PT of Melissa: Relieving Neck Pain

PT of Melissa: Relieving Neck Pain

Health &Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

RELIEVING YOUR NAGGING NECK PAIN Look Up To A Life Free Of Pain!

Neck pain can be a constant ache or sharp pain with movement, stopping you from enjoying life’s activities. Neck pain is very common affecting approximately two-thirds of the population at one point or another. People with neck pain suffer mainly fromone of the following conditions:

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Together we get better! | www.ptofmelissa.com

Health & Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

INSIDE: • Are You Hurting Your Neck While You Sleep? • Tasty Recipe • Relieve Neck Pain In Minutes • Patient Success Spotlight RELIEVING YOUR NAGGING NECK PAIN Continue An Active Lifestyle Free Of Pain!

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Degenerative Disc Disease Thediscsare thefluid-filledsacsbetween thebonesofyourneck.Thenormal aging process shrinks the discs and dries them out. Repeated stress and strain also weakens the tissues that make up a disc. When this happens, the disc loses its ability to absorb shock. In turn, this causes rubbing and changes in the shape of the joints in your neck, which can be painful. Muscle Strain When there is an injury to the neck or you overuse the shoulder and neck muscles, a strain can occur. When this happens, the neck muscles may go into spasm to help support and protect the sore area. Mechanical Neck Pain Mechanical pain usually starts from changes in the neck joints. As discs start to collapse, the space between the neck bones narrows, and the joints may become inflamed. The pain is usually chronic and is typically felt in the middle part of the neck. However, it may spread from the neck into the upper back or to the outside of the shoulder in some cases.

Radiculopathy Pressure or irritation on or around the nerves of the neck can affect the nerves’ electrical signals.The pressure or irritation can be felt as numbness on the skin, weakness in the muscles or pain along the path of the nerve. Weakness in the spine muscles can cause abnormal pressure on the nerves and increased chance of radiculopathy. If you are suffering from neck pain, our SPINE Program is ideal to quickly relieve your pain and prevent it from returning. From long-term neck pain, to recovering from a complicated surgery, we can relieve your pain quickly, returning your natural mobility and strength. Our treatments are designed to help ease pain and to improve flexibility, strength, posture and function. We even teach you how to protect your neck in the years ahead. Call today to learn more about our SPINE Program and say goodbye to that aching neck!

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ARE YOU HURTING YOUR NECK WHILE YOU SLEEP?

We spend one-third of our lives sleeping. Therefore, how you sleep and the bed you sleep on can have a dramatic effect on the support of your body. When you sleep you need to be aware of how your neck and spine are supported. There are many different types of beds on the market today which can be very confusing for consumers. The best type of bed is the one that you try out and feel most comfortable using. Typically, a bed that is firm underneath, with a softer top helps to provide support as well as contour your body. If your mattress is old, then think about investing in a new one so that your neck and spine are supported well. The best positions to sleep in for your spine are on your back or sides. Avoid sleeping on your stomach since your spine ends up twisted, especially your neck. Over the hours of repetitive sleeping on your stomach, you can damage the joints of your spine and compress the nerves exiting your spine. Use a pillow to help support your body and take the weight of your legs off your spine. If you like to sleep on your back, place a pillow under the backs of your thighs and knees. This should place your knees in a slight, supported bend which takes pressure off your lower back. If you sleep on your side, be sure to put a pillow between your knees. This helps keep the alignment of your spine, and takes the pressure of your upper leg off the spine. Have 1-2 pillows under your head to keep your neck in proper alignment. If you need 2 pillows stagger them so that one pillow overlaps the other by one half. The lower half goes under the shoulders, while the upper half supports the neck.

As part of our SPINE Program, our physical therapists can show you exercises, stretches and techniques to relieve your pain and prevent it from returning. If you are suffering with neck or back pain, call us today to learn more about our SPINE Program and discover how we can relieve your pain, returning you to a more active, pain-free life!

Contact us to schedule an appointment today at 972-837-4450!

Tasty Recipe

Discover How To Live Pain Free!

At Physical Therapy of Melissa, you will receive hands-on therapy treatments by our friendly, caring health experts during focused and individualized sessions. CALL AND TALK TO YOUR THERAPIST DISCOVER WHY YOUR PAIN HAS COME BACK GET YOUR CUSTOM RECOVERY PROGRAM

Fresh Fruit Yogurt Ice Pops

INGREDIENTS • 2 cups fresh blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and sliced bananas, mixed • 2 cups plain or vanilla yogurt

INSTRUCTIONS Place the mixed blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, sliced bananas, yogurt, and sugar into a blender. Cover, and blend until fruit is chunky or smooth, as desired. Fill paper cups 3/4 full with fruit mixture. Cover the top of each cup with a strip of aluminum foil. Poke a popsicle stick through the center of the foil on each cup. Place the cups in the freezer for at least 5 hours. To serve, remove foil and peel off the paper cup.

• 1/4 cup white sugar • 8 small paper cups • 8 popsicle sticks

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CALL TODAY! (972) 837-4450

PRACTICE NEWS

PATIENT SUCCESS SPOTLIGHT

“PhysicalTherapy of Melissa is the best. Great staff all around.They helped me with my tricky neck issue. I would recommend Physical Therapy of Melissa to anybody! What a great experience!” – Joe M. “I would recommend Physical Therapy of Melissa to anybody! What a great experience!”

6 YEARS!

We’d like to congratulate Lindsey Anderson, Physical Therapy Aide, on her 6th anniversary with us. We appreciate all you do for our patients. Thanks so much!

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Let us do the same for you! Check out more reviews on Google by searching “Physical Therapy Of Melissa.”

Relieve Neck Pain In Minutes Try this movement if you are experiencing neck pain.

Summer is here and we want to be sure you’re fit to handle all of the out- door activities and sports the summer brings. If you have aches or pains, pleasegiveusacallandschedulea freescreeningsowecangetyougoing! We can help: Do You Suffer From Neck Pain?

Stretches Neck

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LEVATOR SCAPULAE STRETCH

Grasp your arm on the affected side and tilt your head downward into the armpit. Use your opposite hand to guide your head further into the stretch. Hold for 30 seconds. Repeat 3 times.

Mention or Bring in This Coupon Today For a NECK PAIN SCREENING

Call Today: 972-837-4450

Offer valid for the first 25 people to schedule. Expires 08-30-18

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