Is Shoulder, Elbow Or Wrist Pain Affecting You?

Health and Wellness Newsletter by Solutions Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine

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

“ Is Shoulder, Elbow Or Wrist Pain Affecting You?” Don’t Suffer Any Longer, Gain Pain Relief Now!

can reach, grasp and do ordinary daily tasks we take for granted. Proper movement relies on your posture to be in good order. When you slouch or sometimes do a repetitive task, like reaching across your desk, certain muscles can become too tight or strong while others become weak. This muscle imbalance leads to that area not working as well as it should. For example, you sit at a desk all day and you slouch your shoulders. Now, your shoulder doesn’t work as well, but you still move your mouse around with your arm, which causes your wrist and forearm muscles to overwork. As this happens over time, you start to notice aches and pains in your wrist and elbow. If this goes on too long, it becomes severe and you need to seek out medical help. Solving the problem Typically a brace may be put on the area, but that does not solve the cause of the problem. The real reason can be because your shoulder was stiff and weak from slouching. An expert physical therapist has the right medical training to spot where your posture is not optimum and how you are compensating. With the right evaluation and treatment from the experts at Solutions Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine, you can relieve your shoulder, elbow or wrist pain quickly and be back to doing what you like to do. Our home programs make it easy for you to maintain your gains and stay well for the long haul. Call us today to learn more how we can relieve your pain and get you back to enjoying your activities. Did You Know?... “ The annual cost for chronic pain is as high as $635 billion a year, which is more than the yearly costs for cancer, heart disease and diabetes.” - Journal of Pain, 2012

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“I Want To Seek Pain Relief In Order To Stay Healthy & Happy. ”

What Is Causing Your Shoulder Pain? The majority of pain that travels to your shoulder from your neck is referred pain. Your shoulder may not necessarily be the problem. In fact, the first 10 degrees of movement in your shoulder comes from your shoulder joint. The rest relies on the movement of your upper back, neck, shoulder blade, and collar bones. If these areas work incorrectly then shoulder pain can occur. Most neck and shoulder pain is a result of prolonged poor posture, lifting heavy objects and minor falls or injuries. These irritate the joints in the neck and upper back. This then makes the muscles around the upper back and shoulder tighten and become sore. Suddenly, you now have neck and shoulder pain. There are many nerves that come off of the cervical (neck) vertebral bodies that pass down in front of the shoulder heading towards the arm. Irritation of these nerves can refer pain to the shoulder. Poor posture, especially with sitting at work or at home, can cause this to occur. Rotation of the neck or tilting of the neck may create your shoulder pain if these nerves are involved. It is important that a physical therapist examine you thoroughly if you are experiencing these symptoms. If you have had a fall or injury and suddenly develop shoulder and neck pain seek help immediately. Any injury may affect the many sensitive structures in your neck and upper back. Shoulder and neck pain if they occur together may relate to disc injuries. This is more likely if you are having neck and arm pain, rather than just shoulder pain. Pain that

travels down the arm to any extent may indicate more severe problems. Shoulder pain can result in restricted movement of your body. Pain involves the nervous system, immune system, digestive system, and respiratory system. To avoid referred shoulder pain or any kind of referred pain, you should have a strong immune system for prevention of diseases. A strong body can fight infection or disease and can enhance the functioning of all the body systems. A balanced diet, regular physical therapy exercises and a stress-free mind are the keys to maintaining an active life. If you are experiencing shoulder pain, consult one of our expert physical therapists for a full evaluation to determine where your problem is originating from, so correct treatments can be applied to help you.

Discover Our Joint Pain Program

Don’t let pain become a way of life Pinpoint the exact cause of your joint pain!

Relieve your spinal pain! Do you suffer with a y of the following symptoms? • Pain while bending or reaching • Shoulder, wrist or elbow pain • Difficulty with stiffness and soreness • Pain from an old injury or accident • Difficulty completing simple tasks • Radiating pain to muscles and joints

30 MINUTE WELLNESS SCREEN

CALL US TODAY 703-299-3111 Offer valid for the first 25 people to schedule. Expires 02-28-17.

Patient Success S P O T L I G H T

I could not have finished that race without them!

