DO COOLER TEMPERATURES TRIGGER OLD BACK INJURIES? ColdWeather and Back Pain
2.WhereYou Live Your body tends to adjust to the climate you inhabit, so no matter which part of the country you live in, there’s a good chance that you will experience increased back pain when the thermometer dips. However, if you live in a city that requires you to shovel snow and traverse icy sidewalks in winter, you certainly have an increased risk of back injuries. 3. MissingThat Sunshine If you’re the type of person who enjoys exercising outdoors, you probably have difficulty maintaining your exercise rituals during these colder months. But avoiding exercise is one of the worst things you can do for your aching back in winter. We recommend that you try indoor exercises such as yoga and aerobics. Swimming in a heated pool can also be a great option! If you have any other questions regarding back pain in the colder weather, or if the recent temperature drops have been causing you muscle tightness or pain, come on down to Gilbert Physical Therapy. We can help you actually enjoy the season rather than just holding out until spring!
Now that temperatures are dropping, you might’ve started to notice a familiar ache in your back. Cold weather can wreak havoc on your back muscles and joints, plaguing you with pain all winter. Understanding how and why winter weather affects your spine is the first step to alleviating your pain. Here are some important facts about back pain to keep in mind this chilly winter season. 1. Storms and Aches A lot of people claim to experience back, neck, and joint pain either just before a storm or when the temperature plummets rapidly, insinuating that their bodies are somehow able to register the barometric pressure changes that occur during chaotic weather. While there is no scientific evidence to verify this association, our physical therapists here at Gilbert Physical Therapy know that the cold does play a role in the way you feel. For example, cold temperatures cause the muscles in your back to tighten, which makes them less flexible. When your back is tight, you are much more prone to injuries.
SUDOKU
SPICY, CREAMY SWEET POTATOES
Sweet potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple, but they’re often the blandest thing on the table. Luckily that’s not the case with this recipe, which features Thai spices and coconut milk.
INGREDIENTS
• • •
5 pounds sweet potatoes 1 cup canned coconut milk
• • •
1/2 cup dark brown sugar 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste
1 tablespoon kosher salt
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 375 F. On a large sheet pan, bake potatoes until very soft, approximately 75 minutes. 2. Let potatoes cool until they are safe to handle, then peel and mash. 3. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine coconut milk and curry paste. Once mixed, add the mixture, salt, half the sugar, and half the butter to potatoes. 4. 30 minutes before serving, heat oven to 425 F. Spread potatoes in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes. 5. Uncover potatoes and dot with remaining butter and sugar. Broil until brown, crusty, and delicious. Serve hot.
Inspired byThe NewYorkTimes
www.GilbertPT.com | 3
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter