ProActive: Neck Pain and Stress

THE NEWSLETTER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND CARING FOR YOUR BODY N E W S L E T T E R

KATELYN SMIT, PTA GETTING TO KNOW THE PROACTIVE PHYSICAL THERAPY & SPORTS REHAB TEAM!

Q: What makes you excited to jump out of bed and head to work each day? I get excited about the opportunity to develop a relationship with each patient and implement personalized treatments to help each one reach personal goals. I like the variety of patients I get to work with each day. Q: What led to your decision to work at ProActive Physical Therapy? While growing up in Sioux Center, I had always admired ProActive’s reputation of investing in people and the community as a whole. ProActive Physical Therapy is active in the community and the schools and I am excited to be part of that. I like the variety of each day and the opportunity to treat a wide range of patients from young athletes to geriatric patients. Q: What is one thing you’d like every patient to walk away with from their experience at ProActive Physical Therapy? I would like all patients to walk away knowing they were heard and cared for, and realizing that we are truly invested in their health.

Katelyn started working at ProActive Physical Therapy after receiving her Associate of Applied Science degree from Western Iowa Tech Community College. Prior to that, she studied Exercise Science at the University of Northern Iowa where she developed the desire to work in the physical therapy field. Katelyn is passionate about what Physical Therapy can offer people of all ages and health conditions. Outside the clinic, her husband, Troy, and her stay busy raising their three energetic kids. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, being involved in the community through the local schools and church, and staying active outdoors. INSIDE : • Is Stress Causing Your Neck Pain?

• Exercise Of The Month • Patient Success Spotlight

• Focus On Neck Pain To Relieve Headaches

www.proactivephysicaltherapy.net

THE NEWSLETTER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND CARING FOR YOUR BODY N E W S L E T T E R

IS STRESS CAUSING YOUR NECK PAIN? LOOK FORWARD TO A LIFE FREE OF PAIN INSIDE : • Focus On Neck Pain To Relieve Headaches • Healthy Recipe Does your neck hurt? If so, you might be suffering from stress-related pain — also known as a tension headache. As muscle tension tightens, the back, shoulders, and neck can become 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 (such as driving or using a computer) can cause neck pain. Some common symptoms associated with neck pain include: · 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 and travels 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 can affect neck pain, as they confine people to chairs, possibly resulting in poor posture and limited mobility. Driving frequently can also contribute to stress-related neck pain.

• Exercise Of The Month • Patient Success Spotlight

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 may become more chronic and lead to other complications. How Physical Therapy Can Help My Neck Pain Fortunately, neck pain can be alleviated with physical therapy. Physical therapist can evaluate contributing factors to your neck pain including excessive muscle tone, joint mobility, poor postures, or weakness. A personalized treatment plan can then be developed to meet your needs. If you are tired with dealing with a pain in your neck, contact ProActive Physical Therapy. Our physical therapists can help guide you to which treatments or exercises may benefit you. In time, your neck will become more resilient and the pain can decrease. Your physical therapist can also provide you with after-care exercises that you can do even after your treatments are over. These 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 to schedule an assessment. We’ll work side by side with you to help you accomplish your goals by creating proactive, effective programs you need to improve your mobility.

Sources: https://www.moveforwardpt.com/symptomsconditionsdetail.aspx?cid=8402b1d2-6580-41b2-b4ff- 25a0cd6dac3a https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0027055/ https://www.spine-health.com/ blog/how-relieve-neck-pain-caused-stress

www.proactivephysicaltherapy.net

Focus On Neck Pain To Relieve Headaches

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. Strengthens Neck www.simpleset.net EXERCISE OF THE MONTH Try this movement if you are experiencing neck pain.

Disclaimer: As there is a risk of injury with any activity, use caution when performing exercises. If you experience any pain or discomfort, discontinue the exercise and contact your health care provider.

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 everyday activities. According to the National Institute of Health Statistics, neck pain and headaches are the second most common form of pain experienced by Americans, with 59% reporting it affected their enjoyment of life. Some headaches are often 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 joints connecting the top three vertebral levels of the neck 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 fatigue, poor posture, injuries, disc problems, arthritis, muscular stress and even prior surgeries, the wear and tear on this critical region of your body can prove too much, resulting in pain. There is much that can be done to treat neck pain and headaches. Our 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 ProActive Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab can relieve your neck pain and headaches allowing you to live a happy, active, and healthier life. Call today for more details!

HEALTHY RECIPE Berry-Almond Smoothie Bowl

INGREDIENTS: • ⅔ cup frozen raspberries • ½ cup frozen sliced banana • ½ cup plain unsweetened almond milk • 5 tbsp sliced almonds, divided • ¼ tsp ground cinnamon • ⅛ tsp ground cardamom • ⅛ tsp vanilla extract • ¼ cup blueberries • 1 tbsp unsweetened coconut flakes

INSTRUCTIONS: Blend raspberries, banana, almond milk, 3 tablespoons almonds, cinnamon, cardamom and vanilla in a blender until very smooth. Pour the smoothie into a bowl and top with blueberries, the remaining 2 tablespoons almonds and coconut.

CALL US TODAY IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING NECK PAIN

Patient Success Spotlight

Refer A Friend Who Do You Know That Needs Our Help?

“ProActive has been a vital part of treating my pain and helping me maintain mobility and flexibility of my neck.” “ProActive Physical Therapy has been a key part of my 6-year journey with neck issues. Following surgery to replace and fuse vertebrae, I thought I would be spending a couple months in therapy, and ProActive would become a memory. But as my neck has deteriorated over the years, ProActive has been a vital part of treating my pain and helping me maintain mobility and flexibility of my neck. Every step along the way they have made therapy adjustments to ensure the best treatment – it’s not a “cookie cutter” process with the ProActive team. Every patient is special and treated like family.” - Cindy N.

Do You Have Friends Or Family Unable To Do The Following:

� Move without pain

� Sit comfortably for long periods

� Bend & move freely

� Walk for long distances

� Balance confidently & securely

� Live an active & healthy lifestyle

If you know someone suffering with aches and pains give the gift of health. Refer them to ProActive Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab today.

Pass along this newsletter or have them call us directly to schedule an appointment.

About ProActive!

Discover How To Live A Healthier Life!

At ProActive Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab, you will receive hands- on therapy treatments by our friendly, caring health experts during focused and individualized sessions.

ProActive Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab seeks to provide the highest quality of care for our patients. We are dedicated to serving each patient in their rehabilitation and wellness needs with a comprehensive approach that supports each patients individual needs. We are committed to providing patients with the knowledge necessary for them to be actively involved in their care and recovery.

1. CALL AND TALK TO YOUR THERAPIST

2. DISCOVER WHY YOUR PAIN HAS COME BACK

WE OFFER 2 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS CALL TO SCHEDULE TODAY!

3. GET YOUR CUSTOM RECOVERY PROGRAM

110 16th St SW Sioux Center, IA 51250 Phone: 712.722.1902 Fax: 712.722.1905 Sioux Center

301 10th Street Suite C Sheldon, IA 51201 Phone: 712.324.0110 Fax: 712.324.0031 Sheldon

www.proactivephysicaltherapy.net