PeakPerformancePT: Determining The Origins Of Pain

UNDERSTANDING YOUR PAIN

When you meet with a physical therapist to understand where your pain may be coming from, one of the first things you’ll do is have a conversation about your pain. How long you’ve been experiencing pain, where it developed and how the pain manifests itself are all very important distinctions that can help shed some light on what may be causing your discomfort. Here are a few things you may want to consider before heading into physical therapy: • Consider exactly where the pain occurs in your body, and research what the different parts of the body are called so that you can have an accurate and helpful conversation about your pain. For example, back pain has a lot of different differentiations, and lumbar pain (which is in the lower back) is frequently caused by factors different from what would cause upper-back or neck pain. • How does the pain feel when it develops? Is it a lingering ache? Is it a sharp stab? Is it more of a tingling feeling? Each of these sensations are actually associated with different types of problems, so describing your pain appropriately may be helpful in determining the best treatment methods for your body’s needs. • What do you think may be causing the pain? Of course, it happens that a pain will develop, and you are dumbfounded as to why, but more often than not, there is something that you think could be influencing it. If the pain started around the same time as a change in environment or life circumstances, then it is worth telling your physical therapist about the association. Another thing to consider about your pain is whether or not it develops at particular times of the day or year. There are plenty of situations when someone begins to experience pain when the weather starts to change, and it turns out that the pain is a result of arthritis and inflammation. There are other situations in which the pain will develop as a result of prolonged sitting or the opposite — such as when things get crazy at home or at work, and you find that you are not getting as much sleep as usual. Considering any changes in your daily habits or environmental factors can be very helpful in determining what is causing your pain.

Regardless of where your pain is, how long you’ve been dealing with it, or how intense the pain feels, the smart thing to do when pain develops is to speak with a physical therapist. Working with a physical therapist can help you finally get a step ahead of your pain, finding treatment options that are designed to provide you with long-term relief instead of temporary relief from medication. For more information about physical therapy for overcoming bodily pain, contact us.

www.peakperformanceompt.com

VEGAN SWEET POTATO QUESADILLAS

Relieve Neck Pain In Minutes Try this movement if you are experiencing neck pain.

INGREDIENTS: • 5 tbsp olive oil

• 1 sweet potato, grated • 1 tsp smoked paprika • 1/2 tsp chili (optional) • 1/2 tsp cumin (optional) • 2 handful of baby spinach • 1 cup black beans, cooked or canned • 2-3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Relieves Neck Pain

www.simpleset.net

LEVATOR SCAPULAE STRETCH Grasp your arm on the affected side and tilt your head downward and to the side until a stretch is felt.

• salt & pepper to taste • 6 gluten-free tortillas • 1 cup vegan cheese, grated

CALL TODAY! 517.853.6800 Quesadillas: Heat another non-stick pan with medium heat and brush with some oil. Spread 3 tbsp of the filling evenly over half of 1 tortilla, leaving a 1/2 in border. Cover filling with grated cheese and fold over the empty side of the tortilla, pressing down carefully by using a spatula, so that it sticks. Cook for 2-3 minutes, flip and cook from theothersideuntilgoldenandcrispy.Repeatwith remainingfillingandasmany tortillas as needed (about 4-6, depending on the exact size). Transfer quesadillas to a cutting board, slice, and then serve. Source: biancazapatka.com INSTRUCTIONS: Filling: Heat 1-2 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add grated sweet potato and roast for 30 seconds, then add spices and stir to combine. Once the pan is sizzling,adda littlewater, thencover thepanand reduce to lowhear.Cook for6minutes, stirring occasionally. Add baby spinach, and cook for 2 minutes until sweet potato is tender and cooked through. Stir in beans, corn, parsley and cook for 1 minute longer until cooked through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

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