Newsletter for Wood Associates Physical Therapy
THE NEWSLETTER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND CARING FOR YOUR BODY NEWSLET TER
THE IDEAL TREATMENT FOR LOW BACK PAIN
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. (continued inside)
WE ARE OPEN &WE’RE TAKING PRECAUTIONARY STEPS
www.woodassociatesphysicaltherapy.com
THE NEWSLETTER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND CARING FOR YOUR BODY NEWSLET TER
THE IDEAL TREATMENT FOR LOW BACK PAIN
(continued from outside)
INSIDE : • Lower Back Pain & Physical Therapy • The Best Guacamole Ever
• Exercise Of The Month • How Can I Improve My Sleep?
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 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.
Read More About How PT Can Help Inside!
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BRIDGING While lying on your back, raise your buttocks off the floor/bed. Repeat 10 times. Stretches Lower Back www.simpleset.net Try this simple exercise to help you feel better! EXERCISE OF THE MONTH
Lower Back Pain & Physical Therapy
HEALTHY RECIPE The Best Guacamole Ever
Physical therapy is a great resource for lower back pain because it addresses the cause of the pain, rather than simply attempting to hide the symptoms. Working with a physical therapist can help you to experience improved range of motion, to restore strength to muscles in your lower back that may have experienced atrophy through lack of use, and also reduce tension in your lower back muscles through targeted massage. When working with a physical therapist, you may also be guided through different lifestyle changes that you can make that can help you begin to overcome your back pain with everyday activities. This can include: • Making changes to the type of shoes that you wear so that your back is getting more support with every step. Sometimes, using special insoles can significantly improve your back pain. • Adjusting your sleeping habits, or perhaps investing in a new mattress so that your back has more support at night. • Using more lumbar support at work or on your commute by using a special chair or chair cover. Lower back pain is a pain in the butt, but you don’t need to deal with it any longer. Reach out to your physical therapist for information and support overcoming lower back pain, and finally find long-term relief.
GUACAMOLE
• tomatillos • 1/3 cup chopped onion
• 3/4 teaspoon salt • 2 ripe peeled avocados • 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and finely chopped • 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/3 cup chopped plum tomato • 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
DIRECTIONS
To prepare guacamole, peel papery husk from tomatillos; wash, core, and finely chop. Combine tomatillos, onion, and remaining ingredients; stir well. Serve guacamole with chips.
Source: https://www.acatoday.org/Patients/Health-Wellness-Information/Back-Pain-Facts-and-Statistics
CALL US TODAY IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING ANY PAIN
HOW CAN I IMPROVE MY SLEEP? It can seem difficult to feel as if you are in control of your own sleeping schedule and patterns when you are suffering from chronic pain. People who are diagnosed with sleeping disorders tend to worry more about how their lack of sleep will impact their health, thus creating more toxic stress. However, there are some steps you can take to make sleeping as comfortable as possible for you and try to make up some of the sleep debt you experience each night.
Patient Success Spotlight
The environment in which you sleep is one of the most important factors in creating a good night’s sleep. This includes:
• Noise. If you experience sleep sensitivity, it is important to make sure that any unexpected noises are limited in your bedroom. Sleeping with a white noise machine or fan can help eliminate any additional environmental noises that may wake you up in the middle of the night. • Light. If your room lets in excessive amounts of light in the morning, it may be beneficial to invest in some blackout curtains. Keeping your room dark will help you stay asleep through the night, even as the sun is rising. It is a great way to gain as much sleep as you can before your alarm goes off in the morning. • Temperature. Have you ever woken up sweating, only to throw the blankets off and wake up freezing a couple hours later? The temperature in which you keep your bedroom has a large effect on your sleep. Your body temperature naturally decreases as a way to initiate sleep, so keeping a cooler bedroom can help facilitate your slumber. According to The National Sleep Foundation, the optimum bedroom temperature for a good night’s sleep should be between 60-67 degrees Fahrenheit. If you feel cold, wearing socks or keeping a hot water bottle by your feet can help dilate blood vessels and increase your internal thermostat. • Mattress. It may come as no surprise that what you actually sleep on also has a profound effect on the way you sleep. According to Tuck Sleep, mattresses with mid-level firmness ratings (4-6 out of 10) tend to help the most with alleviating pain, as they provide a balance between comfort and support. Mattresses that are too soft or too firm can actually increase pain levels during sleep, as they can create more pressure and target certain pain points. Sleep is an essential part of daily function, and you shouldn’t let your pain rob you from it! If you are experiencing sleep deprivation due to your chronic pain, contact Peak To Shore Physiotherapy today. We’ll provide you with helpful tips for gaining sleep and improving your daily life, free from pain and exhaustion.
“I AM PLEASED WITH MY TREATMENT. FEELING A LOT BETTER NOW. VERY GOOD JOB.”
Discover How To Live Pain Free!
At Wood Associates Physical Therapy, you will receive hands-on therapy treatments by a friendly, caring health expert 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 (617) 864-4200 CALL TO SCHEDULE TODAY! NO PRESCRIPTION NEEDED
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