ReQuest: Relief For Radiating Neck Pain & Headaches

ReQuest: Relief For Radiating Neck Pain & Headaches

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

“ Nagging Necks & Thumping Heads! ” RELIEF FOR RADIATING NECK PAIN & HEADACHES

Do you find it hard to get comfortable at night because of the ache in your neck or find you just hurt when you try to move in a certain direction? Many people suffer from chronic neck pain, tightness, and frequent headaches. However, few get the needed attention to address the root cause of the problem, trying to mask the symptoms with Advil or Tylenol.

INSIDE: • Relief For Radiating Neck Pain & Headaches • Common Problems Associated With Neck Pain • Patient Results • Exercise Essentials • Health & Wellness Tips • ReQuest A Healthy Back & Neck

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

“Is Your Neck Pain Causing Your Headaches?” RELIEF FOR RADIATING NECK PAIN & HEADACHES

The neck is very complicated in its structure requiring good movement, posture, and support. Most of the rotating of your head comes from the upper part of the neck. Therefore, this is a very important part of your body. It is where the thickest part of the spinal cord goes through the spinal canal to the brain. It is also an important area that determines how your body balances. Main Causes of Neck Pain Neck pain can start for a number of reasons such as poor posture with sitting, car accidents, stress, injuries, or even falls. Since the neck is where blood vessels travel through to supply your head, muscle tightness can cause spasms of the arteries around the nerves of the neck and head. This can cause headaches or even trigger migraines. People with neck problems often experience pain, tingling, or numbness, into the arms, hands, and even fingers. This happens, because the nerves exiting the spine in your neck, supply sensations to your arms and hands. If you find these types of symptoms occurring, it is important that you see one of our expert physical therapists at ReQuest Physical Therapy. There is a lot that you can do to help your neck pain. The key is preventing the neck pain from starting in the first place. However, our daily lives don’t always dictate what is good for our neck and shoulders. In today’s society we sit a lot in slouched positions which is not good for the neck, upper back, and shoulders. Our jobs, driving in the car, picking up heavy objects, and repetitive straining can hurt the neck over a period of time. Have the spine experts at ReQuest Physical Therapy examine your neck alignment, posture, movement, strength, and function to zero in on the root cause of your neck pain or headaches. Then with precise treatment and expert education we teach you how to prevent it from returning. Call us today to learn more how we can relieve your “pain in the neck”!

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Common Problems Associated With NECK PAIN

Upper Neck

Pain or injury here is often responsible for headaches to the scalp and face. This area helps with overall body balance and the ability to rotate the neck.

Mid Neck Pain or injury here is responsible for weakness and pain to the shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers.

Lower Neck

Pain or injury in this area often presents with limited motion and contributes to a forward head posture. As a result this increases strain on the neck causing muscle pain and tension.

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Do you want a natural solution to your pain? Gain your freedom from pain medication and avoid costly surgery with physical therapy!

FREE NECK PAIN ANALYSIS We can help you feel better naturally with a

We can help you: Naturally relieve aches and pain. Increase your strength. Be more active with your friends and family.

• Cost Effective • Non-invasive • Safe & Natural • State-of-the-art facilities Features of Physical Therapy:

Have more energy. Feel better at work.

Offer valid for the first 25 people to schedule. Expires 9-28-17.

• REQUEST A HEALTHY BACK & NECK • Hear what our patients have to say!

I met all my goals! “I am a 35 year old female with neck pain and stiffness that developed 6 months ago. I work at a desk and the pain is worse after a long day of working in front of a computer or whenever I turn my head over the right shoulder. My goals were to be capable of performing one full day of work and to be able to look over my right shoulder for driving purposes without pain. Initially the soft tissue and joint mobilization work improved my range of motion and decreased my pain. I was then introduced to the MedX Cervical Machine for strengthening. After six weeks I met all my goals. I also took advantage of the 30 day post rehab program at Gainesville Health and Fitness and remain pain free to this day. Thanks ReQuest”. - M.T. The pain has gone away! “My experience with ReQuest Physical Therapy has been wonderful. When I first started I had neck and back pain. Now, the pain has gone away. Thanks to Jeff and his entire team for helping me get back to normal”. - D.F. Simple Neck Pain Audit Often we hear “I woke up with a kink in my neck and it hasn’t gone away. Can physical therapy help?” Try these simple tests Part 1: The “Changing Lanes and Backing Your Car Up” Test: 1. Sit in a chair keeping good posture. 2. Turn your head to the right as far as you can. 3. Turn your head to the left as far as you can. Is it harder to turn one way than the other? Or are they the same? Did you feel pain, soreness or stiffness turning your head? 2. Look up as far as you can. (Tilt your head back like a PEZ dispenser). 3. Look down as far as you can. (Try to touch your chin to your chest). Did you have any pain, soreness or stiffness? For example, “A deep ache in my right shoulder when I tucked my chin to my chest. Part 3: The “Holding the Phone” Between Your Shoulder and Ear Test: 1. Sit in a chair keeping good posture. 2. Tilt your head to the right. (Right ear to right shoulder...don’t scrunch your shoulder up.) 3. Tilt your head to the left. (Same thing to the other side). Was one side tighter than the other? Did you experience pain? A really simple rule we use in PT is: If the Pain is “Reproducible” ... then it’s “Reducible.” This means that if one of these movements gave your neck pain... Then there’s a good chance we can get rid of it for you! So Here’s What to Do Next: If you are ready to get rid of that kink in your neck- so that you sleep better and don’t have pain at work … call us at 352-373-2116. Part 2: The “YES” Head Nod Test: 1. Sit in a chair keeping good posture.

