Excel PT: Overcoming Your Neck Pain

Health Tips Newsletter by Excel Physical Therapy

THE NEWSLETTER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND CARING FOR YOUR BODY Health Tips Newsletter

LEARN HOW YOU CAN OVERCOME YOUR NECK PAIN!

It’s the end of the day and your neck is stiff and painful. You may even start to feel a headache coming on. Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders experienced by the general population second only to low back pain. (continued inside)

By David Girardot, PT, DPT

INSIDE : • Learn How You Can Overcome Your Neck Pain! • How Does PT Help With Neck Pain?

• Exercise Of The Month • Featured PT

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THE NEWSLETTER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND CARING FOR YOUR BODY Health Tips Newsletter

INSIDE : • How Does PT Help With Neck Pain? • Featured PT LEARN HOW YOU CAN OVERCOME YOUR NECK PAIN! (continued from outside)

OUR ALL NEW PASSYUNK CLINIC IS OPENING SOON!

• Exercise Of The Month • Patient Success Spotlight

A recent study in the United States indicated that 15.1% of adults have reported an occurrence of neck pain within the previous three months. A second study determined that 3%-11% of workers experiencing neck pain were effected by it enough to cause lost time at work.

Several muscles are responsible for proper movement of the shoulder blade including the serratus anterior and the upper and lower trapezius. If these muscles are weak or not working together properly, it can alter the orientation and movement pattern of the shoulder blade and lead to discomfort in the neck. Research has shown that by providing proper support to the arm and shoulder, patients suffering from neck pain reported pain reduction and also demonstrated improved range of motion in the neck. By strengthening the serratus anterior and trapezius muscles, patients can provide the proper support of their shoulder to help improve any neck pain. If you currently experience neck pain or headaches, a physical therapist can assist in performing a comprehensive initial evaluation. They will assess the strength and range of motion of your neck and shoulders, as well as your movement patterns and can provide education as to the causes of your symptoms. During scheduled visits, they can provide you with ways to change your work activities to best reduce your pain, and develop a plan of care to help you return to being pain free! Understanding the importance of regular physical activity is paramount in preventing chronic diseases. Call Excel Physical Therapy today to get started with overcoming your neck pain, so that you can enjoy the active lifestyle your body deserves!

Traditionally, these types of symptoms have been addressed with training the muscles that make

ByDavidGirardot,PT,DPT

up our deep neck flexors, performing manual therapy, and using other non-surgical interventions. However, like most musculoskeletal issues we experience, the solution may not only be to focus on the area of discomfort, but also on nearby structures as well. Studies have shown that the majority of people reporting neck pain also experience shoulder pain or demonstrate poor shoulder movement. There are several reasons to explain the correlation between neck and shoulder issues. First, the bones and muscles of the cervical spine and shoulders are connected to each other. Therefore, a continuous load on the shoulders can eventually increase the load on the entire cervical region, possibly leading to neck pain. Second, the nerves that act on your arm and shoulder all originate in your neck. If there is damage along this pathway then altered shoulder movements can lead to neck pain.

Sources: Lee,Y,etalEffectsofshoulderstabilizationexerciseonpainand function inpatientswithneckpain,JPhys.TherSci27:3619-3622,2015 Im,B,etal,Effectsofscapularstabilizationexercisesonneck posture andmuscleactivation in individualswithneckpainand forwardheadposture, J.PhysTherSci28:951-955,2016

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Maureen Sinnott, PT, DPT Maureen is the Clinic Director at our new Passyunk clinic location. Read her full profile here: FEATURED PT

How Does PT Help With Neck Pain?

1. How did you decide to become a physical therapist and what motivates you to work with patients? When I was in high school, I tore my ACL playing soccer. I had surgery in my junior year, followed by many months of PT. This was during the time that I was applying to colleges and thinking about what I wanted to do with my life. Spending so much time with my physical

