肩こり　夏場の肩の痛み

Shoulder stiffness Summer shoulder pain

夏になると肩こりがひどくなり、頭痛も伴うことで来院。夏の肩こりは、冷房が効いた室内と灼熱の屋外との寒暖差が原因です。体温調節をつかさどる自律神経は、バランスを保とうとしますが、その落差は10℃前後もあるため寒暖差による疲労を起こし、肩こりや頭痛といった症状がでやすくなります。夏は、室内で冷房を使っているため、寒暖差による疲労が抜けにくく、他の季節の肩こりや頭痛よりひどくなりやすく、体の冷え、めまい、だるさ、しびれ、食欲不振、下痢などの症状がでるときもあります。予防策としては外出から冷房が効いた室内に戻ったら1枚羽織る。または膝掛けなどを使用する。暑いからといって冷たい飲み物などで体の中から冷やさず、温かい飲み物を摂る、帰宅後は、シャワーだけでなく、ぬるい湯（38〜40℃）に首まで10～15分浸かって体を温めるなどがります。鍼灸治療の特徴は、自律神経の調節です。自律神経は血管の拡張などに関与しているので、自律神経の働きが乱れると、血行が悪くなります。そうなると、筋肉内に老廃物や疲労物質がたまり、筋肉は硬直、硬くコリのようになります。また、血行、血流が悪いので、神経細胞に酸素や栄養が行きにくくなります。筋肉が硬直すると肩こり、腰がはるという症状が起こります。また、血流が悪化ゆえに神経細胞への酸素・栄養不足から末梢神経での障害を起こし、肩や腰の痛みや、指先、腕、下肢末端のしびれが起こります。鍼灸治療をすることで、血流を改善して、新陳代謝を活発にし、筋肉の硬直をほぐし、肩こりを緩和させていきます

The patient came to the clinic because of stiff shoulders that become worse in the summer and are accompanied by headaches. Stiffness in the shoulders in summer is caused by the difference in temperature between the air-conditioned room and the scorching outdoors. The autonomic nervous system, which regulates body temperature, tries to maintain a balance, but the difference in temperature can be as large as 10°C. This can cause fatigue due to the difference in temperature, leading to symptoms such as stiff shoulders and headaches. In summer, when people are indoors using air conditioning, it is difficult for them to get rid of the fatigue caused by the difference in temperature, and stiff shoulders and headaches are more likely to occur than in other seasons. As a precautionary measure, when you return to an air-conditioned room after going outside, you should put on a coat or a blanket. Or, use a lap blanket. After returning home, warm yourself not only by taking a shower but also by soaking in warm water (38 to 40°C) for 10 to 15 minutes up to the neck. Acupuncture and moxibustion treatment is characterized by the regulation of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is involved in the dilation of blood vessels, etc. If the autonomic nervous system is disturbed, blood circulation will deteriorate. When this happens, waste and fatigue substances accumulate in the muscles, and the muscles become rigid, stiff, and stiff-like. In addition, poor blood circulation and flow makes it difficult for oxygen and nutrients to reach nerve cells. Stiff muscles cause stiff shoulders and back pain. In addition, the lack of oxygen and nutrients to nerve cells due to poor blood flow causes peripheral nerve damage, resulting in shoulder and lower back pain and numbness in the fingertips, arms, and lower extremities. Acupuncture treatment improves blood flow, stimulates metabolism, relaxes muscle stiffness, and relieves stiff shoulders.