Fit Physical Therapy Newsletter
THE NEWSLETTER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND CARING FOR YOUR BODY
SEPTEMBER 2019
HOW ARE YOUR NECK PAIN & HEADACHES RELATED?
Pain medications can reduce the severity of aches and pains for a little while, but they don’t do anything to resolve the issue. There are things that you can do at home that can alleviate your aches and pains, helping to reduce the severity of your discomfort while also reducing the likelihood that
the pain will return. (continued inside)
CAN DRY NEEDLING HELP YOU? DETAILS INSIDE
INSIDE : • How Are Your Neck Pain & Headaches Related? • The Problem With Posture
• Exercise Of The Month • Positive Patient Results
1-855-673-3600 ◆ www.fit-pt.com
THE NEWSLETTER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND CARING FOR YOUR BODY NEWSLET TER
SEPTEMBER 2019
HOW ARE YOUR NECK PAIN & HEADACHES RELATED? There are all sorts of reasons why headaches may develop. From environmental factors like weather changes and exposure to certain perfumes or other scents, to stress and allergies, headaches happen to the best of us. However, there are some headaches that may be a bit more predictable than others. Factors like your posture, the type of mattress you sleep on, the pillow you use, or even the desk chair you sit in at work can all impact your risk for experiencing regular headaches because of the intricate network of nerves and muscles in your neck. When Neck Pain Leads to Headaches The majority of the time, neck pain starts out as a seemingly small concern. A crick in your neck here or there may start to develop more frequently, and before you know it, your experience of neck pain is something you are dealing with daily. It isn’t always the result of something large. While being in a car accident or experiencing another sort of injury can definitely lead to chronic neck pain, the cause of the issue isn’t (continued from ouside) INSIDE : • The Problem With Posture • Staff Spotlight
• Exercise Of The Month • Can Dry Needling Help You?
always as simple to identify. Sometimes it is a bad habit that you don’t really think twice about, like your habit of watching TV as you fall asleep, keeping your neck at an odd angle as you rest for the evening, or maybe as a result of your posture as you type at your desk every day, hunched over at the shoulders with your neck catching the brunt of your slouch. These poor habits are common, and most of us consider them to be harmless. Sure, you know it isn’t great for you, but what is actually going to happen? It’s a lot easier to slouch as you type, and who doesn’t want to catch a few late-night laughs as they fall asleep? But the reality is that these seemingly irrelevant habits could be putting undue stress on your neck, and if you aren’t careful, this could translate to regular and uncomfortable headaches that are difficult to get rid of.
Look inside to learn more about our programs and say goodbye to aches and pain!
1-855-673-3600 ◆ www.fit-pt.com
UPPER TRAPEZIUS STRETCH Make sure the hand of the side being stretched is tucked behind your body. Slowly bring your ear to the opposite shoulder and your chin towards your chest. Now look slightly over the shoulder being stretched. Relieves Neck Pain www.simpleset.net Try this movement if you are experiencing neck pain. EXERCISE OF THE MONTH
The Problem With Posture
Working with a physical therapist can help you to identify whether or not your headaches may be the result of neck pain or strain. One of the most common causes of headaches due to neck pain is forward head position. Forward head position means that when you are resting your head, you are continuing to hold your head slightly forward, which is a type of slouching position. You can identify whether or not you have a forward head position by standing straight against the wall and determining whether or not your head rests against the wall as your back does. If your head does not touch the wall when you are standing straight, then you aren’t fully standing up straight! As years go by and day after day you continue to hold your head in this forward position, you can start to experience pain as a result of strain in the muscles of the neck. When this is an issue, working with a physical therapist may be able to help. Stretching the muscles in your neck to alleviate neck strain can reduce the severity and regularity of your headaches. Stretching the muscles that have grown tight along the back of your neck as well as those along the shoulders can help you find relief from the tension that is causing your pain. When dealing with neck pain, it is important to remember that safety has to come first. While there are many simple activities you can try at home to begin stretching your neck muscles, working with a physical therapist is the only way to ensure that you are stretching in a way that won’t potentially lead to greater injury.
