Farmingdale: The Ideal Treatment For Low Back Pain

Farmingdale Physical Therapy West Newsletter

N E W S L E T T E R

HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY HELPS TO IMPROVE YOUR

LOWER BACK PAIN Article by: Richard Viskewich, PTA

Mobility: Refers to how tight the lower back is and can be improved by performing stretches like upper/ lower trunk rotation, cat/camel, and prayer stretch. Faulty Posture: Refers to how well the patient can maintain the curve of their lower back (lumbar lordosis) with simple to complex activities of daily living. Any change in this curve can place undue stress on the discs resting between the vertebrae. Faulty posture can be addressed by improving flexibility through stretching tight muscles and strengthening weak core muscles for improved support of the lower back. Most common muscles to strengthen that will improve flexibility include hamstring, hip flexors, gluteus maximus, piriformis, and all lower back muscles. Please note: All mobility exercises and stretches are performed without increased pain.

The ideal treatment for lower back pain starts with a thorough evaluation by a Physical Therapist. The Physical Therapist has extensive education on how the body functions and to establish the cause of pain. Once the Physical Therapist determines the etiology of pain, a plan of care will be generated to best treat a patient. The evaluation takes into consideration the patient’s past and present history of pain, assessment of lower back mobility, strength, flexibility, and faulty posture. Deficits in any of those assessment components can all contribute to lower back pain. Following the evaluation, an adequate exercise program can be generated, taking into consideration not to over stress inflamed tissue associated with pain. The following is a brief description on how to address each component:

I N T R O D U C I N G O U R F U L LY R E VAMP E D N E W S L E T T E R

THE IDEAL TREATMENT FOR YOUR LOW BACK PAIN INSIDE: Low back pain is by far one of the most common ailments ever experienced. Just about everyone deals with low back pain at one point in their life. For some, the lucky ones, perhaps, the pain is just for a day or two as a result of a particularly grueling day of yard work or a slip-and-fall accident that landed you flat on your bum with a bruise to prove it.For others, the low back pain is something that lingers for years and years, getting worse as a result of improper footwear or particularly unsupportive furniture, and never really healing or going away. It is estimated that one-half of all Americans experience lower back pain annually, and it is considered to be the leading cause of workplace disability worldwide—not just in the United States. It is also one of the most common reasons that people miss work, and is the second most common reason that people visit the doctor’s office. When you put those two facts together, the cost of dealing with lower back pain really starts to add up. The average annual cost of dealing with back pain in the United States is $50 billion dollars. Unfortunately, a lot of those financial resources go into dealing with back pain through pain management and medication, but that is not an effective long-term solution for dealing with back pain. A far healthier and cost-effective solution is through physical therapy. Lower Back Pain in the United States According to the National Institute for Health, the rates of low back pain have been steadily rising in the United States • Joint Pain and Weather Changes • Exercise Essentials

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over the past 20 years. The study was conducted by medical researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Researchers consulted with members of the North Carolina community who experienced back pain to understand what caused their pain, how frequently they experience the pain, and what the severity of the pain is like. They found by talking with household members across the state that the incidence of lower back pain has increased significantly since the last time this survey was conducted, which was in 1992. Since 1992, the percentage of people coping with lower back pain increased from just over three percent to well over 10 percent. This is a significant finding, especially when it was found that the increase in lower back pain remained constant across demographics. A further interesting finding is that of those who experience lower back pain, 84 percent opted to seek medical treatment to address the pain, which was an increase of more than 10 percent in 1992. This means that while more people are experiencing back pain, more people are also seeking treatment for that pain, though there is still an approximate 15 percent of the population who are coping with severe lower back pain without treatment. For those, seeking support from a physical therapist could significantly improve quality of life. If you or a loved one suffers from back pain, you still have options. Call TODAY to schedule an evaluation with Farmingdale Physical Therapy.

