Health & Wellness Newsletter by Priority Physical Therapy
Health &Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body
VERTIGO Physical Therapy and the Treatment of
Vertigo, the sensation that your surroundings are spinning, affects millions of people in the United States every year. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is the most common type of episodic vertigo. It is treatable by a physical therapist and can be quickly resolved. BPPV is a common inner-ear problem affecting the vestibular system, which is used to maintain balance. There is a layer of calcium carbonate crystals in your inner ear that stimulate nerve endings and tell your brain where your body is in space. This material can break off and move to another part of the inner ear, the semicircular canals. When the head moves in different positions, these crystals can cause vertigo.
It is most common to experience dizziness associated with BPPV when looking up or rolling over in bed. A physical therapist is trained to evaluate this type of dizziness and can perform specific head maneuvers to help the crystals move out of the semicircular canals. Special goggles can be used to visualize eye movement which can help direct treatment. Most often with BPPV, symptoms can resolve completely within 1-3 sessions. If you experience this type of dizziness, ask your physician for a referral to physical therapy for evaluation and treatment of BPPV. - Lesley Turner PT, DPT
Health & Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body
INSIDE: • What Is Causing Your Shoulder Pain? • Relieve Wrist Pain In Minutes • Patient Success Spotlight • Healthy Recipe • 4 Simple Ways To Make Hydration A Habit “Reach As If You Never Had Shoulder Pain!” SHOULDER, ELBOW & WRIST PAIN
You try to get through the day, but that nagging pain in your shoulder, elbow or wrist just keeps your attention focused on it. It sure is hard to concentrate on work, your family and other activities you need to do! It is common to fixate on the body part that hurts. It is often thought that because it hurts there, the problem is right there. However, this is typically not the case, as the cause of the problem is in another area. The body part that is painful is usually the one that is doing all the work because other areas are not doing their job. Why it hurts. The body is truly amazing and all the parts work together as one whole. However, when an area of your body becomes weak or stiff because of poor posture, stress or injury, other areas strain from the overwork. A common word that is used for this type of repetitive injury strain is called “tendonitis”. This is simply an inflammation of the tendons, which attach muscles to bones. The upper extremity works in 3 parts, the shoulder, elbow, and wrist.They rely on each other to make the incredible movements of your arm so you 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 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 rightevaluationand treatment from theexpertsatPriorityPhysical Therapy, 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 about how we can relieve your pain and get you back to enjoying your activities.
Palmayra, MO: 573-769-6166 Florence, SC: 843-536-4888
www.prioritypt.net
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 bone. 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 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 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.
Call us today at Missouri: 573-769-6166 or South Carolina: 843-536-4888 to schedule an appointment!
Relieve Wrist Pain In Minutes Try this movement if you are experiencing wrist pain.
Healthy Recipe: CHERRY-BERRY OATMEAL SMOOTHIE
INGREDIENTS • ⅓ cup quick-cooking rolled oats • ½ cup light almond milk • ¾ cup fresh strawberries • ½ cup fresh dark sweet cherries • 1-2 tbsp almond butter • 1 tbsp honey • ½ cup small ice cubes
Strengthens Hand Muscles
www.simpleset.net
PINCH GRIP Pinch tip of finger and thumb together. Hold for 5 seconds repeat 8 times.
DIRECTIONS In a medium bowl combine water and oats. Microwave 1 minute. Stir in ¼ cup of the milk. Microwave 30 to 50 seconds more or until oats are very tender. Cool 5 minutes. In a blender combine oat mixture, the remaining ¼ cup milk, and the next four ingredients (through honey). Cover and blend until smooth, scraping container as needed. Add ice cubes; cover and blend until smooth. If desired, top each serving with additional fruit.
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/259841/cherry-berry-oatmeal-smoothies/
MISSOURI 573-769-6166
SOUTH CAROLINA 843-536-4888
www. prioritypt.net
DISCOVER HOW TO LIVE PAIN FREE
PATIENT SUCCESS SPOTLIGHTS
At Priority Physical Therapy, you will receive hands-on therapy treatments by our friendly, caring health experts during focused and individualized sessions. It’s time to get Priority Physical Therapy if: • You’re tired of living in pain • You want to feel better and move better • You have been in an auto accident or injured on the job • You want to prevent injury
Everything was excellent! “Everything was excellent! Lauren Bunten is a wonderful physical therapist and person!” - Angel The service was very good! “The service was very good. Keep up the good work.” - Thomas I knew I was at the right place! “I was always comfortable with the therapy staff. I knew I was at the right place to receive the right treatment.” - Anonymous
1. Call and talk to your therapist 2. Discover why your pain has come back 3. Get your custom recovery program
4 SIMPLE WAYS TO MAKE HYDRATION A HABIT
Many people are so busy that they barely have time to eat, let alone pause for a water break, and you may find that you often go hours and hours without quenching your thirst. But staying hydrated has real advantages, including helping you maintain your energy and focus. It’s important to give yourdrinkinghabits theattention theydeserve.Herearesomesimpleways to stay hydrated this summer. 1. Always carry a water bottle. If you have a bottle within arms reach, it’s very likely that you’ll mindlessly sip from it throughout the day, without having to make a conscious effort. 2. When you’re feeling frazzled, grab a glass of cold water. Studies show that people instantly feel more alert after drinking H2O. 3. Sip on a mug of herbal tea every evening. If you make this a habit, you’ll add an extra cup of fluid to your body every single day. 4. Eat a diet rich in whole foods. By eating foods like vegetables, fruits, and yogurt, you’ll automatically up your fluid intake.
Ifyou’reanelderlyadult, it’sespecially importanttopayattentiontohydration. Aging impairs the body’s natural thirst mechanisms, which makes it easier to become dehydrated. These tips should make hydration a habit in your life.Remember toalwayskeepawaterbottleasaphysical reminder todrink even if you’re not thirsty.
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