Empower PT_Neck Pain and Stress

SEPTEMBER 2019 N E W S L E T T E R Y O U R H E A L T H I S O U R P R I O R I T Y

E M P O W E R P H Y S I C A L T H E R A P Y

YOU CAN LIVE WITHOUT NECK PAIN & HEADACHES DON’T LET NECK PAIN KEEP YOU FROM NEW ADVENTURES!

ALSO INSIDE: • Live Without Neck Pain & Headaches • Exercise Essentials • Staff Spotlight • What Our Patients Say

EMPOWERALASKA.COM

N E W S L E T T E R Y O U R H E A L T H I S O U R P R I O R I T Y

E M P O W E R P H Y S I C A L T H E R A P Y

SEPTEMBER 2019

EMPOWERALASKA.COM

LIVE WITHOUT NECK PAIN & HEADACHES DON’T LET NECK PAIN KEEP YOU FROM NEW ADVENTURES!

can cause these muscles to become overworked, which can trigger a headache. Most headaches are harmless and resolve on their own, although severe headaches that recur frequently can affect your ability to do your daily activities and can reduce your quality of life. Physical therapy can help you to relieve the tightness and tension in your muscles, helping you live a happy, pain-free life. Physical therapy goes beyond massages to evaluate and treat the root cause of your pain. Muscular tightness may lead to poor joint movement and weakness. Our medical experts are trained in specialized, hands-on treatments to quickly reduce your pain. Furthermore you can enjoy the added benefits of corrected posture and improved motion. We help to train you in gentle exercises and self-help techniques to relieve neck pain and headaches independently and prevent the problem from reoccurring. The neck can be a hidden and debilitating source of headaches. Very often neck pain and headaches go hand-in-hand, leading to a miserable time coping with every day activities. According to the National Institute of Health Statistics neck pain and headaches are the second most common form of pain experienced by Americans, with 59% reporting it affected their enjoyment of life. Headaches are often grouped under the term “cervicogenic headache” meaning that the primary source is from the neck.

Do you suffer from frequent neck pain and headaches? People literally live on acetaminophen and Ibuprofen for years because they constantly have a nagging headache, induced by muscle spasms in the neck. A concern with those who have frequent headaches, is an underlying neck problem that may go untreated. The Cause of Most Headaches Headachescanrange fromminornaggingpains, to full-blownmigraines that knock you off your feet for a day or two. Any headache, whether tremendous pain or not, should be a warning sign that the muscles in your spine and neck may be too tight and tense. Prolonged muscle tension may cause you to feel stiff and achy. One may feel pain in the shoulders, neck, upper back and even radiating out to the upper arms. Most people who have headaches complain about having neck and shoulder pain. The most intense pain usually lies directly in the back and upper sides of the neck. The pain then radiates into the shoulder area. This is why many people who have headaches treat themselves to frequent neck and shoulder massages. A problem in the neck, head, or jaw--such as an injury or arthritis- -can lead to tension in the muscles at the back of the head and to increased pressure on the nerves to the face and head. Poor posture

LIVE WITHOUT NECK PAIN & HEADACHES

There are well mapped out patterns of headaches that come from the different parts of the neck, shoulder and upper back areas. The discs between your bones (vertebrae) and joints in the upper neck often contribute to headaches. Even headaches located in the forehead or behind the eyes are often referred pains stemming from problem areas in the neck and base of the skull. The joints connecting the top three levels of the neck handle almost 50% of the total motion of the entire neck. This means they absorb a lot of repetitive strain. These joints bear the main load of the weight of the head (about that of a bowling ball). With fatigue, poor posture, injuries, disc problems, arthritis, muscular stress and even prior surgeries, the wear and tear on this critical region of your body can prove too much, resulting in pain. It is also possible that you may develop a narrowing of the spinal canal itself. Since the spinal cord runs through the spine, a narrowing of the canal or where the nerves exit, can lead to a condition named spinal stenosis.

There is much that can be done to treat neck pain and headaches. Our expert physical therapists have years of experience helping people with neck pain and headaches. By finding the root cause of your neck pain and headaches we can relieve your pain quickly, reduce the need for medication and get you back to the activities you enjoy. Discover how our team of specialists at Empower Physical Therapy can eliminate your neck pain and headaches allowing you to live a happy, active and pain-free life.

For more information about how our therapists can help you recover from your neck pain, call us today at Wasilla: (907) 373-9462 • Anchorage: (907) 332-0021

FRUIT ENERGY BALLS INGREDIENTS • 1 cup chopped almonds • 1 cup dried figs • 1 cup dried apricots • 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut DIRECTIONS

WHAT OUR PATIENTS SAY SUCCESS STORY

“Let me save you the time and heartacheoftryinganyoneelse, just gohere!!Thestaffareso incredible, knowledgeable, and friendly! They

were able to help me relieve neck pain, from falling on ice, that I’d been struggling with for years! I had been to other therapists, but the relief I got was temporary and I’d be back in to PT within 6 months, but that all stopped whenafriendrecommendedEmpowerPhysical Therapy! It’s been nearly 2 years since they helped me and I’m still doing great!! Thank You Empower Physical Therapy!!” - Marcy D.

Combine almonds, figs and apricots in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped. Roll the mixture into small balls and dredge in coconut. To make ahead: Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months.

PRACTICE SPOTLIGHT FREE CONSULTATIONS FREE 10 MINUTE CONSULTATIONS! NO REFERRAL IS REQUIRED!!! Are you unsure if you need physical therapy or if there is anything that we can do to help? Do you have an issue that you are unsure if we treat? Do you not want to invest your time and money not knowing if you are even a candidate for therapy? Well, we are excited to announce that we will begin offering FREE 10 minute consultations! No referral is required!!! These are no obligations, informal conversations with our Licensed Physical Therapist. During the conversation, you will be discussing your current condition and if we believe that you may benefit from physical therapy. If you are not a candidate for therapy, we will also help to direct you where youneedtogoforthenextstep inyour journey. Weareexcited to offer this service to the community and hope that you or someone you know will take us up on this offer.

EXERCISE ESSENTIALS TRY THESE EXERCISES TO RELIEVE NECK PAIN

RETRACTION:CHINTUCK Slowly draw your head back so that your ears line up with your shoulders.

SCALENE STRETCH Place your hands overlapping on your breast bone. Next, tilt your head upwards and away from the affected side until a gentle stretch is felt along the front and side of your neck.

Always consult your physical therapist or physician before starting exercises you are unsure of doing. Exercisescopyrightof

DIRECT ACCESS WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Physical Therapy is Easier to Get Than You Think!

Congratulations

TO THE WINNER OF OUR STATE FAIR TICKETS

• Therapy may begin with a full evaluation by a licenced physical therapist • Patients sent by their physician can choose where they want to receive therapy

• A physician referral is no longer needed, whether you want a check-up, suffered a recent injury, or if you want to improve your overall health and wellness

Don’t let your pain hold you back. Call us today at Wasilla: (907) 373-9462 • Anchorage: (907) 332-0021 or visit our website at empoweralaska.com

Enjoy the Fair Dennis!