M3 PT - July 2018

TREATING LOWER BACK PAIN

Lower back pain is incredibly common in adults and stems from a variety of sources. The American Chiropractic Association estimates that 80 percent of us will experience back pain at some point in our lives. While some of these instances may be relatively benign, stemming from something as simple as a bad night’s sleep, back pain can also be a sign of more serious conditions. The difficulty is that it can be hard to tell the difference between short-term back pain and a chronic injury. While it can be tempting to “wait and see” before seeking professional help, this often leads to the condition worsening over time. This is even true of the more benign, easily fixable back issues stemming from poor posture or lack of exercise. If you aren’t able to identify and correct the source of the issue, your pain will likely persist or get worse. Does this mean you should hurry off to the doctor’s office at the first twinge of pain? No. But you should pay attention to the signals your body is sending you. In general, keep an eye out for these warning signs:

• The pain persists after a week. • The pain extends beyond the back. • The pain began directly or shortly after a fall or accident. • You experience numbness or fatigue. • The pain is worse under certain circumstances. These can all be signs of chronic pain or other severe conditions. When pain extends beyond a week or you experience any of these other warning signs, it’s time to get a professional opinion. Manual therapy and other physical therapy modalities can help you get back to moving pain-free. All bodies are different, but as a general rule of thumb, the earlier you seek treatment, the more effective it is likely to be. At M3, we specialize in taking a holistic approach to care. We’ll look at the big picture to get to the source of your pain so we can get you the most effective treatment. That said, we aren’t miracle workers. The longer you wait to seek treatment, the more difficult treating your back pain becomes. If you or a loved one has been living with back pain, even in the short term, please reach out to us.

TAKE A BREAK

CHARRED CHILI-CHEESE CORN

INGREDIENTS

• 4 ears of corn, husked • 4 tablespoons high-smoke-point oil, such as canola or vegetable • 1 large shallot, thinly sliced • 1/2 red chili (such as Fresno)

• 2 ounces fresh cotija cheese (or feta), crumbled • 1/4 cup cilantro • Salt and pepper, to taste

or jalapeño, thinly sliced • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat grill to medium.

2. Brush corn with 2 tablespoons oil and grill until visibly charred, 10–12 minutes. 3. Cut kernels off cob and combine with shallots, chilis, lime juice, cheese, and remaining oil.

4. Season with salt and pepper, garnish with cilantro, and serve.

Inspired by Bon Appetit magazine

LA · 310.275.4137 / WEST HILLS · 747.888.3562 | 3

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