Axcess Physical Therapy_Relieving Your Neck Pain!

The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

“Learn How To Maintain Your Diet This Season” 5 HEALTH TIPS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON 1. Shop Well For Yourself

It is more important then ever to stock your kitchen with healthy foods. Have healthy snacks handy. The more convenient they are, the more likely you are to eat them. Instead of thinking about what you shouldn’t eat, promise to eat your 3 to 5 servings of vegetables each day. 2. Schedule Your Exercise Your schedule will be very hectic this holiday season. Schedule your workouts just as you would any other appointment. It’s ok if you can’t make it to class, but make sure that you get some activity in at least three days per week. 3. Just Say No You probably aren’t aware how much extra food you consume just from people offering it to you. A sample at the market here, an extra cookie at an office party there and it all adds up. Just think twice before you take that food and decide if you really want it. 4. Skip the Baking Do you make baked goods for giving? Chances are you eat much of what you bake. Who wouldn’t? Instead make non-food gifts, or prepare ingredients for baked goods and put them in pretty jars--let your gift recipient bake it up. That way, they can eat it when they want it and you don’t have to be tempted in the kitchen.

5. Hydrate Keep your water bottle with you at all times. You should be drinking eight, 8-oz glasses of water each day. One handy trick is to buy a 64 ounce water jug. Fill it up in the morning and know that you need to finish it by the end of the day.

www.axcesspt.com

The Axcess Bulletin The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body DECEMBER 2017 “We can help you get back to life this holiday!” LIFE IS GOODWITHOUT NECK PAIN

Aaron Fuerst PT, DPT, CWCE, FAAOMPT If you have neck pain, you shouldn’t ignore it. We can help you feel better fast!

may become inflamed.The pain is usually chronic and is typically felt in the middlepartof theneck.However, itmayspread from theneck into theupper back or to the outside of the shoulder in some cases. Radiculopathy Pressure or irritation on or around the nerves of the neck can affect the nerves’ electrical signals.The pressure or irritation can be felt as numbness on the skin, weakness in the muscles or pain along the path of the nerve. Weakness in the spine muscles can cause abnormal pressure on the nerves and increased chance of radiculopathy. If you are suffering from neck pain, our SPINE Program is ideal to quickly relieve your pain and prevent it from returning. From long-term neck pain, to recovering from a complicated surgery, we can relieve your pain quickly, returning your natural mobility and strength. Our treatments are designed to help ease pain and to improve flexibility, strength, posture and function. We even teach you how to protect your neck in the years ahead. Look inside to learn more about our programs and say good-bye to that aching neck!

Neck pain can be a constant ache or sharp pain with movement, stopping you from enjoying life’s activities. Neck pain is very common affecting approximately 2/3 rds of the population at one point or another. People with neck pain suffer mainly from one of the following conditions: Degenerative Disc Disease Thediscsare thefluidfilledsacsbetween thebonesofyourneck.Thenormal aging process shrinks the discs and dries them out. Repeated stress and strain also weakens the tissues that make up a disc. When this happens, the disc loses its ability to absorb shock. In turn, this causes rubbing and changes in the shape of the joints in your neck, which can be painful. Muscle Strain When there is an injury to the neck or you overuse the shoulder and neck muscles, a strain can occur. When this happens, the neck muscles may go into spasm to help support and protect the sore area. Mechanical Neck Pain Mechanical pain usually starts from changes in the neck joints. As discs start to collapse, the space between the neck bones narrows, and the joints

Quote of TheMonth: “Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” -Calvin Coolidge

ARE YOU HURTING YOUR NECKWHILE YOU SLEEP? We spend one third of our lives sleeping. Therefore, how you sleep and the bed you sleep on can have a dramatic effect on the support of your body. When you sleep you need to be aware of how your neck and spine are supported. There are many different types of beds on the market today which can be very confusing for consumers. The best type of bed is the one that you try out and feel most comfortable using. Typically, a bed that is firm underneath, with a softer top helps to provide support as well as contour your body. If your mattress is old, then think about investing in a new one so that your neck and spine are supported well. your thighs and knees. This should place your knees in a slight, supported bend which takes pressure off your lower back. If you sleep on your side, be sure to put a pillow between your knees. This helps keep the alignment of your spine, and takes the pressure of your upper leg off the spine. Have 1-2 pillows under your head to keep your neck in proper alignment. If you need 2 pillows stagger them so that one pillow overlaps the other by one half. The lower half goes under the shoulders, while the upper half supports the neck.

