Stress-Related Headaches Getting You Down? Relieve Them with PT!

You Don’t Have to Deal with Day-to-Day Pain

Dealing with headaches on the daily alone can be very isolating and leave a person feeling exhausted.

Did you know that headaches are the third most common pain complaint? It’s true. Headaches are extremely common and can be so debilitating to the point that they impact a person’s quality of life.

Fortunately, through physical therapy, long term relief is possible. A trained physical therapist can help you achieve immediate pain relief from stress-related headaches as well as any other pain conditions or ailments that may be contributing to your discomfort.

Below we have outlined the different types of headaches and the causes for them, and explain how physical therapy can help.

Common methods of pain relief

Each individual's treatment strategy is different, but many physical therapists use many of the same approaches.

Examples include soft tissue mobilization, heat or ice compression, muscle release, cervical traction, body mobilization, stretching, strengthening, muscle energy techniques, and McKenzie-based spine diagnosis and therapy.

With all treatment plans, you should expect to obtain details that will support your in-office experience.

3 ways PT can help with headaches

Although the end goal of physical therapy is pain relief, there are some critical things along the way that your physical therapist will help you address so that you can achieve a decrease in pain.

3 common PT methods include:

  1. Improved strength and muscle ability. You'll learn exercises to help strengthen the muscles that control your upper back and neck. This way your posture will improve, and you'll be able to sit or stand for long periods without experiencing pain and discomfort.
  2. Adjusting the way your neck moves. Your physical therapist can use manual therapy to stretch muscles in your neck to relieve pain and increase range of motion.
  3. Posture improvement. How your posture is held during the day significantly impacts your pain levels and the likelihood of experiencing a stress-related headache. Your physical therapist will teach you how to improve your posture for a greater quality of life.

How will physical therapy help relieve my headaches?

A licensed physical therapist can conduct a complete physical exam of your body and condition, as well as ask you the appropriate questions regarding your health history.

He or she will be able to figure out what type of headache you’re experiencing and determine the best way to combat it and bring much-needed pain relief.

During your first visit, you can expect most of the following:

  • Measurements regarding the range of motion of your shoulders, neck and other relevant parts of the body
  • Questions about the types of pain symptoms experienced
  • Questions regarding previous injuries to your back, jaw, and head areas
  • Tests of your muscle strength
  • Examination of your posture while engaged in different activities
  • Manual therapy to ascertain the mobility of joints and muscles in your neck

Depending on whether your physical therapist determines that you're dealing with stress-related headaches, you will begin to work together to create a care plan that will successfully meet your physical health goals.

If your physical therapist’s evaluation determines a different type of headache, he or she will likely refer you to a different type of healthcare professional for treatment.

Tension headaches, defined

Tension headaches often occur as a result of high stress, poor posture, problems with the neck or jaw, fatigue, or arthritis. They can also be encountered when you feel nervous or depressed.

Tension headaches occur when the neck and scalp muscles contract or become tense, and people can start experiencing them at any age, although they’re the most common type of headache in adults and older teens.

Stress-related headaches usually begin at the back of the head and travel to the top of the head and eyes. You can also feel pressure on your face around your jaw and cheeks when you experience this kind of headache.

Many people have related this kind of pain to wearing a tight hat, their hair being tightly pulled back, or a squeezing sensation in the head.

What other types of headaches are there?

Most people experience headaches as they grow older. Many headaches go away on their own and don't need medical intervention.

However, severe headaches that recur frequently and interfere with quality of life often demand attention from a professional.

First, you must identify the type of headache you're experiencing. Then from there, a comprehensive treatment plan can be created according to your specific needs for pain relief.

Physical therapists are skilled at diagnosing different types of headaches and can develop simple strategies for pain relief from stress-related headaches.

Below are 10 common types of headaches, according to Healthline:

  • Hypertension
  • Rebound
  • Exertion
  • Post-traumatic
  • Stress (tension)
  • Migraine or sinus
  • Caffeine
  • Hormone
  • Cluster

If you’re unsure what kind of headache you’re experiencing, no problem! Your physical therapist will be able to diagnose and treat it accordingly.

Contact us for relief!

There is no justification why you need to continue living in constant pain and discomfort with so many care options open to you.

Contact Synergy Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine today to experience long-lasting pain relief from stress-related headaches and boost your quality of life!

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Have You Heard of Pre-Hab? Chances Are, You Could Benefit!

Everything You Need to Know About Pre-Hab

It's no secret that undergoing physical therapy after an injury or surgery will help you heal faster. But what if there was a way to avoid injury and prevent surgical intervention in the first place?

Pre-hab or preventive rehabilitation allows patients to heal better following surgery, speed up the healing process and, in many cases, avoid injury in the first place. Contact our office today to meet with a physical therapist. He or she will decide if pre-hab is right for you.

Pre-hab, explained

The term pre-hab is short for preventative rehabilitation. A physical therapist typically uses pre-hab in two ways.

First, they can teach targeted exercises and stretches to patients who are at risk for serious injuries. Second, pre-hab is a form of physical therapy used prior to surgery to speed healing and recovery.

Pre-surgical rehabilitation resides under the category of preventative care known as "pre-hab." The purpose of pre-hab is to get the body as ready as possible for a challenging situation. If you choose to participate in this practice, you won’t be alone. A study done by the APTA shows that out of the 5,852 of patients who received rehab, 52% of them did rehab before their surgery.

