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Tag Archives: Neck pain

Fitness, Health, News

Decrease Neck Pain and Improve Your Quality of Life

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Your Neck and You

Have you been experiencing neck pain, headaches, dizziness, or stiffness? Are you using a computer or mobile device more frequently than normal? You aren’t alone. According to a literature review performed by Dr. Bart Green, approximately 67-80% of people will have neck pain at some point in their lives 1.  We’ve also seen that adolescents, who frequently spend more and more time in front of a screen are not immune to this either. Paula Hakala and associates found through research that 2-3 hours of screen time a day is enough to be a threshold for neck and shoulder pain 2.

During this time in which many people have transitioned to remote work environments somewhat abruptly, we’re seeing more issues. People may be spending significant amounts of time in a relatively fixed position, staring forward at computer screens or other monitors. Worse still is that very frequently, we find that people have poor posture and ergonomics with their positioning, resulting in increased pain or stiffness relative to if they had appropriate posture.

However, there is good news! We’ve found through research that physical therapy, including the hands-on manual therapy that our physical therapists use, has resulted in improving pain and outcomes in people with neck pain3. We’ve also found that something called scapular stabilization can help individuals struggling with chronic neck pain4. Your scapula and the muscles supporting it, commonly referred to as your shoulder blade, are important parts of your neck’s strength and stability.

Here at Excel Physical Therapy, therapists are trained in a variety of hands-on treatments to help alleviate your pain and get you feeling better. Soft tissue mobilization is a technique we use to help improve any restrictions or adhesions present in your soft tissue structures, like muscles or ligaments. Joint mobilization is another technique that your therapist may use to address any issues present in your neck. In joint mobilization, physical therapists use manual techniques to help alleviate any stiffness and improve discomfort in your cervical spine, or neck bones. Among the many others your physical therapist would be trained in, these two techniques can help address your pain or disability.

While at Excel, your therapist will be with you every step of the way, whether it’s your first visit or your last. Unlike some other physical therapy practices, we don’t employ any aides or assistants; every appointment will be with your therapist. No matter what’s going on, we’ll be there with you to help you excel in your recovery.

by: Eric Medaglia-Kurtz, PT, DPT, Assistant Clinic Director in Newtown Square

 

 

References:

1: Green B. N. (2008). A literature review of neck pain associated with computer use: public health implications. The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, 52(3), 161–167.

  1. Paula T. Hakala, et [al], Frequent computer-related activities increase the risk of neck–shoulder and low back pain in adolescents, European Journal of Public Health, Volume 16, Issue 5, October 2006, Pages 536–541,
  2. Hoving JL et. Al Manual therapy, physical therapy, or continued care by a general practitioner for patients with neck pain. A randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med. 2002 May 21;136(10):713-22. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-136-10-200205210-00006. PMID: 12020139.
  3. Seo YG, Park WH, Lee CS, et al. Is Scapular Stabilization Exercise Effective for Managing Nonspecific Chronic Neck Pain?: A Systematic Review. Asian Spine J. 2020;14(1):122-129. doi:10.31616/asj.2019.0055
Fitness, Health, News

The Impact of a Sedentary Lifestyle

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The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented healthcare crisis, as, over the past several weeks, we have witnessed an entire population being asked to remain at home and limit their social interactions. During this time, the activities of even the fittest individuals have been restricted, replaced with more opportunities for inactivity, as well as sedentary behavior.

A study (Krogh-Madsen et al. 2010) involving a group of healthy young males reduced their number of steps per day from a baseline of 10,000 to just 1,350 steps for a period of 2 weeks. After just 2 weeks of reduced activity, the test subjects showed a 7% decrease in
maximal oxygen uptake, an indicator of By Khushbu Dhimmer, PT, DPT cardiorespiratory fitness and also lost 3% of their lean leg mass.4 The study is a lesson that even a short-term reduction in activity levels can impact overall health. As restrictions begin to ease, many people will begin to increase their activity levels, and it is important to start slow and build up to your pre-pandemic exercise regimen. Adopting a program of stretching prior to exercise can get you moving in the right direction, but in some cases after a period of inactivity, you may encounter the onset of pain.

Pain is a protective perception of the brain; nonetheless, it is real and can limit functionality in areas such as walking, sitting, sleeping, running, and sport-specific movements. Many years of research have proven physical therapy to be an effective treatment to not only combat aches and pains but to find and fix the source of the issue. Physical therapy is not only for individuals suffering acute pain from an injury, it can also provide life-altering benefits for individuals dealing with persistent or “chronic” pain. Successful pain management with physical therapy consists of four “hallmarks” included in treatment: patient education, patient-centered goals, aerobic/strengthening exercise, and manual therapy.

Exercise can be an effective tool for pain management and improving function when utilized correctly. In a thorough examination, Excel physical therapists are able to appropriately dose (frequency, duration, intensity) physical exercise, which can significantly improve pain and related symptoms¹. Manual therapy, in conjunction with exercise, also provides therapeutic benefits to the body. It can assist with tissue healing, improve mobility and increase functional movement, which can alter pain levels to improve the quality of a patient’s life.

At Excel Physical Therapy, our one-hour, one-on-one initial evaluations allow the therapist and the patient to quickly develop a trusting and positive connection, which research studies have shown to contribute to a successful recovery². Furthermore, the option of one-on-one treatment sessions provides the patient and the physical therapist the opportunity to individualize treatment plans to achieve patient-centered goals, as well as educate the patient on the root causes behind their injury or pain. Current evidence supports the use of traditional physical therapy treatments to reduce aches and pain; however, understanding what pain is can positively amplify the impact of physical therapy treatments. At Excel, physical therapists take the time to “explain pain” to our patients, which can directly correlate to the reduction of the patient’s pain or symptoms.³

If you are experiencing pain and limitations in your function, please contact one of our many locations and schedule an appointment to begin your road to recovery today!

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1. Ambrose KR, Golightly YM. Physical exercise as non-pharmacological treatment of chronic pain: Why and when. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2015;29(1):120‐130. doi:10.1016/j.berh.2015.04.022 2. Bunzli S, McEvoy S, Dankaerts
W, O’Sullivan P, O’Sullivan K. Patient Perspectives on Participation in Cognitive Functional Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain. Phys Ther. 2016;96(9):1397‐1407. doi:10.2522/ptj.20140570 3. Van Oosterwijck J, Nijs J, Meeus M, et al.
Pain neurophysiology education improves cognitions, pain thresholds, and movement performance in people with chronic whiplash: a pilot study. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2011;48(1):43‐58. doi:10.1682/jrrd.2009.12.0206 4. Krogh-Madsen,
R., Thyfault, J. P., Broholm, C., Mortensen, O. H., Olsen, R. H., Mounier, R., … Pedersen, B. K. (2010). A 2-wk reduction of ambulatory activity attenuates peripheral insulin sensitivity. Journal of Applied Physiology, 108, 1034–1040.

News

Pain Relief Without Pain Medication

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Pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical treatment and is something we have all dealt with or will deal with at some point in our lives. National surveys have found that chronic pain—which is most commonly defined as pain lasting longer than 3 months—is a major health issue that affects approximately 100 million American adults and costs around $635 billion a year.

Dealing with chronic pain can make us feel frustrated, depressed, and just plain “broken” and the obvious thing we all want the most is to get rid of the pain as fast as possible. However, with so many options out there in the medical world, and the cost of healthcare only increasing, the question becomes which By Timothy Brown, PT, DPT method is the most effective and provides the greatest value? For many, medication is the first option to which people turn, whether it be something that can be picked up at a local pharmacy or something that is prescribed by a doctor.

Why? It provides fast pain relief and is readily available. However, in most instances, the pain relief is only temporary and the source of the pain is never really addressed but only masked for a short period of time. Aside from offering only temporary relief, the risks and side-effects associated with pain medications can be just as bad, if not worse, than the symptoms they are meant to alleviate, with chronic use increasing the risk of secondary problems such as GI distress, internal organ stress, and addiction or dependency issues.

This isn’t to say that pain medication doesn’t have its uses, but limiting our exposure to this kind of temporary pain relief and seeking out alternative methods of treatment that have less risk and more permanent results may be an effective and, ultimately, more optimal solution. Physical Therapy is largely regarded as one of the top alternatives for pain relief, being recognized in 2016 by the CDC as an alternative form of pain relief over prescription painkillers³.

The physical therapists at Excel Physical Therapy are experts in human movement, with their expertise resulting from their exposure to extensive education through accredited doctoral programs, challenging clinical experience, and use of the latest research-based medical literature. They are able to combine all of this to thoroughly assess and treat people of all ages and abilities in order to provide long term pain relief to their patients while restoring their functional movement and quality of life. This includes, but is not limited to, a wide variety of orthopedic ailments including low back pain, neck pain, knee pain, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and shoulder pain.

