PEAK FEB Headaches

1302 Prospect Ave., Ste C. CELEBRATING OUR
Helena, MT 59601 ONE YEAR
(406) 502-1900
ANNIVERSARY!!

helenapt.com

PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR

Headaches
Headaches, like back pain,
are one of the most common The most common types of headaches in adults are ten-
of all physical complaints and sion-type and Cervicogenic. They may be the result of a
can be one of the most frus- neck or jaw problem, poor posture, fatigue, or stress.
trating to manage. A problem in the neck, head, or jaw--such as an injury or
arthritis--can lead to tension in the muscles at the back
GOOD NEWS! of the head and to increased pressure on the nerves to
There is effective treatment for the face and head. Poor posture can cause these muscles to
almost every type of headache!
Physical therapists can help de- cont. on pg 2
termine the type of headache
you have, its cause, and devel-
op an appropriate treatment
plan that will reduce both its
frequency and intensity. Head-
aches are categorized as:
• Tension-type
• Migraine and cluster
• Secondary headaches

(from an underlying
condition, such as fever,
infectious disease, sinus
disorder, or serious illness)
• Cervicogenic

Most headaches are harmless and resolve on their own,
although severe headaches that recur frequently can affect
your ability to do your daily activities and can reduce your
quality of life.

HEADACHES, CONT. from page 1

become overworked, which can trigger a headache.
Your physical therapist will work with you to correct the problems that are
causing your pain and will help you learn to prevent headaches through
simple changes in your posture and lifestyle:
4 Improve neck mobility. Physical therapists use a specialized technique
called manual therapy to increase movement and relieve pain and to
stretch the muscles of the back of the neck.
4 Improve your strength. Your physical therapist will teach you exercises
to increase the strength of the muscles that help stabilize your upper back
and neck to improve your posture and endurance and make it easier for
you to sit or stand for longer periods of time without discomfort.
4 Improve your posture. Physical therapists will teach you ways to im-
prove your posture. Whether it is simply pushing your chest out or pulling
your shoulder blades backward and together, slight modifications to every-
day living can make a vast improvement in posture.
4 Modify your workstation or home office. We can visit your worksta-
tion and offer tips to correct problems that may be causing your headaches.

Call to make a free consultation appointment and
see how physical therapy can help you.

A SIMPLE TEST:

Find out if your upper back and neck are causing your low back pain.

• Stand normally with a friend facing you to observe your movements.
• Turn your head left and right as far as you can comfortably.Have your friend note how far you turn.
• Now sit in a chair and repeat the turning of your head both ways, have your friend again note how far you go.
• Ask your friend if there is a difference in your neck movement, standing compared to sitting.
• If your neck movement is more limited in sitting, then it is your neck or upper back that is tight and can be causing

your low back pain.

How do physical therapists relieve back pain?

Our physical therapists are medical experts trained in evaluating muscle and joint movement. First, a thorough eval-
uation is done to determine the source of your back pain, and if your neck or upper back can be affecting it. Then, a
complete plan of care is put together based on your individual needs. This could include hands-on physical therapy
sessions, stretching and strengthening or a combination of both. If you are suffering with back aches and pains,
whether for a week or a long time, give us a call today, we can help!

1302 Prospect Ave., Suite C helenapt.com • 406-502-1900

OUR PATIENTS’ SUCCESS Your referrals mean the world to us!

““When I first came in I had a lot of neck care to share

and back pain. It hurt to even breathe. REFERRAL PROGRAM
I had difficulty laying down, getting up A great physical therapy experience deserves to be shared. We hope you
and pain when laying flat on my back. tell someone you know we could help. They will thank you and so will we
I was so happy to find some relief on with a $10 Downtown Helena gift card for every new patient you send us.
my first visit! With Tori’s techniques and We have easy referral cards at the front desk! Stop by, say hello and pick a
Janelle’s dry needling I’ve gotten great few up.
relief from pain. I feel I’ve learned what
I need to do to help continue moving We treat:
forward to greater health! Very thank-
ful!! Thank you PEAK and crew!” 4 Back Pain
— Billie P.
4 Neck Pain
“Megan is my hero! I had excruciating
SI pain and was unable to do just about 4 Headaches
everything. Within three visits, Megan
had me back to myself again. Ready 4 Shoulder Pain Earn a gift card for every referral!
to start lifting weights again and I have 4 Hip/Leg Pain Redeemable at over 70 Downtown
been hiking. Thank you for your practi- 4 Sports Medicine
cal and effective approach!” — Callie J. Helena businesses.

4 Vehicle Accidents

4 Post-op Rehabilitation

4 Workers’ Compensation Injuries

We take walk-ins and offer 24-48 hour scheduling!

”

CELEBRATING ONE YEAR!

“Thanks Helena!”

Tackling Winter Arthritis Pain
A rthritis can affect people
all through the year, howev- Why movement matters.
er the winter and wet weath- For one thing, people with
er months can make it harder conditions such as rheumatoid
to manage the symptoms. The and psoriatic arthritis are more
cold and damp weather affects prone to stiffness, and stiffness
those living with arthritis as cli- gets worse with stillness. For
mate can create increased pain another, decreasing your phys-
to joints whilst changes also oc- ical activity can lead to weight
cur to exercise routines. gain, and more weight means
more stress on your joints.

Why does arthritis hurt more But there’s another reason
when it is cold? many people don’t think about:
One theory holds that a drop endorphins. When you ex-
in air pressure (which often accompanies cold, rainy ercise, your body releases these “feel good” hormones,
weather) allows tissues in the body to expand to fill the which actually have a pain-blocking effect.
space, meaning that already inflamed tissue can swell “In the end, it doesn’t matter whether you do it indoors
even more and cause increased arthritis pain. A study or outdoors — just keep moving. Don’t use winter as an
from Tufts University in 2007 found that every 10-degree excuse to stay still, or your symptoms may get worse.
drop in temperature corresponded with an incremental Need suggestions to break the cold barrier?
increase in arthritis pain. In addition, relatively low baro- 4 Make your home your gym - Ask your physical ther-
metric pressure, low temperatures and precipitation can apist for an exercise routine you can do at home. A set of
increase pain. light weights or inexpensive resistance bands can help you
increase your strength and improve your muscle tone. Bal-
If You Have Arthritis, ance exercises can be helpful for avoiding falls during icy
Don’t Hibernate — winters. You can do simple balance exercises such as stand-
Get Moving! ing on one leg at a time, using a chair or other support if
needed.

It’s winter. You live in a cold climate and the air outside 4 Join a class - Exercising with other people adds not only
may be frigid enough to make you want to spend the next a feeling of accountability, but also a fun social factor. I
couple of months hiding under a blanket. But if you have have had patients tell me that once they have a class set for
arthritis, avoid the urge. Sitting still all winter is the last once a week, and once they get to know their classmates,
thing you should do. they never want to miss it.

1302 Prospect Ave., Ste C. | helenapt.com | 406-502-1900

1302 Prospect Ave., Ste C.
Helena, MT 59601

helenapt.com

HEADACHE PAIN?

GET A

FREE

HEADACHE
CONSULTATION

See how physical therapy can help!
We offer 24-48 hour scheduling!

$70

VALUE

1302 Prospect Ave., Ste C. in Helena

406-502-1900