AgeWell: How Posture Affects Back & Neck Pain

AgeWell Physical Therapy Newsletter

N E W S L E T T E R

THE MANY BENEFITS OF PROPER POSTURE

If you have poor posture, your bones are not properly aligned, which increases strain on your muscles, joints and ligaments. Poor posture causes fatigue, muscular

I N S I D E THE MANY BENEFITS OF PROPER POSTURE HOW POOR POSTURE CONTRIBUTES TO BACK PAIN EXERCISE ESSENTIALS

strain and pain. (Read more inside...)

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N E W S L E T T E R

THE MANY BENEFITS OF PROPER POSTURE In addition, poor posture can affect the position and function of your vital organs, such as your heart, lungs and intestines. Maintaining good posture can have a dramatic improvement on your back or neck pain, health, energy and the way you look and feel. Some of the perks of good posture include: 1. Constant exercise for your back and abdominals. Holding good posture takes effort and makes you use the muscles in your back and abdomen properly. 2. It greatly improves your breathing. Good posture makes room for your lungs to function at their best – rather than being compressed when you hold your body in a slouch. Good lung function has a healthy impact on all aspects of your body’s functions and helps to reduce pain. 3. It protects your organs, bones, joints and muscles. Holding correct posture reduces unnecessary strain and pressure on these body parts. Most neck and back problems develop from poor posture over time. (Continued from outside)

4. It prevents arthritis. With poor posture, unnatural pressure is placed on your joints, leading to wear and tear. This in turn can lead to arthritis. Good posture gives your joints the chance to function at their best. 5. It helps you use your muscles more efficiently. With your bones and joints in correct alignment, you are likely to feel more energetic since your body will require less energy to move about. 6. It can have a dramatic impact on the way you feel. When you hold yourself in good posture, rather than a slumped one, you send signals to your brain that makes you feel happier and more confident. It also changes the way that people see you – you’ll appear more confident and assertive. Making simple changes in your daily habits can improve your posture and reduce your pain. Postural restoration at AgeWell Physical Therapy helps the body recruit the right muscles for the task at hand, improving pain prior to restoring function. Our experts have years of training in reducing back and neck pain associated from poor posture.

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HOW POOR POSTURE CONTRIBUTES TO BACK PAIN

vessels and nerves over time. Furthermore, this causes problems with the joints, discs and muscles.

It is important to take care of your spine. Good posture eliminates many of the health problems that can develop when the spine has an unhealthy posture. Since you perform many different movements and positions throughout the day (sitting, standing, bending, stooping, lying down, etc.) it is important to learn how to keep correct posture. Maintaining good posture during the day results in less back pain. When you correct bad posture habits, the new and improved movements tend to become more automatic and require very little effort to maintain. At AgeWell Physical Therapy we train you on the best way to attain and hold your posture throughout the day. We help you relieve your back pain quickly while improving your posture for maximum, long term results! Discover how our therapists can improve your posture and relieve your back or neck pain, allowing you to live a happy, active and pain-free life.

When your spine is not in proper alignment, the muscles, ligaments and joints are all under excessive strain, causing most episodes of back pain. The lower back supports most of the weight of the body and therefore is the most vulnerable to the effects of poor posture. Discs, which provide support between the spinal bones (vertebrae), are also affected from poor posture. However, with good posture, the spine is in proper alignment and the shock absorbing discs are not as subject to injury.

Contact your physical therapist to learn more about how you can take steps to start improving your posture today.

Often with poor posture, the spine will become fixed in an abnormal position. This leads to the constriction of blood

HEALTHY RECIPE: APPLE, GOAT CHEESE, & PECAN PIZZA

INGREDIENTS • 1lb six-grain pizza crust

• 2 tsp Dijon mustard

• Cooking spray

• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice

• 3 cups thinly sliced Fuji apple

• 1 1/2 tsp honey

• 1 cup crumbled goat cheese

• 2 cups baby arugula

• 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme

• 3 tbsp chopped pecans, toasted

• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

INSTRUCTIONS Preheat oven to 450°. Place pizza crust on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Arrange apple slices evenly over pizza crust; top with cheese. Sprinkle thyme evenly over cheese. Bake at 450° for 8 minutes or until cheese melts and begins to brown. Combine oil and next 3 ingredients (through honey) in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add arugula; toss gently to coat. Sprinkle pecans evenly over pizza; top with arugula mixture. Cut pizza into 6 wedges.

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NOSTALGIC NEW YORK: JUNE 6, 1944 - NEW YORK ON D-DAY

RECEIVE THERAPY IN YOUR HOME! AgeWell PT and LiveWell OT offer in-home physical therapy and occupational therapy services. If you have difficulty traveling or leaving your home, these services are for you! These services are also covered by Medicare. I N - OF F I CE SPECIAL TEST ING SERV I CES AgeWell PT offers in-house electrodiagnostic testing and musculoskeletal diagnostic ultrasound testing for all of our patients. We hope our therapy patients take advantage of these tests to improve their rate of recovery and therapy outcome.

When the sun rose in New York City, thousands of troops had already landed on the beaches of Normandy and had been fighting for hours. The Daily News proclaimed in bold lettering, “ INVASION BEGINS! ” The Normandy landings were the largest seaborne invasion in history, and came almost exactly four years after the Allies were driven from Western Europe in the evacuation of Dunkirk — a painful memory still fresh in the minds of those watching and waiting for news. “We, the people of the City of New York, in meeting assembled, send forth our prayers to the Almighty God for the safety and spiritual welfare of every one of you and humbly petition Him to bring total victory to your arms in the great and valiant struggle for the liberation of the world from tyranny.” - Mayor La Guardia, address to Madison Square Rally Pictured above: People gather outside churches and synagogues to pray for loved ones, the mayor holds a rally in Times Square and a student tends to a "Victory Garden" planted in the school yard.

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REFER A FR I END!

E X E R C I S E E S S E N T I A L S HELPS INCREASE FLEXIBILITY

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PRONE ALTERNATE ARM AND LEG While lying face down and keeping your lower abdominals tight, slowly raise up an arm and opposite leg. Slowly lower and then raise the opposite side. Do not allow your spine to move the entire time. 6 repetitions on each side.

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

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