During this process, the patient will work directly with the physical therapist to improve the strength, durability, movement, and overall functionality in the areas and areas around where the surgery will take place.

The process of pre-hab can vary based on which practice you go to, but for the most part, the goals remain the same. These include:

Improving the overall health of your body to reduce the risk of complications during surgery
Teaching you about the surgery and the path to recovery
Preparing you mentally for the surgery

Pre-hab for injury prevention

Pre-hab is one of the best ways to avoid injuries in patients at risk of developing serious movement disorders. Many people with physically challenging jobs can find that exercises, stretching, and pain-relieving techniques learned in physical therapy can help them succeed in their work.

This is particularly true in occupations where there are high incidences of particular injuries. This form of physical therapy usually addresses places where injury is most likely to happen. For example, military members are more likely to develop foot, knee, hip, and back problems due to the rigors of training and fighting.

Pre-hab will alleviate many of these injuries by teaching correct lifting techniques, proper posture, and successful core strengthening exercises that keep service members strong and healthy. The same can be said for construction workers, firefighters, factory workers, or other extremely physical workers.

Additionally, both pro and amateur athletes find that working with a physical therapist pays off well, far before an injury occurs. Focusing on areas that are stressed by day-to-day activity and poor habits, a physical therapist looks at the most injury-prone areas and helps you fix any issues before you get injured.

Even if you look at a screen most of the day, pre-hab can help! Working with a physical therapist will help to reinforce your core strength and correct your posture, keeping you balanced, healthy, and strong.

Physical therapy is also one of the best ways to start an exercise routine.Based on strength, agility, and balance, pre-hab will help you prevent injuries while you begin the process of getting in shape.

Pre-hab for surgical recovery

When it comes to going under the knife, a lot of people are afraid of what happens after the stitches have been sewn. This is particularly true of someone who has had a total joint replacement. Faced with the prospect of time in a rehabilitation facility, many people choose to delay joint replacement surgery for fear of a lengthy, painful recovery.

Physical therapy prior to surgery can reduce the chances of needing inpatient rehab by 73%. Patients who are healthier before surgery often reach physical thresholds faster than patients who are not. Within 24 hours of surgery, anyone with a complete replacement of the knee is expected to walk 500 to 1000 feet with the help of a walker.

Those who consult with a physical therapist before surgery are more likely to fulfill this criteria. These patients are typically stronger and have better blood circulation. Physical therapy will also teach you many of the movements, stretches, pain-relieving techniques, and strengthening exercises they will need in their rehabilitation.

Ready to begin treatments?

Physical therapy is the best place to start if you are considering surgery or if you need to fine-tune your daily life. Contact Synergy Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine today to schedule a consultation and find out how our pre-hab services can benefit you!

Are You Dependent on Opioids For Pain Relief?

If you depend on opioids to make it through the day because of a chronic pain condition, know that you are not alone. You should also know that even though this is a common problem for many Americans, it is not normal or healthy in the slightest. Our nation is currently experiencing what the U.S Department of Health & Human Services refers to as an “opioid epidemic.”

Thankfully, there is another option for this kind of pain management. Physical therapists can help individuals manage pain, and greater use of physical therapy could make a real impact on the tragic levels of drug abuse in this country—abuse that often begins with a prescription for pain medication.

If you are ready to find relief without the side effects of opioids, contact our physical therapy clinic today.

Why are opioids so dangerous?

People often confuse over-the-counter drugs and opioids, but they’re two different things.

When people turn to over-the-counter medications to help ease pain, there aren’t many significant health risks. For the most part, Advil, Tylenol, and Ibuprofen are safe to use in moderation if you are trying to find immediate relief when recovering from your car accident. Excessive use can negatively affect your organs, but most people don’t need to use these pain relievers very often.

When it comes to severe pain caused by a more serious injury you may have sustained, prescription-strength medications may be issued by a doctor. However, with severe pain comes severe medication and side effects as well.

Opioids are the most commonly used medication for pain management across the United States. Even though they are common, there are some shocking facts about them that the general public might not even be aware of, such as:

  • Opioids are a highly dangerous class of substances. Heroin is among the opioid category, as well as prescription pain relievers like oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and more.
  • Opioids are a highly addictive substance and are the most commonly abused prescription medication.
  • More than 2 million people in the United States become addicted to pain medication every year, many of the medications being opioids.
  • About a quarter of heroin addicts began their addiction through prescription opioid dependency.

These facts paint a bleak picture regarding the reality of prescription pain medication use across the United States. While disturbing, these statements cannot be ignored.

It isn’t necessary to have a history of addiction to become dependent on opioids. In fact, many people who become addicted have never had any issues with drug dependency in the past. Fortunately, physical therapy can help provide the same pain relief in a much safer, healthier, and natural way.

How physical therapy can kick an opioid addiction

Physical therapy is effective for avoiding unnecessary surgery and for getting rid of a person’s dependence on opioids. This is why physical therapy is often the first point of entry in the healthcare system for pain management. The goal of physical therapy is to improve function and reduce pain. Both active and passive modalities are used in many forms of treatment.

A physical therapist will educate you on the source of your pain and give you tips on how to manage your daily activities in order to reduce or eliminate pain. Pain education is an important component of physical therapy intervention!

