, the sympathetic nervous system also known as your "fight or flight" response is lowered. As a result, your heart rate begins to slow down, blood pressure and cortisol levels drop and you feel more relaxed.

Is it Acupuncture, or is it Dry Needling?

The question that I get a lot from patients who have experienced Chiropractic treatments. Honestly, I don’t even try to distinguish both techniques as they only bring positive effects to my patients and there is no harm in combining them in my practices.

Insights for yall who care to know the differences:

Acupuncture, is an ancient Chinese medicine technique used to release endorphins, diminishing the perception of pain. Regulating and restoring energy and chi flow in the human body. Leaving a needle in each acupuncture points for a minimum of 20 minutes with or without transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.

Dry needling technique is used to release knots by inserting the needle in the trigger points, and pistoning the needle. This procedure releases muscle tension by causing tight muscles to twitch or cramp then relax.

My response at the end of the day is, acupuncture points or trigger points, it doesn’t really matter to me as long as it gets the job done.

Role of an Acupuncturist

For those who are curious, the application of acupuncture is used to treat a variety of emotional, mental and physical disorders or to maintain general wellbeing and good health.

Acupuncturists conduct a detailed diagnosis and collect data on a patient’s lifestyle, diet, health, history and symptoms before developing a bespoke treatment plan.

Acupuncture is a specialist area of complementary and alternative medicine, drawing its origins from the Chinese philosophy of Qi. Acupuncture focuses on manipulating and maintaining the balance of “life energy”, “life spirit” in the body with the insertion of needles into various acupuncture points. The positioning of these needles is dependent on the type of illnesses or health conditions that needs to be treated.