therapist and seeing how much PT affected my recovery and ability to get back to playing sports opened my eyes to what a wonderful career it could be. Assisting with a patient’s recovery, whether it be from surgery, an injury, or chronic pain, is definitely what motivates me to come to work every day. 2. In your words, what makes Excel Physical Therapy different from other physical therapy clinics? Having the time to spend with my patients is the biggest stand out factor about Excel Physical Therapy. It is what drove me to this company and what keeps me here. Being able to give individual attention to a lower caseload allows me to be more involved in patient care and see positive results faster. 3. What was your most memorable patient experience? A few years ago I treated a female patient in her early twenties who had a nerve injury at birth that affected her right arm from the shoulder down to her hand. She never had any treatment for it prior and presented with significant range of motion and strength deficits at her shoulder, elbow and wrist, affecting her ability to lift and carry her young child, as well as simple tasks, such as handwriting. Since this injury happened at birth, I was unsure how much I was going to be able to help her at that point. Over the course of 2 months, she was able to achieve a functional amount of range of motion, as well as strength improvements that allowed her to take care of her child as she needed to. Both of us were unsure if PT was going to be helpful when she started and we were both so pleased with the progress she made, it just renewed my faith in the power of PT! 4. If you could be any animal, what would it be and why? I would choose a bird of some type, so that I could know what flying feels like. It would also eliminate traffic and airports from my life! In honor of my favorite team, I’ll go with an eagle. 5. If you could describe yourself in one word what would it be and why? I would describe myself as reliable, in both personal and professional relationships. My friends and family know they can depend on me if they need me, and same goes for my co-workers. 6. What do you like to do in your off time, outside the clinic? My favorite thing to do outside of work is spend time with my family at my parent’s shore house in West Wildwood, NJ. It is even more special now after getting engaged there this past summer! In the off season, I like to explore Philly’s amazingly diverse restaurant scene.

Physical therapy has proven successful in relieving long-term symptoms in patients experiencing both acute and chronic neck pain. This evidence is further illustrated in a 2017 qualitative systematic review conducted by the National Institutes of Health, titled “The efficacy of manual therapy and exercise for treating non-specific neck pain: A systematic review.” This review analyzes a number of studies providing evidence for manual therapy and exercise treatments for patients with different stages of non-specific neck pain. Researchers pulled information from Medline, Cochrane-Register-of-Controlled-Trials, PEDro, and Embase. According to the researchers, one of the major takeaway points listed in the conclusion is that “combining different forms of [manual therapy] with exercise is better than [manual therapy] or exercise alone.” Results from the 23 studies chosen for review demonstrated patient success across the board when pairing manual therapy with targeted exercises for neck pain. Results conclude that physical therapy is a proven successful treatment for patients suffering from neck pain, and manual therapy and exercise methods are the most effective in helping patients regain their optimum levels of function. The systematic review mentioned above verifies that manual therapy and exercise are two of the most effective treatments for relieving neck pain in patients. At Excel Physical Therapy, these two methods are incorporated into treatment plans for neck pain relief, and patients experience significant success towards recovery.

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OUR ALL NEW PASSYUNK CLINIC IS OPENING SOON!

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“Prior to starting physical therapy with Excel I tried chiropractic treatments forseveralmonthswithno relief.Next Isawapaindoctorwho recommended PT. First he gave me an injection to help with the pain. I started treating with Christine Cooper, PT, DPT at Excel’s Phoenixville location. She treated me for fairly severe neck pain that had caused me to develop insomnia. For a period of about 2 months prior to PT I slept restlessly 1-4 hours a night in a recliner. Within several weeks after starting PT my neck pain started to improve and I was able to start sleeping several hours a night in my bed. As my pain levels improved it allowed me to cut back on my over the counter pain medications. I am now sleeping restfully in my own bed, I feel like Excel and Christine restored my lifestyle. Christine always made herself available to answer my questions on home exercises and lifestyle. I have undergone PT treatments many times at other facilities for various injuries, I found Christine to be one of the most professional and best PTs I have experienced. I highly recommend Excel Physical Therapy.” - John C . (Phoenixville Patient) Don’t delay we can help you! Contact us: Downtown Philadelphia & South Jersey, Northeast Philadelphia and Lower Bucks County, Montgomery County, The Main Line, Delaware County, Chester County, Allentown, Lancaster: www.excelphysicaltherapy.com/contact-us Begin by slowly drawing your head back so that your ears line up with your shoulders. Bring your neck down to your chest, keeping your back straight. Then return to original position. Repeat 3-5 times. Retraction / Chin Tuck EXERCISE OF THE MONTH “I feel like Excel and Christine restored my lifestyle.”

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COMPLIMENTARY PAIN ASSESSMENT

WE OFFER 33 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS CALL TO SCHEDULE TODAY!

Your complimentary pain assessment may be conducted via telephone

THIS IS DESIGNED TO HELP RELIEVE NECK PAIN CALL YOUR THERAPIST IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING ANY PAIN!

Call to schedule. Expires 2-29-20

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