Dry needling therapy

Page 2 Berthoud Weekly Surveyor September 24, 2020 Dry needling therapy

Are you constantly rubbing the knots in your neck or back muscles? Does your knee or hip ache? Do you experience sciatic pain that radiates from the buttock region down the back of your leg If so, you will definitely want to try an amazing treatment procedure, Dry Needling (DN), offered by physical therapists.

Muscular tightness and spasm caused by stress, poor posture, or injuries can lead to compression and irritation of the nerves exiting the spine. When the nerves are irritated, they cause a protective spasm of all the muscles they connect to or innervate. This protective spasm or tightness can cause problems like sciatica, carpel tunnel, low back pain, tendonitis, osteoarthritis, headaches, decreased mobility and chronic pain.

Physical therapists insert small, thin needles into the muscular trigger point (knot) causing the muscle to contract and rapidly release — an involuntary spinal cord re ex. Releasing the trigger point improves exibility of the muscle, provides pain relief, and decreases symptoms.

Similarities exist between dry needling and acupuncture — they both use solid dry needles in contrast to a hollow hypodermic needle used for injections. However, there are differences too, acupuncturists, according to traditional Chinese medicine, insert the needle into acupuncture points situated on meridians where qi (life energy) ows, whereas physical therapists insert the needle into the skin and muscle directly at a myofascial trigger point.

Side effects of DN include muscular soreness and can last for a few hours up to two days. Light exercise, heat or ice can be applied to the muscles after treatment to reduce soreness. ae Russo, former office manager at Physical Therapy Surveyor Columnist Doctors was initially hesitant to try DN. She states, “I was reluctant to try DN initially because I don’t particularly care for needles. However, after watching an 84 year old man — who could barely walk into the clinic — leave the clinic performing a jig, and three subsequent clients left extremely happy, I decided to try it. The needling didn’t really hurt. I just felt a tiny, momentary jolt in my muscle. I had immediate pain relief in my hip and increased hip range of motion. I’ve been able to walk on the treadmill pain free for the first time in years. Nurse practitioner and breast cancer survivor, Jennifer Knodle, recently tried Dr. Caroline Creager, PT, DPT dry needling for the first time. I woke up this morning and had 100 relief from my back pain. She was not only pleasantly surprised by how much dry needling reduced her muscle tension, but how it improved her circulation and lymphatic ow. I had a double mastectomy with lymph node removal, and this has caused my hand and elbow to hurt from swelling in the joints. The dry needling has improved my circulation, lymph drainage, and decreased the swelling and joint pain in my hand and elbow. I would definitely recommend dry needling. The relief is so much greater than the mild discomfort from the needling.

If you’re on pins and needles and can’t wait to try out this unique technique, Physical Therapy Doctors would like to offer you 50 off your first dry needling session if you contact them by Oct. 15. Visit their website at www.physicaltherapydoctors.net or call them at 970-532-2533 to schedule a dry needling session.

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INDEX

Dry needling therapy ........................2 Why the u shot is so important in 2020 ....................................................3 COVID-19 breast cancer guidelines .4 Keep your fitness on track .................5 A joyful journey ..................................6 Dr. Helen Fickel — a pioneering woman .............................................................7 Turning to art, music therapy during tough times ........................................8 Smart technology helps keep babies safe ......................................................9 8 small steps to help destress ..........10 What is forest bathing? ....................11 Did you know — traveling ...............11 2020 — Looking back and looking forward .............................................12 Coping with the loss of a loved one during the pandemic ........................13 Wabi sabi — embrace the perfectly imperfect ........................................14 Suicide and social distancing ........15

Body & Soul 2020© is published in Berthoud, Colo., by the Berthoud Weekly Surveyor. The publishers reserve the right to edit, classify or reject any advertising or news copy. Liability for any newspaper error in an advertisement shall not exceed the cost of space occupied by error. The publishers assume no liability for any advertising which is not published for any cause. The publishers assume absolutely no obligation or responsibility for subject matter in copy placed by its advertisers or their agents. It is also understood that the advertiser and the agency placing such advertising jointly and severally agree to indemnify Berthoud Weekly Surveyor, LLC against all expense, loss or damage sustained by reason of printing such copy. Berthoud Weekly Surveyor September 24, 2020 Page 3

Why the flu shot is so important in 2020

Special to the Surveyor

Millions of people across the globe get u shots each year. Flu shots protect people against in uenza, but they might provide even greater benefits in 2020.

