FitPT_Where Is Your Back Pain Coming From

Newsletter for Fit Physical Therapy

THE NEWSLETTER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND CARING FOR YOUR BODY NEWSLET TER

SEPTEMBER 2020

ARE YOU EXPERIENCING LOW BACK PAIN? IT MAY BE CAUSED BY ANOTHER ISSUE

COUPON CORNER! DETAILS INSIDE

INSIDE : • How Can I Tell If My Neck Is Causing My Back Pain? • Positive Patient Results

• Exercise Of The Month • Let’s Get Social!

1-855-673-3600 ◆ fit-pt.com

THE NEWSLETTER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND CARING FOR YOUR BODY NEWSLET TER

ARE YOU EXPERIENCING LOW BACK PAIN? IT MAY BE CAUSED BY ANOTHER ISSUE INSIDE : • How Can I Tell If My Neck Is Causing My Back Pain? • Positive Patient Results

SEPTEMBER 2020

• Exercise Of The Month • Let’s Get Social!

Your spine is a complex part of your body – it requires proper posture, flexibility, coordination, and strength, in order to do its job correctly. When one of these elements is altered, your spine can emit painful responses that can settle in other nearby parts of the body. According to the National Institute of Health, approximately 80% of adults will experience lower back pain at some point in their lives. Back pain is actually the most commonly reported location of pain across the globe. But how often is the source actually another part of your body? Pain is usually connected: Your spine is a lengthy structure, and pain can travel along it. Let’s say you are prone to neck pain – perhaps you have a slouched posture from sitting at a desk all day and the pressure radiates in your shoulders. Or, maybe you’ve had a previous injury, such as whiplash, that still elicits painful stings every now and then. Now, let’s say you begin feeling pain in your lower back in addition to your neck pain. Why does this happen? Basically, the pains are connected to each other. Your head weighs about 10- 12 pounds, which is roughly the weight of a bowling ball. When you slouch, or compensate pain by realigning your body, your back muscles have to work extra hard to keep you from toppling forward. Have you ever been so tired that your head begins to bob and it jolts you awake? That’s because your head is heavy! The weight from themotion wakes you back up because your body isn’t used to carrying it in that way.

This is also why pain in your lower back may occur as a result. Your back muscles are working in overdrive and may be constricting to try and hold you up. If you notice neck and back pain at the same time as one another, try sitting up straighter – it should help ease some of the stress! Is your neck the culprit? The most common combination of pain is in the neck and the back. If you are experiencing both, it is most likely stemming from the neck. We don’t typically think about it, but we use our necks for a lot of our daily activities. Even simple things, such as turning to grab something out of the cupboard or looking over your shoulder when backing out of a driveway, use a lot of neck muscles. When you do simple tasks such as these, do you find yourself turning your entire body, as opposed to just your head? If so, you could experience back pain along with your neck pain. When you have limitedmotion in your neck, your body compensates by twisting more than it usually would, thus over-rotating your lower back. This could cause a source of pain or general discomfort in the area, due to abnormal overuse. If you are experiencing neck pain, back pain, or a combination of both, our physical therapists would be more than happy to meet with you for a consultation to discuss how they can help. Call us today to talk to an expert about how we can relieve your aches and pains!

1-855-673-3600 ◆ fit-pt.com

Try this movement to relieve neck & shoulder pain. EXERCISE OF THE MONTH

How Can I Tell If My Neck Is Causing My Back Pain?

Helps Neck & Shoulder Pain

www.simpleset.net

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. QUADRUPED ALTERNATE ARM & LEG RAISE

It can sometimes to be difficult to determine if your back pain is rooted in your neck. This simple, at-home test can assist you in figuring it out: 1. Stand straight in front of another person. They will be your eyes regarding the movements you make. 2. Once they are watching you, turn your head as far as you comfortably can to the left. Repeat the same motion to the right. Have them take note of how far you are able to go. 3. Now, sit down in front of the same person. Repeat the same turning motions from a chair or couch. Again, have them take note of how far you are able to comfortably turn your head. 4. Ask if there were any differences in the turning movement. Did one side seem to turn further than the other? Was there a difference in standing vs. sitting? This test is helpful in finding out if your neck is causing (or is at risk of causing) pain in your lower back. If your movement is limited, especially sitting down, it means that the muscles in your back or upper back are tight. These constricted motions can cause pain in the lower back. How can physical therapy help me? Physical therapy is the leading recommendation for back pain. Physical therapists are trained to evaluate muscle and joint movement, and they can easily assist you in finding the root of your problem. They will thoroughly evaluate you to figure out why you are experiencing pain, determining the source and treating all affected areas. After your initial consultation, they will create a specialized treatment plan for you, based on their diagnosis of your specific needs. A physical therapist’s end goal is the same as yours – to get you feeling better, healthier, and more comfortable!

Positive Patient Results

“Very positive and valuable experience”

“Therapists were extremely patient with me and adjusted the exercises to fit my abilities and needs. Very positive and valuable experience” - S. F.

“This has been a breath of fresh air for me!”

“The therapist looks at everyone as a individual and gets you on a program tai lored to your abi l ities highly recommend this approach. I have never been a fan of physical therapy do to the overly conservative approach. This has been a breath of fresh air for me! I’m being challenged, not coddled.” - T. B.

Source: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Low-Back-Pain-Fact-Sheet

If you are experiencing lower back pain and think it may be caused by an issue occurring in your neck, give us a call today. We’ll get you moving comfortably again in no time.

6 CLINICS TO SERVE YOU. MESQUITE, OVERTON, ST. GEORGE, HURRICANE

If you have back or joint pain, there are probably some times when all you want to do is lie in bed all day. It’s tempting, but it might make the problem worse. Doctors used to prescribe bed rest for back pain and other chronic pain conditions, but studies have found that people who exercise and stay flexible manage their pain much better than those who don’t. If you do have a chronic pain condition like back pain or hip, knee, or shoulder problems, you shouldn’t begin an exercise program without guidance. Check with your physical therapist first. They have the expertise to help you develop an individualized exercise program. Have a professional; a physical therapist show you what is appropriate to do given your condition. DO I HAVE TO BE INACTIVE WHEN I’M IN PAIN?

Coupon Corner!

FREE BALANCE/VERTIGO SCREEN

WE OFFER 6 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS CALL THE LOCATION NEAREST YOU TO SCHEDULE TODAY!

Here are 7 exercises/activities you should do to alleviate pain:

1. Walking 2. Swimming

3. Yoga 4. Tai Chi

5. Pilates 6. Stretching

7. Aerobics

Spots are limited so call today!

Call to schedule (855) 673-3600 Expires 9-30-20

Is pain or injury slowing you down? Call today to schedule a free consultation with one of our expert physical therapists.

Staff Spotlight

Let ’s Get Social!

Aaron is the Clinic Director of our Summit Athletic Club Clinic. He attended Southern Utah University where he earned his degree in Exercise Science. He earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy at Touru University. Aaron is friendly and easy going and gets great results with his patients. He specializes in treating orthopedic, spine, and sports injuries. He has extensive exper ience in aquat ic therapy. Aaron enjoys CrossFit, hiking, golfing, snowboarding, watching movies and being with his wife Jessica and their two kids. AARON HARWARD, DPT

@FITPhysicalPT

@FITPhysicalPT @FitPhysicalTherapy @Fit-Physical-Therapy1

Education: • Southern Utah University: BS, Exercise Science, ’10 • Touro University Nevada, DPT, Doctor of Physical Therapy, ’14

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