ClarkPT_Is Back Pain Slowing You Down

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Is Back Pain Slowing You Down? Physical Therapy Can Help!

I N S I D E Back Pain Prevention 8 Nutrition Tips For A Healthy Summer Exercise Essentials

Is Back Pain Slowing You Down? Physical Therapy Can Help!

Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t seek treatment when back pain arises. Before they know it, they have a big problem. They might assume nothing—except for medication—can solve their back pain problem. Medication might mask the pain, but it won’t cure the problem’s root cause. Back Pain Solutions You’re in luck: Back pain can be cured! The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke covers a number of back pain remedies. These include the use of strength exercise, physical therapy and medication. Where medication is considered, anti- inflammatory drugs, analgesic medications and counter-irritants are the most popular. Before you can treat your back pain, however, you need to know why it started. Whether you’ve tweaked a muscle or have a deeper injury, a spine specialist can help.

Back pain can hinder your day-to-day activities. Left untreated, it can even lead to long-term joint, spine and nerve damage. As one of the most common physical complaints, over 80 percent of the U.S. population will suffer from it at some point in their lifetime. The pain itself can hinder your ability to reach, lean, kneel, lift or bend. It can also hinder your time spent with friends and family. Direct pain aside, minor aches and cramps associated with a back pain problem can make you irritable—ruining your good time. What Causes Back Pain? A few things cause back pain. The American Physical Therapy Association covers each of these, but the following are leading causes: • Spinal and core muscle weaknesses • Bad posture • Spinal muscle and tissue damage • Improper lifting form • Limited hip, spine and thigh muscle flexibility • Bad abdominal, pelvic and back muscle coordination

Call Clark Physical Therapy to talk with your physical therapist today!

3. If further assessment is

1. Feel free to call us and ask to speak to your therapist.

2. Your therapist will tell you the possible causes of your pain as well as precautions you can take at home.

warranted, your therapist might recommend you come in for an appointment.

Back Pain Prevention

Team Spotlight (Manual Orthopedic Physical Therapists) Jamie & Kim Clark

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 Trainin 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.

Jamie Clark graduated from University of Buffalo school of Physical Therapy in 2002. He started his career in Outpatient physical therapy, then moved in to mangement in rehabilitation centers as now works for Clark PT. Jamie is certified in Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) to identify the root cause of patient’s pain. Kimberley Clark graduated from University of Buffalo school of Physical Therapy in 2002. She started her career in Outpatient Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, followed by Outpatient Brain Injury PT, pediatric Physical Therapy , rehabilitation services in the skilled nursing home setting. and now full-time in Clark PT. Kim is also certified in Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) to identify the root cause of patient’s pain.

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

“This has been the most positive and productive physical therapy I have had. With two months of treatment, I have regained most function after a severe rotator cuff tear. Their knowledge, skill, and individual attention is exceptional. Cold laser therapy immediately reduced my pain to almost nothing.” - K.B. 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.

Summer weekends at the beach, backyard barbecues, and outdoor dinners are finally here, but these gatherings are often loaded with high-calorie pasta salads, chips, ice cream, cocktails and beers. Enjoy your warm weather favorites while keeping your nutrition in check with the tips below. 1. Drink green ea instead of sweet tea. Green tea has a natural component that helps speed up your metabolism. Skip the box tea and opt for the brew-it-yourself with boiling water and a tea-bag-type tea. 2. Serve seafood. Summer is the ideal time to get the freshest catch from your local grocer. Grill salmon, tuna, lobster, steamer clams, and calamari for a low-calorie, protein- packed lunch or dinner. 3. Don’t skip breakfast. When you wake up in the morning, your body is running on fumes. Eating a breakfast with protein, carbs, and healthy fat kicks your metabolism into high gear and provides energy for the day. 4. Enjoy summer fruits and veggies. It’s easy to sink into a vegetable rut, eating the same boring veggies week after week, but with summer comes fresh choices. Including a mix of in-season colorful veggies in your meals gives your body a nutrient kick. 5. Snack at work. Bring snacks to work and graze throughout the day. When you eat more often—five to six times per day—you’re far less likely to overeat and more likely to stay energized. 6. Hydrat often. The summer heat makes you more susceptible to dehydration. Start off your day by drinking two glasses of water and keep drinking at each meal, as well as before and after your workout, to stay hydrated. Carry a water bottle with you as a reminder to stay hydrated. 7. Recoverwith a post-workout shake. After exercising, blend your favorite summer fruits and a scoop of whey protein into a shake to kickstart the muscle-building process, help your body recover from training, and boost your energy levels. 8. Pre-plan your meals. You plan your weekend getaways and activities for summer. Why not your meals? Make it easy by preparing all of your food on Sunday so that you have enough meals for the week. The best part: You’ll save money. www.coreperformance.com/daily/live-better/15-nutriton-tips-for-a-healthy-summer.html 8 Nutrition Tips For A Healthy Summer

Exercise Essentials

Prayer Stretch While in a crawl position, slowly lower your buttocks towards your feet until a stretch is felt along your back and or buttocks. This is a good stretch if you sit at a computer all day Free Workshops Exercises copyright of www.simpleset.net

Shoulder Pain Workshop Wednesday, August 5 | 6:00 PM

Gold’s Gym 101 Fairport Villiage Fairport, NY 14450

Can’t attend the workshop but having pain? During the month of July, we are offering a free physical therapy consult. Give us a call today to reserve your spot!

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