What to expect at a physical therapy appointment

Chronic pain can make you curl up in bed and turn to opioids for pain management. This solves nothing and is likely to only make your problem worse. If you’re tired of living with addiction, understand that you can say “no” to opioids with the help of physical therapy.

It’s important to note that physical therapy can be implemented to treat all types of neuropathic pain and musculoskeletal pain. It can help alleviate pain due to osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, neuropathic pain, headaches, and more.

A physical therapist utilizes a number of different pain management methods, such as deep tissue massage, manipulation of bones, manual therapy, cold laser therapy, microcurrent stimulation, movement therapy, and exercise. Exercise may involve walking on a treadmill or specific exercises to strengthen the muscles. Deep tissue massage enhances oxygen and nutrients to travel to the affected area. Cold laser therapy is used to lessen pain, reduce inflammation and release endorphins. Microcurrent stimulation emits alpha waves to increase dopamine and serotonin to alleviate pain naturally.

Even just 30 minutes of exercise a day will help you to better manage your pain! The exercise plan that a physical therapist will devise for you will be focused on strengthening the muscles, increasing endurance, developing more flexibility in the joints and muscles, and creating stability in the joints.

Physical therapy is a multi-pronged approach to lessening pain. With exercise, massage, and manipulation, the body is encouraged to produce natural pain-relieving chemicals and to heal itself. Both tissue and bone will remodel with physical therapy.

A physical therapist uses the fundamental sciences of biomechanics, pathology, and kinesiology to formulate a specific exercise treatment plan for patients. They can work closely with you and your doctor to find an effective treatment plan for your pain.

Get started today

If you’re tired of using pain medication to lessen your discomfort, know that there is another way to handle this part of your life. You don’t want to be part of a negative statistic. Contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our physical therapists - and say goodbye to opioids today.

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5 Activities To Put You On a Path Toward Better Health

Do you spend your days hobbling painfully from your bed to your reclining chair and back? Does the simple idea of taking part in any kind of vigorous activity make you cringe?

Physical activity is most likely the furthest thing from your mind if you suffer from chronic pain. The truth, however, is that getting active can vastly improve your health, your comfort, mobility, and overall quality of life!

Why you should care about your health

What does it mean to truly be “healthy?” Essentially, to be healthy means that your body is operating at its highest levels of function in regards to breathing, circulation, digestion, and more. Being healthy doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to be the most athletic person in the room.

Any step you make toward helping your body function at its optimum levels is a step toward becoming a healthier you. There are tons of exercises, stretches, and nutritional tips available to you that can help increase your health and help you feel physically better overall.

Keep reading to learn about five things you can do to get back on a path towards better health.

1. Swimming

Do you enjoy being in the water? If even walking hurts too much these days, maybe you should take a dip in the pool instead.

Swimming is tremendously helpful for people with arthritis or extremity injuries because the water eases the forces of gravity on the body. Water has immense healing properties as well.

Even if you can't swim, try some healthy walking or dog-paddling in the water, or simply hold onto the sides while you try out some stretches. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how good this can be for you!

2. Weight lifting

Lifting weights isn't just for "muscle-heads” or “gym rats.” Weight training can help you build up the muscle tissue that helps to support your joints.

If your muscles are strong, it means they’ll tire less easily and will be less vulnerable to painful strains. Working with weights also helps you maintain your bone density and avoid age-related muscle wasting.

3. Bike riding

Riding a bike gets you where you want to go while offering a number of health benefits!

This kind of aerobic workout can help you improve your heart health, while the simple act of operating the bike exercises your balance and builds leg strength. If you have back pain or knee problems, cycling is also lower-impact than running, and much easier on your shins.

4. Walking

Walking requires absolutely no special equipment, and it’s something you literally have to do to get from point A to point B, every day. If you have to make a short trip, why waste gasoline when you can get some fresh air and low-impact exercise instead?

Walking gives your circulation a healthy boost without making excessive demands on your body. It also gets your weight-bearing joints moving -- and that's a huge benefit if you struggle with arthritis.

5. Running

As previously stated, running is more demanding on the heart, lungs, and knees than walking is. However, these demands can turn out to be very good for something causing you pain. The famous "runner's high" you may have heard so much about seems to offer its own pain-reducing benefits for chronic pain sufferers.

The phrase "no pain, no gain" also seems to apply here. That routine you get from running could encourage your brain to step down its baseline pain sensitivity, making your other aches and pains seem less of a bother.

Other ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle

It’s no secret that maintaining a healthy lifestyle takes work, but once you get into the groove of it, it becomes much easier and even enjoyable.

Starting out by choosing nutritious foods is one of the easiest ways to improve your health (although we know those sweets are hard to kick!) Physical activity is the hardest aspect to get in the habit of doing, especially if you are being held back by chronic pain.

Some people try to mask their symptoms with anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving medications, while others, unfortunately, give up on the idea of being active altogether. This only exacerbates pain problems and makes things worse for you in the long run.

Luckily, there is an alternative option: physical therapy. With the help of a physical therapist, it is possible to reclaim your pain-free, healthy lifestyle, and get back to doing the activities you love!

