SOS Physiotherapy: Neck Pain and Stress

SOS Physiotherapy: Neck Pain and Stress

The Spinal Column The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

POWDER CITY ADAM&MEGHAN DAFOE TAKE ON BANFF: FEB 18’

The town of Banff Alberta sits at an altitude of 4,537ft making it Canada’s highest town and first established National Park. My wifeMeghan and I were excited to learn that Meghan’s cousin Jamie would be gettingmarried in downtown Banff, in the middle of February, outside. As ski enthusiasts, the anticipation for the trip grew even greater when we realized it would be taking place right in the middle of ski season. Of course the true reason for the trip was to attend the wedding. The wedding took place in the pavilion in the park in the centre of downtown Banff on a blustery Saturday afternoon. The view would normally have been of the surroundingmountains, however the weather had other plans. The wind blew and the snow fell and began covering the 100+ guests who were huddled under blankets around the pavilion sipping hot chocolate and amaretto, doing their best to stay warm among the snowflakes. Meghan and I in our full ski attire, not to be distracted by the cold, felt badly for the bride and bridesmaids shivering with their exposed shoulders in the wind…. After the vows, the skies began to clear and the sun poked out for the final few minutes to seal the deal! What a unique andmemorable wedding and a great way to kick off a ski trip! The following 4 days were split up between Sunshine Village and Lake Louise Ski resorts. Sunshine Village is located on the continental divide between Banff National Park and Assiniboine Provincial Park in BC. So at 8,960ft you can be in Alberta and as you descend the slope you

ski through BC! Sunshine Village was the favourite for us as there was an unprecedented amount of powder that fell through the 4 days of our visit. The amount of snow was so great mid-week, the road into Sunshine Village was closed and the mountain in-accessible until late in the day, making us wait for that much longer for our powder run! After killing it on the slopes (ok maybe we’re not that good…) we decided it was likely time to recover and ease our burning quads by spending the day touring downtown Banff and making a visit to the Banff Upper Hot Springs. Yessssss. The water from the hot springs is naturally occurring and fed directly from the Sulphur Mountain Thrust Fault and is normally approximately 100F. While in the outdoor pool located at the edge of the mountain, you can look across the valley and enjoy the vast view of Mount Rundle. Outstanding. The final 2 days were spent navigating the powder filled bowls of Lake Louise and some of the fastest tracks in Canada, being one of the first stops on the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup. A few tumbles, some sore muscles, breathtaking views and unforgettable powder, we concluded a great week and headed home to finish the ski season at Mount Chicopee… After a few runs back home, we’re already working on plans for next year’s trip out West! Adam and Meghan www.sosphysiotherapy.ca

The Spinal Column The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

ENJOY PRECIOUS MOMENTS WITHOUT NECK PAIN & HEADACHES Look Up To A Pain Free &Stress Free Life!

INSIDE: • Focus On Neck Pain To Relieve Headaches • Healthy Recipe • Mentoring Corner • Free Neck Pain Screenings

MISSPELLED MANIA EDITION! You could be the winner of a $10 Gift Card. Be one of the first 5 people to call in with a misspelled word in this newsletter! Call IN & Win! Call Today 519-743-4355

pain then radiates into the shoulder area. This is why many people who have headaches treat themselves to seek frequent neck and shoulder massages. Relief That Works Physiotherapy goes beyond massages to evaluate and treat the root cause of your pain. Muscular tightness may lead to poor joint movement and weakness. Our medical physiotherapists are trained in specialized, hands-on treatments to quickly reduce your pain. Furthermore, you can enjoy the added benefits of corrected posture and improved motion. We help to train you in gentle exercises and self-help techniques to relieve neck pain and headaches independently and prevent the problem from reoccurring. SOS Physiotherapy can help you to relieve the tightness and tension in your muscles, helping you live a happy, pain-free life.

