Dresher PT: Relieving Neck Pain

Dresher PT: Relieving Neck Pain

HEALTH AND WELLNESS NEWS YOU CAN USE!

MARCH 2019

YOUR POSTURE IS SERIOUS BUSINESS! YOUR MOTHER WAS RIGHT TO NAG YOU…

Many of you know Donna Jones , Dresher PT’s resident “Queen of Posture” . Donna has dramatically changed the lives of countless people over the

Faulty posture can cause and/or contribute to neck and shoulder pain, headaches, back

and hip pain, and more. We see new cases of this in our office every week and age does not discriminate! Many of us know our posture could stand some improvement, but we do not know where to start.

years with her passionate focus on posture and body mechanics. She is an excellent clinician with more than 25 years of experience and is dedicated to teaching her clients how to change their postural habits and FIX THEIR PAIN!! We have countless patient letters on file raving about how Donna has changed their lives with her amazing and effective approach to addressing and correcting posture. “I had been enduring constant lower back pain for months. I was incredulous when Donna pointed out that better posture might just do the trick. I didn't believe a word, but was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt-after all she was so enthusiastic. In less than 24 hours she proved that she was not only capable of dealing with a defensive client, but that she was also RIGHT! By the end of my treatment, I'll be pain free, and I'll also have an arsenal of exercises (AND posture) that will help me maintain balance and strength and keeping me from having to lean on the shopping cart for support!” ~Janet C.

Enter Donna Jones, PT… (cue dramatic music)

• If you think your posture needs improving and you don’t know where to start… • If you’re worried about the changes you see in yourself in the mirror… • If you see someone in the grocery store hunched over their cart and do NOT want that to be you… • If you have chronic neck/back/shoulder pain that nothing has seemed to help… Then CALL US TODAY to schedule a 1-hour long postural evaluation with Donna. It may be the best hour you spend on yourself all year!!! Donna Jones, PT works at our Fort Washington Office! CALL TODAY 215-619-4545

(215) 619-4545 FORT WASHINGTON

(267) 419-8160 BLUE BELL

HEALTH AND WELLNESS NEWS YOU CAN USE!

LOOK AHEAD TO A NEW YOU! LIFE IS GOOD WITHOUT NECK PAIN

MARCH 2019

INSIDE : • Are You Hurting Your Neck While You Sleep? • Coupon Corner Neck pain can be both debilitating and terrifying. When you experience an injury that leaves your neck in severe pain, the thought of not being able to freely turn your head is overwhelmingly stressful. What’s more, the pain itself is unbearable, and since the neck is so sensitive to injury, it is important to be as careful as possible in finding treatment and solutions for the pain. It is incredible to realize how common neck pain is — especially among American adults! More than two-thirds of U.S. adults will develop neck pain at least once in their life, and the reasons for the neck pain are as varied as the population of the nation itself. Injury, muscle strain and even stress can cause significant pain in the neck and upper back. If you aren’t careful, a neck injury can lead to chronic pain, and it is even possible for chronic headaches like migraines to develop 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, you may experience chronic neck pain as a result of fluid-filled sacs that are becoming weakened over time as a result of stress and strain. Physical therapy can help alleviate the pain from degenerative disc disease by helping restore blood circulation and improve range of motion in the neck. This therapy is approached in a

• DPT Staff News and Notes • Patient Success Spotlight

careful and deliberate way so as to not cause further pain in the neck region. Sometimes, neck pain develops after a particular injury, such as due to athleticism or even as a result of a car accident or a slip and fall accident. When this happens, your pain could be a result of a muscle strain or sprain. When this is the case, then using traditional methods like hot and cold therapy and targeted physical therapy 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, which causes the space between the bones to become narrow, often causing bones to strike one another, resulting in pain. When this isn’t addressed, mechanical neck pain can spread, causing the pain to become more severe and covering a wider range of the neck. Finally, neck pain is sometimes caused by radiculopathy, which refers to pressure or irritation in the nerves of the neck, which alters the electrical signals in the neck, causing you to feel more pain throughout the day. Physical therapy can help reduce the pressure and irritation surrounding the nerves, often offering immediate relief from pain and discomfort. These are just some of the frequent causes of neck pain. It is important that you never assume that your neck pain is being caused by one or another of these issues, and that you instead always work with a licensed and experienced physical therapist to determine the precise cause of your pain and discomfort.

