Health & Wellness Newsletter by Total Care Physical Therapy, p.c.
Health &Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body
BACKPACK SAFETY FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR Aching backs and shoulders? Tingling arms? Weakened muscles? Stooped posture? Does your child have these symptoms after wearing a heavy school backpack? Carrying too much weight in a pack or wearing it the wrong way can lead to pain and strain. Parents can take steps to help children load and wear backpacks the correct way to avoid health problems. Loading the backpack: Wearing the backpack: • Distribute weight evenly by using both straps. Wearing a pack slung over one shoulder can cause a child to lean to one side, curving the spine and causing pain or discomfort. • Select a pack with well-padded shoulder straps. Shoulders and necks have many blood vessels and nerves that can cause pain and tingling in the neck, arms, and hands when too much pressure is applied.
• A child’s backpack should weigh no more than about 10% of his or her body weight. This means a student weighing 100 pounds shouldn’t wear a loaded school backpack heavier than about 10 pounds. • Load heaviest items closest to the child’s back (the back of th p ck). • Arrange books and materials so they won’t slide around in the backpack. • Check what your child carries to school and brings home. Make sure the items are necessary for the day’s activities. • If the backpack is too heavy or tightly packed, your child can hand carry a book or other item outside the pack. • If the backpack is too heavy on a regular basis, consider using a book bag on wheels if your child’s school allows it.
• Adjust the shoulder straps so that the pack fits snugly on the child’s back. A pack that hangs loosely from the back can pull the child backwards and strain muscles. • Wear the wai t belt if the backpack has one. This helps distribute the pack’s weight more evenly. • The bottom of the pack should rest in the curve of the lower back. It should never rest more than four inches below the child’s waistline. • School backpacks come in different sizes for different ages. Choose the right size pack for your child as well as one with enough room for necessary school items. • Only put items in your backpack that you need for the day.
Physical Therapists Offer Backpack Safety Tips
Physical Therapists Offer Backpack S fety Tips
Physical Therapists Offer Backpack Safety Tips WRONG CORRECT WRONG CORRECT WRONG
Physical Therapists Offer Backpack S fety Tips WRONG
CORRECT
CORRECT
Strap on one shoulder Wide, padded straps on
Load too heavy
Load no more than 10%-15%
Strap on one sh ulder Wide, padde straps on
Load too heavy
Load no more than 10%-15%
of body weight
both shoulders
of body weight
of body weight
both shoulders
of body weight
!
!
Wear both straps Use of one strap causes one side of the body to bear the weight of the backpack. By wearing 2 shoulder straps, the weight of the backpack is better distributed. Wear the backpack over the strongest mid-back muscles Pay close attention to the way the backpack is positioned on the back. It should rest evenly in the middle of the back. Shoulder straps should be adjusted to allow the child to put on and take off the backpack without difficulty and allow free movement of the arms. Wear both straps Use of on strap causes one side of the b dy to ear he weig t of the backpack. By wearing 2 shoulder straps, the weig t of the backpack is better distributed. Wear the backpack over the strongest mid-back muscles Pay close attention o the way the b ckpack is ositioned on the back. It should rest evenly in the middl of the back. Shoulder straps should be adjust d to allow the child to put on and take off th backpack without d ffic l y and allow free mov ment of the arms. !
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Health & Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body
IS IT BACK PAIN OR SCIATICA? “Stop Dreaming About Pain Relief!”
Inside:
• The Challenge Of Treating Back Pain
• Tasty Recipe
• Relieve Back Pain In Minutes
• Patient Success Spotlights
Happy With Your Experience? We would love for you to share your story of success with others! Please visit www.TotalCarePT.net and click on to get started!
Are you one of the approximately 85 percent of adults that are affected by low back pain during their lifetime? If you suffer with back pain or sciatica, know that low cost results are closer than you think. Recent studies show that patients with low back pain should consider physical therapy first for their back pain, according to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Another recent study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, recommends that in most cases of low back degenerative disc disease (a common cause of low back pain), the most effective treatment is physical therapy combined with anti-inflammatory medications. It concludes that physical therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs are the best options of non-surgical treatment of low back pain. Low back degenerative disc disease develops when the discs between your spine weaken (often due to repetitive strain), are injured or shrink from aging. As a result, the discs are unable to hold normal spacing and therefore, collapse increasing instability, causing back pain.