Positive Patient Results
“I would recommend Fit Physical Therapy to anyone in need of excellent therapy!” “Not only was the equipment state of the art, but all the technicians and therapists were very knowledgeable with each piece of equipment. I would recommend Fit Physical Therapy to anyone in need of excellent therapy!” - M.S.
Give Fit Physical Therapy a call TODAY so we can help you say goodbye to your aches and pains.
6 CLINICS TO SERVE YOU. MESQUITE, OVERTON, ST. GEORGE, HURRICANE
Can Dry Needling Help You?
• Bursitis • Decrease Mobility/Range of Motion • Headaches • Chronic Pain What to expect from treatment? Most patients report being sore after the procedure. The soreness is described as muscle soreness over the area treated and into the areas of referred symptoms. Typically, the soreness lasts between a few hours and two days. Recommendations vary depending on the amount of soreness you have and on the individual response to treatment, but may include applying heat or ice over the area, gentle stretches and modifications of activities. We also recommend drinking a lot of fluids/water to prevent any excessive amounts of soreness. In cases when dry needling is used by physical therapists, it is typically one technique that’s part of a larger treatment plan. Physical therapists use dry needling with the goal of releasing or inactivating trigger points to relieve pain or improve range of motion. Preliminary research 2 supports that dry needling improves pain control, reduces muscle tension, and normalizes dysfunctions of the motor end plates, the sites at which nerve impulses are transmitted to muscles.
This can help speed up the patient’s return to active rehabilitation. As part of their education, physical therapists are well educated in anatomy and therapeutic treatment of the body. At Fit Physical Therapy our therapists who perform dry needling have obtained advanced training and certifications to ensure safe and effective dry needling treatments. What is the difference between Acupuncture and Dry Needling? Acupuncture and dry needling, while using the same needle types, are two very different treatments. Traditional Acupuncture is used for the diagnosis and treatment of pathological conditions including visceral and systemic dysfunction, while dry needling is used for the assessment and treatment of myofascial pain syndromes and dysfunction due to myofascial trigger points, tension areas, muscle spasms, and/or increased tonicity. Dry Needling is a form of therapy that is designed to alleviate symptoms from Trigger Points or muscle spasms. Dry needling is available at all Fit Physical Therapy Locations! For more information or if you would like to know if dry needling is a good treatment option for you, please call Fit Physical Therapy today!
What is Dry Needling? Dry Needling involves inserting a tiny monofilament needle in a muscle or muscles in order to release shortened bands of muscles and decrease trigger point activity. This can help resolve pain and muscle tension, and will promote healing. This is not traditional Chinese Acupuncture, but is instead a medical treatment that relies on a medical diagnosis to be effective. Who can benefit? Dry Needling is a valuable and effective treatment for musculoskeletal pain. Patients with the following symptoms may benefit from this treatment: • Muscle Strains • Tendonitis • Osteoarthritis
It’s Time To Get To Fit
Staff Spotlight
EXPERIENCED AND CARING THERAPISTS STATE OF THE ART EQUIPMENT CLEAN AND MODERN CLINICS SAFE, FAST, EFFECTIVE TREATMENTS MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED NO REFERRAL REQUIRED SCHEDULING IS QUICK AND EASY SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY! Your Health, Your Choice, Our Mission!
Sylvan is a physical therapist in our Mesquite clinic. He attended Utah Valley University where he was a member of the wrestling team. He graduated from Utah Valley University with his Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science. He continued his education at Rocky Mountain SYLVAN JOHNSON, PT, DPT, CERT MDT
University where he obtained his Doctorate in Physical Therapy. From his love of sports and wrestling developed a natural interest in the human body and athletic performance. He loves having a career where he can continue to learn about he human body while helping others. He specializes in orthopedic, spine, and sports physical therapy. He is a Mckenzie Certified Therapist as well as certified in dry needling. When not working Sylvan stays busy with his young family doing all sorts of activities together. Education: • Utah Valley University, BS Exercise Science 2012 • Rocky Mountain University of Healthcare Professions, DPT, 2014
1-855-673-3600 ◆ www.fit-pt.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker