Focus On Neck Pain To Relieve Headaches

Focus On Neck Pain To Relieve Headaches

H e a l t h & F i t n e s s The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

Understanding Neck Pain & Headaches | Stretching For Neck Pain Relief | Patient Success Story | Sudoku Puzzle

“Life Is Good Without Neck Pain! ” Understanding Neck Pain & Headaches Focus On Neck Pain To Relieve HEADACHES HOW NECK PAIN CAN GO TO YOUR HEAD

Headaches can stem from tightness in the neckmuscles 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 neckmuscle tightness and limitedmovement. Sincemany headaches stem fromproblems with neckmovement and posture, it is wise that you see a physical therapist; amuscle and skeletal expert to help you. Find out how you can relieve your aching neck and nagging headache for good by working with one of our experienced Physical Therapists. Call us today for more information!

“ The annual cost for chronic pain is as high as $635 billion a year, which is more than the yearly costs for cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.” - The Journal of Pain, 2012

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“Here’s Why You May Have Been Failing In Treating 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 the muscles 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 can make 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 range 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 programs to relieve your headache and neck pain!

DO YOU HAVE BACK PAIN? We Can Help YOU!

GET OUR FREE REPORT: Sciatica: The top 10 Burning Questions (plus answers!) • Simply Email John : [email protected] • Include Subject Line: “Low Back Pain Free Report” • Please include your name & address*

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*For A Physical Therapy Appointment, Please Call: 517-545-3200

*Most insurances require a PT referral

Offer valid thru 2.28.17

Patient Success Story

I’m Now Back To The Gym And Working Out!

“Hi, I’m Jim Thornton and I just completed my PT program at Mid-Michigan PT about a month ago, while I’m now back to the gym and working out! As a HVAC guy, my job is quite active and requires that I am able to reach and lift overhead throughout the day. Over many years, this can create a lot of wear and tear on your shoulders. (It’s also hard on your back and knees, but that’s another story!) Anyhow, about mid way through 2016, I started to experience left shoulder pain on a daily basis, which continued to persist. A trip to the orthopedic surgeon and a MRI confirmed my worst fear: I had a rotator cuff tear, which would require surgery, while I would be out of work for up to 3 months! After my surgery, knowing (having BCBSM) that I could choose anywhere for my Physical Therapy, I contacted Mid-Michigan PT for an appointment. To be honest, I wouldn’t go anywhere else! (Over the years, they have successfully treated my neck, back, knees…they really know what they’re doing!) So, I started my PT and on the first day, they outlined my entire program including what I had to do at home. Well, I made a textbook recovery. Every week, I steadily improved. My shoulder motion increased every week and then my strength improved. After about 10-12 weeks, I had little to no pain in my shoulder, I was able to reach overhead and lift light weights to shoulder level with ease and I was able to get back to work. Awesome, right? When asked about Mid-Michigan PT, I tell people: “There is no better place to go for PT, while with regard to my shoulder I could not be happier with how it now feels!” - Jim T.

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A Special Thank You

PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNERS Mid-Michigan Physical Therapy Specialists

People’s Choice Winner

A Special Thank You to the following for referring their family & friends to our practice for Physical Therapy this past December. Thank You!

Thomas McCloskey Lisa Chaperone

Tom Diskin Jaylin Lawrence MIke Fournier Hannah Brenner Carol McClements Carol Brate Margaret Skym Aileen Judd

Mary Killeen Penny Woody Dan Santioni Sharon Koss Mike Campbell Dana Nelson

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Wimbleton In The Winter! As most of you know, I (John) am Irish, while what many of you may not know, is while I live in the U.S. I have a brother (Peter) that lives in the outskirts of London, England and about 20 miles from the town of Wimbleton, which is of course where the Wimbleton Grand Slam tennis tournament is held each year for 2 weeks in the summer. To the delight of the British fans, the British tennis star Andy Murray won this event in 2016! Anyhow, while visiting my brother (and parents) this past December, we had a chance to visit this bustling quaint little town which becomes even more alive at the end of June every year. What always surprises us over there, is how little people tend to drive, but instead opt to take the tram, the train, a double decker bus, a taxi or an Uber to get around!