As the world continues to confront the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, it s imperative that people everywhere take every step necessary to protect themselves and others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that a u vaccine will not protect people against COVID-19. However, u vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of illness related to the u. Those illnesses weaken people s immune systems, making them more vulnerable to other viruses, including COVID-19.

Flu vaccines have also been shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization. That s a significant benefit of being vaccinated, as people who get their u shots can indirectly help hospitals conserve potentially scarce resources.

As the COVID-19 virus rapidly spread late in the winter of 2019-20, many hospitals across the country and even the globe were stretched incredibly thin. So anything ordinary citizens can do to alleviate such bur-

dens can help save lives while also making hospital workers jobs easier and less stressful.

Many people may be concerned about going out and getting a u shot in 2020. That s especially likely for people who live in communities where the COVID-19 virus is spreading. However, the CDC notes that getting a u shot in 2020 is an essential part of protecting your health and the health of your family. Many doctor s offices are now insisting patients wait in their cars until doctors are ready to see them, and masks may be required when entering the doctor s office. Such measures can reduce the risk of getting the COVID-19 virus when visiting a doctor s office for a u shot or another visit, so patients should not be hesitant to receive their vaccinations in 2020. Patients can follow such protocols even if their doctors are not insisting they do so. The same safety measures can be followed by people who intend to get their u shots from neighborhood pharmacies.

Flu shots are vital to individual and public health every year, but the importance of being vaccinated against in uenza in 2020 is heightened as the world continues to confront the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus.

Page 4 September 24, 2020 Berthoud Weekly Surveyor COVID-19 and breast cancer guidelines

Special to the Surveyor

The novel coronavirus COVID-19 first appeared in late 2019 and has changed life for the forseeable future. While many people are quick to focus on the ways COVID-19 has impacted their abilities to shop, visit with friends and relatives or travel, the virus has made life especially difficult for people with preexisting health conditions.

Medical News Today reports that the symptoms of COVID-19 may be more severe for breast cancer patients. Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that undergoing cancer treatment can weaken the immune system, further increasing a person s vulnerability to infection. Specifically, targeted therapies, chemotherapy and radiation can weaken the immune system and compromise its ability to fight off the coronavirus. Furthermore, these treatments also may cause lung problems that can exacerbate COVID-19 symptoms, particularly among breast cancer patients whose cancer has metastasized to the lungs.

In April 2020, new guidelines for the prioritization and treatment of breast cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic were released, compiled by a group of U.S. medical organizations, including the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, the American College of Radiology and the Comprehensive Cancer Network. At hospitals where resources and staff have become limited due to COVID-19 treatment efforts, doctors have had to define which breast cancer patients need urgent care and which can have delayed or alternative treatments. These measures can help balance maintaining positive survival outcomes as well as reducing risk of exposure to the virus, according to the American Society of Breast Surgeons. Breast cancer patients have been broken down into priority levels of A, B and C for urgency of care. • Priority A A patient has conditions that are immediately life-threatening or require urgent treatment. • Priority B A patient has conditions that don t require immediate treatment, but he or she should begin treatment before the end of the pandemic. • Priority C A patient has conditions for which treatment can be safely put on hold.

Breast cancer patients are further urged to take extra caution in their daily activities to help reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19. That means always wearing a mask or another face covering when interacting with other people. This advice may be applicable even if a six-foot distance can be maintained. Wash hands frequently, especially when coming in from public places. If possible, ask a friend or family member to do your shopping or run errands for you to limit exposure to other people and crowds.

Breast cancer patients may have to discuss the possibility of altering or delaying treatment for breast cancer with their oncologists because of increased risk factors presented by COVID-19. Together, patients and doctors can work to keep breast cancer patients as healthy as possible.

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