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. How Physical Therapy Can Help Relieve Your Headaches 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. Give us a call today at 816-607-7180 or visit www.hillpromotionpt.com. We can help you say goodbye to your aches and pains, today!
TIPS FOR BE T TER HEART HEALTH
Relieve Pain In Minutes Try this movement if you are experiencing neck pain.
1. Aim for lucky number seven. Young and middle-aged adults who sleep 7 hours a night have less calcium in their arteries (an early sign of heart disease) than those who sleep 5 hours or less or those who slept 9 hours or more. 2.Keepthepressureoff. Getyourblood pressurecheckedevery3-5years ifyou’re 18-39. Ifyou’re40orolder,or ifyouhave highbloodpressure,check iteveryyear. 3.Movemore. Tokeep itsimple,youcan aimfor30minutesaday,5daysaweek ofmoderateexercise.Evenifyouexercise for30minutesaday,beingsedentaryfor the other 23 1/2 hours is really bad for your heart. 4. Slash saturated fats. To help your heart’s arteries, cut down on saturated fats,whicharemainlyfound inmeatand full-fatdairyproducts.Chooseleanercuts and reduced-fat options.
5. Find out if you have diabetes. Over time,highbloodsugardamagesarteries and makes heart disease more likely. 6. Think beyond the scale. Ask your doctor if your weight is OK. If you have some pounds to lose, you’ll probably want to change your eating habits and be more active. 7. Ditch the cigarettes, real and electronic. Smoking and secondhand smokearebadforyourheart.E-cigarettes don’t contain the harmful chemicals in cigarettesmokebut,theystilldocontain nicotine. 8.Cleanup. Yourheartworksbestwhen it runs on clean fuel. That means lots of whole, plant-based foods (like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds) and fewer refined or processed foods (like white bread, pasta, crackers, and cookies).
Exercisescopyrightof
Stretches Your Neck LEVATOR SCAPULAE STRETCH (Overpressure) Sit in a chair with the hand on the side of the neck to be stretched beneath you. (Alternatively, you can grab under the chair.) Use your free hand to gently pull your nose down toward your armpit so as to give your neck an extra stretch. Good stretch to use if you sit at a computer all day.
Always consultyourphysical therapistorphysicianbefore startingexercisesyouareunsureofdoing.
NECK PAIN & HEADACHES, NO MORE: CALL 816-607-7180
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