Renew PT. Is Your Neck Pain Caused By Stress?

Renew PT. Is Your Neck Pain Caused By Stress?

Physical Therapy N E W S L E T T E R

IS STRESS THE SOURCE OF YOUR NECK PAIN?

ALSO INSIDE

How Physical Therapy Can Help Relieve your Neck Pain Healthy Recipe • Up Your Immunity Game!

Physical Therapy N E W S L E T T E R

IS STRESS THE SOURCE OF YOUR NECK PAIN?

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, traveling 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 tend to create neck pain problems — as they confine people to chairs, bad posture and little mobility. Driving often, too, can make your chances of stress-related neck pain higher. 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 might later reveal muscle spasms, arthritis, bulging discs or even narrowed spinal nerve openings.

Does your neck hurt? You might be suffering from stress-related pain — also called a tension headache. During anxiety, muscles tense up. As muscle tension tightens, the back, shoulders and neck are 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 — like when you’re driving, or using a computer — is likely postural related neck pain. While neck pain has a slew of symptoms, its major symptoms, reported by Mayo Clinic, are: • Muscle tightness and spasms • Headaches • Decreased ability to move the head

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HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP RELIEVE YOUR NECK PAIN

by stress, it still needs attention. We’ll work side by side with your goals, creating the proactive, effective programs you need to achieve mobility once more.

Neck pain, fortunately, can be alleviated with physical therapy. Because neck pain is often caused by activity, different activity can cure it. Sometimes, this “activity” means “no activity.” Before you contact a professional, try reducing your neck movements. Sometimes, simply letting your neck muscles relax is enough. If you don’t see relief within two weeks, contact a professional. Physical therapists can target your pain’s source by examining your symptoms. Then, they can offer exercises that stretch, flex and relax your neck muscles. In time, your neck will become more resilient — giving you the comfort you deserve. Where after-care treatment is considered, 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, and schedule an assessment. Even if your neck pain is caused

Visit renewptnorthshore.com for more information, or call your physical therapist at Renew Physical Therapy to schedule your appointment today!

Sources

https://www.spine-health.com/blog/how-relieve-neck-pain-caused-stress https://www.everydayhealth.com/neck-pain/neck-pain-reduce-stress.aspx https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0027055/ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000802.htm

https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/most-neck-pain-improves-with-self-care-time/ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/neck-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20375581

EXERCISE ESSENTIALS Perform This Exercise To Relieve Neck Pain In Minutes!

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT DIRECT ACCESS? Did you know that you are not required to see your primary physician before seeing a physical therapist? We are now able to evaluate you, determine if you need physical therapy, and implement a treatment program… ALL without a referral! So call for an appointment today! Minor aches and pains can be fixed quickly when addressed early. No need to make a trip to the Doctor’s office first, let our movement specialists evaluate and treat your needs.

BILATERAL SUBOCCIPITAL STRETCH While lying on a flat surface, put both hands behind your head, cupping the base of your skull with your thumbs. Tuck your chin downwards and apply a firm force up your skull with both thumbs to feel a moderate stretch in the back of the upper neck. Hold for at least 30 seconds.

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Call 985.809.3940 (Covington) or 985.674.4037 (Mandeville) or visit our website at renewptnorthshore.com to schedule your consultation today!

COVID-19 ANNOUNCEMENT:

Renew PT will be remaining open to provide essential care. In light of the COVID-19 , we are taking every precaution to ensure your health and safety. We believe that continuing to offer physical therapy will not only help patients continue their recovery and stay on course but also give recently injured patients or chronic pain sufferers someone to readily consult without visiting the doctor’s office. That being said, we want to assure you that we are taking the proper precautions to encourage social distancing, maintain a virus-free environment, and provide hand sanitizer for staff and patients. We have adjusted our schedules to accomodate patients every hour and have made sure to comply with social distancing guidelines by only having 10 people in each clinic at a time. Before and after every session, we are asking our clients and staff to wash or sanitize their hands. Additionally, we have increased the number of times per day that we sanitize our equipment and facility. To do your part to prevent the spread of this contagious disease, we ask those demonstrating symptoms of coronavirus—coughing, sneezing or fever—to please stay home. Additionally, if you have been exposed to someone who has a confirmed case of the virus, please notify us immediately so we can take necessary steps.

HEALTHY RECIPE CHICKEN MANGO SALAD INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups sugar snap peas, thinly sliced diagonally • 2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast • 1 mediummango, sliced • ½ cup coarsely choppedmint • ¼ cup sliced scallions • 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

• 1/3 cup orange juice • 3 tbsp rice vinegar • 3 tbsp soy sauce • 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil • 2 tsp sambal oelek (optional) • 6 cups thinly sliced napa cabbage

DIRECTIONS Whisk juice, vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil and sambal oelek (if using) in a large bowl. Add cabbage, peas, chicken, mango, mint and scallions; toss gently to coat. Serve the salad sprinkled with sesame seeds.

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UP YOUR IMMUNITY GAME WITH THESE ESSENTIAL VITAMINS

The essential vitamins found within fruits and vegetables are key to making sure your immune system is as healthy as possible. VitaminC helpsyourbodyboost itsproduction of the antioxidant that is required by the immune systemto functionoptimally. Vitamin C increases your body’s production of interferon, which is anti-viral. Vitamin C is also thought to help boost the production of white blood cells, key to fighting infections. Fruits high in Vitamin C include: grapefruit, oranges, tangerines, lemons, limes, kiwis and clementines. A single papaya has 224 percent of the daily recommended amount of Vitamin C. Red bell peppers contain even twice as

much Vitamin C than citrus fruits. Vegetables such as broccoli and spinach boast a good amount of Vitamin C as well as antioxidants. Vitamin D is another effective supplement to help boost your immune system. Look for yogurt that is fortifiedwith VitaminDand that has a "live and active cultures" label. VitaminD may stimulate your immune systemandboost your body's natural defence against diseases. Vitamin B6 is vital for supporting chemical reactions in the immune system and for the formation of new and healthy red blood cells. B6 also helps your body make interleukin-2which helps direct the actions of yourwhite blood cells. Poultry, such as chicken

and turkey, is high in Vitamin B6. Sunflower seeds are alsopacked full of VitaminB6 aswell as phosphorus, magnesium, and Vitamin E. Vitamin E is key to a healthy immune system as it helps to regulate andmaintain function. It can be found in sunflower seeds, almonds, avocados, and dark leafy greens. Zinc is also needed by our bodies to support a healthy immune system. Shellfish such as crab, clams, lobster, and mussels are all packedwith zinc.Make sure to stick to thedaily recommended amount 11mg for men and 8mg for women, as too much could actually inhibit the immune system.

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