How physical therapy can improve your health

A physical therapist is a licensed movement specialist. They know how to properly evaluate your health and prescribe the right activities for your needs and goals. At the same time, you may be able to enhance the benefits of your activities with other safe, helpful modalities such as massage, ultrasound therapy, dry needling, cold and heat treatments, acupuncture, or laser therapy.

It’s up to you if you want to pursue any or all of these activities. You can also ask our physical therapist about integrating them into a full-scale physical therapy program. The latter approach could be a great idea if you’re in the process of rehabilitating an injury, unsure of how much exercise your body can tolerate, or battling a particular chronic pain issue.

These therapies can promote tissue repair, ease inflammation, reduce pain, and increase your ability to keep moving and living life to the fullest.

Are you ready to improve your health?

Face it, we’ve all got one life to live. Life is too wonderful to spend it in bed or in your chair in front of the television. Get up right now and schedule a visit to our physical therapy center. It's the healthiest move you could possibly make!

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Joint Pain Got You Down? Physical Therapy May Help.

If you’ve been dealing with chronic joint pain for some time, then you should know you’re not alone. Chronic joint pain is typically associated with arthritis, although there are plenty of other physical ailments that can lead to joint deterioration and pain.

While physical therapy is not a cure for arthritis, it can help to alleviate the pain, increase your range of motion in the affected joints and help you get control over the problem so that it doesn't get worse. If you are not proactive when it comes to joint pain, it likely will worsen over time, especially if you’re relying on prescription medications to provide pain relief.

If you've been suffering from joint pain and now you’re looking for a solution, call us to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist.

Is your joint pain a sign of arthritis?

Did you know that arthritis is the leading cause of disability across the United States? According to the Arthritis Foundation, approximately 50 million people live with arthritis. While it is possible for arthritis to develop in any joint, it most commonly affects the neck, back, hands, hips, and knees. It can also affect people of any age.

There are two main types of arthritis that are the most common culprits when it comes to joint pain: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Here is a closer look at these types of arthritis and how they affect your joints:

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis: If you have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor will likely prescribe pharmaceutical treatments to decrease your pain and discomfort. This is an autoimmune disorder in which the body's healing systems attack the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis causes painful swelling and inflammation of the joints.

Although this condition usually begins in the hands, wrists, or feet, it can spread to the hips, knees, or shoulders, while getting progressively worse, if you aren't proactive in fighting it. Physical therapy can be a tremendous help to those dealing with this autoimmune disease.

  • Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis typically develops later in life and can be caused by poor body mechanics, overuse of the joint, or an injury. This is the most common type of arthritis by far. The cartilage in joints serves as a natural barrier that lubricates and distributes force during physical activity. When that cartilage breaks down and no longer provides a cushion between adjoining bones, the result is osteoarthritis. The hands, hips, knees, and spine are the most common body parts impacted by osteoarthritis.

Certain ailments like gout, bursitis, lupus, or tendinitis can also contribute to joint pain. The source of your joint pain can be determined by a combination of tests that a physical therapist can perform, as well as a thorough examination.

What can a physical therapist do for joint pain?

Your therapist will need to know about the type of joint pain you are experiencing, the times of day when the pain is worse, and any physical activities that you engage in on a regular basis If you have a job that requires physical labor or sitting at a desk all day, tell them. If your condition has already been diagnosed by a doctor, your physical therapist should be made aware of this as well.

Your therapist will likely run you through a series of simple strength tests during your first visit. These will be done to test your range of motion, balance, and posture. This information will be used to help create a customized physical therapy regimen to help you relieve the joint pain, while strengthening muscles to help support the joints.

Your plan of physical therapy will likely contain a combination of targeted stretches, exercises, manual therapy, and body mechanics.

Manual therapy is a specialized type of therapeutic massage that your physical therapist is trained in; manual therapy can help to soften tissues and relieve pain associated with your joint condition.

Body mechanics involves teaching you the proper way to move, sit, stand, lift objects, and engage in other daily activities, without causing pain to your joints. The exercises will likely be low-impact to relieve pressure on the joints while strengthening your muscles, such as water aerobics.

Common symptoms of joint pain or arthritis

For most people with joint pain, general discomfort is the most common complaint. But depending on what the cause of your joint pain is, you may experience a variety of different symptoms, including, but not limited to the following:

  • Chronic pain
  • Impaired range of motion
  • Stiffness
  • Redness
  • Inflammation of the affected area
  • Inability to grasp objects
  • Swelling

If you’re noticing any of the above symptoms, there are two things you should not do. First, don’t expect it to go away on its own. Second, don’t rely on prescription medications for temporary relief. Call a physical therapist at our office today to learn more about the causes of joint pain, and find out how you can begin keeping your own at bay.

Are you ready to find relief today?

You deserve a normal, healthy, active lifestyle. The goal of your physical therapy will be to help you take back control of your life by minimizing the joint pain. Call our office today to schedule your first appointment with a physical therapist.

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Dealing With Tension Headaches? Physical Therapy Can Help.

Have you ever seen someone at work or in a difficult situation holding their head? What was your first initial thought? Most of us would assume either that they’re under extreme stress, or that they have a headache.

In fact, you may be right on both counts. Both physical and emotional stress can cause tension headaches. They can also trigger cervicogenic and migraine headaches, both of which can leave you effectively disabled for the remainder of your day.

You may struggle with chronic or recurring headache pain yourself, and if you do, you're probably tired of taking pain-relieving medication all the time just to be able to do things you want to do. Maybe it's time you found a better answer by consulting with a licensed physical therapist about your pain.

Physical therapy can ease your headache symptoms by treating their underlying causes, giving you a safer, more sustainable headache management strategy.

How does stress cause headaches?

Emotional stress and physical stress go hand in hand, with either capable of causing or aggravating the other. Being in stressful situations can cause muscles to tighten up as the body goes into "fight or flight" mode.

When tightness affects the small muscles at the base of the skull (such as the RCPM muscle in the neck) those muscles may pull on a pain-sensitive membrane in the head called the dura mater. The dura mater responds by sending out waves of pain, giving you a classic tension headache.

Headaches that begin in the neck are referred to as “cervicogenic headaches.” These headaches are often caused by imbalances or alignment problems in the cervical spine. These imbalances place the neck muscles under physical stress, producing both headaches and neck pain. Emotional stress can also play a role in cervicogenic headaches, since the muscle tightness they create can help to pull the neck out of alignment.

Migraines are the most dreaded of headaches, and knowing that someone has one is sure to make you wince if you’ve ever experienced one yourself. In fact, a migraine attack may go far beyond the crushing headache it is notorious for producing, causing symptoms such as:

  • Sound and/or light sensitivity
  • Faintness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Visual distortions known as "auras"

While it's hard to pin down the underlying causes behind migraines, many of the triggers are well known. Stress, various foods, bright lights, loud sounds, weather changes, and hormonal swings can cause migraines, as well as physical overexertion or emotional strain.

How physical therapy can relieve stress-related headaches

While pain-relieving drugs such as NSAIDs (Aleve, Tylenol, ibuprofen) can relieve the occasional headache, what they can’t do is address the stresses that lead to chronic headache problems. For that level of relief, you need to see a physical therapist.

Our physical therapist will conduct a thorough evaluation that includes an examination of your neck and cervical spine, discussion of your symptoms, and analysis of lifestyle factors that may be sources of stress. This background allows us to create a headache management program largely rooted in the management of stress and its effects.

Your physical therapy treatment program may include:

  • Chiropractic adjustments to correct cervical spinal alignment
  • Ergonomic adjustments such as changing your computer monitor height (to prevent constant neck droop)
  • Mindfulness exercises such as yoga to help you add more serenity to your daily life
  • Suggestions for changing or sleep position or trying a different kind of pillow
  • Dry needling to ease stress-induced tension and pain
  • Massage therapy to relax tight neck muscles
  • Exercises to limber up your neck or strengthen your neck muscles

Other causes of stress-related headaches

There may be a physical cause behind your stress-related headaches. An accident or injury to the neck or back can contribute to headaches. Poor posture and arthritis are two other potential causes.

Depression and anxiety are similar emotions to stress that can also lead to headaches. In general, you can expect stretching and strength training to be part of your treatment. The treatment of your stress-related headaches will depend in part on the diagnosis. For example, one course of treatment that would work for correcting your posture and strengthening the neck muscles might not be appropriate if your headaches are the result of a past injury.

Other options that your physical therapist might employ can include:

  • McKenzie therapies
  • Cervical traction
  • Body mobilization
  • Hot and cold compressions
  • Soft tissue mobilization

Besides the treatment you will receive during your physical therapy sessions at the clinic, your therapist will also recommend exercises, stretches, and lifestyle changes that you can make at home, which will all contribute to eliminating your headaches.

Contact our clinic to schedule a consultation with a physical therapist

If you can conquer your stress, you may just conquer your chronic headaches as well! To learn more about this natural, drug-free method for headache relief, get in touch with our physical therapy clinic today!

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Are You Constantly In Pain? It May Be Time To Change Your Diet

Inflammation is a natural process the body uses to protect itself and to promote healing. During the inflammation process, your body increases its production of white blood cells. Chronic inflammation, however, can damage the body. Living with continual inflammation can cause pain, swelling, and redness in the affected areas. It can also increase your risk of diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and stroke. There are several ways you can improve your diet and decrease pain and inflammation, however.

Are you ready to say goodbye once and for all to your chronic aches and pains? If you’re nodding your head yes, keep reading to learn more about how physical therapy and attention to nutrition can help!

What is inflammation?

Inflammation is the body's natural response when it's trying to heal or protect itself. This, of course, is usually a good thing! This is why some people choose to feel their pain and ride it out instead of grabbing an over the counter NSAID. However, inflammation is harmful when it becomes a chronic condition. Pain and inflammation are often connected.

Your immune system can naturally respond to injury, ailment, or other harm through inflammation. If you have an infection, wound, tissue damage, or buildup of toxins in your body, the immune response is triggered to deal with it. Without inflammation, injuries wouldn’t be able to heal; however, if this process goes on for too long, Harvard Health, states that it can lead to a variety of health ailments such as heart disease, diabetes, and even some kinds of cancer.

If you experience persistent pain that is keeping you from living life as you normally would, it is wise to contact a physical therapist as soon as possible, as it may mean that the inflammation has become chronic.

The importance of physical therapy and nutrition

Traditionally, chronic inflammation has been treated through bed rest and medication. However, a lack of exercise can make inflammation worse, as it constricts joints and causes muscles to stiffen. Although it might be hard to make yourself get up and move when you’re in pain, it’s normally the best option.

