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The neck is made up of vertebrae that extends from the skull down to the upper torso. It also has cervical discs that are designed to absorb the shock between the bones. The ligaments, muscles, and bones found in the neck support the head and allow it to move. Any injury, inflammation, or abnormalities may result in neck stiffness or pain.

Many people experience occasional neck pain or stiffness. In most cases, it can be attributed to overuse or poor posture. Other times, neck pain can also be caused by whiplash, contact sports, or injury from a fall.

Oftentimes, neck pain is not serious and won’t warrant neck pain treatment. However, if neck pain is severe, lingers for more than a week, and is accompanied by other symptoms, seeking medical attention right away is recommended.

There are different options to treat neck pain. However, the cause needs to be determined first before the best treatment can be provided. Fortunately, mild cases of neck pain will respond well to conservative treatments like exercise, pain medications, and massage. Many people who visit their chiropractors also report relief from neck pain.

Common Causes of Neck Pain

Neck stiffness or pain can be attributed to a lot of causes. Some of the most prevalent causes of neck pain include:

Muscle strain and tension

Muscle strain and tension can be due to the following behaviours and activities:

  • Working in the same position for too long

  • Sleeping with the neck in a bad position

  • Poor posture

  • Jerking the neck during exercise

Heart attack

Neck pain can also be one of the symptoms of a heart attack. However, oftentimes, it manifests together with other symptoms such as:

  • Vomiting

  • Nausea

  • Jaw or arm pain

  • Sweating

  • Shortness of breath

  • Injury

The neck can be very vulnerable to injury especially when playing sports, or during falls, and car accidents. In the aforementioned scenarios, the neck’s ligaments and muscles are forced to move outside of its normal range. If the cervical vertebrae (neck bones) are fractured, the spinal cord can also get damaged. Neck injury that occurs due to sudden jerking of the head is called whiplash.

Other causes

Other likely causes of neck pain include:

Osteoporosis. In people with the condition, the bone can weaken and can result in small fractures. While this condition often manifests in the knees and hands, it can also occur in the neck.

Spinal stenosis. This condition develops when the spinal column narrows down and causes pressure on the nerve roots or spinal cord as it exits the vertebrae. This condition can also develop due to long-term inflammation caused by arthritis and other conditions.

Rheumatoid arthritis. This condition causes joint swelling, pain, and bone spurs. When this develops in the neck area, neck pain can occur.

Fibromyalgia. This condition causes muscle pain throughout the body especially in the shoulder and neck region.

Spondylosis. When the cervical discs degenerate, spondylosis can occur. This condition is also known as osteoarthritis of the neck. When spondylosis is present, the space between the vertebrae can narrow down. The condition can also add stress to the joints.

Herniated cervical disk. Also known as slipped or ruptured disk, this condition occurs when a disk protrudes due to injury or trauma and puts pressure on the nerve roots or spinal cord.

In very rare instances, neck pain and stiffness can be secondary to:

  • Infections

  • Tumors

  • Abscesses

  • Congenital abnormalities

  • Spine cancer

When to See Your Doctor

If the neck stiffness or pain lasts for more than a week, a visit to the doctor is recommended. You should also check with your doctor right away if the neck pain is accompanied by:

  • Fever

  • Headache

  • Nausea

  • Swollen glands

  • Vomiting

  • Tingling

  • Numbness

  • Weakness

  • Lumps in the neck

  • Pain that travels down the legs or arms

  • Bowel or bladder dysfunction

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In essence, snoring is heavy breathing during sleep. Snoring is a common condition that can affect anyone. However, this condition is observed to be more common among men and people who are overweight. It also has the tendency to get worse with age.

Snoring every now and then is considered harmless, although understandably, it can be a nuisance for your bed partner. However, for long-term snorers, they have to find a way  how to stop snoring as it won’t only disrupt the sleep patterns of their bed partners, it  will also affect the quality of their sleep.

In some cases, snoring can be a symptom of an underlying health problem as opposed to the main problem itself. Those who snore very loudly and on a consistent basis need to know how to treat snoring so it won’t affect their sleep as well as their quality of life.

Causes

Snoring occurs when the air flow through the nose and mouth is blocked. The interference of the air flow can be attributed to several causes, including:

Poor muscle tone in the tongue and throat. The muscles of the tongue and throat can be too relaxed. This causes them to collapse into the airway.

Long soft palate or uvula. A long uvula (the tissue that dangles in the back of the mouth) and a long soft palate can cause the opening from the nose to the throat to narrow down. When the individual breathes, the two can bump against each other and block the airway.

Blocked nasal airways. Some individuals snore when they have a sinus infection or during allergy season. Other problems that can also block the nasal airways include nasal polyps or a deviated septum (a condition where the wall separating the nostril from the other is off center).

Sleep position. Sleeping on the back may also result in snoring.

Alcohol and drug use. Taking muscle relaxants or drinking alcohol may also cause the throat and tongue muscles to relax too much.

Bulky throat tissue. This condition can be caused by being overweight. In some children, their adenoids and tonsils might be too large, causing them to snore.

Sleep deprivation. Not getting sufficient sleep can sometimes cause the throat muscles to relax too much.

Complications

Snoring in itself won’t have any complications. However, snoring that’s associated with sleep apnea may lead to the following issues:

Frequent waking from sleep. In some cases, patients are not even aware of it happening.

Heart strain. Long-term obstructive sleep apnea might cause the blood pressure to rise, making the heart bigger as a result. This puts the patient at a higher risk of developing strokes and heart attacks.

Light sleeping. Waking up countless times during the night can interfere with the normal sleep pattern, depriving patients of a deeper and more restorative sleep.

Poor sleep quality. Not getting enough sleep may cause patients to be sleepy during the day and can significantly affect their quality of life.

Treatment

There are several treatment options available for snoring, including:

Oral appliances. Patients will wear a small plastic device in their mouth while they sleep.   This will keep the airways open.

Lifestyle changes. Your doctor may advise losing the excess weight or not drinking alcohol especially before retiring for the night.

CPAP machine. A continuous positive airway pressure machine can be used to treat sleep apnea. It can also help minimise snoring by blowing air into the patient’s airways during sleep.

Surgery. Some procedures can be done to help stop snoring. When required, your doctor can shrink or remove the tissues in the throat or make the soft palate stiffer.

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When replacing damaged or missing teeth, there are several options available, including replacement teeth and dentures. However, one option stands out: dental implants. Unlike bridges or dentures, dental implants offer replacement teeth that are truly hard to miss.

The Unbeatable Benefits of Getting Dental Implants

Below are some of the topnotch benefits of dental implants.

  • It can help prevent bone loss

When teeth are lost, there is also a tendency to lose bone mass in the jaw. The jawbone needs the stimulation it gets from the teeth to maintain its mass. Dental implant is the only tooth replacement alternative that replaces jawbone stimulation so bone loss is prevented.

  • It can help restore the bite force

Since dental implants are anchored into the jawbone using a titanium post that serves as tooth root, they make it possible for patients to have the same amount of bite force as the natural teeth. Other tooth replacement options, like dental implants, on the other hand won’t be able to restore nearly half of the usual bite force as most just sit on top of the gums and are not anchored in place.

  • It is designed to match the natural teeth

Dental implants can come in diverse shapes and sizes. Dentists at Aspen Dental will work with patients to design implants that will fit perfectly in the gap and match the color of the surrounding natural teeth. Dental implants look just like the natural teeth that it’s usually just you and your dentist who knows you got one.

  • It helps prevent any change in the face shape

The teeth also helps support the facial structure. When teeth are lost, there is also a possibility of losing facial support. Lack of facial support can cause the face to change shape, sometimes making patients look older than they really are. Since dental implants are designed to function just like the natural teeth and bone, they can also provide the same support to the face so it does not change shape.

  • It helps enable natural speech

Some tooth replacement alternatives like dental implant can significantly affect one’s ability to speak and pronounce words correctly. Fortunately, since dental implants act just like the natural teeth and bone, they can make it possible for people to speak naturally and effortlessly.

  • It helps prevent cavities

Contrary to popular belief, artificial teeth like dental implants need to be looked after accordingly to prevent bacteria from building up in the mouth and causing infections. The good thing is dental implants, made of bone, are resistant to decay. That means you won’t have to worry about getting cavities in your implants ever again.

  • It helps prevent any embarrassing slippage

Most patients who have dentures sometimes feel self-conscious when laughing, speaking, or eating in public as dentures have the tendency to slip or shift inside the mouth. Patients with dental implants however don’t have to think about their dental implants slipping as they are anchored in place firmly.

  • It helps support adjacent teeth

A gap in the mouth caused by a missing tooth might cause teeth on either side of the gap to shift positions. When this occurs, teeth misalignment can occur. Thankfully, dental implants will fill the gap and will make it possible for patients to have a straight and even smile.

  • It is easy to look after

Those with dental implants are not required to use any special products to clean or look after their dental implants. That means you don’t have to buy adhesives, special flossers, or cleansing tablets for your dental implants.

In essence, you just need to look after your implants like you would after your natural teeth. That means you brush and floss at least twice daily and visit your dentist for routine check-ups. If you’d like to know more about dental implants and figure out if  they’re the best option for you, click here.

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What are dental implants?

In a nutshell, dental implants are artificial replacements for missing natural teeth. Implants are also designed to provide a robust foundation for permanent (fixed) or removable replacement teeth.

Can anyone get dental implants?

In most cases, patients that are healthy enough to undergo oral surgery or a routine dental extraction can be good candidates for dental implants. Ideally, people who are candidates for a dental implant procedure should have healthy gums as well as enough bone to hold the implant in place.

Those with uncontrolled chronic illnesses like heart disease or diabetes, heavy smokers, and those who have had radiation therapy to the neck or head area will have to be evaluated on an individual basis. If you live in Singapore and you’re considering dental implants, find out all you need to know about the procedure here.

What is the success rate for dental implants?

Depending on where in the jaw the implants are placed, the success of dental implants can vary. However, in general, the success rate is around 98 percent. The good thing is that given it is cared for accordingly, dental implants can last a lifetime.

Are dental implants painful?

Most people who have had dental implants surgery report they felt very minimal discomfort during the procedure. Local anaesthesia is also used during the surgery and most patients report that implants are even less painful than tooth extractions.

What is the process of getting dental implants like?

Developing an individualised treatment plan is the first step in the dental implant surgery process. The treatment plan will address the patient’s specific needs. The plan is also often prepared by a team of professionals who are specially experienced and trained in both restorative dentistry and oral surgery.

Next, the tooth root implant (small post made of titanium) is placed into the missing tooth’s bone socket. As the jawbone heals, it will grow around the implanted metal post and will anchor it in the jaw securely. The healing time from dental implant surgery can take 6 to 12 weeks.

Once the implant has been bonded to the bone securely, a small connected post (known as abutment) will be attached to the post to secure the new tooth in place. A replacement tooth (known is crown) is attached to the dental implant abutment.

The dentist will also make sure the color of the new dental implant matches that of the natural teeth. Since the implant will be secured within the jawbone through surgery, the replacement teeth will feel, function, and look just like the natural teeth.

What are some of the benefits of getting dental implants?

Dental implants offer many enticing benefits. Some of the most notable ones include:

  • Enhanced appearance – dental implants are designed to mimic the look and feel of the patient’s natural teeth.

  • Improved comfort – since dental implants will fuse with the bone, they eliminate any of the discomforts associated with removable dentures.

  • Improved speech – when wearing ill-fitting dentures or dental implant, there is the tendency it will slip within the mouth and can cause the wearer to slur or mumble their words. With a dental implant however, you can speak without having to worry if the teeth will slip.

  • Improved self-confidence – dental implants look just like the natural teeth so it can help you regain your smile, feel better about yourself, and improve your self-confidence in the process.

  • Easier eating – sliding dentures will not only make it difficult to talk, it can also make chewing difficult. Fortunately, dental implants are designed to function just like the natural teeth, allowing you to better chew your food with confidence and without pain.

  • Durability – dental implants are known to be highly durable and can last for many years. With proper care, implants can even last a lifetime.

  • Convenience – dental implants will eliminate the embarrassment and inconvenience of removing dentures. People with dental implants are also spared from using messy adhesives just to keep their dentures in place.

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Turning the Spotlight on Skin Cancer

Do you know how skin cancer can be spotted? Don’t let skin cancer sneak up on you. Although you can’t see all the sun damage on your skin, inspecting the areas you can see is vital–before it’s too late. Otherwise you might regret it.