Excel Physical Therapy also offers treatment options with PT’s specializing in Pelvic Health and Vestibular/Post-Concussion Therapy to create a wide pallet of treatment options for all sorts of different needs. Excel Physical Therapy takes a patient-centered approach that is designed around a heavy focus on hands-on techniques and direct interaction between the patient and the PT, with no interference from aides or Physical Therapy Assistants.

If you are a person who feels limited by pain and is looking for a longer-lasting and healthier form of pain relief, please don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment at one of our many clinics located for a one-on-one evaluation.

Visit us to get control over your pain and your life!

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Fitness, Health, News

Overcome Your Neck Pain with Physical Therapy

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It’s the end of the day and your neck is stiff and painful. You may even start to feel a headache coming on. Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders experienced by the general population second only to low back pain.

A recent study in the United States indicated that 15.1% of adults have reported an occurrence of neck pain within the previous three months. A second study determined that 3%-11% of workers experiencing neck pain were affected by it enough to cause lost time at work.

Traditionally, these types of symptoms have been addressed by training the muscles that make up our deep neck flexors, performing manual therapy, and using other non-surgical interventions. However, like most musculoskeletal issues we experience, the solution may not only be to focus on the area of discomfort, but also on nearby structures as well. Studies have shown that the majority of people reporting neck pain also experience shoulder pain or demonstrate poor shoulder movement.

There are several reasons to explain the correlation between neck and shoulder issues. First, the bones and muscles of the cervical spine and shoulders are connected to each other. Therefore, a continuous load on the shoulders can eventually increase the load on the entire cervical region, possibly leading to neck pain. Second, the nerves that act on your arm and shoulder all originate in your neck. If there is damage along this pathway then altered shoulder movements can lead to neck pain.

Several muscles are responsible for proper movement of the shoulder blade including the serratus anterior and the upper and lower trapezius. If these muscles are weak or not working together properly, it can alter the orientation and movement pattern of the shoulder blade and lead to discomfort in the neck. Research has shown that by providing proper support to the arm and shoulder, patients suffering from neck pain reported pain reduction and also demonstrated an improved range of motion in the neck. By strengthening the serratus anterior and trapezius muscles, patients can provide the proper support of their shoulder to help improve any neck pain.

If you currently experience neck pain or headaches, a physical therapist can assist in performing a comprehensive initial evaluation. They will assess the strength and range of motion of your neck and shoulders, as well as your movement patterns, and can provide education as to the causes of your symptoms. During scheduled visits, they can provide you with ways to change your work activities to best reduce your pain, and develop a plan of care to help you return to being pain-free!

Understanding the importance of regular physical activity is paramount in preventing chronic diseases. Contact us today to get started with overcoming your neck pain, so that you can enjoy the active lifestyle your body deserves!

David Girardot, PT, DPT

 

Sources: Lee, Y, et al Effects of shoulder stabilization exercise on pain and function in patients with neck pain, J Phys. Ther Sci 27: 3619-3622, 2015 Im, B, et al, Effects of scapular stabilization exercises on neck posture and muscle activation in individuals with neck pain and forward head posture, J. Phys Ther Sci 28: 951-955, 2016

Learn methods to relieve neck and shoulder pain in our February 2020 Newsletter!

 

News

Excel Bensalem clinic Moving on November 18th to a New Location!

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Excel Physical Therapy is excited to announce that our Bensalem clinic will be moving to a brand new facility on November 18, 2019!

The new Bensalem clinic will be located at:

3331 Street Road, Suite 310

Bensalem, PA 19020

Phone (215) 639-1600

Fax (215) 639-8216

We welcome patients at our new location starting Monday, November 18th!

Our Mission is Your Recovery!

 

Fitness, Health, News

The Core of Neck and Back Pain

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All of us have probably met someone in our lives who suffers from chronic (or long-term) back or neck pain. It could be a friend, a family member, or it may even be yourself. Think about that individual for a moment. Imagine the struggle they experience while seeking a remedy, or the attempts made at solving the mystery of their discomfort.

These are the types of patients that physical therapists, such as me, are working to help every day. These are also the patients who frequently ask us what it is we can do to properly address their condition. The answer is fairly simple and somewhat surprising: it’s education!

When a physical therapist is performing an evaluation, they are working on getting to the CORE of your problem.  For the low back (or lumbar spine), that problem may indeed be the stabilizing musculature that we commonly refer to as the “core.” While a physical therapist will not be able to give you abs like Vin Diesel, we can show you how to activate the abdominal muscles which help to stabilize and protect your back. Once you have a basic understanding, we begin to educate patients on how important those muscles are to perform everyday activities, along with how they relate to your posture and function.

