Head and neck pain is not the type of pain that you can push through and deal with for too long. For one thing, chronic pain in the head or neck is often associated with some sort of chronic health concern — one that you need to deal with, not ignore. Secondly, when you are dealing with constant pain in your head or neck, it becomes difficult to concentrate. This can have a negative effect on your personal relationships, your career and more.
NEWSLETTER Frank Kava DPT • Kristie Kava DScPT
Life Doesn’t
Have To Be A Pain In The Neck
N E W S L E T T E R
FrankKavaDPTandKristieKavaDScPT
Life Doesn’t Have To Be A Pain In The Neck
Head Pain 101 There are a lot of different types of headaches that you may experience, and each can be caused by its own different reason. For example, migraines can be caused by environmental factors, food allergies or even as a result of stress. There are headaches that can develop due to sinus pain and headaches that will develop when you are dehydrated.Therearealsoheadachesthatwilldevelopwhen youareexposed too long to loudnoises.There isnosingular fix for each of these different types of headaches, which is whyattempting to treateveryheadacheyouexperiencewith the same medication frequently doesn’t work. One of the most common causes of headaches that are easily treatablewithphysical therapy isradiatingheadaches, whicharecausedbystress in the jointsandmusclesof the neck. This causes pain to radiate from the top of the neck into the head, especially surrounding the ears. There are a lot of reasons why radiating headaches could develop, including as a result of lack of movement and stiffness in theneck.Thisbuildupof irritationcanbe treatedwithregular physical therapy, especially through the use of massage andflexibilityexercises that target themuscles in theneck.
Headandneckpain isnot the typeofpain thatyoucanpush throughanddealwithfortoo long.Foronething,chronicpain in the head or neck is often associated with some sort of chronichealthconcern—one thatyouneed todealwith,not ignore.Secondly,whenyouaredealingwithconstantpain in yourheadorneck, itbecomesdifficult toconcentrate.This can have a negative effect on your personal relationships, your career and more. The most common cause of neck or head pain is a muscle or jointproblem.Workingwithaphysical therapistcanhelp youto identifythecauseofthetroubleandbegintakingsteps tocorrect the issue,allowingyou tofind relief from thepain withouthaving tocommit to long-termpainmanagement— which often includes the use of pain medications that are potentially harmful to your health and not likely to work as well over time. Unlike pain medications that become less helpful the longer they are used, physical therapy provides long-term relief from pain by correcting the joint or muscle concern with targeted therapies like flexibility exercises, muscle strengthening techniques, and guided stretches that target core joints and muscles. Of course, not all neck or head pain is the same, so understanding the basics of what you are dealing with is the first step to achieving relief.
INSIDE:
• Life Doesn’t Have To Be A Pain In The Neck
• Complimentary Workshops
• Healthy Recipe
• Exercise Essentials
(Continued Inside)
www.oaklandphysicaltherapy.com
Life Doesn’t Have To Be A Pain In The Neck
Cervical arthritis causes frequent aches in the neck and shoulders. This pain is generally worse when there are sudden changes in weather or at the end of the day, and while over-the-counter medication may make the pain less severe, it won’t eliminate the pain entirely. Thebiggestproblemposedbycervicalarthritis is that thepainwill typicallycause a loss of range of motion in the neck, which actually increases your risk of injury asa resultofasuddenmovementandcauses regulardiscomfortand frustration as you are not able to utilize your neck in the way you normally could. There are plentyofsituations inwhichpain in theneckasa resultofcervicalarthritisgrows so severe that it can cause chronic poor posture and even a reduction in height. Addressing the Core Problem The majority of neck and head pain can be helped with one simple strategy: strength building. It frequently happens that the absolute cause of the start of a pain in the neck or head is a result of poor posture or quickened motion, and buildingcorestrength,aswellasstrength in theneck,canmakeahugedifference in your ability to handle tasks without experiencing chronic pain. Keep in mind that the neck and head are sensitive areas, so attempting to treat the pain at home can be dangerous and may not be effective. Working with a physical therapist is the safe way to ensure that you are practicing positive techniques to find relief from your aches and pains.
Neck Pain 101 In many situations, pain that develops in the neck can be associated with one of two major problems. The first is upper-back pain that begins to radiate into the neck. The second is arthritis. Physical therapy can be used to address both types of neck pain.
If you’re suffering from neck pain, call 248.380.3550 to talk to your physical therapist and schedule your appointment with Oakland Physical Therapy today!
Healthy Recipe Mexican Quinoa Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
INGREDIENTS • 2 large sweet potatoes • 1 tbsp olive oil • 1/4 cup chopped red onion • 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper • 1/2 cup frozen corn
For Garnish • 1 avocado mashed • Tahini • Hot sauce • Chopped cilantro
• 1/2 cup cooked quinoa • 1 cup canned black beans drained & rinsed • 1 tbsp chili powder • 1 tsp cumin • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika • Sea salt to taste
INSTRUCTIONS Preheat theoven to400ºF.Placesweetpotatoesonabakingsheetandprickwitha fork.Place in the oven and bake for 40 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and pepper and saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add corn, quinoa, black beans and spices and cook 2 - 3 more minutes. When sweet potatoes are fork tender, remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice in half and place each half on a plate. Top with quinoa mixture, avocadoandadrizzleof both tahini andhot sauce.Finish with asprinkleof cilantroand enjoy! https://www.simplyquinoa.com/mexican-quinoa-stuffed-sweet-potatoes
If you, or a loved one, has pain, join us in a complimentary informative workshop on common causes, treatments, and prevention of your pain. LOW BACK PAIN & SCIATICA Tuesday, April 16, at 6:00 pm COMPLIMENTARY WORKSHOPS
A Sneak Peak At Our Workshops
IS PAIN HOLDING YOU BACK? ASK ABOUT COMPLIMENTARY SCREENINGS! Call (248) 380-3550 or email us at: mail@oaklandphysicaltherapy.com
Exercise Essentials
TREAT NECK PAIN & HEADACHES
Cervical Flexion Sit in a chair with good posture. Lower your chin as if you are nodding yes, using your arm to assist until you feel a slight stretch in the back of your neck. Hold the position, then return to the starting position. Repeat 10 times.
26850 Providence Parkway Suite 365 Novi, MI 48374 Frank Kava DPT and Kristie Kava DScPT
www.simpleset.net
www.oaklandphysicaltherapy.com
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