Fortunately, many skincare experts and dermatologists (dokter kecantikan) have shared valuable information on how skin cancer can be spotted. Below are some of the key information you need to keep in mind:

Can you spot cancer of the skin?

Anyone can get skin cancer regardless of colour or race. However, certain types of skin are believed to be more susceptible to the condition compared to others. Fortunately, skin cancer can be highly treatable especially when detected (and treated) early.

For the uninitiated, below are the different types of skin cancer:

Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma are considered two of the most common types of skin cancer. They are also classified as non-melanoma skin cancers.

Both types of skin cancer often develop within the skin’s top layer. They can also be evident on other areas of the body especially the areas that are often exposed to the sun. In addition, these cancer types can also develop on the scalp, face, ears, and neck.

Basal cell carcinoma often appears as a whitish bump. Squamous cell carcinoma on the other hand often appears as a rough, swollen, or scaly patch. Squamous cell carcinoma can also manifest as a bleeding and ulcerated bump.

While non-melanoma skin cancers don’t spread fast, they can lead to disfigurement when left untreated. Researchers estimate that in 2012 alone, 3.3 million people in the United States were diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

If you see anything shifting, swelling, or bleeding on your face, see a board-certified dermatologist as soon as possible. If anything, skin cancer can be highly curable given that it’s diagnosed early and treated accordingly.

Melanoma

This is skin cancer’s most deadly type. Every day, nearly 20 Americans die of melanoma. This type of skin cancer can also appear suddenly and without warning. However, in some cases, melanoma can also develop from or near an existing mole.

While melanomas can develop anywhere in the body, it typically manifests around the areas in the neck, head, torso, upper torso, and the lower legs. Melanomas can easily spread to the lymph nodes and the internal organs. That being said, early detection of melanomas is crucial so it can be addressed properly.

If you notice any see swelling or bleeding on your face, consider it best to visit a board certified dermatologist immediately. Fresh and rapid growing moles are often early warning signs of melanoma and should be looked into by a dermatologist as soon as possible. The good news is melanoma is highly treatable given that it’s detected early and treated properly.

The American Academy of Dermatology suggests that everyone studies the ABCDs of melanoma to help them detect melanomas early.

A stands for asymmetry: one half of the mole does not suit the other half.

B stands border irregularity: the edges are ragged, stitched, or blurred.

C stands for color: this can vary from region to region.

D stands for diameter: while melanomas are usually larger than 6mm when diagnosed (the size of a pencil eraser), they can also be smaller.

For more information on the diagnosis and prevention of skin cancer or if you want to find a free skin cancer test in your area, visit the nearest dermatological clinic and consult a skincare specialist (dokter kecantikan) or dermatologist.

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In essence, spinal decompression therapy involves the stretching of the spine using a traction table or a similar motorised device. The goal of the therapy is to relieve leg or back pain. This procedure is also known as nonsurgical decompression therapy and is often carried out by a seasoned chiropractor.

If you’re a candidate for nonsurgical decompression therapy, this article will provide an overview of the procedure. It will also give you an insight into its role in the treatment of leg, lower back, and neck pain.

Theory of Spinal Decompression

Nonsurgical decompression therapy makes use of the basic principle of spinal traction offered by trained health professionals like osteopaths and chiropractors. Both decompression and traction therapy are used with the goal of relieving pain as well as promoting optimal ealing for degenerating, bulging, and herniated discs.

Spinal decompression therapy is also a type of traction therapy that’s applied to the spine in an attempt to achieve the following benefits:

  • Promote repositioning or retraction of the bulging or herniated disc material.

  • Cause an influx of healing substances and other nutrients into the disc.

How Spinal Decompression Therapy is Carried Out

In nonsurgical spinal decompression therapy, the spine is relaxed and stretched intermittently and in a controlled manner. The theory is that this process will create a negative pressure within the disc itself (intradiscal pressure). This is believed to have 2 potential benefits:

  • It pulls the bulging or herniated disc material back into the disc

  • It facilitates the passage of healing nutrients into the disc and fosters a great healing environment

Spinal Decompression Sessions

During spinal decompression therapy for the lumbar spine (low back), patients will remain clothed and lie on the motorised table. A harness is then placed around the hips and is attached to the lower table situated near the feet.

