Neck pain can be both debilitating and terrifying. When you experience an injury that leaves your neck in severe pain, the thought of not being able to freely turn your head is overwhelmingly stressful. What’s more, the pain itself is unbearable, and since the neck is so sensitive to injury, it is important to be as careful as possible in finding treatment and solutions for the pain.
Physical Therapy N E W S L E T T E R
NECK PAIN, NO LONGER! FIND THE RELIEF YOU NEED
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Getting To The Bottom Of Back Pain • Healthy Recipe Time To Get Summer Ready • Exercise Essentials
Physical Therapy N E W S L E T T E R
NECK PAIN, NO LONGER! FIND THE RELIEF YOU NEED
Neck pain can be both debilitating and terrifying. When you experience an injury that leaves your neck in severe pain, the thought of not being able to freely turn your head is overwhelmingly stressful. What’s more, the pain itself is unbearable, and since the neck is so sensitive to injury, it is important to be as careful as possible in finding treatment and solutions for the pain. It is incredible to realize how common neck pain is—especially among American adults! More than two-thirds of U.S. adults will develop neck pain at least once in their life, and the reasons for the neck pain are as varied as the population of the nation itself. Injury, muscle strain, and even stress can cause significant pain in the neck and upper back. If you aren’t careful, a neck injury can lead to chronic pain, and it is even possible for chronic headaches like migraines to develop as a result of regular neck pain. There are a lot of different ways that you can relieve neck pain, but the best treatment for your personal needs depends entirely on the type of injury that you’ve experienced. Here is a quick breakdown of what could be going on to cause your neck pain: If your pain is developing gradually over time and is not the result of any particular injury that comes to mind, then it may be a result of degenerative disc disease. When this develops, you may experience chronic neck pain as a result of fluid-filled sacs that are becoming
weakened over time as a result of stress and strain. Physical therapy can help alleviate the pain from degenerative disc disease by helping restore blood circulation and improve range of motion in the neck. This therapy is approached in a careful and deliberate way so as to not cause further pain in the neck region. Sometimes, neck pain develops after a particular injury, such as due to an accident or even as a result of a car accident or a slip and fall accident. When this happens, your pain could be a result of a muscle strain or sprain. When this is the case, then using traditional methods like hot and cold therapy and targeted physical therapy treatment can do a lot of good to alleviate the pain. However, attempting exercises on your own could also result in further pain. In some cases, mechanical neck pain can develop as a result of a change in the neck joints. This may develop as a result of a disc collapsing, which causes the space between the bones to become narrow, often causing bones to strike one another, resulting in pain. When this isn’t addressed, mechanical neck pain can spread, causing the pain to become more severe and covering a wider range of the neck. Finally, neck pain is sometimes caused by radiculopathy, which refers to pressure or irritation in the nerves of the neck, which alters the electrical signals in the neck, causing you to feel more pain throughout the day. Physical therapy can help reduce the pressure and irritation surrounding the nerves, often offering immediate relief from pain and discomfort.
www.renewptnorthshore.com
GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF BACK PAIN
These are just some of the frequent causes of neck pain. It is important that you never assume that your neck pain is being caused by one or another of these issues and that you instead always work with a licensed and experienced physical therapist to determine the precise cause of your pain and discomfort. Is Your Neck Pain Caused by Sleep Issues? There is one more factor that often is not spoken about, but it’s a frequent cause of neck pain and discomfort: sleeping issues. Sometimes, sleeping in a certain position or sleeping on a mattress or pillow that is too soft or too hard will lead to neck pain. Oftentimes, this pain will appear to be chronic, as the sleeping issue is likely something that you experience day after day, causing the pain to return regularly.
It may be helpful to rule out sleeping concerns as a reason behind your neck pain by assessing your sleeping conditions and making any changes that you think may be necessary. Adjust howmany pillows you sleep on, the position you sleep, in or even your mattress! For more support in finding relief from neck pain, talk to your physical therapist.
Visit renewptnorthshore.com for more information, or call your physical therapist at Renew Physical Therapy to schedule your appointment today!
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DO YOU KNOW ABOUT DIRECT ACCESS? Did you know that you are not required to see your primary physician before seeing a physical therapist? We are now able to evaluate you, determine if you need physical therapy, and implement a treatment program… ALL without a referral! So call for an appointment today! Minor aches and pains can be fixed quickly when addressed early. No need to make a trip to the Doctor’s office first, let our movement specialists evaluate and treat your needs.
Call 985.809.3940 (Covington) or 985.674.4037 (Mandeville) or visit our website at renewptnorthshore.com to schedule your consultation today!
DON’T FORGET TO STAY HYDRATED THIS SUMMER! 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 your drinking habits the attention they deserve. Here are some simple ways to stay hydrated this summer. 1. ALWAYS CARRY A WATER BOTTLE. If you have a bottle within arm’s 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. If you’re an elderly adult, it’s especially important to pay attention to hydration. 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 to always keep a water bottle as a physical reminder to drink even if you’re not thirsty.
HEALTHY RECIPE STUFFED ZUCCHINI BOATS
INGREDIENTS • Four medium-sized zucchinis • One 5oz log of goat cheese
• 1-2 cups of marinara sauce • Chopped parsley
DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Slice zucchini lengthwise and scoop out seeds. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Place on baking sheet. Using 1/2 of the goat cheese, spread small amount into the zucchini and cover with marinara sauce. Drop dots of remaining cheese over the marinara, bake until cheese is soft and marinara is bubbling (about 20 minutes).
TRYING TO STAY ACTIVE AT HOME? TRY THESE EXERCISES!
CURL UP Lie on back with one leg straight. The other leg is bent with the foot flat on the ground. Position your hands underneath your lower back. Tuck your chin and lift your shoulder blades off the ground slightly. Return to the start position in a controlled manner.
FOUR POINT + ARM RAISE Start on hands and knees, hips and shoulders at 90°. Lift one arm out front. Bring it back down and then repeat on opposite side. 8-10 times on both arms.
CHIN TUCK SUPINE Lie with roll under neck. Without lifting head, tuck chin gently. Keep the large muscles in the neck relaxed.
Call 985.809.3940 (Covington) or 985.674.4037 (Mandeville) or visit our website at renewptnorthshore.com to schedule your consultation today!
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