Physical therapist intervention includes strengthening of core muscle groups, including the abdominal wall, which has positive effects on people with this condition. Exercise and hands on therapy have been shown to alleviate pain in many people. In addition, education on how to protect your spine and remain active is beneficial. Our physical therapists are trained to identify your problem and plan out the most effective treatment for you. Along with building your core muscle groups, hands-on physical therapy to move your spine has shown to be very effective. Our physical therapists develop a safe and effective treatment program that is tailored to your specific needs and goals. Surgery should always be the last option, but too often people think of surgery as a cure all and are eager to embark on it without knowing the long term risks. Receiving care from our knowledgeable and licensed physical therapists first, can improve your odds that you can quickly reduce your pain and maintain your quality of life. Call us today for more information!
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The Challenge Of Treating Back Pain
Back pain is the second most common diagnosis seen by physicians in their offices. 85% of the US population will suffer an episode of back pain sometime in their life. Why is this? A lot has to do with the design of our body. It is the price we pay for walking upright on two legs. In humans, the force of gravity pulls directly down through the vertical spine compressing it together over the years. In other mammals such as horses, apes and cows, the spine is horizontal and the pull of gravity does not compress the spine together. Mostbackpainfallsunderthecategoryofmechanicalbackpain,meaning the mechanics of the movement are not correct. The spine has to move in intricate ways to make whole movements of bending, extending and twisting. Therefore, the “mechanics” of the spine are important in order for all the vertebrae (the bones) to be able to move. Mechanical back pain means that the joints, muscles and ligaments of the spine are not moving correctly at the right time. This can cause increased strain on certain parts of your back, especially the very lower back. Why do the mechanics of the spine change and cause pain? This is due to a variety of reasons including small injuries from lifting heavy objects, bending, twisting, repetitive strain, accidents, weakness from prolonged sitting and changes in your core strength. In today’s world, most of our daily activities involve sitting which causes the abdominal and back muscles to weaken. This in turn lessens the necessary support to the spine, causing strain. The strain causes inflammation, which leads to pain. Back pain can be localized to the back area or even radiate into the buttocks or backs of the legs. Millions of people a year rely on over the counter medication and back braces to get through their day. However, the unfortunate reality is that unless treated properly, 75% of people with back problems will have
another episode of their back pain. This is because the cause of the problem, the mechanical movement, is not addressed by treating it with drugs or a hot pack. More and more people with back pain are realizing the full benefits of our specialized hands on physical therapy to address the cause of their back pain and understand what they can do to have lasting relief. Call us today to learn more how we can help quickly relieve your back pain!
Tasty Recipe
Zucchini Linguine INGREDIENTS
• 1 small red chile, seeded & minced • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil • 12 ounces linguine • 3 baby zucchini, thinly sliced • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 1 lb tomatoes, finely chopped • 1 tablespoon chopped basil • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley • 2 garlic cloves, minced • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
DIRECTIONS In a large bowl, toss the tomatoes with the basil, parsley, garlic, salt, chile and olive oil. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the linguine; drain well. Add the linguine to the bowl along with the sliced zucchini and toss. Add the 1/4 cup of grated cheese, toss again and serve in bowls, passing more cheese at the table.
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Discover How To Live Pain Free!
Patient Success Spotlights
At Total Care Physical Therapy, you will receive hands-on therapy treatments by our friendly, caring health experts during focused and individualized sessions. 1. CALL AND TALK TO YOUR THERAPIST 2. DISCOVER WHY YOUR PAIN HAS COME BACK 3. GET YOUR CUSTOM RECOVERY PROGRAM FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
“I have always appreciated that the staff atTotal Care has always worked to make my visits to their office comfortable. Tom has helped me to regain my mobility and work to strengthen my knee. I feel that the staff is truly invested in me and my recovery. I would recommend Tom at Total Care to anyone needing strength and mobility help.” - Jennifer B. I would recommend Tom at Total Care to anyone needing strength and mobility help.
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• Cost Effective • Non-invasive • Safe & Natural • State-of-the-art Facility Features of Physical Therapy: DO YOU SUFFER FROM BACK PAIN?
Relieve Back Pain In Minutes Try these stretches if you are experiencing back pain.
Loosens Lower Back SINGLE KNEE TO CHEST STRETCH
Exercisescopyrightof
Lie on your back and bring one knee to your chest, keeping the other foot flat on the floor. Keep your lower back pressed to the floor. Hold for at least 15 to 30 seconds. Repeat 2 to 4 times with each leg.
Mention This Coupon To Receive A BACK PAIN / SCIATICA ANALYSIS
Call Today! 908-262-7404
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