Live Without Neck Pain & Headaches

Health & Wellness newsletter by Orthopedic Physical Therapy Incorporated

Health & Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

“Is It Possible To Live Without Neck Pain & Headaches?” Here’s What You Need To Do When Your Regular Treatment Plans Don’t Work Anymore

The Physical Therapists At Orthopedic Physical Therapy, Inc. Will Guide You To Pain Relief!

Relief That Works

Do you suffer from frequent neck pain and headaches? People literally live on acetaminophen and Ibuprofen for years because they constantly have a nagging headache, induced by muscle spasms in the neck. A concern with those who have frequent headaches, is an underlying neck problem that may go untreated. The Cause of Most Headaches Headaches can range from minor nagging pains, to full-blown migraines that knock you off your feet for a day or two. Any headache, whether tremendous pain or not, should be a warning sign that the muscles in your spine and neck may be too tight and tense. Prolonged

muscle tension may cause you to feel stiff and achy. One may feel pain in the shoulders, neck, upper back and even radiating out to the upper arms. Most people who have headaches complain about having neck and shoulder pain. The most intense pain usually lies directly in the back and upper sides of the neck. The pain then radiates into the shoulder area. This is why many people who have headaches treat themselves to frequent neck and shoulder massages. Physical therapy can help you to relieve the tightness and tension in your muscles, helping you live a happy, pain-free life.

Physical therapy goes beyond massages to evaluate and treat the root cause of your pain. Muscular tightness may lead to poor joint movement and weakness. Our physical therapy experts are trained in specialized, hands-on treatments to quickly reduce your pain. You may also benefit from a technique called trigger point dry needling, to decrease trigger points that are perpetuating your muscular pain. Furthermore you can enjoy the added benefits of corrected posture and improved motion. We help to train you in gentle exercises and self-help techniques to relieve neck pain and headaches independently and prevent the problem from reoccurring.

“ Pain affects more Americans than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. ” - National Institutes of Health, 2010

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Relieve Neck Pain & Headaches

The neck can be a hidden and debilitating source of headaches. Very often neck pain and headaches go hand-in-hand, leading to a miserable time coping with every day activities. According to the National Institute of Health Statistics neck pain and headaches are the second most common form of pain experienced by Americans, with 59% reporting it affected their enjoyment of life. Headaches are often grouped under the term “cervicogenic headache” meaning that the primary source is from the neck. There are well mapped out patterns of headaches that come from the different parts of the neck, shoulder and upper back areas. The discs between your bones (vertebrae) and joints in the upper neck often contribute to headaches. Even headaches located in the forehead or behind the eyes are often referred pains stemming from problem areas in the neck and base of the skull. The joints connecting the top three levels of the neck handle almost 50% of the total motion of the entire neck. This means they absorb a lot of repetitive strain. These joints bear the

main load of the weight of the head (about that of a bowling ball). With fatigue, poor posture, injuries, disc problems, arthritis, muscular stress and even prior surgeries, the wear and tear on this critical region of your body can prove too much, resulting in pain. It is also possible that you may develop a narrowing of the spinal canal itself. Since the spinal cord runs through the spine, a narrowing of the canal or where the nerves exit, can lead to a condition named spinal stenosis. There ismuch that can be done to treat neck pain and headaches. Our expert physical therapists have years of experience helping people with neck pain and headaches. By finding the root cause of your neck pain and headaches we can relieve your pain quickly, reduce the need for medication and get you back to the activities you enjoy. Discover how our team of specialists at Orthopedic Physical Therapy Incorporated can eliminate your neck pain and headaches allowing you to live a happy, active and pain- free life. Call today for more details!

If you are experiencing these symptoms talk to us about how we can help

• Difficulty turning your head from side to side • Pain at the area where the neck and the upper back meet • Poor posture • Neck or shoulder pain that interferes with your sleep • Stiff neck • Pain when reaching for objects overhead • Limited ability to exercise • Unable to work due to pain • Neck pain that radiates into your shoulders

“ Common pain conditions (i.e., arthritis, back, headache, and other musculoskeletal) result in $61.2 billion in lower productivity for U.S. workers.” - Journal of the American Medical Association, 2003

A place to gain pain relief and meet a dog greeter!

Where else will you get a chance to meet the best dog greeter of PT in Richmond?

Our staff includes an excellent and professional team of specialists that is devoted to providing their patients with a warm and inviting environment. Amongst this friendly team of experts includes Sammy, our popular dog greeter you will only meet at Orthopedic Physical Therapy Incorporated. Sammy will be serving as a mood adjuster and confidant. He is eight years old and hails from the great state of Alabama. Sammy

gets along quite well with humans and cats alike. His interests are varied, with specialties in land surveying, licking, swimming, poker, and chasing tail. Sammy is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face as you walk into our practice. You might just see him during your next visit to the office asking for a tummy rub!

For more information go to orthopedicptinc.com Phone: 804.285.0148 Fax: 804.673.6026

Patient Success S P O T L I G H T

Pain while bending or reaching Difficulty standing for > 20 mins Soreness after sitting awhile Pain when driving > 30 mins Radiating pain to buttocks Pain when trying to sleep Do You Suffer With Any of The Following Symptoms? Attention Back Pain Sufferers Over The Age of 31?

