Tech Neck: It's a real, more common physical health challenge that should get attention, verifies Mike Hyde, D.P.T., co-owner of Hayden Physical Therapy in Greenwood. "Don't think you simply have to live with certain kinds of pain. Feeling better is an option, and being pain free may be right around the corner," he encourages.
Tech neck is any form of chronic neck or shoulder pain, soreness or stiffness caused by poor posture and looking down while using electronic devices, such as computers, phones or tablets. Physical therapists, such as Mike, can demonstrate stretching exercises to treat the neck, shoulder and back throughout the day to help alleviate and prevent tech neck. Physical therapists have years of university level training in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology (study of joint movement), neurology and other medical sciences.
"Our day-to-day mission is to provide unmatched therapy experiences through compassionate care and therapeutic excellence," says Mike. "We dig to find the root causes of pain so we can keep it away for good, and ensure close personal attention from each member of our team."
As one of Central Indiana’s last privately owned rehabilitation practices, Hayden Physical Therapy was founded during October 2002 by Jamie Hayden, P.T. Longtime employee Mandy Ploetner, P.T.A., also is a current co-owner of the clinic.
Mike says their highly experienced staff at 586 S. State Road 135, Ste. E, uses the most advanced recovery techniques to enrich the overall wellness of patients. The clinic's staffers treat both genders, from walking ages all the way to centenarians.
"We evaluate movement patterns and treat individuals for injuries, musculoskeletal weaknesses, balance issues or neurological challenges with the goal of getting our patients back to their lives' events with pain-free solutions," Mike says.
Treatment for acute or chronic knee and back issues are commonplace each day at the clinic. He says necks, shoulders and backs are so often intertwined, they negatively affect each other until the main cause is addressed.
Other physical reasons that men may benefit from physical therapy span limited range of motion, osteoporosis, elbow or wrist pain, strokes and ligament injuries to sprains, motor vehicle accident rehabilitation, arthritis and joint replacement recoveries. Additionally, research studies indicate patients who participate in pre-hab programs prior to surgeries often have shorter hospital stays, regain function and return to their regular lives faster than those who do not participate in pre-surgical rehabilitation.
The clinic's professionals combine various treatment techniques, including taping; manual or hands-on therapy on soft tissue and joints; deep tissue massage; ultrasounds; balance training; and trigger point therapy.
Mike says they see many 40- to 60-year-old male golf enthusiasts who now are having sore physical effects from the game. "Oftentimes, problems stem from playing golf, or other sports, without stretching beforehand. We can design golf-specific protocols for each person, ones which include core and hip strengthening."
He adds that it's imperative to determine whether someone is hurting due to feeling "tight" or whether they have a confirmed injury.
Mike knows firsthand what that situation seems like. As a high school athlete who played football, basketball and baseball, he says his back became debilitating during his junior year. It turns out he had a stress fracture in his back.
"Dealing with my back pain was my first experience with physical therapy. I didn't know what to expect, but I actually had a good time in PT. It reversed what was happening in my body, and ultimately made me better and able to get back to being active. And, that's what honestly sparked my interest in PT as a career. I've really enjoyed helping others since then," he recalls.
Many people don't realize they have direct access to physical therapy assistance, states Mike, meaning, with certain insurances, they do not need a doctor's referral to PT or a prescription from a primary care physician.
"Patients can make an appointment themselves to get evaluated. Then we develop a treatment program, sometimes over a couple of weeks because everyone's issues and diagnoses are different. Patients are often pleasantly surprised to discover their insurance plans do cover physical therapy," says Mike.
For patients who do not have insurance, Mike says the clinic offers a discounted fee, which can be arranged with the office manager.
Hayden Physical Therapy professionals graduated from accredited physical therapy programs and are state licensed. They host monthly community workshops. The upcoming session will be held regarding shoulder pain treatment on June 25 at 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome; attendees are asked to call to register.
317.881.0101
HaydenPT.com
Mike Hyde, D.P.T.
HAYDEN PHYSICAL THERAPY
Mike has worked at Hayden Physical Therapy since he graduated from the University of Indianapolis in 2006, and is co-owner. He's originally from the Southside of Indy and went to Roncalli High School. He and his wife, Jessie, moved to Greenwood in 2009 when we got married. They have two daughters, Molly and Annie, and a son, Bennett. He says he loves being part of the Greenwood community, especially given the schools, work-related ambiance and churches. He shares that his free time revolves around family: "I try to get as much time with our children and my wife as I can. I also enjoy hunting, fishing and golfing on weekends." He says he really appreciates the caring atmosphere at the facility and the opportunity to help people take back their life from pain or recover from an injury. "The relationships I've made through Hayden over the past 18 years, both with co-workers and patients, have impacted my life greatly in positive ways," Mike states.
Some potential physical therapy patients wonder if they can do PT without it causing increased pain. The answer is yes, affirms Mike Hyde, D.P.T.