Centra: Where is Your Back Pain Coming From?

Health & Wellness by Centra Rehabilitation

Health & Wellness

“Stick To Your New Year Resolutions Pain Free!” WHERE DOES BACK PAIN COME FROM?

It is important to realize that you have ONE SPINE and it functions as a whole. It is not just a bunch of bones, ligaments, tendons, and discs thrown together. It is a beautiful and very complex structure that needs flexibility, strength, coordination, and good posture. (continued inside)

INSIDE • Where Does Back Pain Come From? • Exercise Essentials • Patient Spotlight • Free Analysis • Meet Our New Leaders

Meet Courtney & Brigid! Read more about them and our new specialty program inside!

Health &Wellness

Where Does Back Pain Come From? | Exercise Essentials | Patient Spotlight | Free Analysis | Meet Our New Leaders

WHERE DOES BACK PAIN COME FROM? “ Discover The Cause Of Your Pain! ”

What affects the top affects the bottom If you have problems with your upper neck; such as, tight muscles, poor alignment, previous injuries, whiplash, or poor posture, this can dramatically change the load and forces on your low back. If you sit in front of the television in a slouched position, or work for many hours at a computer, over time, your head and neck may become forward protruding. Since your head weighs between 10-12 pounds (about the weight of a bowling ball), and is now balanced forward, all your back muscles have to

work harder to keep you from falling forward. Over time, this leads to pain, inflammation, and injury to the low back.

Do you find when looking over your shoulder you have to turn your body a lot? When motion is limited in your neck, the ability to turn your head is compensated by over-rotating the lower back which can cause more strain and contribute to pain in this area. If you are experiencing back pain, your neck could be the cause. Give us a call today to schedule a consultation with one of our experts to learn more about what could be causing your pain!

“Is Your Neck Causing Back Pain?” A SIMPLE TEST

This test will tell you if it is really your neck causing your back pain. 1. Stand normally with a friend facing you to observe your movements. 2. Turn your head left and right as far as you can comfortably. Have your friend note how far you turn. 3. Sit in a chair and repeat the turning of your head both ways. Have your friend again note how far you turn. 4. Ask your friend if there is a difference in your neck movement, standing compared to sitting. 5. If your neck movement is more limited in sitting, then it is your neck or upper back that is tight and can be causing your low back pain. How do the clinicians at Centra Rehabilitation rehabilitate and relieve back pain? Our clinicians are experts trained in evaluating muscle and joint movement. First, a thorough evaluation is done to determine the source of your back pain, and ascertain if your neck or upper back can be affecting it. Then, a complete plan of care is put together based on your individual needs. Not only do we

treat with the latest gentle, hands-on therapeutic techniques, but we also rebuild your strength and coordination to prevent future injuries. Furthermore, we teach you how to protect your body, improve your posture and balance, and how to prevent a recurrence of pain. Give us a call today, we can help!

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Healthy Recipe

ROQUEFORT PEAR SALAD

Ingredients • 1 head leaf lettuce • 3 pears • 5 ounces Roquefort cheese • 1 avocado • 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions • 1/4 cup white sugar

• 1/2 cup pecans • 1/3 cup olive oil

• 3 tbsp red wine vinegar • 1 1/2 tsp white sugar • 1 1/2 tsp prepared mustard • 1 clove garlic, chopped • 1/2 tsp salt • Black pepper to taste

Directions In a skillet over medium heat, stir 1/4 cup of sugar together with the pecans. Continue stirring gently until sugar has melted and caramelized the pecans. Carefully transfer nuts onto waxed paper. Allow to cool, and break into pieces. For the dressing, blend oil, vinegar, 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar, mustard, chopped garlic, salt, and pepper. In a large serving bowl, layer lettuce, pears, blue cheese, avocado, and green onions. Pour dressing over salad, sprinkle with pecans, and serve.

