Alleviate Persistent Neck Pain With Physical Therapy
Have you ever had one of those days at work or school when your neck just won’t stop bothering you? Or maybe turning your head to check for cars is difficult or painful. Neck pain can really impact your day and make life less enjoyable. Good news! At Elliott Physical Therapy, we’ve got a team that knows just how to help you feel better and give you tips to keep the pain away.
Most of the time, neck pain happens because there’s something wrong with a muscle or joint. Figuring out what the real source is can be difficult, but with the help of our experienced therapists, you can get to the root of your problems, and more importantly, get the solutions you’re looking for.
Our therapists will use treatments like specific stretches, hands-on techniques, and strength exercises that are tailored for immediate and lasting relief. Our ultimate goal? To help you return to a life you can enjoy to the fullest.
Take action today! Request an appointment and set the wheels in motion for the lasting relief you deserve.
Source of Neck Pain: Causes and Symptoms
Neck pain is a multifaceted condition, and its origins can vary widely from person to person. Whether your discomfort starts from an unfortunate car accident or something that seems insignificant, our team can help.
What may appear to be a minor issue, such as a recurring crick in your neck, could potentially develop into a chronic issue that disrupts your daily life.
For some individuals, the issue lies deeper within the structure of the spine (for example, changes to the discs, and the cushions between vertebrae). Disc degeneration can lead to pain and difficulty moving the neck, whereas problems such as bulging or herniated discs can be particularly painful and can even lead to nerve compression. This often results in additional symptoms such as sharp, radiating pain or numbness extending into the shoulders or arms.
Luckily, our physical therapists are skilled at identifying these contributing factors and formulating an effective treatment plan tailored to alleviate your specific symptoms.
New Daily Patient Check-In through the Elliott PT app!
We’re always looking for ways to better support your recovery journey — that’s why we’ve introduced a quick daily check-in! Each time you open your Elliott PT app to complete your exercises, you’ll receive a simple message asking how you’re feeling so we can track your progress, adjust your care if needed, and make sure you’re getting the best results possible.
The app will help you stay on track with your home exercise program and overall recovery and your feedback helps us help you heal smarter and faster. We can’t wait to hear how you’re doing!
Join us in welcoming Rebecca to Hanover
Rebecca Wolongevicz, MS, OTR/L, CHT
Occupational Therapist
Certified Hand Therapist
Rebecca, a Hanover native, is well known throughout the community. After graduating from Hanover High School, she earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Health Sciences and Occupational Therapy from the University of New England. She also earned her post-graduate certificate in Hand and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation from Tufts University.
Rebecca has been an occupational therapist for over 20 years and has worked as a certified hand therapist throughout Massachusetts since 2010. She was a contributor to Orthotic Intervention for the Hand and Upper Extremity, 2nd Ed., published in 2014.
Her areas of expertise include custom orthosis fabrication, wound and scar care, fine motor skill recovery, and restoration of the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder post-injury or illness.
In her free time, Rebecca enjoys spending time outdoors with her family going camping, kayaking, and snowmobiling. She loves dogs and cats and volunteers with and supports local rescue groups whenever she can.
She has two pups of her own, Enzo, an Australian Cattle/Australian Shepherd rescue mix from NY and Savina, a rescued Boxer from the Texas-Mexico border. Her rescue pet family continues with Hobbes, an orange kitten from Tennessee. And last but not least, she also has two human sons that she adores.
Stop by our Hanover clinic to meet or say ‘welcome back’ to Rebecca, today!
Exercise of the Month
Neck Glide
Sit or stand tall. Slowly slide your head straight back without tilting up or down, like you’re making a “double chin.” Hold briefly, then relax to reduce tension.
Physical Therapy: Your Pathway to Relief
We’ll start with a comprehensive evaluation, including gathering as much information about your health, previous history of neck pain, and information about your most recent episode.
Next, we’ll conduct a physical examination, including a hands-on assessment of your neck and upper back muscles. We’ll assess your movement patterns to identify any restrictions or limitations contributing to your pain.
Our treatment programs are built on several key elements, all aimed at facilitating the health of your neck:
- Hands-on Therapy and Custom Exercises: Our expert therapists use specialized manual treatments to free up restrictions and alleviate tension in soft tissues. We’ll also develop personalized exercise routines aimed at targeting the source of your pain to improve mobility and strength.
- Ergonomic Evaluation: Our therapists will provide practical recommendations for your work and home environments that can help minimize any physical strain on your neck and shoulders. We will also introduce you to stress-minimizing methods that can be seamlessly integrated into your work life.
We are committed to working closely with you to craft effective, proactive programs to restore mobility and contribute to overall well-being.
Sources: https://www.jospt.org/doi/10.2519/jospt.2017.0302, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6723111/
Ready to Take the First Step Toward a Pain-Free Neck?
Don’t let neck pain hold you back any longer. At Elliott Physical Therapy, our team of experts is here to give you the personalized help you need to feel better and stay that way. Let’s work together to create a plan that fits you perfectly.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment with our amazing physical therapists and start your journey to a more comfortable, pain-free life!
How Lyme Disease Can Affect Your Joints – And What You Can Do About It
As we head into the warmer months, ticks—and the illnesses they carry—become more of a concern. One condition we want to highlight this month is Lyme arthritis, a potential complication of Lyme disease that can cause significant joint pain and swelling. It’s especially important in our area, where tick activity is high and Lyme disease often goes undiagnosed.
What is Lyme arthritis?
Lyme arthritis is a late-stage manifestation of Lyme disease, caused by a bacterial infection transmitted by tick bites. It typically shows up as swelling in one or more large joints—often the knee—weeks to months after the initial infection. It may or may not be painful, which can lead some people to dismiss it as a minor issue or normal wear-and-tear.
Why does it often go undiagnosed?
Lyme disease doesn’t always cause the classic bullseye rash, and early symptoms can mimic other conditions: fatigue, body aches, or a mild fever. If the disease goes untreated, it can settle into the joints and lead to inflammation. Unfortunately, many people with Lyme arthritis never recall being bitten by a tick, which makes diagnosis trickier.
What can physical therapy do?
While antibiotics are the first step in treating Lyme arthritis, joint stiffness, weakness, and mobility issues can linger even after the infection clears. Physical therapy plays a key role in helping patients regain strength, restore movement, and reduce long-term joint stress.
What can you do?
- If you have new joint pain or swelling, especially in a large joint like the knee, talk to your doctor.
- Mention any possible tick exposure—even if it was weeks or months ago.
- Ask about Lyme disease testing, especially if the symptoms are unusual or unexplained.
Being proactive about your health can lead to faster diagnosis, better treatment, and less joint damage down the line.
Delicious Healthy Spinach Dip
- 2 x 10 oz packages chopped spinach, frozen
- 1/2 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced + 1 small garlic clove, grated
- 2 tbsp oil, for frying
- 1 medium carrot, finely grated
- 2 cups Greek or regular plain yogurt, at least 2% fat
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 1 tsp salt
- Ground black pepper, to taste
Defrost spinach in a colander overnight or microwave it. Squeeze out excess water and place in a medium bowl. In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, sauté onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, and carrot in a bit of oil for about 7 minutes. Add to the spinach along with yogurt, mayo, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Grate in more garlic to taste. Chill for a few hours if possible. Serve with pretzel chips or brown rice crackers.
