Blue Ridge: Relieving Neck Pain

Health &Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

Imagine How Much Fun You Can Have Pain Free! RELIEVING NECK PAIN

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 sensitve to injury, it is important to be as careful as possible in finding treatment and solutions for the pain. (continued inside)

Health & Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

Avoid Aches &Pains At Work! RELIEVING NECK PAIN

INSIDE:

• Why Does Your Neck Hurt? • Relieve Neck Pain In Minutes • Patient Success Spotlight

Misspelled Mania ENTER TO WIN Find the misspelled word in this newsletter and call (423) 262-0020 to be entered into our drawing for your chance to win! $10.00 GIFT CERTIFICATE

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,musclestrainandevenstresscancause 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 tocauseyourneckpain: Ifyourpain isdeveloping gradually over time and is not the result of any particular injury that comes to mind, then it may

be a result of degenerative disk disease. When this develops, you may experiencechronicneck pain as a resultoffluid-filledsacs thatarebecomingweakened over time as a result of stress and strain. Physical therapy can help alleviate thepain from degenerative disk 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 athleticism 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.

FOR STAR BUCKS CALL (423) 262-0020

Contest forpastandpresentpatientsonly. Pleaseallow60days if youhavewonaprize for theMisspelledMania.Thank you!

www.blueridgephysicaltherapy.com

WHY DOES YOUR NECK HURT?

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. 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. 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 how many 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 today.

Call us today at 423-262-0020 to schedule an appointment!

DISCOVER HOW TO LIVE PAIN-FREE

Relieve Neck Pain In Minutes Try this movement if you are experiencing neck pain.

LEVATOR SCAPULAE STRETCH Grasp your arm on the affected side and tilt your head downward into the armpit. Use your opposite hand to guide your head further into the stretch. Hold for 20 seconds. Repeat 3 times. Stretches Neck Muscles www.simpleset.net

At Blue Ridge Physical Therapy, you will receive hands-on therapy treatments by our friendly, caring health experts during focused and individualized sessions.

It’s time to go to Blue Ridge Physical Therapy if: • You’re tired of living in pain • You want to feel better and move better • You have been in an auto accident or injured on the job • You want to prevent injury 1. Call and talk to your therapist 2. Discover why your pain has come back 3. Get your custom recovery program

CALL TODAY! (423) 262-0020

COULD YOUR NECK PAIN BE ARTHRITIS? FOOD TO HELP EASE ARTHRITIS

Here are some tips to relieve arthritis pain in joints with healthy food choices: 1. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage. These veggies are part of the cruciferous family, and they are full of a compound called sulforaphane, which helps slow cartilage damage in joints due to osteoarthritis. Try adding broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale or cauliflower to your salad or stir-fry. 2. Fatty fish. Fatty fish like salmon, tuna, trout and mackerel are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help fight inflammation. Try adding fish to your diet a couple of times a week. If you’re not a big fan of fish, ask your doctor about taking an omega-3 supplement. 3. Garlic. Garlic is a member of the allium family—which also includes onions and leeks. These items contain a compound called diallyl disulfide that may help with a number of diseases—including arthritis. 4. Tart cherries. Some people with arthritis have found relief from products made from tart cherries. The ingredient in cherries that helps with joint symptoms is the same one that gives this fruit its red color— anthocyanin. 5. Turmeric. One of the best-researched inflammation fighters isn’t a food at all, but a spice. Tumeric contains a compound called curcumin. The compound has been used for centuries in India to ward off

inflammatory diseases. You’ll find this yellow spice in Indian cuisines— particularly curries. 6. Vitamin C. Antioxidants in vitamin C may slow the progression of OA. You can get vitamin C from strawberries, kiwi, pineapple, or cantaloupe. However, we warn you against taking supplements with much higher doses than 65 to 85 milligrams, because in large doses vitamin C can increase the risk of kidney stones.

Attention Neck Pain Sufferers!

Patient Success Spotlight

“ I came to PT because of chronic neck pain. I was having trouble sitting with my computer and watchingTV. It hurt so badly I didn’t feel like doing any activities. Since coming to PT, I have much less pain and my mobility has improved. I no longer avoid activities. Thank you so much for your help!” – Ute B. My mobility has improved!

Do You Have Difficulty With Neck Pain?

• Decrease your pain • Increase your strength • Increase your activity level • Increase your flexibility • Improve your health • Get back to living We can help:

MentionorBring inThisCouponTodayFora FREE Neck Pain Consultation Call Today: (423) 262-0020 Offer valid for the first 25 people to schedule. Expires 07-27-18.

www.blueridgephysicaltherapy.com