Additionally, medications come with a whole slew of side effects, some of which can be dangerous and/or habit-forming. Luckily, pain and inflammation can be treated in much easier and healthier ways - such as diet and physical therapy!

Why choose physical therapy?

Physical therapy, combined with good nutritional habits, can greatly reduce or even eliminate your pain and inflammation. The American Physical Therapy Association states that the connection between pain and nutrition is strong enough that nutritional screening is often recommended.

A physical therapist can provide nutritional guidance along with creating an exercise program that targets and reduces the pain and inflammation you've been experiencing. A physical therapist might even recommend activities such as swimming or simple stretching to increase joint flexibility and range of motion.

Good nutrition along with a physical therapy treatment plan can help you manage or even eliminate chronic pain by increasing the strength in certain muscles and improving joint stability.

How can nutrition provide pain relief?

A few foods that can cause inflammation and should be avoided or limited include the following:

  • Soda - Drinking water or tea in place of soda will not only help reduce pain and inflammation but may also help you shed a few pounds. Soda can increase levels of uric acid. This often causes an increase in inflammation and even insulin resistance.
  • Fried foods - Eat your veggies raw, steamed, or baked for the most health benefits. Everything from fried chicken to deep-fried veggies can contribute to inflammation.
  • Refined carbohydrates - Pasta, pastries, white bread, and white flour are all refined carbs that should be eliminated or eaten rarely. Refined carbs include grains that have had most of the fiber and nutrients taken out.
  • Red meats - Protein builds muscle and cartilage. Red meat, especially meats that are processed, can lead to increased inflammation. Healthy, lean protein is a crucial component when creating a diet to reduce pain and inflammation. Chicken is often considered neutral, while many types of fish fight pain and inflammation in the body.

Just like there are plenty of foods to avoid because they cause inflammation, there are plenty you can start to incorporate into your diet to fight or decrease inflammation! Some of them are:

  • Berries - Strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries are all good choices. Berries have an abundance of antioxidants that can eliminate inflammation.
  • Fatty Fish - Wild-caught salmon, sardines, and mackerel are great sources of Omega-3s, which can fight inflammation. They may even limit stiffness in the joints that is sometimes associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Olive oil - Olive oil is a monounsaturated fat that tastes great on salads and in cooked meals, and it can help reduce inflammation. Make sure to select olive oil that is extra virgin in order to receive the most health benefits.
  • Green Tea - Green tea is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants that can reduce inflammation. When preparing green tea, use water that's not higher in temperature than 160 degrees since boiling water may destroy many of the antioxidants.
  • Leafy green vegetables - Almost all fruits and vegetables contain what is called phytonutrients that can help fight inflammation, so pick up some kale or spinach to go into a salad the next time you’re in the produce section.

It’s time to get your health back on track

Instead of relying on surgery or pain medication, consider improving your diet or beginning a healthy physical therapy program customized to meet your specific needs. Put together, these two things can seriously change your life, and help you to live pain-free. Contact us at Synergy Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine today to learn more!

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Are You Battling Opioid Addiction? There’s A Better Option Available!

If you are suffering from arthritis, particularly in a weight-bearing joint like the knee or hip, taking an opioid painkiller for relief can be a powerful temptation for you. All you want is for the pain to subside so that you can get on with your day, right?

Unfortunately, although opioids can temporarily relieve pain, your bones will continue to grind together, making the underlying cause of the condition even worse. Opioids don’t cure the source of your pain, they only mask it. So, rather than turning to opioids for your arthritis, consider the chemical-free alternative to arthritis pain: physical therapy!

Call our office to learn more about how working with a physical therapist can relieve your arthritis or other pain symptoms so that you can stop relying on harmful medications to get through the day.

How do I know if I have arthritis?

Arthritis is a very common condition that many individuals of all ages suffer from. Arthritis symptoms can be managed with the help of physical therapy.

Some of the most common symptoms that arthritis sufferers have to deal with include:

  • Inflamed tissues: The pain and inflammation associated with arthritis can cause tissue swelling near the impacted joint. The area surrounding the joint might feel warm to the touch.
  • Sensations of “grinding”: Arthritis is a result of lost cartilage, the material in the joints which acts as a cushion and lubricant between bones. The loss of cartilage can make it feel as if the patient's bones are grinding together when they move.
  • Decreased mobility: An arthritic joint can restrict your range of motion, to the point where you are unable to carry out daily tasks like you used to. This can make doing the simplest of things difficult and frustrating.
  • Joint stiffness: The joints are especially stiff when you wake up for the day and may feel sensitive or painful when touched.
  • Pain: To put it simply, arthritic joints may hurt during or after physical movement.

Why are opioids so harmful?

In a study published by the American Physical Therapy Association, titled “Beyond Opioids: How Physical Therapy Can Transform Pain Management and Improve Health,” the issue of opioid abuse is discussed. It identifies three important events that triggered what the medical community identifies as the “opioid epidemic:”

  • Increases in deaths involving prescription opioids starting in 1999
  • Increases in deaths involving heroin starting in 2010
  • Increases in deaths involving synthetic opioids since 2013

Both opioid prescription rates and deaths from opioid overdoses have quadrupled in the last twenty years. Given these stark statistics, an obvious conclusion can be made: Opioid dependence has gotten out of hand, and the consequences can be literally fatal.