In the neck (or cervical spine), the importance of posture is immeasurable. Neck pain, migraines, stenosis, disc pathologies, and even shoulder and lower arm soreness, can all be corrected with postural education. An example of how one can benefit is by adjusting how you are positioned while looking down at your smartphone. We may not call the neck stabilizers the “core” but it operates in the same manner. By activating the specific musculature that supports the neck and head we can improve the positioning of the cervical spine and put you on the right path to pain relief.

Once we’ve identified the root cause of your pain and communicated some education, then the real fun begins! A skilled physical therapist will utilize “hands-on” or manual therapy to help achieve your recovery goal. These types of techniques help to relax tight muscles, open up space in the joints, improve range of motion and make you feel good! Therapy in conjunction with education will not only get you on the right path towards success but also provide you with the skills to avoid further problems.

So let’s relate this back to the person I asked you to think about earlier. As it turns out, their pain may not be as mysterious as once thought. All you need is a skilled physical therapist working to get to the CORE of your back and neck pain.

By Nicholas Drago, PT, DPT, Clinic Director of Excel Physical Therapy – Ardmore

Learn more about the causes and treatment for neck and back pain in our November 2019 monthly newsletter!

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Health, Uncategorized

Back Pain or Sciatica?

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“I think I may have sciatica, but I’m not sure. I have pain that travels down my leg, isn’t that sciatic pain? The discomfort in my back and leg seem different, how do I know if they’re related to each other? How do I just get rid of this pain?”

Chances are you, or someone you know has experienced thoughts like these before. You may have heard others talk about sciatic pain and the symptoms associated with it, but have been unsure how accurate their information is or what to do with that information. So where does sciatic pain come from? How can someone know if their leg pain is the result of low back problems? These are great questions that a licensed physical therapist can help answer, and also address.

Our low back, or lumbar spine, absorbs and transmits forces throughout our lives. The lumbar spine is also the source of excessive force in many cases, whether it be from vigorous physical activity or prolonged stress from poor posture. As much as 80% of individuals will have at least one episode of back pain during their lifetime (Rubin et al. 2007), which often affects their daily activities. There are a wide variety of potential causes of low back pain, and therefore a wide variety of treatment options to address these causes. Low back pain research has shown that early participation in physical therapy was associated with a reduced risk of advanced imaging, additional physician visits, surgery, injections, and opioid medications, compared to delayed participation in physical therapy (Fritz et al. 2012).

The sciatic nerve is made up of nerves that originate in our low back and then travel along a specific route into each of our legs to allow them to work effectively. The sciatic nerve is relatively large as it can be as wide as two centimeters in diameter (Davis and Vasudevan. 2019). The sciatic nerve, like other nerves, serves a specific purpose for our bodies but can be compromised by abnormal stresses. Sciatica refers to the presence of symptoms arising from sciatic nerve irritation in one leg. Those symptoms can include tingling, burning, muscle weakness, discomfort, or pain. Determining whether those symptoms are the result of a localized problem in muscles, abnormal nerve function, or a low back issue requires
specific testing.

Licensed physical therapists understand the specific anatomy of the body, and are trained to perform special measurements/tests to determine the potential root causes of a patient’s symptoms. By performing a thorough clinical examination, a physical therapist can then identify what may be causing these symptoms, and address the source. In doing so, a physical therapist can help a patient with leg pain or low back pain gain the ability to effectively address their symptoms and progress towards regaining normal movement.

Our licensed physical therapists at Excel Physical Therapy spend one-on-one time with each patient and are specially trained to perform evaluations of low back pain, as well as sciatica. Contact us today to help you or a loved one recover and achieve their physical therapy goals.

By:  Josh Tizzard, PT

Sources:
1.RubinDI.Epidemiologyand risk factors for spinepain.NeurolClin.2007;25(2):353–371.
2.FritzJM,etal.Primarycare referralofpatientswith lowBackpain tophysical therapy impacton futurehealthcareutilization
and costs.Spine.2012;37(25):2114–2121.
3.DavisD,VasudevanA.Sciatica. [Updated2019Feb28]. In:StatPearls [Internet].Treasure Island (FL):StatPearlsPublishing;
2019.Available from:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507908/?report=classic.

Click to view our June 2019 Newsletter to learn more about back pain and sciatica at Excel Physical Therapy!

https://online.flippingbook.com/view/310487/

 

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