Professional Physical Therapy April 2021

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to happen? It’s true — the core muscles in your abdomen balance out the muscles in your back. Plus, when it comes to certain activities (like lifting heavy objects), a strong core can do some of the work that might otherwise fall to your back. Most people know how easy it is to hurt your back when lifting, so anything that makes that common cause of injury less likely to occur is a good thing. Speaking of which, do you have kids or grandkids? You don’t need to be a powerlifter to get hurt lifting heavy objects because every time you pick a child up, it’s like performing a snatch-and-grab with a 35-pound weight! Are you a smoker? Believe it or not, in addition to all bad effects we already know about smoking, it can also cause damage to the spine and other parts of your anatomy. Further, it lowers your pain threshold, meaning you feel more pain than others! Almost as surprising is your choice of footwear, which can also make a big difference in back pain. Shoes are important because they absorb a lot of the impact from walking or running. As we learn more about this link, we’re discovering that people walking around in thin shoes — especially on hard surfaces like asphalt streets or concrete sidewalks — can cause the discs in their back to lose a lot of the cushioning fluid they use to keep you protected. When your back is concerned, the way you interact with your surroundings makes a big difference. If you spend a lot of time at work on a computer, you need to pay extra attention to your posture and be sure to stand and walk around regularly. Back injuries from computer use have been on the rise in the last few decades, but it’s really just a new twist on an old flavor: Humans aren’t designed to sit behind desks all day long, so the more you do to counter those negative effects, the happier you — and your back — will be.

Although some of the causes of back pain that we’ve talked about today are more likely to result in one kind of injury or another, many of them can prompt a number of conditions both acute and chronic. In addition to this, “one-time” injuries can easily become chronic ones with poor treatment and care, not to mention re-injury. We’re experts in regard to dealing with back pain — take a look at our Back Workshop special that we’re bringing back — and we can tell you that early treatment is always best. It’s also usually cheaper in the long run than risking re-injury.

For more tips or to schedule an appointment, call Professional Physical Therapy at 508-507-2869 and let us help you!

Tasty Thai FRIED RICE

HowAre You Feeling?

Inspired by OhMyVeggies.com

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 onion, chopped • 8 oz baby bella mushrooms, sliced • 4 cups broccoli, chopped to bite-size pieces • 4 cloves garlic, minced • 5 cups jasmine rice, cooked and cooled

Really, we want to know. Many of us started 2021 with goals and a good feeling about the year — but by now, we may be sidetracked, totally busy, or even injured. At Professional Physical Therapy, we’re here to help you get back on track, no matter what you need to make it happen. From feet to neck and everything in between, we have the tools to leave you ready and eager for summer to begin. It’s important to remember that pain is the body’s way of telling us to stop! There’s a difference between the burning that comes with regular exercise and the constant, worsening, sharp pain of an injury. If your body is saying the same thing, do yourself a favor and schedule your next appointment by calling our office at 508-507-2869.

• 1/2 cup peanuts, chopped • 2 tbsp soy sauce • Toppings of choice for serving

(sliced green onions, sliced cucumber, chopped peanuts, lime wedges, Sriracha, etc.)

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 2–3 minutes, until softened. 2. Add the mushrooms and broccoli. Cook for 5–7 minutes, until the broccoli is tender. 3. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant. 4. Finally, add the rice and cook, stirring constantly, for 3–4 minutes. 5. Remove skillet from the heat and stir in the peanuts and soy sauce. 6. Serve garnished with your toppings.

www.proptinc.com • 508-528-6100 3

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