Nova_The Headache and Neck Pain Connection

Nova_The Headache and Neck Pain Connection

Newsletter The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

THEHEADACHE &NECKPAIN CONNECTION The Key to Headache Relief Might Be Your Neck

INSIDE: • The Headache & Neck Pain Connection • The Problem with Posture • Exercise Essentials • Healthy Recipe

www.novaphysicaltherapy.com

Newsletter The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

THE HEADACHE & NECK PAIN CONNECTION The Key to Headache Relief Might Be Your Neck

Headaches have a bad habit of making their appearance at the most inconvenient times.The middle of the workday, early in the evening when you have hours of responsibilities ahead of you, or even first thing in the morning when you are trying to pay attention to your morning meeting — headaches don’t care how important the work ahead of you is. When they start, they are hard to stop. There are all sorts of reasons why headaches may develop. From environmental factors like weather changes and exposure to certain perfumes or other scents, to stress and allergies, headaches happen to the best of us. However, there are some headaches that may be a bit more predictable than others. Factors like your posture, the type of mattress you sleep on, the pillow you use, or even the desk chair you sit in at work can all impact your risk for experiencing regular headaches because of the intricate network of nerves and muscles in your neck. When Neck Pain Leads to Headaches The majority of the time, neck pain starts out as a seemingly small concern. A crick in your neck here or there may start to develop more frequently, and before you know it, your experience of neck pain is somethingyouaredealingwithdaily. It isn’talways the resultofsomething

large. While being in a car accident or experiencing another sort of injury can definitely lead to chronic neck pain, the cause of the issue isn’t always as simple to identify. Sometimes it is a bad habit that you don’t really think twice about, like your habit of watching TV as you fall asleep, keeping your neck at an odd angle as you rest for the evening, or maybe as a result of your posture as you type at your desk every day, hunched over at the shoulders with your neck catching the brunt of your slouch. These poor habits are common, and most of us consider them to be harmless. Sure, you know it isn’t great for you, but what is actually going to happen? It’s a lot easier to slouch as you type, and who doesn’t want to catch a few late-night laughs as they fall asleep? But the reality is that these seemingly irrelevant habits could be putting undue stress on your neck, and if you aren’t careful, this could translate to regular and uncomfortable headaches that are difficult to get rid of. Give us a call at 703-723-4088 today or visit our website at www.novaphysicaltherapy.com. We can help you find the cause of your pain and support you in achieving the remedy.

www.novaphysicaltherapy.com

The Problem with POSTURE

Working with a physical therapist can help you to identify whether or not your headaches may be the result of neck pain or strain. One of the most common causes of headaches due to neck pain is forward head position. Forward head position means that when you are resting your head, you are continuing to hold your head slightly forward, which is a type of slouching position. You can identify whether or not you have a forward head position by standing straight against the wall and determining whether or not your head rests against the wall as your back does. If your head does not touch the wall when you are standing straight, then you aren’t fully standing up straight! As years go by and day after day you continue to hold your head in this forward position, you can start to experience pain as a result of strain in the muscles of the neck. When this is an issue, working with a physical therapist may be able to help. Stretching the muscles in your neck to alleviate neck strain can reduce the severity and regularity of your headaches. Stretching the muscles that have grown tight along the back of your neck as well as those along the shoulders can help you find relief from the tension that is causing your pain.

When dealing with neck pain, it is important to remember that safety has to come first. While there are many simple activities you can try at home to begin stretching your neck muscles, working with a physical therapist is the only way to ensure that you are stretching in a way that won’t potentially lead to greater injury. For more information, give Nova Rehabilitation a call at 703-723-4088. The pain-free solution is simply an appointment away!

www.novaphysicaltherapy.com

Healthy Recipe: Blackened Chicken withAvocado CreamSauce

Exercise Essentials Try this simple exercise to help relieve your pain.

INGREDIENTS • 4 (4 oz) chicken breasts

Relieves Neck Pain

• 2 tbsp blackened seasoning • ½ cup plain, Greek yogurt • ½ avocado • 1 tsp lemon juice • ½ tsp garlic powder • ⅛ tsp salt • 2 tbsp green onions, thinly sliced

www.simpleset.net

CHIN TUCK SUPINE

1

Lie with towel roll under the curve of the neck. Without lifting head, tuck chin gently toward chest. Keep the large muscles in the neck relaxed. Hold for 2 seconds. Repeat 5 times.

INSTRUCTIONS Place the chicken breasts and blackened seasoning in a large resealable bag. Seal and shake a few times to evenly coat the chicken. Lightly coat a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until cooked through, 4-6 minutes per side. Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine the yogurt, avocado, lemon juice, garlic powder, and saltandpulseuntilsmoothandcreamy.Toserve, topeachchickenbreastwith 2 tablespoons of the creamy avocado sauce and garnish with ½ tablespoon green onions.

2

Make Your Life, Pain-Free! Call 703-723-4088, Today!

SEE THE EXPERTS IN PHYSICAL THERAPY

Vinod Mathew, PT Vinod Mathew is a Board Certified Physical TherapistandanactivememberofAmerican PhysicalTherapy Association (APTA). Vinod Mathew graduated from Fr Mullers Institute of Medical Education & Research, India in 1997. He obtained a Masters in Manual Therapy from the renowned University of Melbourne, Australia in 2001. He has over 20 years of clinical experience.

Chris Kirby Smith, PTA, BS Kinesiology

Chris Kirby-Smith has been treating patients at NOVA Rehabilitation since January 2017. Chris received his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, the study of human movement, from the University of Maryland, College Park, School of Public Health in 2009. Chris graduated fromCarrollCommunityCollege’s Physical Therapist Assistant program in 2011.

He is described by his patients as a highly competent and compassionate clinician. NOVA Rehabilitation was a long awaited dream of Vinod Mathew that finally became a reality in September 2011. Since then we have established exceptional quality physical therapy services in Northern VA. At NOVA Rehabilitation personalized care and treatment is what you will receive. Little to no wait time and a hands on holistic approach. Education University of Melbourne, Master’s in Manual Therapy Father Muller Medical College (Bachelor’s) Awards and Publications Certified in Inter Segmenial Dry Needling Technique MS in Manual Therapy (Australia)

Chris has helped patients at NOVA Rehabilitation reach or exceed their goals with hands-on manual techniques and personalized therapeutic exercises. Chris also utilizes IASTM (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization) techniques and Kinesio taping to help patient’s return to or surpass their previous level of function. Outside of the clinic, Chris enjoys outdoor activities including playing golf, hiking, camping, surfing, snowboarding, and riding off-road trials with his wife and two dogs. Chris dedicates time to training to reach his own goals attending HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) and CROSSFIT classes.

Charles Mack Jr., DPT Charles Mack Jr. (DPT) has been with NOVA Rehabilitation for more than one year. He has also worked at the facility as a student intern for 10 weeks in Spring 2017. Charles Mack Jr. graduated from Wichita StateUniversity inMay2017.WhileatWichita St, Charles co-taught “Neuromuscular Examination, Assessment and Interventions” & “Clinical Skills” as a graduate teachers

Discover HowYou Can Live Pain-Free! At NOVA Rehabilitation, you will receive hands-on therapy treatments by our friendly, caring health experts during focused and individualized sessions. It’s time to go to NOVA Rehabilitation if: • You’re tired of living in pain • You want to feel better and move better • You have been in an auto accident or injured on the job • You want to prevent injury 1. Call and talk to your therapist 2. Discover why your pain has come back 3. Get your custom recovery program

assistant. He has Basic & Performance certifications in Functional Movement Training (FMT) Taping. He is IASTM Smart tools certified. Charles is certified in Dry needling level 1 with plans of taking the level 2 course this upcoming fall. He works with patients of varying ages, concentrating his work largely in the orthopedic, neurological, and sports rehabilitation sectors of physical therapy. Charles was involved in an auto accident when he was 16 years old in which he was hit by an 18-wheeler semi-trailer truck. As a result of the accident, he had 21 surgeries, over 150 different types of medication administered to him, and experienced three separate incidences of cardiac arrest, while recovering in the hospital. Charles enjoys playing sports, going fishing, and attending church. He believes that the road life has taken him on has given him the desire to always make the most of every moment. Charles aspires to take this mindset to work with him every day, while treating his clients. He lives in our own Loudoun county with his wife.

www.novaphysicaltherapy.com