Beyond extreme physical risk, over-reliance on prescription painkillers can have other detrimental effects on your health. Opioid use can lead to depression, which sets up a vicious cycle of self-medicating in order to feel better emotionally as well as physically.

The Centers for Disease Control offers some frightening statistics from opioid overuse in 2011:

  • Sales of prescription painkillers to pharmacies and providers had increased 300% since 1999
  • In 2010, 12 million people ages 12 and older reported using prescription painkillers “non-medically”
  • More than 40 people were dying each day from overdoses involving prescription opioids

You might be thinking, if these medications are harmful, what other options do we have in order to combat chronic pain? There’s an answer: physical therapy.

If you have been struggling with pain or discomfort, contact us today to find out how we can resolve your issues the natural way.

How can physical therapy provide better relief?

If you have been diagnosed with arthritis, you can work with a physical therapist to learn strategies that will help you manage your symptoms, without having to resort to painkillers.

During your first appointment, be prepared to talk about your medical history with your therapist. You will be asked to describe your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. For example, does your arthritis prevent you from taking your dog on long walks? Are you no longer able to play weekend basketball with your friends?

Your therapist will likely have you do a few simple tests which will vary based on which joints are suffering from arthritis. In general, expect to be tested on your range of motion in the impacted joints, as well as your strength and balance. These tests will be used to determine how far the arthritis has advanced, and to assist the physical therapist in crafting the best possible plan of treatment for you.

What techniques will a physical therapist use?

Body mechanics will be another part of your arthritis treatment. Your physical therapist will teach you the proper way to carry out daily activities with minimal impact on your arthritic joints. This helps to prevent the grinding sensation and helps prevent the arthritis condition from worsening.

Manual therapy will likely be a part of the treatment strategy for managing your arthritis. This specialized type of therapeutic massage not only relieves stiffness and pain in arthritic joints but can also help to loosen tissues up and extend your range of motion. All licensed physical therapists are trained in the use of manual therapy for arthritis.

Depending on the location of your arthritis, your therapist might recommend aquatic exercise in a pool for joint relief (as one possible example). The goal will be to increase your strength so that muscle structures can bear your weight better, without putting undue strain on arthritic joints. Exercise and weight management may also be a part of your course of physical therapy.

Kick the pain meds today -- call our office

Physical therapy can help you manage the pain of arthritis without turning to powerful opioids or other painkillers. Call our office today to schedule your first appointment with a licensed physical therapist.

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Chronic Pain Controlling Your Life? It’s Time For a Solution

Did You Know PT Can Help Even the Most Persistent Pain?

Did you know that approximately 80 percent of Americans have experienced (or will experience) back pain? That's a depressing statistic, especially if you're already one of those sufferers.

Chronic back pain can prevent you from performing the countless daily tasks you need or want to perform. Even when you're not engaged in activity, your back pain may be keeping you miserable 24/7. But don't assume that drugs can provide more than temporary relief, or that surgery won't create more problems than it solves.

Instead, go with the healthy, natural way to kiss your back pain goodbye -- through physical therapy.

What is chronic pain?

Chronic back pain refers to pain that lasts more than three months. It is a progressive pain that gradually worsens with time and basic daily activities. Furthermore, the specific cause of back pain may remain unknown. A person simply may not know what caused it or pinpoint a point of origin.

However, most people can recover from back pain by understanding its causes, especially those that do not derive from an incident, such as a car accident.

Chronic back pain

Chronic back pain may arise from two issues, including a sudden, traumatic injury or repetitive stress on the vertebrae. Pain includes sensations, such as a prick, burn, tingle, sting, sharp pain and aches. Acute pain is typically an expected bodily response to a severe injury.

However, the repeated use of joints after an inflammatory response may lead to the worsening of symptoms and disease progression, explains the NINDS.

In addition, those with poor posture, bulging or herniated discs, arthritis, skeletal irregularities and osteoporosis may suffer from chronic back pain more often than their peers, says the Mayo Clinic. Other facts, such as age, weight, poor lifting practices and even mental health conditions, may increase risk for back pain, and it only takes one injury for a condition to persist into the realm of long-term problems.

PT and chronic back pain - how it can help

Instead of numbing yourself with drugs or risking major surgery, give physical therapy a chance to relieve your chronic back pain the safe, natural way. Our physical therapist will first take the time to examine your back, analyze your symptoms, evaluate your medical history, and talk to you about your pain management goals.

This information enables the physical therapist to devise a comprehensive physical therapy plan just for you. Here are some ways you can benefit from such a plan:

  • Mindfulness practices and other techniques can help you reduce anxiety and other reactions to pain that might make the pain worse, helping you control your pain responses for the better.
  • Our physical therapist can recommend specific lifestyle modifications to help you ease stress on your back and avoid future back problems.
  • Laser therapy, massage therapy, and heat or cold treatments can reduce chronic inflammation and relax painful muscle spasms in your back.
  • Strengthening exercises can give weak back muscles the reinforcement they need to hold your back straighter and with less fatigue.
  • Stretching exercises can help you increase your range of motion, allowing you to do more with less back pain.

