Pittman_Neck Pain and Headaches

Pittman_Neck Pain and Headaches

The Pittman CONNECTION The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

“Spring Showers” Did Not Disappoint

WOW!!! We have had the rainiest spring in history. I don’t know about you, but I have stayed inside sitting for way too long. With the weather finally looking like it is changing, wewill be getting outside a lot more. The flower beds are calling, pruning andweeding, mowing and edging. Replacing and repainting as the rain has taken its toll. Maybe yard work isn’t your thing. I know it isn’t mine. I long for the golf course. (I don’t get to play, but I long for it). I play about 3 times a year right now, but days like these make me want to pull out the clubs. My kids keepme so busy. Sophie and Brinkley are dancing non stop. The recital has passed but they are traveling all summer. Sophie gets a week in LA. She was chosen as part of the Beat Squad. What is this you ask? I don’t know either, but my wife said it is a HUGE deal. Foster is playing baseball. We spent 8 hours at the ball

field last weekend. What a day. It was great. Stone is done with school lacrosse, but he is already practicing for summer league. We get to go to Indianapolis, Nashville and Atlanta. Those are a ton of fun. Man, I wish there was lacrosse in Mississippi in the 90’s. I would’ve been all over that. We don’t have soccer players anymore, but some of you do. You will be spending a lot of time at the soccer fields. Remember, please remember, to put on your sunscreen. It is still cool but this is when we burn the most. Pleasant, sunny weather with mild breeze is prime burn season.

Have a great spring! Jeremy

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The Pittman CONNECTION The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

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Focus On Neck Pain To Relieve Headaches

It’s the end of the day and your head is pounding and your neck is aching. Was it the work you were doing? Was it the stress or the way you were sitting? Your neck is an intricate structure with hundreds of muscles and nerves. The joints in your neck provide movement while the discs in between the bones, give support and shock absorption. In today’s world of sitting for long periods at work, computers and watching TV your neck muscles, joints and nerves can become strained and irritated. The fact is that even the simplest movements can cause short periods of neck pain. Yet some of usmay actually be experiencing chronic neck pain. Simple, repetitive movements can lead to prolonged muscle tightness, which can take time to show symptoms. In comparison, muscle strains happen with quick jolts such as an injury or lifting something too heavy. How neck pain can go to your head Headaches can stem from tightness in the neck muscles at the back of the neck, which is brought about by a forward-head posture and rounded back. This is very common if you work at a

computer or sit a lot. In this position the spine is strained. Try to stand up tall with your back against a wall. How far away from the wall is the back of your head? If you have a forward head posture, your head will be quite far from the wall. The forward head position puts a strain on the neck muscles resulting in general muscle tension in the head. This can affect blood flow to the scalp, resulting in a headache. Pain can be referred from the neck to behind the eyes or forehead and even one sided headaches around the temples. Pounding headaches at the back of the head can be related to neck muscle tightness and limited movement. Sincemany headaches stem fromproblems with neckmovement and posture, it is wise that you see a physical therapist; a muscle and skeletal expert to help you. Find out how you can relieve your aching neck and nagging headache for good with our SPINE Program. Call us today for more information!

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Exercise Essentials Try these exercises to help maintain a healthy body

CERVICAL CHIN TUCK AND RETRACTION - SUPINE WITH TOWEL While lying on your back with a small folded up towel under your head, tuck your chin towards your chest. Also, focus on putting pressure on the towel with the back of your head. Your head should maintain contact with the towel the entire time. Helps Headaches

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. Helps Neck Pain

Exercises copyright of

Not all exercises are appropriate for every person. Please consult with a healthcare provider before starting.

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Who do you know that needs our help?

Refer a Friend Do You Have Friends or Family Unable to Do The Following? 9 Move without pain 9 Bend and move freely 9 Balance confidently and securely 9 Sit for long periods comfortably 9 Walk for long distances 9 Live an active and healthy lifestyle WIN A $20 GIFT CARD If you know someone suffering with aches and pains give the gift of health. Refer them to Pittman Physical Therapy today. Pass along this newsletter or have them call us directly to schedule an evaluation! You will get your name in our next newsletter and you could win a $20 gift card!

Referral Club: Thanks to our patients for referring a friend or family member!

