Newsletter for Garber Physical Therapy
NEWS L E T T ER
OCTOBER 2020
We are a VA Participating Provider IS STRESS CAUSING YOUR NECK PAIN?
INSIDE: • How Physical Therapy Can Help Your Neck Pain • Backpack Strategies for Parents and Students
HEALTH & WELLNESS The Newsletter About Your Health & Caring for Your Body
IS STRESS CAUSING YOUR NECK PAIN?
Does your neck hurt? Do you experience headaches? You might be suffering from stress related pain — also called a tension headache. During times of stress or anxiety, muscles tense up. As muscle tension worsens, the back, shoulders and neck are all affected. The more pressure they cause, the more discomfort you get. Let’s take a closer look at stress-related neck pain. Is My Neck Pain Caused by Stress? Pain worsened by keeping your head in one place — like when you’re driving or using a computer — is neck-related pain. While neck pain has a slew of symptoms, its major symptoms reported by Mayo Clinic are: • Muscle tightness and spasms • Headaches • Decreased ability to move the head
Stress-inducedneck pain isn’t rare. It also isn’t psychological. Many experts think stress-induced neck pain is caused by physical factors — low and constant trapezius muscle activity. If your neck pain starts at the base of your shoulders
and travels upward, it may be stress related. Causes of Stress-Related Neck Pain
While stress alone can trigger neck pain, a few factors can make it worse. Office environments tend to create neck pain problems — as they confine people to chairs, bad posture and little mobility. Driving often, too, can make your chances of stress-related neck pain higher. The U.S. National Library of Medicine suggests contacting a professional if you’re experiencing neck pain. Even if it’s caused by stress, untreated neck pain might later reveal muscle spasms, arthritis, bulging discs or even narrowed spinal nerve openings.
Call Garber Physical Therapy to talk with your physical therapist today!
3. If further assessment is
1. Feel free to call us and ask to speak to your therapist.
2. Your therapist will tell you the possible causes of your pain as well as precautions you can take at home.
warranted, your therapist might recommend you come in for an appointment.
How Physical Therapy Can Help Your Neck Pain Neck pain, fortunately, can be alleviated with physical therapy. Because neck pain is often caused by repetitive movements, different activity can cure it. Sometimes, this “activity” means “no activity.” Before you contact a professional, try reducing your neck movements. Sometimes, simply letting your neckmuscles relax is enough. If you’re dealing with neck pain, you’re not alone. Call our office today and schedule an assessment. Even if your neck pain is caused by stress, it still needs attention. We’ll work side by side with you to achieve your goals by creating the proactive, effective program you need to achieve mobility once more.
Sources: https://www.spine-health.com/blog/how-relieve-neck-pain-caused-stress https://www.everydayhealth.com/neck-pain/neck-pain-reduce-stress.aspx https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0027055/ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000802.htm
If you don’t see relief within two weeks, contact a professional. Physical therapists can target your pain’s source by examining your symptoms. Then, theycanofferexercises that stretch,flexandrelaxyourneckmuscles. In time, your neckwill becomemore resilient—giving you the comfort you deserve. Followingphysical therapy, continuing these custom-tailoredneck exercises will assure your neck stays loose, limber and healthy.
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/most-neck-pain-improves-with-self-care-time/ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/neck-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20375581
Staff Spotlight Hitsel Arteaga, Front Desk
I was born and raised in Spartanburg, SC. Before working at Garber Physical Therapy, I worked as a hairstylist for 6 years. I graduated from Greenville Technical College and majored in Health Information Management. During my college years, I did some volunteer work at the Gibbs Cancer and Research Institute. What I enjoyed the most about my time spent there, was the opportunity I had to help others. I am married and have two pups. I enjoy going to the lake, the mountains, and the beach. In my free time, I enjoy painting, do DIY projects, and spend time with my family.
Find out more about our awesome team by visiting garberphysicaltherapy.com
Backpack Strategies for Parents and Students
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Aching backs and shoulders? Tingling arms? Weakened muscles? Stooped posture? Does your child have these symptoms after wearing a heavy school backpack? Carrying too much weight in a pack or wearing it the wrong way can lead to pain and strain. Parents can take steps to help children load and wear backpacks the correct
way to avoid health problems. Loading the backpack:
• A child’s backpack should weigh no more than about 10% of his or her body weight. This means a student weighing 100 pounds shouldn’t wear a loaded school backpack heavier than about 10 pounds. • Load heaviest items closest to the child’s back (the back of the pack). • Arrange books and materials so they won’t slide around in the backpack. • Check what your child carries to school and brings home. Make sure the items are necessary for the day’s activities. • If the backpack is too heavy or tightly packed, your child can hand carry a book or other item outside the pack. • If the backpack is too heavy on a regular basis, consider using a book bag on wheels if your child’s school allows it. Wearing the backpack: • Distribute weight evenly by using both straps. Wearing a pack slung over one shoulder can cause a child to lean to one side, curving the spine and causing pain or discomfort. • Select a pack with well-padded shoulder straps. Shoulders and necks have many blood vessels and nerves that can cause pain and tingling in the neck, arms, and hands when too much pressure is applied. • Adjust the shoulder straps so that the pack fits snugly on the child’s back. A pack that hangs loosely from the back can pull the child backwards and strain muscles. • Wear the waist belt if the backpack has one. This helps distribute the pack’s weight more evenly. • The bottom of the pack should rest in the curve of the lower back. It should never rest more than four inches below the child’s waistline.
GREER LOCATION
SPARTANBURG LOCATION
INSTRUCTIONS 1. Open your smart phone to the camera app. 2. Center the QR code above in the frame (this will take you directly to our Google Review Page).
3. Let us know how we did!
Did You Know? We Can Also Treat: • Arthritis • Auto Accidents • Back Pain • Chronic Pain • Personnel Injuries • Post-Surgical Rehab
• Hand Pain • Headaches • Neck Pain
• Sports Injuries • Vestibular Pain • Work Injuries
Garber Physical Therapy Is Still Serving You
To do your part to prevent the spread of this contagious disease, we ask patients that if you or your family are demonstrating symptoms of coronavirus— coughing, sneezing or fever—please stay home. Additionally, if you or your family has been exposed to someone who has a confirmed case of the virus, please notify us immediately, so we can take necessary steps. Your cooperation in this tough time is what makes us able to continue to provide valuable services to you and your family. We appreciate your ongoing support.
physical therapists as “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of this, Garber Physical Therapy will remain open and seeing patients during this time, while taking the necessary precautions to make sure everything is sanitary, and everyone is safe. Before and after every session, we are asking our clients and staff to wash or sanitize their hands. Additionally, we have increased the number of times per day that we sanitize our equipment and facility.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic that has been causing numerous health care facilities to shut down, we as medical professionals are diligently trying to serve our patients in the best ways possible without risking the spread of this disease. The sedentary lifestyle that I’m sure many people have experienced since being quarantined to their homes can actually lead to more aches, pains, and discomfort than one may think. Fortunately, we have you covered. As some may know, the Department of Homeland Security has deemed
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