Back Pain Prevention
I received my Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology at UT Austin and have been working as a speech- language pathologist for more than 25 years. Most of my career has been spent in the medical field, in both inpatient and outpatient settings, beginning with adult patients and later transitioning to pediatric patients. I have certifications for providing VitalStim therapy, and for the Hanen programs “It Takes Two to Talk”, and “More ThanWords”. I amamember of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA).I grew up in Las Cruces, New Mexico, but consider myself a Texan after living in Austin for nearly 30 years! I love what I do and I am amazed at how much I still have to learn in this field, and how exciting it is to help a child find his or her “voice”. I love to hang out with my friends and my dog Jude, and I enjoy yoga, and learning Tai Chi. Staff Spotlight April Wood, M.A., CCC-SLP
A little prevention goes a long way. If you want to avoid future back pain, you can make sure you’re being good to your back. Lift Properly You pick things up constantly. Even if you’re lifting something light, make sure you’re facing the object. Squat, keeping your spine straight. Lift with your leg muscles, as this will reduce the pressure placed on your spine. Use Good Posture When you’re standing, imagine a string is attached to the top of your head—lifting you up. This will keep your hips, spine, shoulders, and neck aligned. If you’re sitting, don’t slouch. Use Strength Training Your body has hundreds of muscles. Thesemuscles protect and control your spine. By lifting weights, running, and swimming, you can keep them strong. Train your core muscles. In doing so, you’ll easily control quick, lifting movements. It never hurts to visit a physical therapist, either. Get regular check-ups, and make sure your body is in good condition. If you have a history of back injuries, pain, or minor aches, don’t hesitate to talk to a professional. You deserve a pain-free life, and your back will thank you.
Vitamin Burst Smoothie
• 1/2 cup pineapple • 1 tsp freshly minced ginger (or more to taste) • Optional: 1-2 tsp raw honey; a handful of fresh baby spinach; 1-2 tbsp almond butter
Ingredients • 1 cup fresh orange juice • 1/2 cup milk (coconut, almond, or substitute plain or vanilla yogurt) • 1/2 cup frozen strawberries • 1/2 cup mango
“Love, love, love all the staff at Reavis! It is a refuge and an oasis for me. The physical therapy I received was excellent and since I saw so many different therapists, I was able to learn unique things from each one. I am much stronger now. I have lost 40 pounds since coming to Reavis for aqua exercise and I know this activity has been a factor in my success. Thanks Reavis staff for all you do!” - L.K. Success Spotlight
Directions Add the ingredients to a blender and blend on high speed until completely smooth, scraping down the blender as needed. Add a drizzle of honey or extra ginger to taste, pour into glasses, and enjoy. Bursting with healing Vitamin C, this hydrating smoothie will increase the infection-fighting ability of your immune system.
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