Axcess Physical Therapy_ Do you suffer with neck pain and h…

The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body Meet Swimmer, Inge Clark

Interview

What region have you been seeking treatment for at Axcess Physical Therapy? I am rehabbing my C-spine (C4-5, C6-7) to increase mobility and rotation. My goal is to delay surgery for 2 replacement discs. Describe your experience been like at Axcess and how has it helped you to accomplish your goals? I am treated as an individual. My treatment plan is customized, which allows my body to function at the level I need to. (CONTINUED INSIDE)

The Axcess Bulletin The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body SEPTEMBER 2017

Is It Possible To Live Without Neck Pain & Headaches?

Patient Success Spotlight

Do you suffer from frequent neck pain and headaches? People literally live on acetaminophen and Ibuprofen for years because they constantly have a nagging headache, induced by muscle spasms in the neck. A concern with those who have frequent headaches, is an underlying neck problem that may go untreated. The Cause of Most Headaches Headaches can range from minor nagging pains, to full-blown migraines that knock you off your feet for a day or two. Any headache, whether tremendous pain or not, should be a warning sign that the muscles in your spine and neck may be too tight and tense. Prolonged muscle tension may cause you to feel stiff and

Aaron Fuerst PT, DPT, CWCE Here’s What You Need To Do When Your Regular Treatment Plans Don’t Work Anymore

“I had a total knee replacement and have been going to Axcess PT for 3 andahalfmonths. Iamable todo things,pain free, thatwere impossible before pt. There were many PT facilities to choose from and I picked Axcess on a whim. I couldn’t have made a better choice. The staff is wonderful. They are friendly, caring, and best of all knowledgeable to your needs. I will definitely recommend Axcess to all my friends that need physical therapy.” - Robert K. “I amable to do things, pain free!” www.axcesspt.com

achy. One may feel pain in the shoulders, neck, upper back and even radiating out to the upper arms. Most people who have headaches complain about having neck and shoulder pain. The most intense pain usually lies directly in the back and upper sides of the neck. The pain then radiates into the shoulder area. This is why many people who have headaches treat themselves to frequent neck and shoulder massages. Physical therapy can help you to relieve the tightness and tension in your muscles, helping you live a happy, pain-free life.

Quote of TheMonth: “When you come to the end of your rope. Tie a knot and hang on.” Franklin D. Roosevelt

Are You Looking For Relief From Neck Pain &Headaches?

The neck can be a hidden and debilitating source of headaches. Very often neck pain and headaches go hand-in-hand, leading to a miserable time coping with every day activities. According to the National Institute of Health Statistics neck pain and headaches are the second most common form of painexperiencedbyAmericans,with59% reporting it affected theirenjoymentof life.Headachesareoften grouped under the term “cervicogenic headache” meaning that the primary source is from the neck. There are well mapped out patterns of headaches that come from the different parts of the neck, shoulder and upper back areas. The discs between your bones (vertebrae) and joints in the upper neck often contribute to headaches. Even headaches located in the forehead or behind the eyes are often referred pains stemming from problem areas in the neck and base of the skull. The jointsconnecting the top three levelsof theneck handle almost 50% of the total motion of the entire neck. This means they absorb a lot of repetitive strain.These joints bear the main load of the weight of the head (about that of a bowling ball). With Finding a Safe Pack Despite their potential problems, backpacks are great when used properly. Before you buy one, though, consider a backpack’s construction. Look for the following to choose the right backpack: • Lightweight pack: get one that doesn’t add a lot of weight toyourchild’s load; forexample, leatherpacks lookcool,but theyweighmore thancanvasbackpacks •Twowide,paddedshoulderstraps:straps thatare too narrow can dig into shoulders • Padded back: it not only provides increased comfort, but also protects kids from being poked by sharp objects or edges (pencils, rulers, notebooks, etc.) inside the pack • Waist belt: this helps to distribute the weight more evenly across the body • Multiple compartments: to help distribute the weight throughout the pack