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Do you ever notice how when the weather changes, joint pain increases? What is the reasoning behind that? It’s true that during colder weather, rainy weather, increases in humidity, and fluctuations in temperature can lead to increased pain. The reason behind this is the change in barometric pressure of the atmosphere. Many joints in our body have pressure receptors inside of them and when changes occur in the atmospheric pressure, they affect our joints as well. Increases in pressure outside our body can cause changes inside our body leading to a swelling inside joint, increased fluid, and less space for our joints to operate within. When swelling/ inflammation increases inside our body, our joints are less able to move properly and structures which provide cushioning such as cartilage may not function as well. Based on this, it’s normal for a patient to experience these symptoms, especially those with more progressive arthritic and degenerative changes. EXERC I SE ESSENT I ALS TRY THIS EXERCISE FOR BACK PAIN RELIEF JOINT PAIN AND WEATHER CHANGES

Article by: Vincenzo Adduci, DPT

Joint pain is something that affects many people. People often wonder what they should do for joint pain when faced with it. Treatment for joint pain is focusing on reducing inflammation and improving joint mobility and strength. Application of ice will help to reduce swelling/inflammation and allow for joint mechanics to return. In addition, gentle stretching and strengthening programs prescribed by a Physical Therapist will aid in restoring functions and decreasing pains. Adaptations to life and routine may also help to limit symptoms. By adjusting how you perform certain actions and using proper body mechanics/ symptoms you can avoid increases in pain.

Seek the assistance of one of our highly skilled therapists for further information regarding all these treatments.

• 2 large beets • 4 long carrots • 2 apples • 6 celery stalks • 2 limes or lemons • 2 tsp flour • 2 inches of Ginger HEALTHY REC I PE MIRACLE RED JUICE

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Prepare beets, carrots, apples, celery, limes (or lemons) and ginger by chopping into smaller pieces before placing into a juicer. As the skin of a beet is packed with antioxidants and nutrients, it is recommended to leave the skin on the beet. Beet skin and lemon peel (if using) have strong flavors, so you could also prepare half with skin and half peeled to adjust to the flavor, or simply peel all if preferred. Apples can be any color or variety. Do not peel the ginger, which you will add to taste as ginger can be spicy. After all ingredients are added to the juicer, blend until juiced and smooth. Drink juice as soon as possible to obtain all benefits of the antioxidants and nutrients. Miracle Red Juice can be absorbed more easily on an empty stomach. Drink one glass every other day or as needed.

SIDELYING TRUNK ROTATION

While lying on your side with your arms out-stretched in front of your body, slowly twist your upper body to the side and rotate your spine. Your arms and head should also be rotating along with the spine as shown. Follow your hand with your eyes. Hold for 20 seconds repeat 3 times on each side.

Always consult your physical therapist or physician before starting exercises you are unsure of doing.

OUR SPECIALTIES

• Alter G Treadmill • Orthopedic Therapy • Spinal Manipulation • Mckenzie Method • Manual Therapy • Mulligan Technique • Myofascial Release • Soft Tissue Mobilization • Kinesio Taping • Massage Therapy • Ultrasound • Laser Therapy • Electrical Stimulation

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OCTOBER 8 TH , 2019 6:00 PM SHOULDER PA I N OCTOBER 22 ND , 2019 6:00 PM BACK PA I N & SC I AT I CA

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4105 Hempstead Turnpike, Bethpage, NY 11714

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Our mission is to provide all patients and clients with an overall better quality of life, all within a positive, supportive, friendly environment. We will strive to offer the best possible Physical Therapy services in order to ensure success for our patients.

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

LIAM MCCASKILL

Our employee of the month for September is Liam McCaskill. Liam is a hardworking and dedicated individual who handles all front desk affairs. He’s been working at Farmingdale Physical Therapy West for about a year and a half and does not plan on leaving anytime soon. His favorite things about working at FPT include: Watching our patients progress towards their rehabilitation,

seeing each patient’s dedication and determination towards reaching their goal, and our family-like atmosphere. Liam stated, “I love the relationships you form not only with your colleagues but with the patients as well.” Congrats Liam, well deserved.

ABOUT US

With more than 50 years of combined experience, Henry “Butch” Purslow, DPT and staff of Farmingdale Physical Therapy West offer elite Physical Therapy services in Bethpage, NY and the surrounding area of Long Island, NY. We have been voted Best of Long Island Physical Therapist for the past 4 years thanks to our amazing patients.

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