The upper part of the table will stay in a fixed position. The lower part (where the patient is harnessed), will slide back and forth to provide both relaxation and traction.

The patient’s position on the table often differentiates one decompression therapy from another. For instance, some devices will have the patient in a prone position, lying face down on the table. Other devices on the other hand will have the patient lying supine and face up. While patients feel a stretch in their spine during a decompression therapy session, they won’t feel any pain or discomfort.

Decompression therapy usually consists of a series of 15 to 30 treatment sessions. Each session will often last around 30 to 45 minutes each and is spread over a 4 to 6-week period. Decompression therapy is often conducted in the practitioner’s office.

Some decompression therapy sessions can include additional treatment modalities like ultrasound, electric stimulation, and heat and cold therapy (applied after or during the procedure).

Spinal Decompression Therapy Indications

Spinal decompression therapy is often the treatment alternative for sciatica (leg pain), neck pain secondary to bulging, degenerated, or herniated discs, and several types of lower back pain.

Spinal Decompression Therapy Contraindications

Stretching the spine in order to relive back pain is not ideal for all people. The following are individuals who are not considered good candidates for the procedure:

  • Those with broken vertebrae

  • Pregnant women

  • Those who have had spinal fusion

  • Those with an artificial disc or other implants in the spine

  • Those who have had a failed back surgery

  • Those who have had multiple surgeries

Spinal decompression is also not ideal for individuals with the following medical conditions:

  • Spinal stenosis

  • Spinal tumor

  • Ankylosing spondylitis

  • Osteopenia

  • Osteoporosis

  • Spinal infection

  • Conditions that compromise the spine’s integrity

  • Patients who are taking blood thinner medications

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Scientists from major US universities discovered that only 1 out of 5 people lost their extra weight or at least 10 percent of their body weight. The plateau effect is one of the reasons why weight loss can be challenging for many people.

Understandably, when people experience plateau, they tend to get discouraged since it would seem like their efforts are all for nothing. Fortunately, the plateau effect can be combated. On the light side, scientifically proven slimming methods (cara melangsingkan badan) have been found to decrease weight even in the plateau effect phase.

Weight Training

Training with weight is less effective as a slimming method (cara melangsingkan badan) than cardio training but it helps to maintain the degree of metabolism that is necessary when you are on a long-term diet.

Weight training can help increase metabolism. In addition, it also helps warrant the body does not shift into low-energy mode. After a workout however, it is advisable to integrate some protein in the meal as it can help the muscles get stronger.

Change Caloric Value in the Week

If we are on a diet, our clever bodies respond to smaller food amounts, reducing energy intake. In other words, if there is no food, the body adapts to the new living conditions and still retains the extra pound. And if you start eating fewer calories, the body knows that its decision is right.

You can use the caloric cycles to control the body. You should eat about 1,000 or 1,200 kcal with virtually no carbohydrates 2 days a week and eat 1,500 kcal for the rest of the days. This trick will not slow down metabolism and produce the caloric deficit.

Add More Proteins  and Vegetables in Your Diet

Low-carbohydrate diets are considered to be the best strategy for weight loss. Adding more protein and fiber in the diet has been known to improve metabolism. Carbohydrates raise the level of insulin to make us hungry. So, if you are trying to lose weight, eating a slice of low-fat meat is better than eating a sweet fruit.

Change Your Workout Routine

Years of struggle for survival have taught our bodies one simple thing: energy should be preserved by every means possible. The human body adapts to the exercises you do after a while. Therefore, progress will definitely slow down after several weeks of similar exercises.

There is only one solution: you should change your exercise routine once every 1-1.5 months. There are many options: Change yoga for pilates, do new exercises, train new muscles, and change the weights you use.

Eat Tasty Foods

The ability to withstand the urge to eat will depend partly on how well the brain works. However, when you have not been eating anything tasty for a long time, your brain begins to tell you that eating a bar of chocolate or tasty biscuit can be a great idea.

For this reason, nutrition experts recommend that small portions of “prohibited” foods should be included. If you can relax occasionally, you have a smaller chance of losing control and stopping the diet at some point.