fatigue,poorposture, injuries,discproblems,arthritis, muscular stress and even prior surgeries, the wear and tearon thiscritical regionofyourbodycanprove too much, resulting in pain. It is also possible that you may develop a narrowing of the spinal canal itself. Since the spinal cord runs through the spine, a narrowing of the canal or where thenervesexit,can lead toaconditionnamedspinal stenosis. There is much that can be done to treat neck pain and headaches. Our expert physical therapists have years of experience helping people with neck pain and headaches. By finding the root cause of your neck pain and headaches we can relieve your pain quickly, reduce the need for medication and get you back to the activities you enjoy. Discover how our team of specialists at Axcess Physical Therapy can eliminate your neck pain and headaches allowing you to live a happy, active and pain-free life. Call today for more details! Although packs on wheels (which look like small, overhead luggage bags) may be good options for students who have to lug around really heavy loads, they’re very hard to pull up stairs and to roll through snow. Check with the school before buying a rolling pack; many don’t allow them because they can be a tripping hazard in the hallways. Using Backpacks Wisely To help kids prevent injury when using a backpack: • Lighten the load. No matter how well-designed the backpack, less wate is always better. Use the bathroom scale to check that a pack isn’t over 10% to 15% of your child’s body weight (for example, the backpackofachildwhoweighs80poundsshouldn’t weigh more than 8 to 12 pounds). • Use and pick up the backpack properly. Make sure kids use both shoulder straps. Bags that are slung over the shoulder or across the chest — or that only have one strap — aren’t as effective at distributing the weight as bags with two wide shoulder straps,

If you are experiencing these symptoms talk to us about how we can help

• Difficulty turning your head from side to side • Pain at the aria where the neck and the upper back meet • Poor posture • Neck or shoulder pain that interferes with your sleep • Stiff neck • Pain when reaching for objects overhead • Limited ability to exercise • Unable to work due to pain • Neck pain that radiates into your shoulders

IS YOUR CHILD’S BACK PACK GOING TO CAUSE INJURY?

and therefore may strain muscles. Also tighten the straps enough for the backpack to fit closely to the body. The pack should rest evenly in the middle of the back and not sag down to the buttocks. You may need to adjust your kids’ backpacks and/or reduce how much they carry if they : • Struggle to get the backpack on or off • Have back pain • Lean forward to carry the backpack If your child has back pain or numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, talk to your doctor or a physical therapist.

Meet Swimmer, Inge Clark

Think Axcess PT First

Do You Have Friends or Family Who Can’t: Refer a Friend

At what age did you start competitive swimming? Ibeganswimmingcompetitively at five years old. Whathasbeenyourbiggestaccomplishment in the professional swimming ranks? My greatest accomplishment does not take the form of awards or accolades. Motivating others to try–something,anythingphysical, no matter what the level (all it takes is a mental push) – inspiring that mental push is my biggest accomplishment. It is also the most satisfying.

� Move without pain � Bend and move freely

� Balance confidently and securely � Sit for long periods comfortably � Walk for long distances � Live an active and healthy lifestyle

How are you actively in professional swimming outside of the pool (ie. Legislative responsibilities, boards etc.)? I currently serve as the Illinois Sanctions Chair, in which I assist and advise Meet Directors and fulfill and maintain sanctions. Providing swimming assistance helps me support the Swimming Saves Lives Foundation – the philanthropic arm of USMS (U.S. Masters Swimming). Describe your suits and associated costs? Two kinds of suits are used in swimming. First, the everyday training suits that may run $20- $60 each are purchased in bulk and wear through after two months of everyday use. Second, are the technical suits used only for racing in competition. Tech suits are paper thin, made of carbon filament that disintegrates after one extended competition and range from $450-$550 each. These suits have the highest level of compression, reduce drag and friction, wick away water and take 30 minutes or more to put on. What can people or local businesses do to support you or your team with the individual financial burdens of the competitive swimming? Support and sponsor your hometown competitor! What race events to you currently compete in? am a sprinter and currently compete in the 50, 100, 200 (Meter or Yards) Breaststroke and the 50, 100 (Meter or Yards) Freestyle. Describe your most recent Masters competition (Date(s), Location, eventscompetedandmost importantlymedalswon!) Irecentlycompeted in the 2017 U.S. Masters Swimming Summer National Championship (August 2-6) at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. I won medals in 7 out of 9 events. Ultimately, medals are not the most important goal – time drops are. I beat my World Championship times from 2014 in Montreal. That’s all that matters. 1,017 swimmers (441 Female) Individual Events: 50M Breast – 4th (3 way tie)

Call Today! 815.614.2100

Relieve Pain In Minutes

SCAPULAR RETRACTION

Good stretch to relax your shoulders

Stand tall, shoulders relaxed. Pull shoulder blades back and down. Don’t hunch your shoulders. Hold for 8 count repeat 8 times.

100M Breast – 6th 200M Breast – 10th 50M Free – 12th (tie), missed by .01 of a second 100M Free – 10th Relay Events: 200M Womens Medley Relay – Breaststroke Leg, 5th 200M Mixed Medley Relay – Breaststroke Leg, relay DQ

200M Womens Free Relay – 5th 200M Mixed Free Relay – 4th