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Ever wonder why shoulder problems are so common? Think of the shoulder is a modified ball and socket joint, a good design for mobility, but an unstable one nevertheless, making dislocation and injury to the area fairly common. To improve the stability of the shoulder, a cuff of four muscles, referred to as the rotator cuff, stabilizes the joint. Surrounding the shoulder joint is a "bag" called the Capsule.

Frozen shoulder syndrome starts in this sack-like area that stretches when the arm is raised above the head and hangs down like a sack when the arm is lowered to the side. In frozen shoulder syndrome, inflammation of the joint causes this sack to stick to itself. The inflammation spreads and can cause swelling throughout the shoulder area. Within several days, arm movements start to diminish. Within a few weeks, the arm literally becomes frozen and in many cases cannot be raised more than 40 degrees. As a result, the muscles of the rotator cuff become weak and start slowly to waste away. Muscle atrophy sets in, rendering the entire arm totally useless.

A painful and often debilitating condition, Frozen shoulder syndrome affects 2-5% of the population. It is more common in women and diabetics are particularly vulnerable to the affliction. It is mainly a problem that affects people 40 years and older. The arm that is used less is most likely the one to be involved; however, about 12% of people experience the problem on both sides. The condition lasts an average of 30 months and can be classified into three phases:

· Freezing (1-8 months) - Considered to be the most painful phase of the condition, especially at night.
· Frozen (9-16 months) - The arm becomes stiff. Pain may still be a problem especially at night, but it usually diminishes.
· Thawing (12-40 months) - Characterized by recovery and the gradual return of mobility .

Most medical experts agree that conservative management, usually involving anywhere from 4-30 sessions of physiotherapy and exercise is the best way to treat Frozen Shoulder, however opinions and treatment methods vary among caregivers. Some administer cortisone injections, which typically relieve symptoms for only a week or two. Manipulation under general anesthetic followed by physiotherapy is also a possibility, however manipulation can cause further complications such as rotator cuff tears, increased inflammation and nerve damage. It might be helpful to seek the advice of several medical professionals before deciding on a treatment program that best suits your needs.

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Over 95% of adults exhibit poor posture practices through forward head carrying and rounded shoulders. Sooner or later, most are likely to develop physical problems as a result. Postural misalignment is a soft-tissue/ muscle problem, not a bone problem, as is commonly thought. Muscles dictate where bones go and also have the ability to hold the bones in place. So when the spine is out of alignment, muscles must work harder to keep the body functioning, which can in turn, cause overuse, strain, stiffness and pain. Whether back pain problems are a direct result of poor posture or not, (often times they are) back pain sufferers can almost always benefit from polishing up their postural habits. Proper posture is also a terrific way to prevent back problems from occurring in the first place.

During proper posture, the neck should support the head, keeping it aligned with the rest of the spine in balanced posture. Shoulder blades should be level, as should the hips and buttocks. The pelvis should be tilted forward slightly. During proper standing posture, a line dropped from the ear will pass through the shoulder joint, the middle of the hip, just behind the knee and in front of the ankle.

The neck has a slight natural curve, and the lower back, or lumbar area has two curves as well. Proper posture preserves all three curves in their natural state. In fact, when the spine is supported in this fashion, it is self-sufficient, and requires very little help from the surrounding back muscles. That said, it is easy to understand how poor posture can cause muscle strain, soreness and backaches.

Correct posture is important regardless of your body's position - standing, sitting or lying down. When sitting down, be certain that the three naturally occurring spinal curves are maintained. When lying down, the spine must be kept in proper alignment. It is important to avoid propping the head with an arm or extra pillows. Propping will almost certainly throw your body out of alignment.
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With summer approaching, more and more people will be incorporating swimming into their exercise routine. Swimming ranks high among back pain sufferers who want to stay fit and maintain a good aerobic workout without jarring the spine. Impact injuries and muscle tears are rare, so it's a great way for people who have suffered an injury to get back into shape without risking further damage to the back.

One word of caution, however, the crawl and breaststroke can force the back into an awkward arch, which may lead to lower back pain in some cases. For that reason, it's best to stick with the more basic techniques like sidestroke and backstroke.

Be sure to keep your head in proper alignment with your spine to avoid neck and back strain. Also, swimming is great for developing arm and leg strength, but the back muscles won't get much of a workout. When you feel ready, be sure to incorporate exercises designed specifically to strengthen the back to keep a good muscle balance throughout the body.