“I started PT because after several years of running marathons and ultra-marathons, in mid- October I developed severe pain in my right knee that prevented me from running even short distances. With a 100-mile race coming up in December and risking losing vital training time before the race, I decided I needed PT. I’d been to Solutions Physical Therapy a few years ago for pain in my left hip, so I knew that I could trust the team at Solutions to get me back on track. After coming to see Lauren twice a week throughout November and early December, I felt strength coming back and began to run again, starting out with shorter distances and increasing to my longest run of 20 miles a couple of weeks before my race. At that point, I felt as ready as I could be, given the circumstances, to make an attempt at the 100-mile race on December 18. When December 17 arrived, I felt physically and mentally ready to tackle the race. The race was in Prince William Forest Park, near Quantico. Racers had to run five 20-mile loops in 32 hours or less. The first loop was covered in ice, making it extremely difficult to run and causing runners to slip and slide, but with renewed strength in my legs and glutes and hips, I managed to get through it. I ended up finishing in 29 ½ hours, well ahead of where I thought I would finish, and I had no knee pain at all during the race. I plan to continue the exercises I learned in PT as I continue running. I believe it made me a stronger and better runner. Thank you to Lauren and the whole team at Solutions. I could not have finished that race without them.” - Samantha P.

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You Have The Right To Choose Your Physical Therapy

Whether you want to come in because you’ve suffered a recent injury or you want to improve your physical health, tell your doctor about Solutions Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine. Get started feeling better today! See our physical therapists for: • Recent injury • Nagging aches and pains • Shoulder, wrist or elbow pain • Joint pain and movement problems • Walking or balance difficulties Call Us To Schedule An Appointment Today!

Total Collaborative Care We know that we are not the only professionals involved with returning you to your sport. Medical professionals often fail to understand the language of sports coaches and personal trainers. Total Collaborative Care is our guarantee to collaborate (with your permission) with any other medical professionals involved with your care as well as personal trainers, running coaches, Crossfit coaches who may be involved with helping you achieve your Service Spotlight

sports and fitness goals. Our difference from other physical therapy clinics is that we understand and speak the medical language as well as the sports language. This allows us to communicate as necessary to ensure that everyone in your team knows what you can and can’t do during your recovery process. Total Collaborative Care allows you to continue to train as much as possible without slowing down your injury recovery.

Staff News

Staff Spotlight: COLIN FLANAGAN, PT, DPT

Colin Flanagan graduated fromTheUniversity at Buffalo with his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, and is originally from Western New York. He has had an interest in the body and how it works since taking his first anatomy class. Colin enjoys playing and watching a variety of sports which also attracted him to the physical therapy profession. He

believes the best way to restore function and alleviate a patient’s symptoms is through the combined use of manual therapy and functional exercise. He has a specific interest in neck and shoulder disorders. Colin enjoys running, biking, hiking, snowboarding and most things outdoors and completed his first half ironman in 2015.

Solutions Celebrated The Holidays!

Our staff celebrated the holidays last year with a warm and eventful party! We hope you had a healthy and happy holiday too!

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Healthy Recipe

Carrot Salad Eating Right Never Tasted So Good! 9 Ingredients

Directions In a small bowl, combine oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and yogurt. Whisk until well blended. In medium size mixing bowl, toss carrots, cranberries, red onion, and almonds. Pour yogurt mixture over carrots and toss. Place salad into a serving bowl and serve.

• 1/4 cup olive or canola oil • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

• 2 tablespoons honey • 1/4 teaspoon of salt • 1 1/2 cups Stonyfield Organic Fat Free Vanilla Yogurt • 10 medium carrots, shredded

• 1/2 cup dried cranberries • 1 small red onion, chopped • 1/2 cup chopped almonds

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Exercise Essentials Try these exercises to help with aches and pains...

Helps shoulder pain

Helps decrease elbow and wrist pain

ELASTIC BAND EXTERNAL ROTATION While holding an elastic band at your side with your elbow bent, start with your hand near your stomach and then pull the band away. Keep your elbow at your side the entire time. Hold for 30 seconds. Repeat 8 times.

PECTORALIS STRETCH | ARMS ABOVE SHOULDER (CORNER) Stand in a corner, arms slightly above shoulder height. Elbows bent, forearms flat against the sides of the wall. Move chest towards the wall, feel a stretch in the front of your chest. Hold for 30 seconds. Repeat 6 times.

Not all exercises are appropriate for every person. Please consult with a healthcare provider before starting.

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Think Solutions PT FIRST

Why You Need To Come In For Another Check-Up:

� Move without pain � Bend and move freely � Balance confidently and securely

� Sit for long periods comfortably

� Walk for long distances � Live an active and healthy lifestyle

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

For more information go to solutionsphysicaltherapy.com

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Call for more information! Alexandria 225 Reinkers Lane Suite GR 4 Alexandria, VA 22314 P: 703-299-3111 F: 703-299-1556

Hi! My name is Colin. Read more about me in the my staff spotlight inside!

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