South Valley PT: Headaches

South Valley PT: Headaches

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

Are Your Shoulders Getting Weaker? The Culprit Of Headaches...

Does your neck ache towards the end of the day? Do you often end up with nagging headaches? While you might think it’s only due to stress, it may also be a result of your daily posture. When we use our arms throughout the day, the shoulder muscles get tired. This leads us to use our neck muscles as a substitute. A sure sign of this is when you notice your shoulders rising up closer to your ears. You may also find your spine rounding forward. The sooner our shoulder muscles fatigue, and the more rounded forward we end up, the sooner we notice headaches and neck pain. Think this might be you? Here are 4 BASIC TESTS to try at the end of the day! (continued inside)

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

Spend Time With Friends Without A Headache! The Culprit Of Headaches...

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STARTING POSITION: Sitting at your workstation, your home computer or the dinner table in your normal posture: 1. Try to raise both arms up in front and continue overhead without moving your spine. If you can’t get full shoulder motion or have pain, you probably end up slouched without realizing it. 2. Try to roll your shoulders down and back without moving your spine. If you feel this is difficult to do, your muscles are probably keeping your shoulders elevated. 3. Raise your arms up and out to the side like a “jumping jack” without moving your spine. If you have pain, you probably end up slouched without realizing it.

4. Try to clasp your hands behind your back. Now raise your arms up behind you. If you are unable to raise them very far, you have limited shoulder, spine or chest mobility. NOW REPEAT THE TESTS WHILE sitting up straight and allow the spine to move. Compare the difference in your shoulder motions or pain. If you suffer from neck pain, headaches or shoulder pain, don’t let it linger on and cause more damage. Call us today to speak with a physical therapist, or come on in for a consultation at 408-365-8400.

www.svpt.net

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2 Helpful Exercises To Strengthen Shoulders

Latissimus Dorsi Stretch (Wall) Lightly push forearms into the wall while sliding arms up. Make sure to keep your back flat. Raise your arms as high as you can without pain while keeping your shoulders down. Do the same when bringing them back down. This trains your body to raise the arms without substituting the neck muscles and strengthens the shoulders. Shoulder/Neck Rolls Simple shoulder and neck rolls are good starting points for getting your joints moving and muscles relaxed which can both help to reduce pain.

We’re Here To Help Your Neck and Shoulders! Of course, self-testing at home is an imperfect way to determine if your headaches and neck pain are coming from poor posture or other shoulder issues. They just show you where your body as limited movement, which may be causing your problems. Handling any problem sooner rather than later, leads to better results and preventing long-term damage, such as arthritis. We welcome you to schedule a visit with us for a more complete evaluation. We’re offering a no-cost shoulder and neck screening to help get you on the road to better health and less pain. Give South Valley Physical Therapy a call today to talk with your therapist.

www.svpt.net

Staff Spotlight

Eric Sawhill

Eric has worked at South Valley PT for the past 8 years. He started as an aide in the back office where his humor helped the patients forget their pain! He then moved to doing public relations and visiting physician offices, delivering reports and organizing our community outreach. Eric married his girlfriend of the past 5 years, Briauna, on Saturday September 29th. It was a beautiful ceremony and reception which really reflected the couple’s individual style. The following Monday they jetted off to explore beautiful Dublin, Ireland for their honeymoon. If you see Eric out and about say “congrats!”

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Patient Referral Program Do you want to take advantage of our Patient Referral Program but don’t have a card handy? Just clip this card from the newsletter, add YOUR name and phone number and give it to a friend or family member. For every new patient you refer we will give you your choice of a gift card to the movies (good for 2 admissions), $20.00 for coffee or tea at Peet’s or a $25.00 gift card for Le Boulanger. Remember each patient you refer must bring in a referral card and be a NEW patient to the clinic. South Valley Physical Therapy Would Like To Say Thank You! Thank You!

CALL TODAY! 408-365-8400 Fax: 408-365-8417

Name: Phone:

For scheduling and pricing questions please email [email protected]

South Valley Practice News

Left - Right: Clovis Mirassou, Jeff Sawhill, Tom Sawhill, Jerry Graham

Watch out for Pirates! SVPT had a pirate theme to Halloween this year. As always lots of great costumes and tasty treats! SVPT Will begin collecting toys and gifts for underserved youth in the San Jose area beginning the Monday after Thanksgiving…

Patients Jerry Graham and Clovis Mirassou were chosen in the drawing to complete South Valley’s golf foursome for the South Valley YMCA Golf Charity Classic that took place October 4th! They had the pleasure of golfing with SVPT CEO and his son Jeff. The team did quite well this year but more importantly they had a great time and the event raised lots of money to send kids to summer programs at the South Valley YMCA.

What you can do to relieve pain and feel energized! 2 Easy Stretches

STRENGTHENS SHOULDERS

STRETCHES MUSCLES IN SHOULDERS

WAND SHOULDER FLEXION Lying on your back and holding a wand, palms face down on both sides, slowly raise the wand towards overhead. Repeat 3 times.

ELASTIC BAND EXTERNAL ROTATION While holding an elastic band at your side with your elbow bent, start with your hand near your stomach and then pull the band away. Keep your elbow at your side the entire time. Repeat 5 times.

Exercisescopyrightof

www.simpleset.net

Does Your Friend or Family Member Need Physical Therapy? Tell Them to Check Us Out!

Do You Have Friends Or Family Unable To Do The Following? • Climb stairs without pain • Bend and move freely

If you know someone suffering with aches and pains give the gift of health. Refer them to South Valley Physical Therapy today. Pass along this newsletter or have them call us directly for a Pain Relief Consultation.

CALL TODAY! 408-365-8400 Fax: 408-365-8417

• Balance confidently and securely • Sit for long periods comfortably • Walk for long distances • Live an active and healthy lifestyle