Ascent_Neck Pain & Stress

Ascent_Neck Pain & Stress

Our Monthly Climb The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

RELIEVING STRESS-RELATED NECK PAIN IS STRESS CAUSING YOU NECK PAIN?

INSIDE: • Relieving Stress-Related Neck Pain • Orange Creamsicle Recipe • Seek a Natural Therapy for Neck Pain • Patient Success Spotlight

www.ascentptnw.com

Our Monthly Climb The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

RELIEVING STRESS-RELATED NECK PAIN IS STRESS CAUSING YOU NECK PAIN?

Does your neck hurt? You might be suffering from stress-related pain — also called a tension headache. During anxiety, muscles tense up. As muscle tension tightens, the back, shoulders and neck are affected. The more pressure they cause, the more discomfort you get. Let’s take a closer look at stress-related neck pain. Is My Neck Pain Caused by Stress? Pain worsened by keeping your head in one place — like when you’re driving, or using a computer — is neck pain. While neck pain has a slew of symptoms, its major symptoms, reported by Mayo Clinic, are:

your chances of stress-related neck pain higher. The U.S. National Library of Medicine suggests contacting a professional if you’re experiencing neck pain. Even if it’s caused by stress, untreated neck pain might later reveal muscle spasms, arthritis, bulging discs or even narrowed spinal nerve openings. Whether you have hurt your neck, shoulders, or back or have been suffering for a long time, seeing a physical therapist at Ascent Physical Therapy can help you return to a more active and pain-free life. Give us a call today: 503.427.0118

• Muscle tightness and spasms • Headache • Decreased ability to move the head

Stress-induced neck pain isn’t rare. It also isn’t psychological. Many experts think stress-induced neck pain is caused by physical factors — low, but constant, trapezius muscle activity. If your neck pain starts at the base of your shoulders, traveling upward, it may be stress related. Causes of Stress-Related Neck Pain While stress alone can trigger neck pain, a few factors can make it worse. Office environments tend to create neck pain problems — as they confine people to chairs, bad posture and little mobility. Driving often, too, can make

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SEEKANATURALTHERAPYFORNECK PAIN

HOWPHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP Neck pain, fortunately, can be alleviated with physical therapy. Because neck pain is often caused by activity, different activity can cure it. Sometimes, this “activity” means “no activity.” Before you contact a professional, try reducing your neck movements. Sometimes, simply letting your neck muscles relax is enough. If you don’t see relief within two weeks, contact a professional. Physical therapists can target your pain’s source by examining your symptoms. Then, they can offer exercises that stress, flex and relax your neck muscles. In time, your neck will become more resilient — giving you the comfort you deserve. Where after-care treatment is considered, custom-tailored neck exercises will assure your neck stays loose, limber and healthy. If you’re dealing with neck pain, you’re not alone. Call our office today, and schedule an assessment. Even if your neck pain is caused by stress, it still needs attention. We’ll work side by side with your goals, creating the proactive, effective programs you need to achieve mobility once more. https://www.spine-health.com/blog/how-relieve-neck-pain-caused-stress https://www.everydayhealth.com/neck-pain/neck-pain-reduce-stress.aspx https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0027055/ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000802.htm

Relieve Neck Pain In Minutes Try this simple exercise to keep you moving

Skinny Orange Creamsicles

Relieves Neck Pain

Cervical Retraction

Stand with your back against a wall. Position a rolled up towel behind your neck. Tuck chin like you are nodding ‘yes’. Draw your chin closer to the back of your throat. Repeat 3 times.

INGREDIENTS • 2 cups unsweetened Greek yogurt • 1 orange • 1 cup pineapple chunks • 1-2 tsp. vanilla extract • 1 tbsp. honey

Directions In a high-speed blender or food processor, combine all ingredients. Process until completely smooth. Pour into popsicle molds and freezeuntilsolid.Tryswapping theorange with different fruit. Serves 6.

www.simpleset.net

*Blend in spinach for a boost of greens.

CALL TODAY! 503.427.0118

Patient Success Spotlight

Staff Spotlight

Dr. Derek Lawr, DPT, CSCS Derek graduated from the University of Montana Physical Therapy and has been practicing outpatient orthopedic physical therapy in the greater Portland area since 2013. InhisundergraduatestudiesatWashington State University, Derek participated as a student strength and conditioning assistant to thevarsity athletics programs.

His experiences with coaching Division 1 football and basketball made lasting impressions. Notable professional athletes that Derek has worked with include: Aron Baynes (NBA Champion), Klay Thompson (NBA Champion), Brandon Gibson (NFL), and Chris Ivory (NFL). In his spare time, Derek enjoys spending time with his 2 children.Together, they love exploring Portland, going to local parks around Happy Valley, and hiking in the gorge. Derek loves weight lifting, reading, hiking, video games, and gardening! What an eclectic mix of hobbies. He reached the summit of Mt. St. Helens in May 2017 with a group of co-workers, friends, and professional colleagues. He currently has 8 blueberry bushes, 3 Asian pear trees, 2 columnar apple trees, 2 cherry trees, 1 nectarine tree, and a raised garden bed full of seasonal veggies! Derek will often bring in the large surplus of fresh fruits and vegetables to share with patients.

“I am able to return to a normal, pain-free lifestyle!” “I am able to return to a normal, pain-free life. I injured my neck and back in an auto accident. I was unable to sit for long periods of time, sleep through the night, or participate in my daily activities due to the pain. Thanks to Pat, I am able to return to a normal, pain-free life. My experience was great. Pat was very good at finding out what my symptoms were and was able to provide me with all the exercises I needed to get back on track. I really appreciate his expertise. I would definitely recommend Ascent to my friends and family, as well as my doctor for other people’s care” - Michael A.

Has Your Pain Come Back?

Special Offer

Don’t let neck pain become a way of life- Pinpoint the exact cause of your neck pain! FREE NECK PAIN ANALYSIS

1. Feel free to call us and ask to speak to your therapist . 2. Your therapist can discuss with you why your pain is bothering you again and what you might do about it at home. 3. If further assessment is warranted, your therapist might recommend you come in for an appointment.

Call 503.427.0118 to schedule your appointment today!

Call To Talk to Your Therapist Today 503.427.0118

16126 SE Happy Valley Town Center Dr #200 Happy Valley, OR 97086

Offer valid for the first 25 people to schedule. Expires 8-30-18.