Patient Spotlight

I wouldn’t go anywhere else! “The team in Danville is wonderful! They are welcoming and friendly and have taken great care of me. I wouldn’t go anywhere else!” -Pamela G., Danville Extremely helpful and beneficial! “ Therapy in Gretna has been great! This is my third time being treated there for different conditions. They are experts at their craft and have been extremely helpful and beneficial. I would recommend them to anyone needing therapy.” -James M., Chatham

Staff Spotlights Courtney Bumgarner, PT, DPT Clinic: Atherholt Road, Lynchburg Courtney has been with Centra since September of 2011. She enjoys treating a variety of diagnoses including orthopaedic conditions of the spine, shoulder, and lower extremities as well as treating various neurological conditions. Courtney has special interest in concussion, TMJ and treating headaches. Courtney’s overall patient satisfaction rating is 99.55% and 100% of her patients responded that they

Brigid Daly, PT, DPT Clinic: Atherholt Road, Lynchburg Brigid has been with Centra since 2010. She enjoys treating patients recovering from cancer, orthopaedic and neurological conditions. Brigid is also a certified vestibular therapist by the American Institute of Balance. Brigid’s overall patient satisfaction is 99.4% & 100% of of her patients responded that they would recommend her to a friend! Brigid ranks in the top 1% of the country for treating hip conditions and top 20% for all other orthopedic conditions.

would recommend her to a friend! Courtney ranks in the top 4% of the country for treating concussion and vestibular conditions, and top 1% for treating knee conditions and top 10% for shoulder.

*Outcomes provided by FOTO, inc.

Do you want a natural solution to your pain? Gain your freedom from pain medication and avoid costly surgery with physical therapy!

CentraOutpatientRehabilitation http://rehab.centrahealth.com/

People who go to physical therapy experience: Natural relief for aches and pains Less difficulty in reaching or bending More social activity More energy More strength Better days at work

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Mention or Bring in This Coupon Today For a FREE Back Pain Analysis

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434.200.2102

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Simple Tips For Shoveling Snow

Lighten your load. Consider using a lighter-weight plastic shovel instead of a metal one to help decrease the weight being lifted. Consider multiple trips. Consider shoveling periodically throughout the storm to avoid having to move large amounts of snow at once. Keep up with snowfall. Try to shovel snow shortly after it falls, when it is lighter and fluffier. The longer snow stays on the ground, the wetter it can become. Wet snow is heavier and harder to move. rehab.centrahealth.com

Snow shoveling can lead to a number of health risks for many people, from back injuries to heart attacks. The following tips can help keep you safer when you set out to shovel: Warm up. Warm your muscles before heading out to shovel by doing some light movements, such as bending side to side or walking in place. Push rather than lift. Pushing the snow with the shovel instead of lifting can help reduce the strain on your body.

Do you have pain while reaching or bending? If you are not moving like you once were. Please don’t hesitate to come in for a check up and get back on track to feeling great again. Call the clinic nearest you today!

Relieve Aches & Pain In Minutes Without Pain Medication! Try these movements if you are experiencing pain.

PRON ALT ARM & 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.

QUADRUPED ALT. ARM & LEG RAISE While on your hands and knees, slowly raise up an arm out in front of you. Then, slowly raise the opposite leg behind you, while keeping your back straight. Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat 3 times on both sides.

Keeps Body Flexible

Relieves Low Back Pain

Exercisescopyrightof

www.simpleset.net

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

NEED A NATURAL TREATMENT FOR PAIN? Why Consider Dry Needling

Dry needling is a technique physical therapists use to treat myofascial pain. The technique uses a “dry” needle, one without medication or injection, inserted through the skin into areas of the muscle, known as trigger points. Some dry needling techniques treat a broader landscape of the central nervous system. This is called non-trigger point treatment. Instead of inserting needles only in the area of pain, the practitioner may instead insert needles in areas around but not directly on the point of pain. This technique relies on the idea that pain is the result of a greater nerve or muscular issue, not a focused one only in the main area of pain. Physical therapists use dry needling with the goal of releasing or inactivating trigger points to relieve pain or improve range of motion. Preliminary research supports that dry needling improves pain control, reduces muscle tension, and normalizes dysfunctions of the motor end plates, the sites at which nerve impulses are transmitted to muscles. This can help speed up the patient’s return to active rehabilitation.

Dry needling may provide relief for some muscular pain and stiffness. In addition, easing the trigger points may improve flexibility and increase range of motion. That’s why this method is often used to treat sports injuries, muscle pain, and even fibromyalgia pain. If you or someone you know is suffering from a sports injury or aches and pains, contact us at a clinic nearest you!

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