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Put-An-End-To-Headache-Pain-With-Physical-Therapy
Put An End To Headache Pain With Physical Therapy

Did you know that headaches are the third most common pain complaint across the world? (International Headache Society). It’s true! So if you began reading this and you are suffering from headaches, breathe a sigh of relief: you are not alone.

It is no secret that headaches can cause limits to your daily life. Fortunately though, physical therapy can help you overcome those painful barriers.

If you are living with constant headaches and you’re looking for relief, contact Dubuque Physical Therapy today to schedule a consult with one of our licensed physical therapists. We’ll help you rid yourself of that pounding pain!

Reasons for headaches

The term headache is pretty self-explanatory. A “headache” is a term that refers to any form of pain you experience in your head!

Most headaches will go away without medical intervention; however, severe or persistent headaches that negatively impact one’s quality of life should be explored further.

The trick is to figure out what kind of headache you’re having and then consult with a physical therapist at Dubuque Physical Therapy to come up with a treatment strategy that works for you!

Physical therapists are skilled at identifying various forms of headaches and developing pain-relieving treatments for stress-related headaches.

There are several different types of headaches that can be treated with physical therapy. These include, but are not limited to:

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

Tension headaches are some of the most commonly treated headaches by a physical therapist. They occur when the neck and scalp muscles contract or become tense, and they can happen at any age.

Stress-related headaches generally start at the back of the head and progress to the top of the head and eyes, sometimes accompanied by facial pain along the jaw and cheeks. This type of discomfort has been compared to having hair pulled or wearing a very tight hat.

This kind of headache can occur as a result of increased stress levels, but also from:

  • Depression.
  • Poor posture.
  • Arthritis.
  • Neck or jaw problems.
  • Fatigue.
  • Anxiety.

Physical therapy for headache pain

It may seem strange at first to see a physical therapist about headaches. However, physical therapy addresses all movement and posture problems, not just those that happen after surgery or injury.

To begin, at your first appointment your physical therapist will evaluate your posture, body strength, and movement. They may also ask you to describe your workstation to see if poor posture throughout the day is contributing to your headaches.

Next, they will prescribe a series of stretches and targeted exercises for you to do throughout the day to give your body a chance to reset its position, and cut back on the number of tension headaches you develop. Finally, they may give you a series of strengthening exercises to do on your own to strengthen the muscles in your stomach, back, shoulders, and hips so you can hold your body properly as you work.

Your therapist will also teach you how to perform pain-relieving techniques to do on your own whenever you experience tension headaches. These may include ice, heat, massage, stretching, or specific movements.

Your physical therapist may suggest any combination of specialized treatment services, including but not limited to:

  • Muscle energy techniques.
  • Ice or compressions.
  • Body mobilization.
  • Soft tissue mobilization.
  • McKenzie-based therapies.
  • Cervical traction.
  • Stretching exercises.
  • Strengthening exercises.
  • Muscular releases.

It’s vital to remember that you’re not alone in your therapy, even if you’re the patient! Your physical therapist will be by your side every step of the way to assist you in determining what causes your headaches and what relieves the pain. If you have any questions or concerns about your treatment, don’t hesitate to contact your therapist.

Give our clinic a call today to find true headache relief

Are your headaches causing limits to your daily life? If so, contact Dubuque Physical Therapy as soon as possible. The quicker you consult with a physical therapist, the less likely your headaches will progress into more severe pain. Call our office today to get started on the first steps of your own personalized treatment plan!

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Physical Therapy Can Help You Solve Your Chronic Pain Problems

When you wake up in the morning, do you feel achy? While aches and pains are common from time to time, waking up every morning with them can indicate a more serious problem.

If you have painful sensations in the morning for no apparent reason, don’t hesitate to contact Dubuque Physical Therapy as soon as possible for assistance. We’ll get to the root of your problem to help you find relief, so you can wake up in the mornings feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day ahead.

Common causes of chronic pain in the morning

Has your doctor diagnosed you with a more serious medical condition that impacts your joints and tissues? If so, physical therapy may be the next step. Physical therapy is a very common and effective treatment plan for pain relief.

Here are some of the most common ailments that can be relieved with the guidance of a physical therapist:

  • Osteoarthritis.
  • Gout.
  • Bursitis.
  • Tendinitis.
  • Lupus.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Injury.

Aches, pains, and stiffness can be caused by any of these disorders. In addition to pain alleviation, physical therapy treatment regimens for these diseases will focus on helping you attain a broader range of motion in your affected joints or limbs. These help you regain your typical movement by improving overall function.

Why is pain worse in the morning?

Overuse of your joint tissues throughout the day might aggravate them without you even noticing it. When you fall asleep, you are nearly immobile for several hours, which can cause tissue inflammation to thicken and irritate the affected area further. As a result, you feel stiff and achy when you wake up in the morning.

Most of the time, after you get up and walk around, this feeling will subside pretty quickly. This is due to the fact that movement causes the inflammation to become liquid-like, reducing chronic pain. Hydration is an easy way to avoid aching morning wake-up calls.

Staying hydrated allows your body’s tissues to function at their normal pace, whereas dehydration slows down your chemical processes. This will keep your tissues from becoming overly inflamed, easing irritation.

Great ways to ease your discomfort and pain

Your physical therapy treatment plan will be determined by your symptoms and/or diagnosis. In addition to your customized treatment plan, many physical therapists will recommend at-home remedies. On your path to wellness, your physical therapist will most likely give you the following advice:

  • Maintain a healthy diet. Consumption of brightly colored fruits and vegetables can help alleviate pain. These healthy foods have more antioxidants and vitamins, which fight off the inflammation that leads to pain and irritation. A better diet also helps you to get better sleep and helps your body receive more benefits from exercise – thus, adding to the endless cycle of benefits.
  • Practice proper posture. Avoiding unwanted aches and pains can be as simple as maintaining proper posture. Try to get up every half hour for some light stretches if your job needs you to sit at a desk for extended periods of time or if you stay sedentary for hours every day. Move around and keep your circulation running to relieve joint pain. Make sure your spine is straight and your shoulders are back at your desk to avoid slouching or hunching.
  • Get enough sleep. Getting a good night’s sleep creates an endless cycle of benefits, especially when it comes to physical therapy. Sufficient amounts of sleep will increase your ability to exercise effectively, which in turn will help you sleep better at night. Your sleep and exercise habits go hand-in-hand, and the results of one will always affect the other.

The benefits of physical therapy

It is in your best interest to see a physical therapist if you are experiencing chronic aches and pains. Your physical therapist will perform a physical examination to establish the source of your discomfort and develop a treatment plan based on that information. Your physical therapist will work with you to relieve your pain and enhance your function, and will be there to support you every step of the way.

Get on the fast track to pain relief today

Physical therapists are movement specialist who can help you recover from your pain condition. Our treatment strategies include focused stretches and exercises to relieve your symptoms and prevent them from coming back in the future.

If you’re suffering from aches and pains, call our office right now to see how we can help! We’ll help you reclaim your freedom to live life on your own terms.

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Arthritis-Pain-Shouldnt-Control-Your-Life
Arthritis Pain Shouldn’t Control Your Life. With Physical Therapy, It Doesn’t Have To!

Are your joints are painful, achy, or weak? You could be living with arthritis, and you’re not alone if this is the case. In reality, people are diagnosed with more than 100 different forms of arthritis.

The elderly are the most likely group to be diagnosed with arthritis; nevertheless, arthritic symptoms can occur in young people as well!

Male athletes who participate in professional sports are more likely than the general population to acquire arthritis over their lifetime, according to a study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine. According to the study’s findings, 30 percent of male athletes who participate in contact sports will develop arthritis in their knees and/or hips as a result of overuse and excessive “wear and tear.”

If you have been diagnosed with arthritis, or if you think you’re experiencing arthritic symptoms, call Dubuque Physical Therapy today to set up a consultation. We’ll design the best treatment plan for your needs and have you feeling better in no time!

How physical therapy can treat arthritis pain

A common treatment for arthritis is medication, usually for pain manageability. Your physician may prescribe NSAID pain relievers, corticosteroids, antirheumatic drugs, or antibiotics for your arthritis treatment. Medication is easy – you pop it in your mouth, chase it with water, and your pain subsides shortly afterward.

However, they can also cause some unfavorable side effects, and in some cases they can be habit-forming. With NSAIDs, you run the risk of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke. With corticosteroids, you run the risk of cataracts, high blood sugar levels, and bone loss. Luckily, there is a much safer and healthier alternative to treating arthritis: physical therapy.

If you believe you may be experiencing arthritic pain, and you’re looking for relief without the harmful risk of drugs, call our office today. We’ll set you up with a physical therapist who can help you kick the meds and reduce your arthritis symptoms!

Three common types of arthritis

  • Metabolic Arthritis. The most common type of metabolic arthritis is gout, a condition caused by uric acid crystals building up in the joints of the extremities, especially in the feet. This is typically a result of reduced kidney function. Physical therapy can help gout patients restore range of motion in the affected area, and it can even reduce the buildup of acidic crystals that accumulate in the joints.
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis. Also referred to as inflammatory arthritis, this is the second most common type of arthritis. It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks joint tissues with intense inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis often has a genetic cause, and doctors usually treat it aggressively with drugs. However, depending on the severity of symptoms, physical therapy may be recommended for treatment as well.
  • Osteoarthritis. The most prevalent type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. It is caused by a loss of joint cartilage as a result of “wear and tear” as one gets older. The wearing away of cartilage causes bones to rub against one other, causing pain and edema. Physical therapy, especially if the osteoarthritis is mild-to-moderate, can often assist to relieve pain without the use of medication.

The good news is that all of these kinds of arthritis can be helped by physical therapy treatment. There are 3 main goals of physical therapy treatments for arthritis are to relieve your pain by decreasing the stress on your joints, increase your strength, and improve your functional movements and range of motion.

What will a treatment plan look like?

Your treatment plan will be designed specifically for you, depending on the type of arthritis you are living with and the severity of your symptoms. This is done through targeted and proven methods, including:

  • Exercise and stretching. Light exercises and stretching will help to increase range of motion in the affected areas.
  • Weight control. Your physical therapist will work with you to control your weight through exercise and diet. Controlling your weight helps to prevent added stress on weight-bearing joints.
  • Getting enough rest. Your therapist will also recommend a schedule for rest and sleep to complement your exercises. This helps the body to heal and will hopefully reduce your amount of arthritic inflammation and pain.
  • Posture improvement. Posture work will help to reduce stress on your joints.

What are you waiting for?

There is no reason for you to live in constant pain and discomfort. If you are looking to find relief for your arthritic pains without the risk of potentially harmful pain-management drugs, contact us today! Dubuque Physical Therapy would be happy to help you find the relief you need, the natural way.

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