STAR Physical Therapy: Relieving Neck Pain

STAR Physical Therapy: Relieving Neck Pain

March, 2018 NEWSLETTER

BRITTANY DALE, PHYSICAL THERAPIST Please Welcome

Brittany started with STAR in 2014. She began as a Physical Therapy Technician. Then when she was in Physical Therapy school at Marshall, she conducted an internship at STAR. Now we are excited to have her back as a staff Physical Therapist! Here are some key things to know about Brittany: She enjoys working out most days because it makes her energized and puts her in a good mood. She loves to travel to new places - beach vacations and cruises are her favorite. “I keep coming back to STAR because I love the atmosphere of all of the clinics and all of the patients that walk through the doors. All of the PTs, PTAs, and techs are always in a good mood and do their best to put the patients in a good mood and that just makes me enjoy my time at work.” Brittany’s “words of wisdom”: “Good things come to those who believe, better things come to those who are patient and the best things come to those who don’t give up.” I use this quote with some of my patients that are feeling unmotivated or disappointed with their progress to help them get through whatever they are going through too.

Brittany,

WE ARE SO HONORED TO HAVE YOU AT STAR!!

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NEWSLETTER

March, 2018

RELIEVING NECK PAIN “Life Can Get Better If You Seek Treatment Now!”

INSIDE: • Are You Hurting Your Neck While You Sleep? • Computerized Neck Testing • Relieve Neck Pain In Minutes • Patient Success Spotlights CALL IN! Call for your FREE NECK PAIN ANALYSIS Call our clinic nearest you to schedule your first step out of pain today!

Mechanical Neck Pain Mechanicalpainusuallystartsfromchanges intheneck joints. As discs start to collapse, the space between the neck bones narrows, and the joints may become inflamed.Thepain isusuallychronicand is typicallyfelt 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 thenerve.Weakness in thespinemusclescancause abnormalpressureonthenervesand increasedchance of radiculopathy. Ifyouaresuffering fromneckpain,ourSPINEProgram 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.

Neck Pain with Matt Slimming, PT, DPT

Dear Valued Client,

Neck pain can be a constant ache or sharp pain with movement,stoppingyou from enjoying life’s activities. Neck pain isverycommon,affecting

Matt Slimming Physical Therapist

approximately two thirdsof thepopulationatonepoint or another. People with neck pain suffer mainly from

one of the following conditions: Degenerative Disc Disease

Thediscsare thefluidfilledsacsbetween thebonesof yourneck.Thenormalagingprocessshrinks thediscs 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.

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ARE YOU HURTING YOUR NECKWHILE 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. Thebestpositions tosleep in foryourspineareonyourbackorsides.Avoid sleeping on your stomach since your spine ends up twisted, especially your neck.Overthehoursofrepetitivesleepingonyourstomach,youcandamage 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. Our physical therapists at STAR Physical Therapy can show you exercises, stretches and techniques to relieve your pain and prevent it from returning.

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9 8 If you are suffering with neck or back pain, call us today to learn more about how we can relieve your pain, returning you to a more active, pain-free life! http://1sudoku.com n° 226073 - LevelMedium

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ROQUEFORT PEAR SALAD INGREDIENTS • 1 head leaf lettuce • 3 pears • 5 ounces Roquefort cheese • 1 avocado • 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions • 1/4 cup white sugar • 1/2 cup pecans • 1/3 cup olive oil • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

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• 1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar • 1 1/2 teaspoons prepared mustard • 1 clove garlic, chopped • 1/2 teaspoon salt • Fresh ground black pepper to taste

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DIRECTIONS In a skillet over medium heat, stir 1/4 cup of sugar together with the pecans. Continue stirring gently until sugar has melted and caramelized the pecans. Carefully transfer nuts onto waxed paper. Allow to cool, and break into pieces. For the dressing, blend oil, vinegar, 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar, mustard, chopped garlic, salt, and pepper. In a large serving bowl, layer lettuce, pears, blue cheese, avocado, and green onions. Pour dressing over salad, sprinkle with pecans, and serve.

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Patient Success Spotlight

Print sudoku http://1sudoku.com All workshops occur at 10AM on Saturdays! UPCOMING BACK PAIN & SCIATICA WORKSHOPS

March 24th & April 28th LAKEFRONT / GENTILLY March 31st & April 21st SLIDELL

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“My Neck Feels Great!” Success Story: Kelley F.

“I came to physical therapy for a sore neck and shoulder. My neck hurt so much it was interfering with my sleep and workouts. After starting my physical therapy routine, m neck feels great, I haven’t had to take any pain meds, and I sleep great!

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Computerized Neck Testing

4 Relieve Neck Pain In Minutes Try this movement if you are experiencing neck pain. 8 1

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COMPUTERIZED NECK STRENGTH TESTING Do you have neck pain or headaches? Do you feel that your head weighs a ton? Do you feel that just holding your head upright is harder than it should be? If you have had neck pain for longer than 2 - 3 weeks, the chances are that your neck has now become significantly weaker than it should be. When your neck is weak, the muscles go into spasm. This makes the neck pain increase and also can cause headaches. The MedX Computerized Neck Machine allows us to test your neck strength. You will know exactly how weak your neck is compared to what it should be. You will even see a graph that shows you exactly where you are weak. Once you know how weak you are, it’s just a matter of doing the right, pain- free exercises to get strong again. Call our clinic closest to you to get tested. It’s the first step in the process of getting your neck strong again. It’s a vicious cycle.

2 4 5 7 9 2 Helps Neck Pain LEVATOR SCAPULAE STRETCH Tilt your head downward into the armpit of the opposite side. You only want to feel a mild stretch. If there is any other feeling (pain, tingling, numbness), stop immediately. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat 5 times. 9 6 2 1 2 6 7

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