Living LOUD Classes

Living LOUD class for Parkinson's disease

Living LOUD – Starting June 4th
1st & 3rd Tuesday of every month 11:45am – 12:45pm
RVNAhealth, 27 Governor Street, Ridgefield
$30 per drop in class

Living LOUD tackles the soft voice, mumbled speech, monotone speech and hoarse voice that often afflict Parkinson’s patients. Structured activities that continue to work the patient’s vocal range maintain the progress made after the LSVT LOUD treatment. Weekly activities will include group work as well as individual exercises with other participants facilitated by an LSVT LOUD speech therapist. The ultimate goal is to improve loudness, improve speech intelligibility, increase facial expression, and improve confidence.

Cost is $30 per class and we do not require a registration for each class, but please call our office 203.438.7862 or email (rehabcenter@rvnahealth.org) before attending your first class so that we can discuss your specific needs.

To see class schedule, visit our calendar here

To learn more about the Living Loud program, please call (203) 438-7862   or email rehabcenter@rvnahealth.org.

 

About Susan DiGregorio, SLP

Susan DiGregorio, Speech TherapistSusan DiGregorio, SLP, is a Speech-Language Pathologist who works with our adult patients at the RVNAhealth Rehabilitation & Wellness Center. Susan specializes in the rehabilitation of swallowing, speech, language, cognition and voice following neurological, traumatic injuries and treatment for head and neck cancers.

Susan joined RVNAhealth in 2017 as a therapist in both in-home and outpatient settings. She then pursued in-home therapy full time before returning to outpatient therapy, where she enjoys the opportunity to help her motivated clients set and achieve their goals. Prior to RVNAhealth, Susan worked for eight years in a sub-acute setting.

Susan earned her B.A in psychology from SUNY New Paltz in 2004, and her M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from CUNY Lehman in 2011. She holds a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is a Certified Dementia Practitioner.

Susan lives in Danbury with her husband, daughter, cat and dog. They love to stay active as a family with hikes, bike rides and catching live music whenever they can.

RVNAhealth is a private, 501c(3) non-profit organization which provides a continuum of care to people in 35+ towns across Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven Counties. RVNAhealth depends on financial support from individuals like you who believe that healthy communities improve the quality of life for everyone. Every gift — no matter the size — is critical to upholding our mission and sustaining our important work. If you would like to support RVNAhealth’s mission to deliver unmatched, compassionate healthcare when and where it is needed, please click here.

A 21st Century Pain in the Neck

Text Neck and therapy at RVNAhealth

Technology is a regular part of modern daily life and has, for many, become a literal pain in the neck. The hours spent hunched over technology—cell phones, tablets, and computers—can result in a condition coined Text Neck Syndrome, a stress injury to the neck, shoulders, and cervical spine. Text neck, also known as tech neck or forward head posture, is a modern condition characterized by neck pain and stiffness resulting from excessive or prolonged use of electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and computers. When using these devices, especially for extended periods, people often crane their neck forward and downward, which can strain the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the neck and upper back.

Physical therapists are inundated with complaints of the syndrome. RVNAhealth Director of Outpatient Rehabilitation Services, Kate Campbell, DPT, provided insight into the phenomenon increasingly seen in patients at the Rehabilitation & Wellness Center.

What are the symptoms of Text Neck Syndrome?

  • Nagging or sharp pain in the upper back or neck that is often triggered when bending the neck in a downward forward motion
  • Excessive discomfort and stiffness in the shoulders, neck, and upper back, particularly at the end of the day
  • Headaches, often frequent, exacerbated by screen time
  • Decreased or painful head mobility

How are symptoms assessed?

A physical examination and medical history are part of evaluating patients with the symptoms of Text Neck Syndrome. Review of discomfort, mobility limitations, and lifestyle are all relevant factors in comprehensive assessment and if more serious injury or diagnoses are suspected, a referral for imaging could be recommended. A treatment plan developed by a physical therapist is often the appropriate course of action for many patients.

How is Text Neck Syndrome treated?

All RVNAhealth patients receive personal assessments and treatment programs to address individual presentation of symptoms. There are strengthening exercises and posture adjustments that can mitigate the discomfort and physical misalignments that accompany the syndrome.

A customized plan is developed to address the needs of each patient based on individual lifestyle and ability which can include time working with a physical therapist at the Rehabilitation & Wellness Center and at-home exercises.

Physical therapy can be accessed through a doctor referral or, for Connecticut residents, through the statewide Direct Access program which enables CT residents to see a physical therapist without doctor referral for up to six visits.

Are there ways to prevent neck strain?

Yes! Starting with proper posture is key. And make sure to align technology with eye level to help alleviate neck pressure. Since the average human head weighs around eleven pounds, a downward and forward-positioned head puts significant strain on the neck, spine, and supporting muscles.

Regular stretching can also help to release muscle strain and strengthen stabilizing muscle groups. We recommend chin tucks and gentle arching/backbends while seated to help. You can view some of these recommended stretches in video included here.

Finally, take frequent breaks from technology whenever possible. Take deep breaths while going on a short walk and remember to stand straight with the shoulders back. Practicing good posture is a worthwhile habit!

Since society’s reliance on technology is not likely to dissipate, mindfulness of body position during use can minimize the negative physical consequences of excessive screen time. If you feel you may suffer from Text Neck Syndrome, or any similar ailment causing discomfort, contact the RVNAhealth Rehabilitation & Wellness Center team at 203.438.7862. For more information about our RVNAhealth Rehabilitation & Wellness Center visit www.rvnahealth.org/rehab.

 

RVNAhealth is a private, 501c(3) non-profit organization which provides a continuum of care to people in 35+ towns across Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven Counties. RVNAhealth depends on financial support from individuals like you who believe that healthy communities improve the quality of life for everyone. Every gift — no matter the size — is critical to upholding our mission and sustaining our important work. If you would like to support RVNAhealth’s mission to deliver unmatched, compassionate healthcare when and where it is needed, please click here.