PHYSIO
Oftentimes the most common source of pain comes from the neck due to static posture and movement faults.
There are times when we need to worry about the pain and there are times when we need to take that chill pill and not.
Seek immediate medical help if there was trauma (fall, motor vehicle accident, sports injury), as concussion has to be ruled out (signs of concussion: headache, neck rigidity, nausea, sleepiness and dilated eyes).
When there are other reasons to seek help is when:
(Brinjikji et al., 2015)
Having a MRI or X-ray reading stating there are degenerative changes is NOT a worrisome sign as it is the “wear and tear” of aging. Many people with positive signs of degenerative changes in the spine show absolutely no symptoms of pain.
Signs of degenerative changes via imaging are never diagnostic on its own; a holistic screening involving history taking, pattern of pain, and special tests are done to understand the root of the pain.
Why do some people feel pain while other do not when imaging findings show the wear and tears? Each individual will perceive pain differently as pain is interpreted by the brain, it’s all in our head (see Pain article).
Often times there is cracking noise that comes from your spine and that noise is simply called “crepitus” (the popping, snapping, or grinding sound that goes with movement). Crepitus occurs in any moving joint in the body where lubrication from synovial fluid (the grease for our joints) goes through pressure changes and/or the ligaments or tendon is moving between the bones.
Medical literature states that frequent “cracking” of the neck done by individuals out of habit does NOT cause any increase in wear and tear changes.
For each crack, it takes another 20 minutes for the next crack to occur due to the pressure changes that take place (Unsworth, 1971 & Kawchuk, 2017).
When crepitus is accompanied with pain or loss of range of motion, this can present a problem that should be helped by physiotherapy. Most problems of the neck arise over time but also can be accelerated with whiplash or trauma.
Some musculoskeletal issues with the neck that can cause pain can be attributed to disc bulges that push on nerve root of the spinal cord, bone spurs that grow and impinge the nerve. Neck pain can start suddenly or can grow worse over weeks, months or accumulation over years due to poor movement patterns.
If you have neck pain...when should you see a physiotherapist to treat it?
Most of neck pain is due to:
(Yang, 2015)
Goals are to improve pain-free range of motion and return to daily activities.
Modification of stress, lifestyle and habits such as smoking that can contribute to pain will be discussed. Hands-on treatment is a must to reduce pain and proper exercise prescription as well as ergonomic advice is given.
Expect a few sessions to occur for the first weeks when there is a significant amount of pain.
Management of the pain is foremost before restoration of proper movement
About the Book: Do You Really Need Back Surgery? (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.backpain-guide.com/AboutBook.html
Brinjikji W, Luetmer PH, Comstock B, Bresnahan BW, Chen LE, Deyo RA, Halabi S, Turner JA, Avins AL, James K, Wald JT, Kallmes DF, Jarvik JG.
Systematic Literature Review of Imaging Features of Spinal Degeneration in Asymptomatic Populations. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2015 Apr;36(4):811–6. PubMed #25430861
Kawchuk GN, Fryer J, Jaremko JL, Zeng H, Rowe L, Thompson R. Real-Time Visualization of Joint Cavitation. PLoS ONE. 2015;10(4): e0119470. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0119470
Unsworth A, Dowson D, Wright V. ‘Cracking joints’ A bioengineering study of cavitation in the metacarpophalangeal joint. Ann Rheum Dis. 1971;30: 348-358.
Yang, Haiou PhD; Haldeman, Scott DC, MD, PhD; Nakata, Akinori PhD; Choi, BongKyoo ScD, MPH; Delp, Linda PhD, MPH; Baker, Dean MD, MPH. Work-related risk factors for neck pain in the US working population. Spine. 2015. 40(3):184-192.
NOVENA
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TAMPINES
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Phoenix Rehab Group works with specialist physiotherapists and rehab therapists who are highly trained, qualified, experienced and passionate to provide high level of expert care to our patients.
HAND THERAPY & CUSTOMIZED SPLINTING
Patients who sustained injuries to their elbows, forearms, hands, wrists (sprains and fractures) and fingers, usually will benefit / require Hand Therapy to
Commonly treated hand pain injuries includes
REFORMER CLINICAL PILATES & WELLNESS PILATES
Clinical Pilates is a form of physical exercise that focuses on posture, core stability, balance, control, strength, flexibility and breathing.
It is a system of safe and effective exercises, which meet specific individual needs, to treat a wide range of injuries and conditions.
You may do Pilates as matwork or with the reformer or both, and every session will be customized 100% to your fitness, injury and tolerance.
TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM)
DEEP TISSUE RELEASE & SPORTS MASSAGE THERAPY
Sports and deep tissue release massage helps to increase nutrient-rich blood flow to tired, tight and tense muscles to accelerate recovery and shorten downtime / recovery period required.
It also prevents muscles from scar tissue micro-tears (and potential ruptures), and increases muscle performance. Having regular deep tissue and sports massage will keep your muscles healthy and fit with body/movement-confidence.
Read the benefits of regular deep tissue release therapy here.
ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES
All our allied health therapists and TCM physicians are fully insured and registered with Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) and Traditional Chinese Medicine Board (TCMB).
See our entire team here with introductions and their specializations.
At the first session, our specialist physiotherapists will carry out a thorough assessment, helping them to select the most appropriate treatment to help you recover as well as provide treatment in the same session.
Follow up sessions are inline to provide expert treatment for your pain as well as prescribing specific exercises to reduce your risk of re-injury and giving you a long term solution.
We appreciate you as our valued clients and want you to know that the # 1 way we grow as a clinic / brand is through word of mouth referrals from valued patients like yourself.
We prefer not to rely on advertising - instead, we prefer and appreciate the goodwill and positive reinforcement from patients. When you have the chance, please tell your family, friends and physicians about the positive results and experience you have had in our physio clinics.
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