FyzicalElPaso: Experiencing Chronic Headaches Or Migraines?

FyzicalElPaso: Experiencing Chronic Headaches Or Migraines?

THE

June, 2020

NEWSLETTER

HALF THE POPULATION EXPERIENCES MIGRAINES….

If youor someone you love is apart of this group– I feel your pain. While thankfully, I’mnot a frequent flier, I have had run-ins withmigraines in the past, and I understand that they are no joke. I first encountered migraines as a student. I was broke so I volunteered for drug studies to make ends meet. Pharmacy companies paid very well. On this one, I noticed a headache that came on slowly and wouldn’t go away as the day went on – in fact, it kept getting gradually worse. The nursedirecting the study couldn’t giveme any sort of headachemedication due to the research protocol, and by the end of the day, my mild headache had turned into a full-blown, blinding migraine. It was sobad thatmywifehad tocome to pickme upbecause I was in no condition todrive. I recall being unable to step off a curve. I could not believe the pain! Unfortunately, too often, common migraine sufferers relate to this story. Migraines are interesting to treat, partly because experienced migraines sufferers are typically sophisticated consumers who have tried many treatment methods with varying success. We begin by taking a thorough history. Details matter. Medications may have an undesirable side effect and make you feel bad. This is a common reason why patients turn to PT – other treatments haven’t worked, the headaches are too frequent, and we ask can something else help? It’s not uncommon to see a desperate sense of frustration. These actually end up being some of our best patients because, to put it bluntly, treating migraines takes work. It is tedious, time- consuming, and takes a lot of patience. (continued inside)

Happy Father’s Day! A dad is a man who helps to set the standards, the family values and the example. Dads eagerly accept and cherish the role of creating a healthy, happy and successful environment for their kids. Who signs up for a job with zero pay? You do! FYZICALwants to say thanks to all thedads out there.

THE

June, 2020

NEWSLETTER

DISCOVER REAL RELIEF FOR MIGRAINES

INSIDE: • Gain Relief From Chronic Headaches Or Migraines • June is National Safety Month • Patient Success Spotlight

Whether you have pain or have been suffering for a long time, seeing a physical therapist at FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers can help you return to a more active and pain-free life. Give us a call at the location nearest you! • Manual therapy. You don’t need to pop or crack your neck in order to find migraine relief – the same positive results are possible with massage and gentle mobilization. • Laser therapy. This has proved very effective in decreasing the frequency and severity of migraines. In fact, one of our patients, an accountant was able to get through tax season effectively and efficiently with only laser therapy treatments! At the end of the day, if you are experiencing migraines, we get it. If you want some help not purely based on medications let us know. - Luis, Fyzical El Paso P.S. Its June and father’s day. I continue to be incredibly proud of both my boys but Boomer was just named to Sigma Sigma Phi National Honorary fraternity for service and academics in medical school.

In fact, when patients come to our clinic for migraine relief, one of the first things we ask them to do is keep a journal for three months. This helps track the frequency of migraine occurrence, the severity of pain, and helps us determine if there are any environmental factors that are attributing to the cause of the migraines. Additionally, it gives us insight into our treatment

Luis Zuniga PT, DPT, CHT, MTC

efficacy.

We know that exercise is a big part of PT and we know it’s helpful for migraine, but it can feel like walking a tightrope when prescribing exercises to migraine patients. Exercise can exacerbate migraines at first but generally will decrease over time for a better long-term outcome – so the patient must be prepared to take that journey. By the way - Melatonin has been shown beneficial in good studies for prophylaxis in migraine, It’s cheap and it’s safe…. think about it. Three treatment approaches to consider in Migraine we’ve found helpful. • BFR. Blood flow restriction therapy allows the body to exercise with light loads that are perceived by our body and brain as very heavy lifting – thus decreasing the risk of aggravating a migraine while very actively building muscle and strength.

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GAIN RELIEF FROM CHRONIC HEADACHES OR MIGRAINES

If you are experiencing stiff or tight muscles in your neck, and/or if you are living with chronic headaches or migraines, myofascial release can help you find relief. This hands-on treatment helps with pain relief by easing the tension in your muscles. It is a formof massage performed by your physical therapist that focuses on specific pressurepoints, aimed at bringing themyofascial back to its elastic form. If you’ve been noticing pain in your neck or head, and you think you could benefit frommyofascial release, give our office at FYZICAL a call today. We would be happy to set up a consultation and discuss how our treatment services could benefit you! Howdoes myofascial release help? If you livewith headaches or migraines, you know how painful and debilitating they can be. Attacks are usually characterized by painful throbbing or pulsing on one side of the head, which can also be accompanied by changes in vision, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, or sensitivity to sound. When the muscles around your neck become tight, your mobility of the affected area becomes restricted, and any movements youmake can result in pain. Myofascial release reverses this sensation by loosening up the constricted area, thus promoting easier mobility and less pain. This targeted formof treatment has been known to relieve the pain of chronic headaches and migraines by massaging the tightened muscles around the head and neck. If you’ve sustained an injury to the neck or head that is causing your headaches, myofascial release can also help by massaging out the affected area, in order to loosen up the muscles and allow for a quicker healing process.

massaging properties of myofascial release have also been shown to help chronic headache andmigraine sufferers sleepbetter and experience attacks less frequently. If you are experiencing neck pain and/or chronic headaches and you think you could benefit from myofascial release, give our office a call today. Scheduling an appointment is the first step in getting a new treatment added to your plan and finding relief for your debilitating aches and pains. At FYZICAL, our physical therapists will provide you with a thorough evaluation to determine the best ways in which our treatment methods will benefit you. We understand how inhibiting pain and stiffness can be, and we want to help get you back to comfortably living your life. Find relief today! Don’t let your chronic headaches and neck pain dictate your life! You can live comfortably once again and get back to your normal life with the help of our dedicated and highly experienced physical therapists at FYZICAL. Myofascial release can help you reclaim your life once again!