We gladly accept most insurances, providing a great LOW COST SOLUTION to restore your pain-free movement!

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Health & Wellness Tips

IS YOUR CHILD’S BACK PACK GOING TO CAUSE INJURY?

Finding a Safe Pack Despite their potential problems, backpacks are great when used properly. Before you buy one, though, consider a backpack’s construction. Look for the following to choose the right backpack: • Lightweight pack: get one that doesn’t add a lot of weight to your child’s load; for example, leather packs look cool, but they weigh more than canvas backpacks • Two wide, padded shoulder straps: straps that are too narrow can dig into shoulders • Padded back: it not only provides increased comfort, but also protects kids from being poked by sharp objects or edges (pencils, rulers, notebooks, etc.) inside the pack • Waist belt: this helps to distribute the weight more evenly across the body • Multiple compartments: to help distribute the weight throughout the pack Although packs on wheels (which look like small, overhead luggage bags) may be good options for students who have to lug around really heavy loads, they’re very hard to pull up stairs and to roll through snow. Check with the school before buying a rolling pack; many don’t allow them because they can be a tripping hazard in the hallways.

Using Backpacks Wisely To help kids prevent injury when using a backpack:

• Lighten the load. No matter howwell-designed the backpack, less weight is always better. Use the bathroom scale to check that a pack isn’t over 10% to 15% of your child’s body weight (for example, the backpack of a child who weighs 80 pounds shouldn’t weigh more than 8 to 12 pounds). • Use and pick up the backpack properly. Make sure kids use both shoulder straps. Bags that are slung over the shoulder or across the chest — or that only have one strap — aren’t as effective at distributing the weight as bags with two wide shoulder straps, and therefore may strain muscles. Also tighten the straps enough for the backpack to fit closely to the body. The pack should rest evenly in the middle of the back and not sag down to the buttocks. You may need to adjust your kids’ backpacks and/or reduce how much they carry if they : • Struggle to get the backpack on or off • Have back pain • Lean forward to carry the backpack If your child has back pain or numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, talk to your doctor or a physical therapist.

Exercise Essentials Try these exercises to keep you moving...

About Us When you need physical therapy, you have the right to choose where you go. If you are tired of being a number and ready for a physical therapy team that’s proud to offer special services not found in any other practice in the Gainesville area, ReQuest Physical Therapy is your choice. We offer a variety of additional premier services to make your time at ReQuest as pleasant as possible, including discounts for cash/ self-pay patients, flexible payment schedules, and same-day appointments. We also accept patients without a physician’s referral, so you can begin treatment quickly and without the hassle of extra paperwork.

SCALENE STRETCH Place your hands overlapping on your breast bone. Next, tilt your head upwards and away from the affected side until a gentle stretch is felt along the front and side of your neck.

Relieves neck pain

MEDIAN NERVE GLIDE Start with your arm hanging down at your side with your elbow straight and palm facing forward. Next, bend your wrist forward and back. Your other hand should be checking to make sure that your shoulder stays down and drawn back the entire time.

Exercises copyright of

www.simpleset.net

Good stretch for those who work at a computer

Santiago Villamil PT, MPT, CSCS Director of Physical Therapy

Always consult your physical therapist or physician before starting exercises you are unsure of doing.

Why You Need To Come In For Another Check-Up:

Think ReQuest FIRST

� Sit for long periods comfortably � Walk for long distances � Live an active & healthy lifestyle

� Move without pain � Bend and move freely � Balance confidently & securely

Take Care Of Your Aches & Pains Before It’s Too Late!

Gainesville: (352) 373 2116 Tioga: (352) 692 2131