Lonoke PT, Physical Therapy for Migraines

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

SEE INSIDE • Physical Therapy Can Help Migraine Sufferers • Exercise Essentials • Service Spotlight • Outstanding Results

PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR MIGRAINES Getting To The Root Of The Problem

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

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PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR MIGRAINES Getting To The Root Of The Problem

If you are one of the 15 percent of the general population that suffers from migraines, you know that the worst part is feeling helpless. Whether you feel helpless when it comes to preventing a migraine or helpless when it comes to treating a migraine, you can’t help but feel enslaved by a condition that causes 91 percent of sufferers to miss work or other daily activities. Fortunately, the solution for migraine management may be simpler than you think. WHAT IS MIGRAINE? According to the American Migraine Foundation, a migraine attack is not considered a headache but a neurological disease. Nearly twice as many women as men are affected by migraines. Attacks are usually characterized by painful throbbing or pulsing on one side of the head, usually accompanied by changes in vision, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, or sensitivity to sound. Migraine attacks usually begin in childhood but can begin during adolescence or early adulthood. WHAT CAUSES A MIGRAINE ATTACK? One of the most frustrating parts of a migraine is that there is no definitive cause, therefore there is no definitive cure. Some researchers believe that a migraine is caused by changes in the chemicals in the brain that regulate

pain. Others feel that problems in the brainstem and its interaction with certain neural pathways cause migraines. Still others believe environmental factors play a role in migraines. Diet, exercise, light, heat, stress, medication, or changes in sleep can all affect whether a person experiences a migraine attack. Other risk factors include age, family history of migraine and hormonal changes due to puberty or menopause.  HOW IS A MIGRAINE TRADITIONALLY TREATED? Since there is no definitive cause for migraine attacks, most physicians focus on limiting the duration or severity of a person’s symptoms. Medications are often prescribed that either target a person’s serotonin levels or relieve pain, but stomach problems due to frequent NSAID use or medication overuse sometimes result. Many of these medications are also most effective before a person is in pain. If they react to the warning symptoms that a migraine attack is coming, many times they can avoid the worst of their symptoms. If you are looking for effective pain relief from migraines, call Lonoke Physical Therapy to start your journey toward recovery today!

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PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP MIGRAINE SUFFERERS

also been shown to help migraine sufferers sleep better and experience attacks less frequently. EXERCISE Physical therapy targeted at migraines may include neck flexion exercises, postural exercises and recommendations for work or school accommodations that may help limit migraine frequency or severity. Additionally, regular aerobic exercise has been shown to reduce tension in the muscles that may be related to migraine symptoms. It can also help a person maintain a healthy weight that is essential to balancing hormone levels that may also contribute to migraines. Physical therapists are adept at prescribing customized exercise programs for every fitness level. While there is no definitive cure for migraines, physical therapy is among the most promising ways to manage your symptoms both now and in the future. Drug-free manual therapies coupled with targeted exercise at the hands of a physical therapist may be the key to managing the frequency, duration and severity of your migraine attacks. The only way to find out if physical therapy is right for you is to contact us for a consultation. Let us help you get on the road to better management of your migraine symptoms. If you are looking for effective pain relief from migraines, call Lonoke Physical Therapy to start your journey toward recovery today!

One of the most promising long-term solutions for chronic migraine sufferers is physical therapy. One study showed that migraine sufferers who participated regularly in physical therapy experienced a significant reduction in their symptoms and severity. The improvement did not end with the prescribed course of physical therapy. In fact, its effect was still felt a year later when migraine sufferers reported a continued reduction in incidence and severity. Best of all, physical therapy is non-pharmacological and void of the side effects so many other medications carry. PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR MIGRAINES Traditionally, people think of physical therapy as a post-surgical or post- accident process designed to improve mobility and balance. While this is an important function, its scope provides a narrow picture of what physical therapy can do. Physical therapists are trained to recognize limits to the body’s function and prescribe ways to restore movement, balance, strength, mobility, and harmony of the body’s systems. For instance, some migraine sufferers experience neck and jaw pain that triggers an event. Physical therapists can recognize the cause of this pain and address it with manual therapies and exercise that, in turn, relieve a person’s symptoms. Even if the cause of a patient’s migraine is undefined, a physical therapist’s approach is ideal for identifying and addressing the underlying causes that may be contributing to a person’s symptoms.  MANUAL THERAPIES Physical therapists will likely perform techniques designed to improve the range of motion in the patient’s neck. This may include joint mobilization techniques, massage, physiotherapy, or pressure point therapy. These manual therapy techniques reduce pain, but they also keep the head and neck moving the way they should. Manual therapies, especially massage, have

Sources americanmigrainefoundation.org/understanding-migraine/ americanmigrainefoundation.org/understanding-migraine-cat/migraine-triggers/ www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3072494/

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Service Spotlight

DRY NE E D L I NG Dry Needling is a technique that physical therapists use for pain relief and improved function. It is helping so many of our patients feel better! Some common conditions treated with Dry Needling include; headaches, neck pain, back pain, plantar fasciitis, hip pain, tennis elbow, osteoarthritis and joint pain. Ask us how you may benefit from Dry Needling.

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Outstanding RESULTS

“I no longer experience pain while turning my head and looking up. I also have fewer headaches.” - R.G.

“The deep tissue massages have released areas with pain and diminished my headaches.” - D.H.

“Headaches have ceased. Neck muscles are more relaxed.” - V.N.

Move Freely • Alleviate Pain Naturally • Have More Energy • Enjoy Activities Pain Free • Be Stronger

Don’t let pain become a way of life Come in for a Free Consultation and see if PT along with Dry Needing can help you move toward a better feeling you! FREE DRY NEEDLING CONSULTATION

Dry Needling Can:

Loosen stiff muscles Ease joint pain Improve blood flow & oxygen circulation Optimize sports performance Accelerate healing from injury Prevent issues from becoming chronic

Lonoke: 501-676-5540 ProMotion: 501-945-0200

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Practice News!

Happy Anniversary, Elizabeth! Elizabeth’s Work Anniversary is June 2nd! She has been with the company for 5 years.

Happy Anniversary, Mandy! Mandy’s Work Anniversary is June 26th! She has been with the company for 2 years.

Mrs. Pam’s Roasted Zucchini

INGREDIENTS

• 2 zucchini, cubed • 2 TBS. olive oil • 1/4 c. freshly grated Parmesan Cheese • 1/2 tsp. dried thyme

• 1/2 tsp. dried oregano • 1/2 tsp. dried basil • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder • 1/4 tsp. garlic salt

INSTRUCTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a baking sheet. Toss zucchini in olive oil. Combine the remaining ingredients until blended. Toss zucchini in dry mixture. Place coated zucchini cubes in a single layer on the greased baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Exercise Essentials Try these exercises to help keep you moving...

Bilateral Suboccipital Stretch While sitting upright or lying on a flat surface, put both hands behind the head, cupping the base of your skull with your thumbs. Tilt the head down and apply a firm force through both hands to feel a moderate stretch in the back of the upper neck. Hold for at least 30 seconds.

Chin Tucks While sitting upright, slowly draw your head back so that your ears line up with your shoulders.

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

Care to Share Winner: Mrs. Marsha