Oakland PT. Neck Pain & Headaches

NEWSLETTER Frank Kava DPT • Kristie Kava DScPT

Relieving Neck Pain & Headaches! Overcome Your Aches & Pains!

N E W S L E T T E R

FrankKavaDPTandKristieKavaDScPT

Relieving Neck Pain & Headaches

issue isn’t always as simple to identify. Sometimes it is a bad habit that you don’t really think twice about, like your habitofwatchingTVasyou fallasleep,keepingyourneck at an odd angle as you rest for the evening, or maybe as a result of your posture as you type at your desk every day, hunchedoverat theshoulderswithyourneckcatching the brunt of your slouch. These poor habits are common, and most of us consider them to be harmless. Sure, you know it isn’t great for you, but what is actually going to happen? It’s a lot easier to slouch as you type, and who doesn’t want to catch a few late-night laughs as they fall asleep? But the reality is that these seemingly irrelevant habits could be putting undue stress on your neck, and if you aren’t careful, this could translate to regular and uncomfortable headaches that are difficult to get rid of. The Problem With Posture Working with a physical therapist can help you to identify whether or not your headaches may be the result of neck pain or strain. One of the most common causes of headaches due to neck pain is forward head position. Forward head position means that when you are resting your head, you are continuing to hold your head slightly forward, which is a type of slouching position.

Headacheshaveabadhabitofmaking theirappearanceat the most inconvenient times. The middle of the workday, early in theeveningwhenyouhavehoursofresponsibilities ahead of you, or even first thing in the morning when you are trying to pay attention to your morning meeting — headaches don’t care how important the work ahead of you is. When they start, they are hard to stop. Thereareallsortsofreasonswhyheadachesmaydevelop. From environmental factors like weather changes and exposure to certain perfumes or other scents, to stress and allergies, headaches happen to the best of us. However, there are some headaches that may be a bit morepredictable thanothers.Factors likeyourposture, the type of mattress you sleep on, the pillow you use, or even thedeskchairyousit inatworkcanall impactyour risk for experiencing regular headaches because of the intricate network of nerves and muscles in your neck. When Neck Pain Leads to Headaches Themajorityofthetime,neckpainstartsoutasaseemingly smallconcern.Acrick inyourneckhereor theremaystart to develop more frequently, and before you know it, your experienceofneckpain issomethingyouaredealingwith daily. It isn’t always the result of something large. While being inacaraccidentorexperiencinganothersortof injury can definitely lead to chronic neck pain, the cause of the

• Helping Aches And Pains • Why Physical Therapy? • Patient Success Spotlight • Complimentary Workshops • Low-Carb Recipe • Free Back Screening INSIDE:

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Relieving Neck Pain & Headaches (Continued)

Youcan identifywhetherornotyouhavea forwardheadpositionbystanding straightagainstthewallanddeterminingwhetherornotyourheadrestsagainst thewallasyourbackdoes. Ifyourheaddoesnot touch thewallwhenyouare standing straight, then you aren’t fully standing up straight! As years go by and day after day you continue to hold your head in this forward position, you can start to experience pain as a result of strain in the muscles of the neck. When this is an issue, working with a physical therapist may be able to help. Stretching the muscles in your neck to alleviate neck strain can reduce the severity and regularity of your headaches. Stretching the muscles that have grown tight along the back of your neck as well as those along the shoulders can help you find relief from the tension that is causing your pain. When dealing with neck pain, it is important to remember that safety has to come first. While there are many simple activities you can try at home to begin stretching your neck muscles, working with a physical therapist is the only way to ensure that you are stretching in a way that won’t potentially lead to greater injury. For more information, contact us.

Ifyou’resuffering fromneckpain,headaches,orother pain,call248.380.3550andscheduleyourappointment with Oakland Physical Therapy!

Healthy Recipe Spinach-Stuffed Mushrooms

INGREDIENTS • 20 medium mushrooms • 1/4 cup chopped shallots, scallions or onion

• 2 cups chopped fresh spinach • 1/2 cup Plain Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt • Salt and pepper to taste

• 2 cloves garlic, chopped • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar • 1/2 tsp soy sauce

INSTRUCTIONS Wash the mushrooms and carefully remove the stems without breaking the caps. Finely chop the stems. Combine the shallots, garlic and vinegar in a small skillet or saucepan and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add the chopped mushroom stems and soy sauce and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-5 minutes, until the mushrooms soften and release their juices. Add the spinach and cook, continuing to stir, until it is wilted and the liquid in the pan is absorbed. Remove from the heat and let cool for a few minutes, then stir in the yogurt. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Stuff the spinach filling into the mushroom caps. Place the mushrooms in a baking pan and bake for 20 minutes, until tender. Remove from the oven and let sit for a few minutes for the filling to set before serving. Yields 20 mushrooms. http://www.organicitsworthit.org/make/spinach-stuffed-mushrooms

If you, or a loved one, has pain, join us in a complimentary informative workshop on common causes, treatments, and prevention of your pain. ROTATOR CUFF & SHOULDER PAIN Tuesday, February 12, at 6:00 pm COMPLIMENTARY WORKSHOPS

Patient Success Spotlight

“In January of 2018 I injured both of my shoulders lifting weights. As a result, I was unable to continue to workout comfortably or sleep on either side without pain and discomfort. The assistance that I received from the staff at Oakland Physical Therapy, P.C. has been life altering. The full staff, especially my personal physical therapist, Linda Erickson, was very professional, kind, and their vast experience was evidence from day one. I believe that the methods used not only healed me but will serve as a valuable aid for prevention of injury in the future. I cannot thank the staff enough for their encouragement and motivation provided on a daily basis that helped me to heal. I would strongly recommend Oakland Physical Therapy to anyone. ”- R.G.

Read more success stories like these by visiting www.oaklandphysicaltherapy.com

Exercise Essentials

LOWER BACK PAIN & SCIATICA Tuesday, March 5, at 6:00 pm Call (248) 380-3550 or email us at: [email protected]

Levator Scapulae Stretch | Overpressure Hand of the side being stretch tucked gently behind the back. Bring your nose into the armpit and hold , then return to the starting position. Repeat with your other side.

26850 Providence Parkway Suite 365 Novi, MI 48374 Frank Kava DPT and Kristie Kava DScPT

www.simpleset.net

www.oaklandphysicaltherapy.com