Karissa Kartes came to NARMC Rehab after suffering from neck pain and headaches for years. When she was 18-years-old, Karissa was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Her diagnosis combined with traumatic events, such as horseback riding incidents and car accidents, caused her pain to worsen over the years.

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“I would often spend most of my weekends in pain that nearly brought me to tears,” Karissa recalled.

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She tried muscle relaxers and various pain medications throughout the years, but nothing seemed to work. When Karissa noticed her pain was getting in the way of her spending time with her husband and two children, she knew it was time for a change.

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Karissa found her way to NARMC Rehabilitation Services and with Occupational Therapist Ted Borcher’s assistance, she soon started to feel better. Ted taught Karissa particular neck stretches that she says helped her the most.

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“I am also trying to do yoga, which I know will help as well,” she said. “I think the most important thing that I took away from rehab was paying attention to my posture. When I am able to straighten out my posture, I do not have nearly has much pain throughout the day.”

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Through Occupational Therapy, her constant pain was eliminated. Recently, she was able to work in her garden without terrible head or neck pain.  

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“Ted Borchers has helped me feel like a new person,” Kartes said. “More importantly, he gave me suggestions to improve my work station to prevent future issues.”

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For more information, call NARMC’s Rehabilitation Services at 870-414-4000.