Considering physical therapy before drugs or surgery

Back pain can be either acute or chronic in nature. Acute back pain often occurs as the direct result of torn muscles or other sudden, intense damage. But as agonizing as cute back pain may be, at least you have the comfort of knowing that your pain will probably subside as the injury heals.

Chronic back offers no such comfort. By definition, any kind of chronic pain lasts for more than 3 months, either attacking you in bouts or plaguing you with constant discomfort. The underlying cause is often progressive and/or irreversible.

Common causes of chronic back pain include:

  • An old back injury that failed to heal properly, leaving you with internal scarring and chronic stiffness
  • A narrowing of the spinal canal known as spinal stenosis
  • Degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis of the spine
  • Chronic muscle strain from an unbalanced posture or weak back muscles
  • Bulging or herniated discs

Drugs can relieve chronic back pain, but only imperfectly. After a few hours of lessened symptoms, you have to take another dosage, and then another. If you're using opioids to dull your pain, you can end up in a frightening cycle of increased tolerance and addiction.

The most extreme form of treatment, spinal surgery, can permanently limit your back's flexibility. You might even end up with an even more painful problem known as failed back surgery syndrome.

Get fast and effective relief today

You have the power to master your chronic pain, starting with the decision to treat yourself to physical therapy.
Contact our physical therapist today to schedule an initial consultation!

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Experiencing Back Pain? A Herniated Disc Could Be The Culprit

Experiencing Back Pain? A Herniated Disc Could Be The Culprit

You may have been in this position before. Something feels terribly wrong with your back, but you're not quite sure what it is. You might be experiencing strange neck pains, back pains, or other symptoms in your extremities. These sensations can indicate a variety of potential problems - including one or more herniated discs in your back.

So, you might be wondering: how can you tell for sure whether you have this specific problem? And if you do have a herniated disc, what can you do about it? These questions don't have to add confusion and frustration to your pain.

Here are some helpful tidbits of information from our physical therapist about herniated discs, their common symptoms, and how physical therapy can help you get rid of your discomfort.

What is a herniated disc?

Your spinal discs are flat discs of tissue that lie between the vertebrae. A disc consists of a fluid-filled center called the “nucleus pulposus”, encased in an outer structure called the “annulus fibrosus”. This arrangement makes the disc both tough enough and spongy enough to absorb shocks.

Unfortunately, that toughness has its limits. Sometimes a disc will lose hydration over time, causing the nucleus pulposus to get smaller. The disc loses its height, which stresses the spinal joints and may cause the disc to bulge outward.

Eventually, these changes can cause part of the annulus fibrosus to balloon and tear open; causing a herniated disc. Herniated discs can also occur suddenly due to an auto accident, workplace accident, or sports injury that traumatizes the spine. They are also known as slipped or ruptured discs, and they do require medical attention.

Symptoms of a herniated disc

Herniated discs don't always cause symptoms in everyone, but on the chance that you are one of the people who experience them, here are some of the most common ones:

  • An inability to walk more than a few steps without pain
  • Pain, tingling, or loss of sensation in a limb (the result of a herniated disc pressing against nerve roots)
  • Back pain that seems to grow worse when you sneeze, cough, stand up, or sit down
  • Neck pain (if it's a cervical disc)

Some of these symptoms may begin after you gain a lot of weight since obesity is a risk factor for disc problems. You may notice others shortly after an accident that caused extreme twisting of the neck or back, or an attempt to lift a heavy object.

Don’t panic and think that all back pain is the result of a bulging disc. If your symptoms seem to be soothed by massage, heat, or cold, you're more likely to have a strained muscle. Ultimately, the most accurate way to confirm a herniated disc is through medical imaging. X-rays can reveal not only the abnormal shape of a herniated disc but also whether the herniation is pinching a nerve.

How are herniated discs treated?

Physical therapy can successfully treat herniated discs! At your initial appointment, one of our physical therapists will perform diagnostic tests to determine the root of your pain and verify that your pain is indeed being caused by a herniated disc.

Once the cause of your pain is clear, a customized treatment plan will be created for you, based on your specific needs. This typically includes a series of targeted stretches and exercises aimed at relieving your pain, improving your function, and promoting the natural healing process of your body.

Additional treatments may be added as your physical therapist deems fit. These include:

  • Manual therapy
  • Class IV laser therapy
  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
  • Education on posture and lifting mechanics
  • Ice and heat therapies
  • Traction

Physical therapy is one of the safest, quickest, and most effective ways to treat herniated discs. It is a holistic and non-invasive approach that, in many cases, has been able to eliminate the need for harmful drugs or surgical intervention.

Your physical therapist will also advise you on any lifestyle changes that may be recommended in order to prevent herniated discs from developing again in the future. Our physical therapist can recommend specific exercises to build up the strength in your back or neck. These exercises can counter any atrophy or weakness you've experienced due to your herniated disc. Your therapist may also recommend other non-invasive techniques to complement your physical therapy exercises and help you heal.

Ready to get your life back?

A herniated disc can cause a lot of misery -- but don't panic! Most herniated discs can be treated successfully without invasive and expensive surgical operations. Physical therapy can be the key to helping you reduce or eliminate your symptoms.

Are you ready to learn more about herniated discs and get the answers to your neck or back pain condition? Contact our physical therapist today to schedule a consultation!

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