Two movement specialists who are experts in their respective fields team up in this webinar to address the practical side of reducing pain in the upper body caused by tics.
Motor tics of the neck area can contribute to neck pain, reduced range of motion, headaches, or jaw dysfunction. In this interactive session, Katie Pudhorodsky, a structural massage therapist and online educator, will lead you in self-massage techniques and targeted stretches for the neck to specifically alleviate muscular tension caused by neck motor tics. You will also understand some perpetuating factors of neck tension so you can make lifestyle adjustments. These techniques and suggestions have the potential not only to alleviate immediate discomfort but also to empower you to incorporate affordable proactive self-care into your daily routines.
Identifying the ‘what’ and the ‘how’ behind the muscles and joints we tic with, allow us strategic selection of exercises to address the effect of tics on our bodies. Effects might range from muscle tension, muscular imbalance, knots, or pain. Raquel Cunningham, a personal trainer diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome at age 5, brings a unique perspective that blends various movement disciplines to support individuals with TS and reduce motor tic related pain. In this webinar, the spotlight will be on the upper body chain, prioritizing postural muscles, offering practical insights tailored to ticcing bodies.
Key Takeaways
- How to perform self-massage and stretching for the neck to feel relief from tight muscles.
- Learn what perpetuating factors might need to be addressed to maintain relief.
- Learn what compensation is and how your body has compensated for repetitive tics.
Katie Pudhorodsky
For 21 years, Katie has been a massage therapist in private practice, in the classroom, and now as an online educator. At Katie Massage, her unique specialty is treating people with head, neck, and jaw pain or dysfunction. She refers with dentists, ENTs, and myofunctional therapists. WebMD featured her and two of her clients in an article about the muscular side of jaw pain.
Her passion for educating people experiencing craniofacial pain grew into two online video courses, including Self Help to Relieve Head, Neck, & Jaw Pain at Help Head Pain. These courses give actionable steps for learners including massage, stretching, stabilization, habits to address, and the role of proper tongue placement. Katie is always happy to talk about chickens or what she just harvested from the family’s plot at her neighborhood community garden.
Raquel Cunningham
Raquel Cunningham is a strength and conditioning coach based in Southern California. Her Tourette Syndrome diagnosis came when she was six years old and athletics have played a strong role in her tic management ever since. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from University of California, Santa Barbara in Psychology with a minor in Exercise and Sports Science. She was a competitive swimmer and water polo player before starting her personal training career over 12 years ago at a renowned gym in NYC then CA before going into private training. Kettlebells are her favorite exercise modality and she is starting to learn American Sign Language with her children.
*By registering for this event, you are agreeing to the Tourette Association of America’s Event Terms and Conditions.