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It might seem funny when you hear people saying the excess calories they’re eating go straight to their tummy and thighs. However, it is surprising that there is some truth to that. The tummy and thigh are just two of the places where excess fats can be stored.

Your body tends to store fat calories to keep you safe and alive. The goal is to learn how to rid ourselves of the extra fat (cara membakar lemak).

You hear a lot of supposed strategies that can help burn fat (cara membakar lemak), such as working in the burning fat zone, reducing spots, and taking foods and supplements designed to achieve said objective.

Fat-Burning Basics

When you try to lose weight, understanding how your body uses fuel calories will affect your approach to weight loss programs. Most people want to use fat for meaningful energy. The more fat you can use as fuel, the less fat will be stored in your body. However, using more fat doesn’t always mean you’ll lose all the fats automatically.

The best method to burn fat begins with some fundamental knowledge on how your body gets its energy:

  • Fat and carbohydrates are mainly used by the body for fuel. During exercise, a small amount of protein is used for repairing muscles after exercise.

  • The ratio of these fuels can differ according to the type of activities you do.

  • In activities of greater intensity such as fast-moving running, the body relies more on carbohydrates than on fat. This is because the metabolic routes available to decompose carbon in energy are more effective than the pathways available to decompose fat.

  • Fat is used more for energy than carbohydrates for long, slower workouts.

  • It doesn’t matter what type of fuel you use when it comes to weight loss. What counts is how many calories you eat, rather than how many calories you consume.

This is a very simplified analysis of energy with a strong message. As far as weight loss is concerned, it is important to burn more calories, not necessarily to use more energy fat.

The harder you work, the more calories you will burn. Think of it that way—you’re in your prime fat-burning mode when you sit and sleep. But you probably never considered sleeping more to lose weight. The bottom line is, just because you use more fat as energy does not mean that you burn more calories.

The good news is that the fat-burning mode does not always equate to doing strenuous workouts. Even incorporating walking for a short period can already go a long way towards burning the excess fat.

Conclusion

If you want to really lose weight in a healthy and safe manner, never try to do any shortcuts. In most cases, they can prove counterintuitive and can be very dangerous or detrimental to one’s health, especially if the body is stripped of its needed nutrients.

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Many people who diet eventually learn the frustrating truth that cutting calories tends to, in fact, lead to weight gain. This is especially aggravating when you have already cut down on carbs and sweets but still can’t fit into those jeans.

Now, what do you do when dieting just does not work for fat loss? One of the most popular methods today to eliminate stubborn fat bulges is a fat freezing method called CoolSculpting.

What Is CoolSculpting?

This FDA-cleared procedure to fat freeze is comfortable for most patients, doesn’t require surgery which means zero to minimal downtime, and it is done in a clinic by an aesthetic doctor under close supervision.

CoolSculpting taps into controlled cooling to freeze visceral belly fat, fat on the flanks (also called “muffin tops” or “love handles”), inner and outer thighs (sometimes referred to as “saddlebags”), and the upper arms. CoolSculpting can also minimize the size of double chins.

How Does CoolSculpting Work

Each treatment lasts approximately 30 to 45 minutes, although your actual time in the aesthetic clinic may be longer than an hour because your attendant will need to prep your body for the procedure. Specific fat bulges will then be identified and targeted by your aesthetic doctor. The fat will then be gently pulled into cooling panels and heat is then removed from the cells. This causes the fat cells to shrivel and die over a period of a few weeks. Most patients begin to see results in three weeks, but it may take up to two months to see the complete effects of the procedure.

Side Effects of CoolSculpting

CoolSculpting is non-invasive so it is not painful, but some patients have reported minor discomfort from the fat freezing sensation. There are some rare side effects that your doctor will discuss with you before beginning treatment. After the treatment is done, you can resume your normal activities, including work or exercise. You may experience some bruising or soreness in the area, but it generally resolves within a week or two.

Cost of CoolSculpting

The cost of CoolSculpting depends on the number of area(s) that need to be treated, the size of each area, and the number of treatments required. A single treatment for a single area may cost $500 to $800. But multiple treatments are generally required. And if you are treating the arms or the legs, each arm or leg may be charged separately.

