We have all heard the term “rotator cuff.” What is a rotator cuff? A group of four muscles: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis and teres minor that connects the shoulder blade (scapula) to the arm bone (humerus).
The rotator cuff tendons are key to a healthy functioning shoulder. They are subject to wear and tear or degeneration, as we use our arms. Occasionally, the muscles or tendons of the rotator cuff become irritated or damaged because of injury or overuse.
What are the risk factors?
- Over the age 40
- Impingement syndrome
- Poor posture
- Muscle/joint tightness
- Repetitive overhead motions
What are the symptoms?
- Shoulder pain
- Upper arm pain
- Pain/weakness lifting the arm
- Pain/weakness reaching
- Pain lying on the shoulder
Performing rotator cuff exercises in warm water can help to strengthen the muscles and make it less painful during rehabilitation.
The Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy published a study that compared the effects of land and water exercises on the rotator cuff. It was found that the water’s buoyancy minimizes the amount of stress on the shoulder and the resistance created by the water actually improved the effectiveness of the exercises. The study concluded, aquatic therapy allows for earlier rehabilitation after surgery or injury without compromising the patient’s safety.
So when traditional therapy is too painful to endure, aquatic therapy can offer an early start to rehabilitating the rotator cuff and allow for a speedy recovery.
Moon Physical Therapy, LLC
320 Ward Avenue, Suite 107, Honolulu, HI 96814
Aquatic Therapy, Land-based Therapy and
Cardiopulmonary Rehab Programs
808-597-1005 | www.moonpt.com
Emphysema is a lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. Emphysema, along with chronic bronchitis are referred to as Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD). COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Smoking is the leading cause of emphysema.
Rarely, emphysema is caused by an inherited deficiency of a protein that protects the elastic structures in the lungs called alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency emphysema.
The National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii has prepared a cookbook of kidney-healthy recipes available to the public. Go to 
The Chinese call healing energy Qi — the life force, or vital energy, that flows through all things in the universe. In Japan, the life force is termed Ki, while yoga practitioners refer to the body’s life force as prana or pranic energy. These terms all relate to the same universal healing energy, which exists in our environment and links us to all forms of life. It’s the primordial force of nature.
ear ago that Marion Iwane, 88, read a story in Generations Magazine about a senior in her 90s who started exercising at age 77. Inspired by the story, Marion decided to come in for help with balance, weakness and pain in her hips and shoulders. One month into the program, Marion suffered a mild stroke. After a brief stay in the hospital, she was sent to a nursing rehabilitation facility. Two months later, Marion’s daughter brought her back in to see me. Seeing her with a walker and weak on the left side of her body due to the stroke, I knew we had some work to do. I had successfully worked with another client who suffered a much stronger stroke, so I had high hopes for Marion’s recovery.
Marion has come in twice a week for the last 10 months. We started with moving the joints and light stretching, working our way up to strength and flexibility exercises. While training the right and then the left side of the body, it was important that she not lead with her dominant side. When she accomplishes one task we move on to a new one, continually stimulating her brain and connecting the mind to the movement. In the beginning there were times when she wanted to stop coming. Thanks to her daughter who encouraged her to continue, her attitude toward exercise has changed. One day she said to me, “I want to be strong like you.” Wow, that made my day!
In addition to exercise, Marion and I have worked on infusing her diet with healthy nutrients through green smoothies. Getting enough fruits and vegetables into our diets is important for good health and longevity. We also need healthy fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats from avocados, raw nuts, fatty fish, etc.) to maintain brain function and help with cellular communication. We add flaxseed and coconut oil into our smoothies as an easy way to ensure we get our good fats.
More than ever, we have to take charge of our own health, including doing what we can to avoid health problems, such as preventing falls. According to the Centers for Disease Control, falls are the leading cause of accidental fatal and non-fatal injuries among Hawai‘i’s older adults. Every five hours a kupuna is injured so severely in a fall that he/she must be treated in a hospital.
One in seven adults in Hawai‘i has kidney disease. An additional one in three people are at risk for getting it, and most don’t know it. Kidney disease can be found and treated early to prevent more serious kidney disease and other complications. Three simple tests can help.
A physical therapist specializing in cardiac rehab will perform an evaluation and develop a plan consisting of patient education on diet, relaxation techniques, aerobic training and strengthening exercises. The therapist will closely monitor vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rhythm and rate, and oxygen saturation levels. The therapist should also prescribe a safe exercise program, with appropriate duration, frequency and intensity. While everyone can exercise at a gym or at their home after a cardiac event, a rehab program offers a safe and effective en- vironment to improve your heart health with the supervision of a medical professional.