Thebestpositions tosleep in foryourspineareonyourbackorsides.Avoid sleeping on your stomach since your spine ends up twisted, especially your neck.Overthehoursofrepetitivesleepingonyourstomach,youcandamage the joints of your spine and compress the nerves exiting your spine. Use a pillow to help support your body and take the weight of your legs off your spine. If you like to sleep on your back, place a pillow under the backs of

Ourphysical therapistsatAxcessPhysicalTherapycanshowyouexercises, stretches and techniques to relieve your pain and prevent it from returning. If you are suffering with neck or back pain, call us today to learn more about how we can relieve your pain, returning you to a more active, pain-free life!

www.axcesspt.com minimum, we recommend paying at least your co-payment at each visit. Plan ahead, stay informed and most importantly, ask questions. Ask our staff if you have any questions about your insurance benefits in the new year. We will help you understand them and figure out the best way to get the care you need. WE’RE HERE TO HELP WITH YOUR INSURANCE BENEFITS As we welcome a new year in wellness, we welcome new insurance benefits. Finances play a big part in mapping out your year and medical expenses are certainly a consideration. If you are like most patients, you have a deductible plan which reset on January 1st. Even after your deductible is met, your insurance still delegates a portion of the cost of your care to you, usually in the form of a co-payment. Since all the money you spent toward that deductible in 2017 will be swept clean, we strongly suggest paying something toward your deductible at each visit so once your claims process (usually 2-4 weeks), you don’t have a large, intimidating balance due. At the very

Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti

Relieve Pain In Minutes

INGREDIENTS 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

CHIN TUCK SUPINE Lie with roll under neck. Without lifting head, tuck chin gently. Keep the large muscles in the neck relaxed. Repeat 7 times. Relieves Neck Pain

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread (recommended: Nutella) 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3/4 cup chopped toasted hazelnuts

INSTRUCTIONS Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In another medium bowl combine the butter, chocolate hazelnut spread, sugar, and brown sugar. Usinganelectricmixer,cream the ingredients together,about4minutes.Add the egg and vanilla and beat until smooth, about 1 minute. Using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, stir in the flour mixture until just combined. Add the hazelnuts and stir until just combined. Using a tablespoon measure, spoonout thecookiedoughontoacookiesheet,spacing themoundsabout 4 inches apart. Use the tines of a fork to flatten the cookie dough. Bake until lightly golden around the edges, about 10 to 12 minutes. Use a metal spatula to transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let cool.

Practice News

Happy Birthday Roshanda Roshanda’s birthday was November 29th!

Patient Success Spotlight

“ I can do yardwork without pain.”

“I came in having trouble turning in my bed, walking early in the morning, bending over, doing yard work. After four weeks of therapy, I can do the tasks without pain. Will continue home exercises to gain strength!” -Alan S.

www.axcesspt.com

BE PAIN FREE IN 2018! A ONE DAY SPECIAL OFFER FOR ALL PRESENT & PAST PATIENTS OF AXCESS PHYSICAL THERAPY Dear Valued Client, We are honored to have served all of our past patients! Thats why we are celebrating the new year by encouraging all of our past patients to BE PAIN FREE IN 2018! To help you, our valued customers, we are having a day of completely Free Exams for: • All loved ones, family, friends, neighbors and co-workers of our past and present patients If you are a past or present patient then call 815.614.2100 to schedule your Free Exam. If you are referring a friend or family member, give them the certificate included in this letter and have them call 815.614.2100 to schedule their Free Exam. The day of Free Exams will be on: Thursday, January 9th, 2018 from 9AM to 5PM. The Free Exam consists of a 30 minute one-on-one appointment with the Physical Therapist of your choice. The PT will talk with you about the history of your problem. They will take measurements to test how well you are moving and to test your strength. After a thorough exam, they will give you a written copy of: • All past clients who have not been seen in PT in more than 3 months • All present clients who have another problem currently not being treated

1. The cause of your pain or problem. 2. A plan for successful treatment. The appointments are free, but are limited to 25 spots. Call 815.614.2100 now to schedule your Free Exam. The Free Exam is ideal for people suffering with:

• Lower Back Pain • Arthritis

• Sciatica • Neck Pain

• Headaches • Shoulder Pain

• Knee Pain • Problems Walking

If you are having pain or problems with day to day activities such as walking, standing, sitting for long periods, going up or down steps, getting in and out of the car, sleeping or driving, then this is an excellent opportunity to see one of our world-class therapists and find out the cause of your problem. Call 815.614.2100 to schedule your Free Exam for January 9th. Sincerely, Aaron Fuerst PT, DPT, CWCE, FAAOMPT PS – As a Special Bonus, all people attending a Free Exam on January 9th, 2018, the first 8 registrants will receive a FREE Axcess Physical Therapy coffee mug. Limit of 25 appointments.

Aaron Fuerst PT, DPT, CWCE, FAAOMPT

www.axcesspt.com

BE PAIN FREE IN 2018!

NOW IS THE TIME TO GET YOUR PAIN FREE CONSULTATION!

Axcess Physical Therapy FREE Exam C E R T I F I C A T E This certificate may be given to friends & family!

• WHAT YOU GET: FREE 30-minute one-on-one appointment with one of our Physical Therapists

• WHEN: January 9th, 9AM-5PM

• WHY: Be Pain Free In 2018!

www.fptwest.com

• WHAT YOU NEED TO DO: Call 815.614.2100 NOW!