Maxine Bailey Patricia Phillips Henry Nall

John Byczek

Tuesday, June 12th FOR PAST PATIENTS AND TEACHERS FREE 30 Minute 1-on-1 Discovery Session with a Doctor of Physical Therapy Top 3 things you will learn: 1. Find out the causes of neck pain without having expensive MRIs and CT scans 2. Treatment options that do not involve surgery or injections 3. 3 simple exercises to improve posture How Do I Register For This Event? Call Pittman Physical Therapy at 901-850-5246 or register online at pittmanpt.com/neck-consult-event . We only have 16 seats available for each event due to the interactive nature of this event. How Much Is It To Attend This Event? Nothing... the event is absolutely FREE but call 901-850-5246 now to register as we are taking only 16 attendees. Neck Pain Consultation Event You are invited to our RECOVER FASTERWITH LASER THERAPY

Laser therapy allows your body to utilize its own healing powers by inducing a series of healing responses in your body. During treatment you will feel soothing warmth that identifies the beginning of an 18-24 hour process of modulated cellular activity leading to decreased pain and inflammation. Call today if you would like more information: 901-850-5246. • Foot and Ankle Conditions • And Much More! Laser Therapy Relieves Pain and Inflammation Associated With • Strains and Sprains • Soft Tissue Injury • Post Surgical Rehabilitation • Sports Injuries • Tendonitis & Tendonosis • Shoulder and Knee Pain • Hand and Wrist Injuries

Patient Success Spotlights

“Improved 100%” “I have done PT before, but have never had an experience like this where so much attention to detail has been paid. Brad has been my main therapist, and has always been attentive to my needs (aches, pain, and strains). When I first came, I could not turn my head very well, and my shoulder was not at full range of motion. After three weeks, my range of motion in both areas and has improved 100%. Thank you Brad and Meagan for doing your job so well.” - Stephanie Brannon A Great Stretch for Neck Pain For Fast Headache Relief Try This:

“My pain level has decreased substantially since receiving therapy.” “I was experiencing neck pain related to a MVA. My doctor referred me to PT. My pain level has decreased substantially since receiving therapy.” -Polly Bernard

The combination of neck rotation and shoulder adduction creates a therapeutic release for the neck. The action of threading the arm through and placing weight onto the shoulder stretches the forearm, biceps, shoulder blade, and neck. One of the rotator cuff muscles that is located in the infraspinous fossa of the scapula (shoulder blade) is the infraspinatus. The infraspinatus muscles assists in adducting the shoulder in thread the needle. The weight of the body on the shoulder blade is a great stretch for this muscle as well. Options to support the head with a blanket can add ease and restoration to a sometimes challenging posture.

Discover ways to relieve your neck pain Stretching for Neck Pain Relief

Neck pain and headaches typically come from poor posture and tight muscles in the neck, shoulders and upper back. This produces what is called a forward head posture. By stretching the tight muscles along the back of your neck, as well as strengthening themuscles at the front of the neck, neck pain can be relieved. Correcting bad posture can be as simple as strengthening the abdominal region. However, keep in mind that when dealing with a forward-head posture, you will also have forward-rounded shoulders and increased curvature of the upper spine. Our physical therapists are experts in posture evaluation and treatment, helping you even if you have quite severe changes. It’s never too late!

Tight muscles are a big factor in most neck pain and headaches. Stretching the muscles of your chest and strengthening the muscles of the middle back helps. For long term benefits, learning the right exercises canmake a big difference in preventing neck pain and headaches from returning. Therefore, before you start taking any headache medicine for chronic neck pain, you might want to analyze your body posture first. Finding tension in your neck or limited rainge of motion in your spine might be the cause. Correcting it through physical therapy might be a simple solution for your headaches and neck pains. Call us today to learn more about our SPINE Program to relieve your headache and neck pain!

Call Pittman Physical Therapy if: • Your muscle pain persists beyond 3 days • You have severe, unexplained pain • You have any sign of infection, like swelling or redness around the tender muscle • You have poor circulation in the area where you have muscle aches (for example, in your legs) • Your muscle pain has been associated with starting or changing doses of a medicine

Get Answers For Muscle Pain. Call: 901-850-5246