Competing as part of a school activity can be a great way to instill the exercise habit. But parents and coaches know it's not as simple as handing a student a football, pompom or clarinet and saying, "Go play." So, we asked experts for advice on keeping things as safe and healthy as possible. Here's what they said
Shoulder blade pain can have many different causes. Although you may assume you sustained an injury or simply slept in the wrong way, the pain might actually be related to your heart, lungs, spine, abdomen, or pelvis. In cases like these, the pain may be referred, meaning that a problem in one part of the body excites nerves that trigger pain in another part of the body, such as your shoulder blade.
The neck and shoulders are complex and interconnected areas, and medical problems that affect one often affect the other, as well. Pain and dysfunction from injuries or conditions that impact the joints, muscles, and other structures can easily spread from the neck to the shoulder(s) and from the shoulder(s) to the neck.
Osteochondritis dissecans of the knee may not cause any symptoms, but some people may experience pain and swelling. Engaging in competitive sports may contribute to its development.
The study, of nearly 4,000 former National Football League (NFL) players, found that Black men reported more intense, more debilitating pain than their white counterparts. They were also more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety or fatigue -- and those problems were often related to their pain levels.