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T H A N K Y OU !

NECK RETRACTION Begin by standing straight and tall, being sure to relax your shoulders. Slowly draw your chin and neck inward, closer to the back of your throat. This will temporarily cause you to have a "double chin". Do NOT strain yourself and do NOT tilt your head back or tuck your chin down. Hold for 5 seconds, repeat 10 times and do this 2-3x/day. Reduces Stress On Discs, Joints And Soft Tissue Try this movement if you are experiencing neck pain. EXERCISE OF THE MONTH

Are You Hurting Your Neck While You Sleep?

There is one more factor that often is not spoken about, but it’s a frequent 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 changes that you think may be necessary. Adjust how many pillows you sleep on, the position you sleep in or even your mattress! Sleeping with one medium-sized pillow is best for most people to keep their neck in neutral alignment. Having a pillow that is too thick or too flat can cause added stress on the joints and soft tissues of the neck region. Be sure that your pillow fits securely into the nape of your neck. Always try to avoid having your upper back or shoulders on the pillow, as this steals support from the neck and could be the cause of your pain and contribute to rounded posture. Our physical therapists at Dresher Physical Therapy can also show you exercises, stretches and techniques to relieve your neck pain and prevent it from returning. If you are suffering with neck or back pain, call us today to learn more about how we can relieve your pain, returning you to a more active, pain-free life!

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Patient Success Spotlight

“After having surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff, I came to Dresher Physical Therapy to help me recover and rebuild the mobility in my shoulder. Pam was amazing and did an excellent job helping me to reach a full recovery. Thanks to Dresher Physical Therapy I can now enjoy doing everyday activities without pain!” - Barbara K. "Thanks to Dresher Physical Therapy I can now enjoy doing everyday activities without pain!"

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DPT Staff News and Notes

Some sad news to report from the DPT world. Karen McDonald will be finishing out her PT career at Dresher P.T. at the end of March 2019. Karen will be moving onto a new career in the pharmaceutical industry. Karen has been a huge part of Dresher PT for the past 13 years and she will be deeply missed by her co-workers and patients.

Do you or someone you know have back or neck pain? As a current or past patient you have access to this valuable information, at your fingertips. Start feeling better today in the privacy of your home. Go to www.dresherpt.com and scroll down about half way on the home page for your free download. This is the easiest way to get this information to our patients. Download and share with friends and family today!

YOU tell us: • What symptoms you've been struggling with • What you think may have caused your symptoms, as well as what makes them better/worse. Then WE will advise you: • What we think may be going on and offer you a working diagnosis • What you can do for yourself to feel better NOW! Karen writes: “When I joined Dresher Physical Therapy in 2006, I could immediately see that Upper Dublin was a tight-knit community. I am glad to have become a part of this community as you have allowed me to treat you and your family members. I will miss being able to interact with all of you, but I am leaving you in good hands. You will continue to have excellent care and an exceptional rehab experience. I am thankful to have worked for a place that so highly values patient care. There is no place better than Dresher Physical Therapy!” Please join us is wishing Karen all the best in her future endeavors! We are grateful for everything she has contributed to the positive environment and healing culture of DPT over the years. Good Luck, Karen!!

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Coupon Corner

FREE 15 MINUTE CONSULT FREE 15 MINUTE PHYSICAL THERAPY PHONE CONSULT WITH: MATT SEABROOK, PT OR CHRIS MILLER, PT Discuss Any Issue You've Been Dealing With Recently Causing Pain, Loss Of Mobility Or Reduced Function.

Call TODAY to schedule YOUR phone consult with Matt or Chris so you can take care of your problem!

(215) 619-4545 FORT WASHINGTON

(267) 419-8160 BLUE BELL

Spots are limited so call today!

Call to schedule a time to speak with a PT. Offer expires 4-30-19

Matt Seabrook PT, MS Director, Owner (215) 619-4545 FORT WASHINGTON

Christopher Miller DPT, OCS, Clinic Director

Would You Rather Consult By Email? That's great, too! Matt: [email protected] Chris: [email protected] OR... Visit Our Team page at: www.dresherpt.com/about/our-team/

(267) 419-8160 BLUE BELL