Newsletter About Your Health and Caring for Your Body by Restore Physical Therapy
HEALTH & WELLNESS The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body
Train Smarter, Heal Faster THE SURPRISING CONNECTION BETWEEN NECK PAIN AND A WEAK UPPER BACK
www.restore-rehab.com
HEALTH & WELLNESS The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body
THE SURPRISING CONNECTION BETWEEN NECK PAIN AND A WEAK UPPER BACK
Plus, A Tale of Two Patients: One Who Strength-Trained, and One Who Didn’t Do you ever find yourself trying to rub out a sore spot in your neck or find it difficult to turn your head? Neck pain is a common concern that can range from a mild nuisance to a big problem. And while neck pain can have several different causes, one contributing factor often gets overlooked: weakness in the shoulders or upper back. When we deal with persistent aches and pains, poor muscle strength often turns out to be a significant underlying factor. When a muscle isn’t as strong as it should be, other muscles have to step in to compensate, which puts unnecessary strain on them — and makes them more susceptible to overuse injuries. The result? Seemingly random aches and pains that “come out of nowhere.” If you’re struggling with persistent neck pain, there’s a chance that the problem is rooted in your shoulders or upper back. Slouching and prolonged sitting weakens those upper back muscles, forcing your neck muscles to work overtime — and leading to pain.
Let’s look at two case studies from the Restore Physical Therapy files. Both people suffered from neck pain, but only one went through a dedicated strength training program (both names
have been changed). What happened next? Ally’s Story: No Time for Strength-Training
Ally was a receptionist who spent long days typing on a computer, answering the phone, and doing other clerical work. She started to notice a slight pain in her neck while she was at work. Although she ignored it at first, the pain persisted. She knew she needed to seek help. Ally made an appointment with us, where we took her through a comprehensive assessment, including several movement and functional screens. We determined that she had strained the soft tissue in her neck due to her sedentary job. We started Ally’s treatment with acute pain management using manual therapy techniques and some gentle mobility stretches, which did help her immediate symptoms. However, we knew it wouldn’t be enough to fully resolve her pain, so we suggested she begin a multi-week therapeutic exercise program to restore
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SERVICES/THERAPIES:
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• Joint Replacements • Balance Disorders • Vestibular Rehabilitation • Sports Injuries • And More!
• Neck & Back Pain/Radiculopathy • Hip, Knee, Ankle & Foot Injuries • Elbow & Shoulder Rehabilitation • Arthritis — Painful Joints • Headaches & TMJ Disorders
NECK PAIN? OUR BACK MIGHT BE TO BLAME
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strength in her upper back and shoulders, helping to reduce the strain on her neck. Unfortunately, Ally had decided to go back to school, and between work, her classes, and her family, she simply didn’t have time for physical therapy. So, while we were able to help Ally in the short term, her pain persisted in the long term, eventually landing her back in our clinic a year later. Sarah’s Story: A Dedicated Strength Training Program Sarah’s situation was very similar to Ally’s. She was a marketing assistant who also spent a great deal of time on both her laptop and a mobile phone, and she also experienced a gradual onset of neck pain. And, like Ally, she paid us a visit when it became too much. We gave her a similar diagnosis: a strained neck muscle brought on by improper posture and prolonged sitting. We also provided her with acute pain relief. The difference? Sarah was able to continue her treatment with a six-week therapeutic exercise program. We met with Sarah twice weekly to guide her through a custom set of targeted neck, shoulder, and upper back exercises. We started with gentle stretches and mobility work before progressing to resistance training exercises. With the help of some dumbbells and an exercise band, Sarah built strength through her upper body, providing her neck with the support it needed. We also helped Sarah set up her workstation to be more ergonomic, including adjusting the height of her computer monitor and rearranging her keyboard. And we gave her some tips for maintaining postural awareness throughout the day. It’s Your Body, It’s Your Choice No Doctor Referral Necessary Whether you want to come in for a check-up, suffered a recent injury or want to improve your health, a doctor referral is not needed. In the state of New Jersey, you have direct access to physical therapy! Why not use it!
The result? After six weeks, Sarah’s neck pain was entirely resolved — and she didn’t have to seek additional treatment! Ready To Attack Your Neck Pain at the Source? If you’re struggling with persistent neck pain, physical therapy at Restore Physical Therapy can help you find lasting relief. Just as we did with Ally and Sarah, we’ll assess your symptoms and develop a customized treatment plan that seeks to resolve your neck pain altogether. Call us today to get started!
856-396-8131
Exercise Essentials
SHOULDER SHRUGS
Stand tall with your arms at your sides, holding a dumbbell in each hand (optional). Slowly lift your shoulders up toward your ears in a shrugging motion. Hold briefly at the top, then lower your shoulders back down with control. 3 Sets, 10 Reps. (Materials needed: optional dumbbells)
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our Body, It’s Your Choice •Relieve your pain •Improve your gait and balance •Save time •Improve your health naturally •Save money
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As the year winds down, now is the perfect time to take advantage of your health insurance benefits. Did you know that once you’ve met your annual deductible, your out-of-pocket costs for physical therapy may be significantly lower or even fully covered through the end of the year? That means if you’ve already paid down your deductible in 2025, scheduling your remaining therapy visits before December 31st could save you money while helping you stay on track with your recovery and wellness goals. At the start of the new year, most deductibles will reset, and you’ll be responsible for meeting it again before your benefits kick in. By acting now, you can maximize the benefits you’ve already paid for and head into 2026 feeling stronger and healthier. Why Act Now? • Save Money: Reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs if your deductible has already been met. • Stay Consistent: Continue progress toward your recovery without interruption. • Beat the Rush: Appointments fill quickly at the end of the year, schedule soon to secure your spot. DON’T LET YOUR 2025 DEDUCTIBLE GO TO WASTE!
AVOIDING COMMON WINTER INJURIES
What are the most common winter injuries? Winter conditions can make a person more prone to injury. Simple tasks, such as walking to your car in the morning or going for a run, can become significantly more dangerous when there’s ice on the ground. The most commonly reported wintertime injuries include: • Slipping on ice and snow • Muscle strain caused by shoveling snow or scraping ice off the car • Accidents involving motor vehicles and driving • Accidents that occur while participating in winter sports and activities (skiing, snowboarding, sledding, etc.) These injuries can be more severe for older individuals or those struggling with their health. How can I avoid injury this winter? Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to stay safe this winter. Follow these tips to ensure a safe and fun holiday season: • Wear proper footwear made for icy and snowy conditions when outside. • Salt driveways, sidewalks, and stairs thoroughly and regularly. • Cross parking lots with caution and provide extra assistance for children and seniors. • Stretch before beginning any physical activity. • Stay hydrated while working out and shoveling snow. • When participating in winter sports, wear a helmet and other protective equipment. • Always keep an eye on children who are playing outside in the snow. Remember to stay safe and exercise caution this winter. And if you do become injured, contact Restore Physical Therapy for relief!
If you’ve been putting off treatment, now’s the time to take action. Call our office today and we’ll be happy to answer your questions,
and get you scheduled before the year ends.
Patient Success Stories
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856-396-8131
I had a great experience at Restore! Kyle is a fantastic physical therapist… Kept me motivated and on track and I left six weeks later with much greater mobility and much less pain. Very impressed!” — Nicole P. — Actual 5 Star Google Review
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