Don’t Let Neck Pain Get In The Way of Holiday Fun
Does stress cause neck pain? The short answer is no! At Leaps & Bounds, we like to say “contributes to” instead of “cause.” The casual way healthcare professionals throw around terms can lead to confusion and, worse still, ineffective treatment. Fortunately, our highly skilled therapists know how to dig deep and find the root cause of your neck pain, and this information helps you find relief!
Let’s discuss Nicole, a 40-something-year-old working mother of three. Nicole was used to being very active, balancing her work schedule with getting her kids to all the various activities and school functions that come with being a mom nowadays.
Her neck pain first started as a crick in the neck when she woke up one morning. As the day progressed from driving her kids around to sitting at her desk, she noticed turning her head became more difficult and painful, making focusing on work nearly impossible.
Nicole struggled to figure out why her neck started hurting and came to the conclusion that stress “must be” the culprit. The more pain and difficulty moving she had, the more convinced she was that stress was to blame.
Understanding Nicole’s Neck Pain
One of the most common things we hear from our patients is that their pain started for “no apparent reason.” Like Nicole, people will wake up with a crick in their neck or notice a stiffness turning when driving in the car. It is also common for people to notice tightness in their upper back and neck after a long day.
So, what is actually the source of the pain? In most cases, there is an issue with the neck joints or the neck muscles due to prolonged positions. Our neck joints don’t like remaining in any position for extended periods. In Nicole’s case, she first noticed her pain in the morning, which may have been related to her neck position while sleeping. It is also important to note that in Nicole’s case, the first sign of any issue was in the morning when she woke up, unrelated to stress.
As Nicole’s day progressed, her pain got worse. But this also was more likely related to how she held her neck while driving or sitting at her computer. In both cases, her posture, specifically how she held her neck, seems to have contributed to her pain. Prolonged sitting can lead to a forward head position, resulting in tension to soft tissue (i.e., muscles, tendons, and ligaments) or negative changes to our blood flow.
The muscles of our neck function best when we move them. So, holding her head in one position likely led to irritation of the muscles and affected her ability to move her neck, which in turn caused stress.
Stress “contributes” to neck pain because, when we experience stress, our bodies naturally respond by tensing up as a protective measure. This tension can lead to discomfort, particularly in the neck and upper back region. Research studies have found that individuals with higher stress levels reported increased neck pain as compared to those with lower stress levels. This is why we say “contributes” to, but not the cause of, neck pain.
How Leaps & Bounds Can Help Alleviate Neck Pain
We will target the source of your pain by performing a thorough examination, starting with your medical history and details about how, when, and where your symptoms began. As we saw with Nicole, determining how, when, and why the pain started helps us eliminate possibilities and get to the actual root cause(s).
Our therapists will also analyze your posture and movement to identify any limitations or restrictions contributing to your condition. We’ll use this information to design a program that addresses your specific needs.
Our treatment plans focus on relieving your pain and improving your posture, mobility, strength, etc., and educating you about managing your symptoms. Your program will likely include manual therapy (i.e., soft tissue work and/or joint mobilizations), targeted stretches, exercises, activity modification, or posture recommendations.
We’ll listen to your unique situation and specific issues and then work to help you find relief and get back to your normal routine.
Book an appointment today!
If you’re dealing with neck pain or looking for someone to help you figure out what is causing your issues, call us today and set up a consultation!
Help Us Help Our Community
This month we will be raising money for the Oakville Fareshare Foodbank! We will donate $10 for every Google review we receive!
In addition to donating for our reviews, we also have a donation box where patients can bring in their non-perishables. The box will be up until Wednesday December 18th.
Holiday Jam (A Great Homemade Gift!)
Ingredients:
- 1 package (40 ounces) frozen unsweetened strawberries, thawed or 2-1/2 quarts fresh strawberries, hulled
- 1 pound fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed
- 5 pounds sugar
- 2 pouches (3 ounces each) liquid fruit pectin
Directions:
- Grind strawberries and cranberries in a food processor or grinder; place in a Dutch oven. Add sugar.
- Bring to a full rolling boil; boil for 1 minute. Remove from the heat; stir in pectin and return to a full rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat.
- Cool for 5 minutes; skim off foam. Carefully ladle hot mixture into hot half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Remove air bubbles; wipe rims and adjust lids. Process for 10 minutes in a boiling-water canner.
Say hello to Tracy
Tracy is experienced in a variety of techniques including myofascial and muscle energy techniques, trigger point therapy, Swedish massage, warm bamboo therapy, and hot stone therapy. She is known for her good sense of palpation, and the ability to resolve soft tissue dysfunctions.
Tracy holds a certification in Hot Stone Therapy from the Stone Massage Company and is a recognized Hot Stone Instructor by the College of Massage Therapist of Ontario. She also holds a certificate from the Southern Ontario College of Osteopathy In Muscle Energy Technique, Myofascial Release, Techniques of Still and Chapman Reflex. She was also trained in the United States by the founder of Bamboo Fusion ® and holds a certificate in this modality.
Tracy’s diverse background in the wellness industry supports her practice in treating a wide variety of clients, from runners to individuals seeking massage for chronic ailments, muscle tension, or general relaxation. Tracy’s intention is to promote a sense of well-being amongst her clients which encompasses enjoying a more active pain-free lifestyle.
Meet Thomas
Thomas is a resident physiotherapist who completed his Master of Science in Physical Therapy (MScPT) at McMaster University. Before pursuing his masters, Thomas completed his undergraduate degree at Western University where he finished with an Honors Specialization in the (HonsBA) Clinical Kinesiology program.
Thomas is a passionate and dedicated practitioner who strives to provide exceptional personalized care that surpasses the needs of each individual he works with. Thomas values his position as a guide in each patients journey and helps them to understand how they can effectively use exercise to return to the activities that matter most. As an ex-varsity athlete and assistant coach with McMaster’s Men’s Tennis Team, Thomas understands the demands of operating at peak levels of physical performance. With this experience in mind, Thomas approaches care with the goal of both rehabilitating and strengthening patients to enhance their performance while helping them stay injury-free. In addition, Thomas incorporates manual therapy and soft tissue techniques to supplement his approach along individual paths to recovery.
Outside of work, Thomas can be found sliding around the tennis court, in the gym, or enjoying a night in cooking and watching the Toronto Maple Leafs!
Whether you are an athlete, weekend warrior, or just want to improve your physical condition, Thomas looks forward to helping you reach your goals!
Andrew & Pat in wintery Buffalo to watch the Bills-49ers game!
Patient Success Story
“My 13-year-old son hurt his leg four weeks before tryout season. The muscle strain considerably limited his mobility. Andrew connected with him and worked with him and brought him back stronger than before and ready to give his best at tryouts. We would come back to Andrew in a minute should an issue arise in the future. Thank you so much.” – S.L.