SuperiorPT_Neck Pain and Stress

APRIL 2020

INSIDE: • HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP YOUR NECK PAIN • STAFF SPOTLIGHT

SAY GOODBYE TO THE PAINS IN YOUR NECK WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY

Do you have trouble sitting up straight at your desk, tilting your head down to tie your shoes, or even lying down to go to sleep at night? Do you have headaches more than once a week? If so, you’re not alone. According to the Institute of Medicine of The National Academies, over 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. Of those 100 million, 15% suffer from chronic neck pain. In a survey conducted with over 300 chronic pain sufferers, 59% reported an impact on the quality of their life and 77% of those surveyed reported feeling depressed. Even small amounts of pain can lead to a downward spiral in quality of life, energy, and overall wellbeing. Fortunately physical therapy can help resolve all the pains in your neck. Contact Superior Physical Therapy today to schedule your consultation. WHY DOES NECK PAIN OCCUR? The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) states that approximately one-third of the population will experience neck pain in any given year. It can get worse if left untreated, and in severe cases, surgery may even be needed. Additional symptoms of neck pain may include: • Discomfort and pain when remaining in the same position for too long. • Muscle stiffness and tightness in the upper body. • Headaches. • Arm weakness. • Numbness or tingling. • Inability to fully stand up or sit up straight. • Loss of sleep due to pain and discomfort. The neck is an integral area of everyday movement, and sharp pains can prevent you from functioning properly in your day-to-day

life. The neck is comprised of 7 vertebrae (bones), over 16 joints, and numerous muscles and tissues. The greatest concentration of muscles and tissues is in the upper neck, at the base of your skull. This area consists of the larger muscles that attach your head to your neck, and it is where the vertebral and carotid arteries travel through your neck, in order to reach the skull. When these muscles become tense, the blood flow from the arteries can become affected, resulting in neck pain and headaches. Your neck relies on a lot from your body – such as proper posture, flexibility, strength, and coordination. In our daily lives, we place tremendous strain and demand on our neck. Stress and poor posture can cause muscle weakness in the neck, and can even lead to long-term damage over time. Any sort of chronic strain on the neck can result in inflammation and contribute to our pain and headaches. RELIEVE YOUR NECK PAINWITH SUPERIOR PHYSICAL THERAPY: Our physical therapists aremovement experts, equipped in identifying and treating the main source of your neck pain. They will analyze your posture, movement, and problem areas, in order to determine the best course of treatment for your needs. Your treatment plan will focus on relieving your pain, in addition to improving your posture, mobility, strength, and coordination. Your diagnosis will determine the make-up of your treatment plan, and may include any combination of manual therapy, targeted stretches and exercises, activity modification, or ergonomic recommendations. It may also include additional methods as deemed fit by your physical therapist, such as ice and heat therapies, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation.

Physical therapy can help significantly reduce your neck pain by implementing the following benefits: • Maintaining proper posture when sitting and standing. • Restoring flexibility to your neck muscles and joints. • Strengthening your mid-back muscles and shoulders to provide support to your neck. • Improving the coordination of your neck muscles. • Educating patients on eating well, by reducing the consumption of processed foods that increases inflammation in the body. You will work together with your physical therapist to understand the goals and expectations of each step in your personalized treatment plan, with the main focus being on overcoming your neck pain and recovering as quickly as possible. If your neck pain has been limiting your daily life, don’t wait any longer to seek help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment. At Superior Physical Therapy, we are dedicated to providing you with the tools you need for recovery and relief!

Do you feel the need for a natural solution to your pain? Call us or visit us at www.superiorphysicaltherapy.org

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