These manual techniques not only help in reducing pain, but they also keep the head and neck moving the way they should. In fact, the manual and

Call us today at (915) 330-8854 to schedule an appointment!

SPICY LEMON GARLIC BAKED TILAPIA

Patient Success Spotlight

INGREDIENTS • 4-6 tilapia fillets • 1 tbsp lemon juice • 3 tbsp butter • 1 tsp garlic minced

• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder • salt to taste • 1/2 tsp black pepper • 1 lemon cut into thin slices • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped

“Gave me the support and encouragement that I needed!” “After my foot surgery and prior to therapy, I wasn’t sure if I would move around and about as before. I was afraid that I wouldn’t have a positive outcome during treatment especially due to Covid-19. The staff and physical therapists here gave me the support and encouragement that I needed. Thanks again for being so supportive and patient throughout my treatment may God bless you and your families and keep you safe. I greatly appreciate your kindness and endurance when I needed it the most.” - Suzanne F.

DIRECTIONS Wash the tilapia fillets and pat them dry. Arrange the fillets in a baking tray. Mix lemon juice, butter, garlic, red chili powder, salt and black pepper in a bowl. Pour this mixture over the tilapia. Arrange lemon slices in between the fillets. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C (350 Degrees F). Bake the fish for 15-20 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot.

Source: soune.me/2019/05/spicy-lemon-garlic-baked-tilapia-dinner.html?m=1

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JUNE IS NATIONAL SAFETY MONTH

4. Opioids are prescribed for pain. Even in situations when opioids are prescribed, the CDC recommends that patients should receive “the lowest effective dosage,” and opioids “should be combined” with nonopioid therapies, such as physical therapy. 5. Pain lasts 90 days. At this point, the pain is considered “chronic,” and the

For National Safety Month, FYZICAL would like to focus on reducing the leading causes of injury and death at home. Two leading causes of deaths are falls at home and the dangers of opioid usage. 4 Important Reasons To Choose PT FIRST Over Opioids. 1. The risks of opioid use outweigh the rewards. Potential side effects of opioids include depression, overdose, and addiction, plus withdrawal symptoms when stopping opioid use. 2. You want to do more than mask the pain. Opioids make it so you can’t feel the pain, but, they do not treat the source of your pain. Physical therapists treat pain by finding the source and restoring movement and function. 3. Pain or function problems are related to low back pain, hip or knee osteoarthritis, or fibromyalgia. The CDC cites “high-quality evidence” supporting exercise as part of a physical therapy treatment plan for those familiar conditions.

risks for continued opioid use increase. The CDC guidelines note that nonopioid therapies are “preferred” for chronic pain and that clinicians should consider opioid therapy only if expected benefits for both pain and function are anticipated to outweigh risks to the patient.

“Physical Therapy vs Opioids: When to Choose Physical Therapy for Pain Management.” American Physical Therapy Association. N.p., 15 June 2016. Web. 10 Feb. 2017. Among older Americans falls are the #1 cause of: death from injury and injury in general. Check Your Risk of Falling by completing the checklist below. Review your results to determine if you are at high risk. Why It Matters Circle “YES” or “NO” For Each Statement Below

YES 2 YES 2 YES 1 YES 1 YES 1 YES 1 YES 1 YES 1 YES 1 YES 1 YES 1 YES 1

NO 0 NO 0 NO 0 NO 0 NO 0 NO 0 NO 0 NO 0 NO 0 NO 0 NO 0 NO 0

I have fallen in the past year.

People who have fallen once are likely to fall again.

I use or have been advised to use a cane or walker to get around safely.

Unsteadiness or needing support while walking are signs of poor balance. People who have been advised to use a cane or walker may already be more likely to fall.

Sometimes I feel unsteady when I am walking.

I steady myself by holding onto furniture when walking at home.

This is also a sign of poor balance.

I am worried about falling.

People who are worried about falling are more likely to fall.

I need to push with my hands to stand up from a chair.

This is a sign of weak leg muscles, a major reason for falling.

I have some trouble stepping up onto a curb.

This is also a sign of weak leg muscles.

I often have to rush to the toilet.

Rushing to the bathroom, especially at night, increases your chance of falling.

I have lost some feeling in my feet.

Numbness in your feet can cause stumbles and lead to falls.

I take medicine that sometimes makes me feel light-headed or more tired than usual.

These medicines can sometimes increase your chance of falling. Side effects from medication can sometimes increase your chance of falling. Symptoms of depression, such as not feeling well or feeling slowed down, are linked to falls.

I take medicine to help me sleep or improve my mood.

I often feel sad or depressed.

Add up the number of points for each “yes” answer. If you scored 4 points or more, you may be at risk for falling.

Check Your Risk for Falling

This checklist was developed by the Greater Los Angeles VA Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center and affiliates and is a validated fall risk self-assessment tool (Rubenstein et al. J Safety Res; 2011: 42(6)493-499).

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