Healing hands! “Tracey and some of her staff have been treating me for chronic muscular and fascial pain for over 15 years. When the pain episodes present, I know that relief is just a phone call away! Healing, caring hands are the answer to my pain!” - Sally R.

Learn How To Alleviate Your Pain Naturally With This FREE eBook

Think PT FIRST Why You Need To Come In For Another Check-Up: � Move without pain

� Sit for long periods comfortably � Walk for long distances � Live an active & healthy lifestyle

� Bend and move freely � Balance confidently & securely

Take Care Of Your Aches & Pains Before It’s Too Late!

DOWNLOAD IT INSTANTLY AT: spinebook.net/orthopedicpt

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• Trigger Point Dry Needling • Chronic Pian • Neck & Back Pain • TMJ/TMD • Headache Relief • Fibromyalgia • Myofascial & Referred Pain Our Specialties

Find Us On SOCIAL MEDIA

• Women’s Pelvic Pain • Men’s Health Issues • Posture & Orthotics • Hypermobility & EDS • Sports Injuries

Did you know our clinic has its own Facebook & LinkedIn page? Like and follow the pages for the clinic, to see fun photos of clinic activities, stay up-to-date on our happenings and events, and find helpful articles on conditions we treat! We love staying in touch and connected with our patients!

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Service Spotlight: Trigger Point Dry Needling

How many treatments will I have? How are they spaced out? Some patientswill see significant results in a few treatments and othersmay require more treatments. This depends on the extent and duration on your condition, the amount of scar tissue, and the rate of your body’s healing. Treatments are typically oneweek apart andalternatedwith traditional physical therapy sessions in order to give the body healing time between trigger point dry needling sessions. In addition to Tracey Adler, DPT, OCS, CMTPT, LydiaMorris, PT, CMTPT, Kristen Wright, PT, MPT, CMTPT, and Charles Brooks Steadman, PT, DPT, MTC, CMTPT, are certified in trigger point dry needling. Dr. Adler teaches trigger point dry needling around the country for Myopain Seminars. In order to receive international certification in trigger point dry needling, an individualmust attend rigorous hours of continuing education. This involves a comprehensive review of musculoskeletal anatomy and neuroanatomy. The individual is educated on the origin ofmyofascial trigger points and how to accurately locate them in amuscle. Certification also requires an understanding of all current research regardingmyofascial trigger points and thebody’s response topain. Individuals must pass a written and practical competency examination.

The physical therapists at Orthopedic Physical Therapy, Inc strive to offer the best care for our patients. We were one of the first clinic in Virginia to offer trigger point dry needling, over 12 years ago. Our therapists are certified, meaning that thehave completed intense trainingandpasseda rigorouswritten and practical exam. Asmore therapists are offering trigger point dry needling, we want you to be informed. If you have any questions, please call 804-285- 0148. Experience counts!! Trigger points in a muscle often are associated with a referred pain pattern. That is, a patient may feel pain down the back of the leg, but the source of pain may be located focally in the buttocks or low back. By treating the source of the pain, the leg pain will resolve. Typically, patients who receive Trigger Point Dry Needling treatments have little or no signs of tissue damage or inflammation, but do complain of soreness. What parts of the body do you treat? We will treat you according to the source of your pain, whether it is in your foot, shoulder, knee, hip, or any other place in the body! Is the treatment painful? In most cases, trigger point dry needling to a trigger point is uncomfortable, briefly. As themuscle relaxes and lengthens, the pain and sensitivity subsides. In most cases, the pain subsides within seconds, although muscle soreness may persist for 24 to 48 hours.

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“ What Should I Do When My Treatment Plan For My Chronic Headaches, Don’t Seem To Work Anymore?”

4 Easy Tricks To Relieve A Headache

1. Regular exercise. Migraine patients are at a slightly increasedriskofstroke,and lack of exercise is a risk factor for cardiovacular and cerebrovascular disease. Vigorous, regular exercise can help reduce these risks. 2. Adequate sleep. Getting enough sleep on a regular basis is part of the migraine hygiene you should practice to keep your headaches at ease.

3. Balanced diet. Eating regular meals, avoiding foods that trigger headaches, and staying hydrated will also help reduce the pain and frequency of your headaches. 4. Work on improving your posture. Hold your shoulders back and your head level, parallel to the ground, instead of hunching forward. This technique helps improve headaches most frequent during work.

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“Exercise Can Help You Beat Headaches.” Everyday- Health.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 June 2016.

WHAT IS TRIGGER POINT DRY NEEDLING?

Experience Trigger Point Dry Needling To Reduce Pain!

Trigger point dry needling utilizes a solid filaform needle. No substances are injected, therefore the technique is called ‘dry needling’. Trigger points are hyper-irritable spots in a taut band of a muscle. Trigger points may cause pain locally or refer pain to other areas and cause dysfunction of normal movement patterns. Specific evaluation, palpation, and treatment of trigger points may reduce pain and restore function. Physical therapists performing this procedure have advanced training and certification in the use of trigger point dry needling.

- Tracey Adler, PT, DPT, OCS, CMTPT

orthopedicptinc.com

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Richmond 2000 Bremo Road Suite 202 Richmond, VA 23226 P: 804.285.0148 F: 804.673.6026

“Hi! I am Sally. Read more about my success with Orthopedic in the Patient Success Spotlight section!”

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