Do you suffer from frequent neck pain and headaches? People literally live on Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen for years because they constantly have a nagging headache, induced by muscle spasms in the neck. Many people who suffer from frequent headaches fear they have an underlying neck problem that may go undiagnosed or untreated. The Cause of Most Headaches Headaches can range from minor nagging pains to full-blown migraines that knock you off your feet for a day or two. Any headache, whether tremendous pain or not, should be a warning sign that the muscles around your spine and neck may be too tight and tense. Prolonged muscle tension may cause you to feel stiff and achy. One may feel pain in the shoulders, neck, upper back and even radiating out to the upper arms. Most people who have headaches complain about having neck and shoulder pain. The most intense pain usually lies directly in the upper back sides of the neck. The

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FOCUS ON NECK PAIN TO RELIEVE HEADACHES

Relieve That Nagging Headache Naturally! The neck can be a hidden and debilitating source ofheadaches.Veryoftenneckpainandheadaches 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 North 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. 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. It is also possible that you may develop a narrowing of the spinal canal itself. Since the spinal cord runs through the spine, a narrowing of the canal or where the nerves exit, can lead to a condition called spinal stenosis.

There are well mapped out patterns of headaches that come from the different parts of the neck, shoulderandupperbackareas.Thediscsbetween yourbones (vertebrae)and joints in theupperneck 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

There is much that can be done to treat neck pain and headaches. Our physiotherapists 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 at SOS Physiotherapy can eliminate your neck pain and headaches allowing you to live a happy, active and pain-free life.

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Exercise Essential Try this movement if you are experiencing neck pain.

Healthy Recipe: Red Snapper Arugula Salad

INGREDIENTS • 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 1 tsp grated lemon • 1 tbsp lemon juice • 1/2 tsp minced garlic • 3/4 tsp kosher salt • 6 (6-ounce) red snapper fillets • 1/4 tsp black pepper • 5 ounces baby arugula • 1/4 cup sliced red onion • 2 ounces pecorino Romano cheese • 6 lemon wedges

Stretches Neck

www.simpleset.net

LEVATOR SCAPULAE STRETCH

Turn your head 45 degrees and look down at your leg on that side. Hold for a minimum of 20 seconds. Remember always stretch gently, especially around the muscles of the neck. Lighter stretches held for longer, sometimes up to a minute, tend to be more effective.

INSTRUCTIONS Combine 3 tablespoons oil, rind, juice, and garlic in a large bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt. Sprinkle fish with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add 3 fillets, skin side down; reduce heat to medium, and cook 5 minutes or until skin is golden and crisp. Turn fillets; cook 3 minutes or until done. Remove fish from pan; keep warm. Wipe pan clean; repeat procedure with remaining oil and remaining 3 fillets. Add arugula to dressing; toss. Top with onion and cheese. Serve salad with fillets and lemon wedges.

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Our Clinic to YOUR Community

Mentoring Corner

CPNA Canada 150 Project SOS Physiotherapy is a proud supporter of the Cherry Park Neighbourhood Association (CPNA) and was happy to help sponsor the Cherry Commons Picnic Shelter that was officially opened on April 28th. It was a cold day but dry and all the efforts were for a great cause. A great BBQ lunch was enjoyed by all as well as a lovely celebration cake to top off the meal. Thank you to everyone who helped make this day and the new shelter possible. Come check it out next to Cherry Park entrance on Strange Street!

The physiotherapists at SOS Physiotherapy are dedicated to learning and helping each other hone their skills to enable their patients to get the best outcomes possible. They get together weekly to practice their hands on skills and share ideas, all in an effort to improve the overall care for our patients. Here’s what we’ve been working on to get you better faster. Adam is performing an upper neck joint mobilization, specifically at the atlanto-occipital joint, physio speak for the joint between the skull and the first vertebrae (there is one on both sides of the spine) . This technique can be localized to either side of the neck and is very effective at reducing compression at the joint. It can also help relieve symptoms including headache and muscle tension. It is one of many techniques that our therapists can use to rid you of your neck pain!

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FREE Screenings at SOS Physiotherapy

Are you suffering from headaches, neck pain, or dizziness and wondering if Physiotherapy can help?

For the Month of June SOS Physiotherapy is offering FREE screens, to see if physiotherapy can help you

• Explain your injury/pain history • Receive a potential diagnosis • Learn about your injury

• Learn how to relieve your pain • Take back your life & FEEL BETTER!

Mention or Bring in This Coupon Today For a FREE Neck Pain Screening

Call Today: (519) 743-4355

Offer valid for the first 25 people to schedule. Expires 07-31-18.