Effectiveness of CoolSculpting

So, are these fat freezing procedures worth it? Part of the answer depends on your expectations. CoolSculpting is not an effective weight-loss solution and isn’t ideal for people who are obese. But clinical studies have shown the method is effective at reducing fat in trouble spots that are resistant to diet and exercise.

While CoolSculpting can be effective for permanently reducing fat in certain targeted areas, the results will not be as dramatic as fat loss from a surgical procedure such as liposuction. To know if CoolSculpting is right for you, consult with your aesthetic doctor.

What to Expect After Coolsculpting

Because the body requires some time to eliminate the dead fat cells, results from CoolSculpting are not seen immediately. Rather, a lot of patients will notice results in as little as one month. Usually, the final results are seen about three months after the procedure.

Patients can expect up to 25 per cent fat loss in the treated area. To reach your sculpting goals, you may choose to have multiple treatments in different areas on your body to eliminate the frustrating stubborn fat you have been dealing with. Moreover, bear in mind that the number of procedures needed to meet your goals varies due to your metabolic rate and initial physique.

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The shoulder has a vast and versatile range of motion. That being said, when you have problems with your shoulder like frozen shoulder, your ability to move freely can be hampered. Not only that, you are also likely to experience a great deal of discomfort and pain.

The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint and it has 3 main components: the long arm bone (humerus), collar bone (clavicle), and the shoulder blade (scapula). The bones are cushioned by a layer of cartilage. The rotator cuff provides the shoulder its range of motion.

Four tendons make up the rotator cuff. If the tendons or bones around the rotator cuff are swollen or damaged, it can become difficult and painful to lift the arm over the head. The shoulder can get injured when playing sports, doing repetitive movements, or performing manual labor.

Certain conditions may also cause severe pain that will cause you to seek shoulder pain treatment. Diseases of the heart, liver, and cervical spine may also cause shoulder pain. However, in similar scenarios, the underlying condition needs to be treated, otherwise the shoulder pain will just continue.

What are some of the common causes of shoulder pain?

Several conditions and factors can cause shoulder pain. The most common cause of shoulder pain is rotator cuff tendinitis. This condition is characterised by the swelling of the tendons.

Yet another cause of shoulder pain is impingement syndrome. This occurs when the rotator cuff gets caught between the humeral head and the acromium.

In some cases, shoulder pain can sometimes occur as a result of an injury sustained in another part of the body, usually the biceps or neck. This is what is commonly known as referred pain. Generally, referred pain does not get worse when the shoulder is moved.

Shoulder pain can also be attributed to other causes including:

  • Torn cartilage

  • Arthritis

  • Pinched nerve (in the shoulder or neck)

  • Torn rotator cuff

  • Swollen tendons or bursa sacs

  • Dislocated shoulder

  • Spinal cord injury

  • Heart attack

  • Injury secondary to repetitive use or overuse

  • Bone spurs

  • Broken arm bone or shoulder

How is the cause of shoulder pain diagnosed?

In order to provide the best treatment option for your case, your doctor will need to find the cause of your shoulder pain. In line with this, they’ll look into your medical history. They will also perform a physical exam.

During the physical examination, they will look for swelling and tenderness. They will also carefully assess your joint stability and range of motion. To help with the diagnosis, imaging tests like MRI and X-ray may also be requested.

To help them accurately determine the cause, doctors may also ask the following questions:

  • Is the pain felt in just one shoulder or in both?

  • Does the pain travel to other parts of the body?

  • Was the onset of the pain sudden? If so, what were you doing prior?

  • Does it hurt when you don’t move?

  • Does it hurt when you move a specific way?

  • Is the pain dull or sharp?

  • Is the painful area swollen, hot, or red?

  • Does the pain keep you up at night?

  • What makes the pain worse?

  • What makes the pain better?

When is seeking medical help recommended?

If the shoulder pain is accompanied by fever, lasting bruising, tenderness or heat around the joint, and inability to move the shoulder, getting medical help is advised.

If the shoulder pain is sudden and not secondary to any injury, seeking immediate medical help is recommended as the pain can be a sign of a heart attack.

A visit to the emergency room is also required if you injured your shoulder and it is swelling or bleeding and you can see exposed tissue.

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