PTIS_Stay a Neck Ahead of Chronic Pain

ALSO INSIDE: Can Physical Therapy Help You Sleep? • Phit in the Kitchen • What Our PTIS Patients Are Saying • Staff Spotlight • Exercise of the Month STAY A NECK AHEAD OF CHRONIC PAIN YOU CAN FIND RELIEF FROM YOUR NECK PAIN www.denverptis.com

www.denverptis.com

ISSUE: FEBRUARY 2020

STAY A NECK AHEAD OF CHRONIC PAIN YOU CAN FIND RELIEF FROM YOUR NECK PAIN

Neckpaincanbebothdebilitatingandterrifying. Whenyouexperiencean injurythat leavesyour neck in severe pain, the thought of not being ableto freelyturnyourhead isoverwhelmingly stressful. What’s more, the pain itself is unbearable,andsincetheneck issosensitiveto injury, it is importanttobeascarefulaspossible in finding treatment and solutions for the pain. It is incredibletorealizehowcommonneckpain is — especially among American adults! More thantwo-thirdsofU.S.adultswilldevelopneck painatleastonce intheirlife,andthereasonsfor theneckpainareasvariedasthepopulationof the nation itself. Injury, muscle strain and even stresscancausesignificantpain intheneckand upper back. If you aren’t careful, a neck injury can lead to chronic pain, and it is even possible forchronicheadacheslikemigrainestodevelop as a result of regular neck pain.

There are a lot of different ways that you can relieve neck pain, but the best treatment for your personal needs depends entirely on the type of injury that you’ve experienced. Here is a quick breakdown of what could be going on to cause your neck pain: If your pain is developing gradually over time and is not the result of any particular injury that comes to mind, then it may be a result of Degenerative Disc Disease . When this develops,youmayexperiencechronicneckpain asaresultoffluid-filledsacsthatarebecoming weakened over time as a result of stress and strain. Physical therapy can help alleviate the painfromdegenerativediscdiseasebyhelping restore blood circulation and improve range of motion intheneck.Thistherapy isapproached inacarefulanddeliberatewaysoastonotcause further pain in the neck region.

Sometimes,neckpaindevelopsafteraparticular injury, such as due to athleticism or even as a resultofacaraccidentoraslipandfallaccident. When thishappens,yourpaincouldbearesult ofa Muscle Strain or Sprain .Whenthis isthe case, then using traditional methods like hot andcoldtherapyandtargetedphysicaltherapy treatment can do a lot of good to alleviate the pain. However, attempting exercises on your own could also result in further pain. In some cases, mechanical neck pain can develop as a result of a change in the neck joints . This may develop as a result of a disc collapsing,whichcausesthespacebetweenthe bones to become narrow, often causing bones to strike one another, resulting in pain. When this isn’taddressed,mechanicalneckpaincan spread,causingthepaintobecomemoresevere and covering a wider range of the neck.

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QUOTE OF THE MONTH

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR STAFF AT PHYSICAL THERAPY & INJURY

SOMETHING GOOD IN DENVER

In need of a few good ways to keep active this winter? 1. Go Ice Skating at Evergreen Lake, 8.5 acres of lake, 11 hockey rinks, and a public skating area. 2. Check out the Clear Creek River WalkTrail inGolden forarefreshing stroll of the city. 3. Snowshoe at Rocky Mountain National Park to catch some breathtaking views. blog.usajrealty.com/posts/top-11-things-to- do-in-denver-in-winter

“There is nothing better than a friend... unless it is a friend with CHOCOLATE.”

SPECIALISTS! Pauline Kemper Feb 13 Fred Stoot Feb 23

STAY A NECK AHEAD OF CHRONIC PAIN (Continued from outside)

Finally,neckpain issometimescausedby Radiculopathy ,whichrefersto pressureor irritation inthenervesoftheneck,whichalterstheelectrical signals in the neck, causing you to feel more pain throughout the day. Physicaltherapycanhelpreducethepressureand irritationsurrounding the nerves, often offering immediate relief from pain and discomfort. Theseare justsomeofthe frequentcausesofneckpain. It is important that you never assume that your neck pain is being caused by one or anotherofthese issues,andthatyou insteadalwaysworkwithalicensed and experienced physical therapist to determine the precise cause of your pain and discomfort. Is Your Neck Pain Caused by Sleep Issues? There isonemorefactorthatoften isnotspokenabout,but it’safrequent cause of neck pain and discomfort: sleeping issues . Sometimes, sleeping in a certain position or sleeping on a mattress or pillow that is too soft or too hard will lead to neck pain. Oftentimes, this pain will appear to be chronic, as the sleeping issue is likely something that you experience day after day, causing the pain to return regularly. It may be helpful to rule out sleeping concerns as a reason behind your neck pain by assessing your sleeping conditions and making any changesthatyouthinkmaybenecessary.Adjusthowmanypillowsyou sleep on, the position you sleep in or even your mattress! For more support in finding relief from neck pain, talk to your physical therapist. Call us at (303) 757-1554 today or visit our website at www.denverptis.com.

CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP YOU SLEEP?

Sleep isanessentialpartofhealth andwellness,as itgivesyourbody achancetophysicallyrecoverand supports important neurological and cardiovascular functions 1 . It is estimated that between 50 and 70millionAmericans 2 sufferfrom sleep disturbances, which can seriously impact all of the major bodysystems.Physicaltherapists treat these systems and may play an important role in overall sleep health and wellness. The loss of sleep is often directly related to pain. Aching joints and muscles can prevent falling asleep and staying asleep. Those whosuffer fromchronic illnesses

potentially lose sleep at higher rates 3 , which impacts symptom management and recovery. Physicaltherapycanhelpaddress these issues,asphysicaltherapists are specifically trained to assess each patient individually and developapersonalizedtreatment plan.Asphysicaltherapyaddresses the neurological, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal systems, these treatment plans often take aholisticapproachthataddresses both body and mind. 4 Sources: 1. academic.oup.com/ptj/article/97/8/826/3831304 2. apta.org/PTinMotion/News/2017/8/8/PTJOnSleep 3. apta.org/PTinMotion/News/2017/8/8/PTJOnSleep 4. mattressreviews.com/physical-therapy-and-sleep

EXERCISE OF THE MONTH USE THIS EXERCISE TO RELIEVE NECK PAIN

PHIT IN THE KITCHEN VEGAN/PALEO CHOCOLATE FUDGE BALLS

Cervical Retraction

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• 1/8 tsp salt (optional) • mini chocolate chips (optional) • chia seeds or shredded coconut (optional)

• 1 cup walnuts, or nuts of choice • 1 1/3 cup pitted dates* • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract • 3-4 tbsp cocoa or cacao powder

Stand with your back against a wall and with a rolled up towel behindyourneck.Keep your eyes fixed ahead and your head upright. Tuck your chin like you arenodding“yes.”Draw your chin closer to the back of your throat. Repeat 10 times.

Blend all ingredients in a food processor (or halve the recipe and use a single serveblenderorminichopper).Whenmakinga fullrecipe,a foodprocessor is preferredoverablenderas ingredientsprocessmoreevenlyand theresultsare less sticky. Once blended, transfer the dough to a sandwich bag and smoosh into one big ball. Break off pieces and roll into smaller separate balls. Dip in melted chocolate or roll in cocoa powder or shredded coconut or coconut flour. Alternatively, you can form bars or evenly roll out the dough and cut into shapes with cookie cutters! *Tip: If your pitted dates are super hard, just soak them in boiling water for a half hour. https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2009/10/13/make-these-now/

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

HELPUSREACH1000 INSTAGRAMFOLLOWERS! We have a 2020 goal of reaching 1000 Instagram followers. As of January 22, we have 98 followers so we have a ways to go. There is lots of great information posted each week from patient testimonials, to articles about health and fitness, and news about the staff at PTIS. Help Us Today by Following DenverPTIS on Instagram! FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM (DenverPTIS), send us your photo, and we will post it! Help us reach our goal!

WELLNESS & FITNESS PROGRAMS PTIS offers the following programs to help you reach your optimal level of wellness and fitness:

• Sports Fitness • Annual PT Checkup • Functional

• Massage • Pilates • Tai Chi • TRX Training • Balance Classes

Fitness Program

VISIT INSTAGRAM.COM/DENVERPTIS

Call today to learn how one of these programs can change your life.

PHITNESS HUMOR FROM PHIT PICKLE

WHAT OUR PTIS PATIENTS ARE SAYING

I have had nothing b u t wo nd e r f u l

experiences at PTIS. I have been a patient over 10 years for various injuries. Bob is a miracle worker but he also has a great sense of humor to pair with his extensive knowledge of the body.”

“ We go together like hamstrings and foam rollers.”

Thank you to all of our patients and staff. We appreciate you!

- C. H.

Make an Appointment Today to Start Living Your Life Again, Pain-Free! GET YOUR LIFE BACK WITH PTIS

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: DAN STOOT DPT,COMT

Dan is originally from Colorado Springs, Colorado and completed his doctorate of Physical Therapy at Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina. As a clinician, Dantakesgreatpride inprovidingacomprehensive,patient- centered treatment approach rooted in taking people from dysfunctiontofullfunction.Whennot intheclinic,Danspends his time fly fishing, hiking and biking in the mountains. Dan currently lives in Denver and is an avid sports fan.

P: (303) 757-1554 F: (303) 757-3104

WWW.DENVERPTIS.COM

EDUCATION: • Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Campbell University, Buies Creek, North Carolina (DPT) • Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT), Institute of Manipulative Physiotherapy & Clinical Training