August 2026 Newsletter
Summit Bodywork
— at Foothills —
Thoughtful bodywork. Clinical expertise. Lasting results.
We are thrilled to announce that Summit Bodywork at Foothills opened on Monday, August 3rd—right here at 223 W. Young High Pike! We are a dedicated massage therapy and wellness studio designed to help you reduce tension, restore balance, and support the way your body moves. Where recovery meets restoration.
Services & Offerings
9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Knoxville, TN
& Wellness Services
Does Stress Cause Neck Pain?
Does stress cause neck pain? The short answer is no! At Foothills Physical Therapy Group, we like to say “contributes to” instead of “causes.” The casual way healthcare professionals throw around terms can lead to confusion and, worse still, ineffective treatment. Fortunately, our highly skilled therapists know how to dig deep and find the root cause of your neck pain, and this information helps you find relief!
Let’s discuss Nicole, a 40-something-year-old working mother of three. Nicole was used to being very active, balancing her work schedule with getting her kids to all the various activities and school functions that come with being a mom nowadays.
Her neck pain first started as a crick in the neck when she woke up one morning. As the day progressed from driving her kids around to sitting at her desk, she noticed that turning her head became more difficult and painful, making focusing on work nearly impossible.
Nicole struggled to figure out why her neck started hurting and came to the conclusion that stress “must be” the culprit. The more pain and difficulty moving she had, the more convinced she was that stress was to blame.
Understanding Nicole’s Neck Pain
One of the most common things we hear from our patients is that their pain started for “no apparent reason.” Like Nicole, people will wake up with a crick in their neck or notice a stiffness turning when driving in the car. It is also common for people to notice tightness in their upper back and neck after a long day.
So, what is actually the source of the pain? In most cases, there is an issue with the neck joints or the neck muscles due to prolonged positions. Our neck joints don’t like remaining in any position for extended periods. In Nicole’s case, she first noticed her pain in the morning, which may have been related to her neck position while sleeping. It is also important to note that in Nicole’s case, the first sign of any issue was in the morning when she woke up, unrelated to stress.
As Nicole’s day progressed, her pain got worse. But this also was more likely related to how she held her neck while driving or sitting at her computer. In both cases, her posture, specifically how she held her neck, seems to have contributed to her pain. Prolonged sitting can lead to a forward head position, resulting in tension to soft tissue (i.e., muscles, tendons, and ligaments) or negative changes to our blood flow.
The muscles of our neck function best when we move them. So, holding her head in one position likely led to irritation of the muscles and affected her ability to move her neck, which in turn caused stress.
Stress “contributes” to neck pain because, when we experience stress, our bodies naturally respond by tensing up as a protective measure. This tension can lead to discomfort, particularly in the neck and upper back region. Research studies have found that individuals with higher stress levels reported increased neck pain as compared to those with lower stress levels. This is why we say “contributes” to, but not the cause of, neck pain.
How Physical Therapy Can Help Alleviate Neck Pain
We will target the source of your pain by performing a thorough examination, starting with your medical history and details about how, when, and where your symptoms began. As we saw with Nicole, determining how, when, and why the pain started helps us eliminate possibilities and get to the actual root cause(s).
Our therapists will also analyze your posture and movement to identify any limitations or restrictions contributing to your condition. We’ll use this information to design a program that addresses your specific needs.
Our treatment plans focus on relieving your pain and improving your posture, mobility, strength, etc., and educating you about managing your symptoms. Your program will likely include manual therapy (i.e., soft tissue work and/or joint mobilizations), targeted stretches, exercises, activity modification, or posture recommendations.
We’ll listen to your unique situation and specific issues and then work to help you find relief and get back to your normal routine.
Book Your Appointment Today!
If you’re dealing with neck pain or looking for someone to help you figure out what is causing your issues, call us today and set up a consultation!
Sources: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1836955320301417?via%3Dihub, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36180150/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2270377/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28972599/
Staff Spotlight: Meet Summer Calloway, DPT!
From competitive dance to helping others move with confidence, Summer Calloway, DPT knows firsthand how important it is to have the right support when recovering from an injury. 💃🩰
After earning her bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Summer went on to earn her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from East Tennessee State University. Today, she enjoys working with patients of all ages, helping them navigate everything from pain and balance challenges to sports injuries and post-operative recovery.
What makes Summer’s approach special? She takes the time to truly connect with each patient and create a plan that fits their individual needs and goals. 💪
Outside the clinic, you’ll find Summer hiking, paddleboarding, gardening, working on jigsaw puzzles, or spending time with her two cats, Leon and Reggie. 🐱🌿 And when she’s not doing all that, she’s also a coauthor on a forthcoming article in the Clinical Rehabilitation Journal! Talk about staying busy!
We’re lucky to have Summer as part of the Foothills team! 🙌
What Our Patients Are Saying
Hear How We’ve Helped Others Get Back to Life
★★★★★
“I’ve been dealing with lower back and neck pain for a while and have tried several physical therapy practices. I’ve been very happy with the professionalism and personal attention I’ve received from my therapist, Skyler, and the entire staff. Highly recommended! 🤗”
— Geno
★★★★★
“What an amazing difference I have seen in my recovery from foot surgery. Everyone associated with this group is friendly and professional. Thank you for helping me and having such a great attitude.”
— Chuck S.
★★★★★
“These are the most caring and compassionate people. They are so attentive throughout my time there, using massage and cupping to aid healing and appropriate exercises to relieve pain. Foothills Physical Therapy Group is absolutely the best PT I have ever worked with!”
— Carla L.
Don’t Just Take Our Word For It
Hear How We’ve Helped Others Get Back to Life
Every story you’ll see here started with someone who just wanted to feel better and get back to living. These videos share what that journey looked like, what changed along the way, and why the right support made all the difference.
– Luke L.
Exercise of the Month
Exercise of the Month
Neck Glide
(Neck)
Stand tall with your shoulders relaxed and your head in a neutral position. Gently draw your head straight backward, keeping your chin level, like you’re trying to make a double chin. Avoid tilting your head up or down. Hold briefly, then return to the starting position. 3 Sets, 10 Reps. (Materials needed: none)
Recipe of the Month
Asparagus With Fried Eggs & Sizzled Paprika Croutons
There are several reasons to keep this speedy, supremely satisfying meal in your rotation: It’s also a lifesaver on nights when you’re tired to cook. It’s a new way to highlight asparagus.
Ingredients
- 3 large slices crusty bread, torn (crust and all) into bite-sized pieces (yielding about 3 cups in total)
- 3 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed (or substitute 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika, plus additional for sprinkling on eggs
- 1 bunch asparagus (1 pound), tough ends trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 pinch kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1 pinch black pepper, plus more to taste
- 4 large eggs
Instructions
- In a 12-inch skillet, heat 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon butter, and garlic cloves over medium heat. Add the smoked paprika (it will gently sizzle), then mix in the bread. Stir until each piece is evenly coated in the paprika and fat. Saute for about 3 minutes, or until the croutons are lightly toasted and starting to crisp around the edges (lowering the heat, if needed, to not burn the butter or paprika).
- Move the croutons to the edges of the skillet. In the middle, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and the asparagus. Season with salt and black pepper, then stir to integrate with the croutons. Saute, stirring frequently, until the asparagus is crisp-tender and the croutons are nicely crisp yet soft in the middle, about 4 minutes (time may vary based on the spears’ thickness). Adjust seasoning to taste. Give the garlic cloves a quick chop and stir into the asparagus, or save for another use.
- Either in a separate skillet, or in the same skillet (with the asparagus and croutons transferred to another dish; no need to clean the skillet), heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Crack eggs into the skillet and season with salt, pepper, and a few pinches of smoked paprika evenly sprinkled over the eggs. Fry until the whites are golden brown and crispy at the edges, and yolks are still runny, about 2 to 3 minutes (or longer for yolks on the medium or well side).
- To serve, transfer the asparagus and croutons to plates and top with the fried eggs. Serve warm.
493Calories
24gTotal Fat
48gCarbs
21gProtein