So, what is there to do in Wimbledon in December? Our answer to that question, have lunch at a traditional English pub while watching ‘soccer on the telly!’ And go to a pantomime! (Which is kind of a musical comedy). These happen to very popular in England, especially around the holidays, while we had the chance to see ‘Dick Whittington’ which attracted a packed house and was lots of fun! If you’ve never been to London, in my opinion, make sure it’s on your bucket list!

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Remember To Stay Active! Have FUN: Sudoku Puzzle!

Think Mid-Michigan PT Specialists FIRST

Why You Need To Come In For Another Check-Up: � Move without pain

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

� Bend and move freely � Balance confidently and securely

TAKE CARE OF YOUR ACHES & PAINS BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!

Call Today! 517-545-3200

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WINTER RECIPE: Slow Cooker Veggie Lasagna

11 INGREDIENTS • 1 large egg • 1 15- to 16-ounce part-skim ricotta • 1 5-ounce package baby spinach • 3 large portobello mushroom caps, halved and thinly sliced • 1 small zucchini, thinly sliced • 1 28-ounce crushed tomatoes • 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes • 3 cloves garlic, minced • Pinch of crushed red pepper (optional) • 15 whole-wheat lasagna noodles (about 12 ounces) • 3 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella, divided

DIRECTIONS Combine egg, ricotta, spinach, mushrooms and zucchini in a large bowl. Combine crushed and diced tomatoes and their juice, garlic and crushed red pepper (if using) in a medium bowl. Generously coat a 6-quart or larger slow cooker with cooking spray. Spread 1½ cups of the tomato mixture in the slow cooker. Arrange 5 noodles over the sauce, overlapping them slightly and breaking into pieces to cover as much of the sauce as possible. Spread half of the ricotta-vegetable mixture over the noodles and firmly pat down, then spoon on 1½ cups sauce and sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella. Repeat the layering one more time, starting with noodles. Top with a third layer of noodles. Evenly spread the remaining tomato sauce over the noodles. Set aside the remaining 1 cup mozzarella in the refrigerator. Put the lid on the slow cooker and cook on High for 2 hours or on Low for 4 hours. Turn off the slow cooker, sprinkle the reserved mozzarella on the lasagna, cover and let stand for 10 minutes to melt the cheese.

Upcoming Events

EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR In February , we will be hosting a Seminar for the Public on “Back Pain and Sciatica” (Date to be announced) If interested, please call 517-545-3200! Watch your Inbox for further information! CONTEST The first person to email John ([email protected]) the answer to this question: “Who won the Men’s Singles at Wimbleton in 2016?” Will win a $25 gift certificate! (Answer Inside!)

FREE BACK PAIN REPORT

Howell 2810 W. Grand River, Ste. 100 Howell, MI 48843 Phone: 517-545-3200 Fax: 517-545-3236

Brighton 7701 W. Grand River, Ste .100 Brighton, MI 48114 Fowlerville 125 E. Grand River, P.O. Box 323 Fowlerville, MI 48836

CO-OWNERS Glenda Maines, PT, DPT, MEd, OCS John Dean, PT, DPT, MHS, OCS, SCS

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We Listen, We Care, We Get Results • Post-Surgery Rehab • Pediatric to Senior Care • Women’s Health Program • And Much More! PHYSICAL THERAPY SERVICES • Physical Therapy • Sports Therapy • Spinal Care • Balance and Fall Prevention

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H E A LT H & F I T N E S S The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

“What Am I Doing Wrong In Treating My Chronic Headache? ” Understanding Neck Pain & Headaches

It’stheendofthedayandyourhead ispounding and your neck is aching. Was it the work you were doing? Was it the stress or the way you weresitting?Yourneck isan intricatestructure with hundreds of muscles and nerves. The joints inyourneckprovidemovementwhile the discs in between the bones, give support and shockabsorption. In today’sworldofsitting for longperiodsatwork,computersandwatching TV your neck muscles, joints and nerves can become strained and irritated. The fact is that even the simplest movements cancauseshortperiodsofneckpain.Yetsome of us may actually be experiencing chronic neck pain. Simple, repetitive movements can lead toprolongedmuscle tightness,whichcan take time to show symptoms. In comparison, musclestrainshappenwithquick joltssuchas an injury or lifting something too heavy.

INSIDE: • Understanding Neck Pain & Headaches

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• Stretching For Neck Pain Relief

Hi, I am Jim. read more about my experience with Mid-Michigan PT in my Patient Success Story!

• Exclusive Offer

• Sudoku Puzzle

• Winter Recipe