Global PT: How Posture Affects Back & Neck Pain

Working with a physical therapist to improve your posture is a great way to overcome chronic neck and back pain. In physical therapy, you will be guided through a series of stretches and strength building exercises that can help you begin training your body to practice better posture, thereby reducing your back and neck pain.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

It’s Time To Straighten Up! HOWPOSTURE AFFECTS NECK & BACK PAIN Working with a physical therapist to improve your posture is a great way to overcome chronic neck and back pain. In physical therapy, you will be guided through a series of stretches and strength building exercises that can help you begin training your body to practice better posture, thereby reducing your back and neck pain. Of course, there areways that you can improve your posture at home, aswell. Here are several strategies that are typically helpful: • Try to stand tall whenever you are standing or walking. Hold your head high and square your shoulders, but more importantly work on being the tallest version of yourself. Hunching over is the leading cause of poor posture.

• Use support when you sit to keep your posture correct. Lumbar support inoffice chairs and car seats will help a bit, but for improved posture you may need to add additional cushioning that will help you keep your back straight. • Bemindful of howyou lift heavy objects. Keep your shoulders square and your chest forward. When lifting something that is over 50 lbs it is important to take extra care. Lead with your hips and try to keep the weight close to your body. Lifting something improperly can lead to injury to your neck or back, which may make proper posture uncomfortable.

If you want to return to a pain-free, active lifestyle, contact us today to schedule an appointment at 810-695-0750.

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WHAT CAN GOOD POSTURE DO FOR YOU? There are a lot of benefits of having good posture. Aside from saying goodbye to neck or back pain, improving your posture can provide several unexpected benefits to your lifestyle and personal well-being. Here are a few of the additional benefits of having good posture: • Proper posture creates quality exercise for your core and back • Improved respiratory health • Added protection for your organs, bones, joints and muscles • Reduced risk of arthritis If you are experiencing chronic neck and back pain, there is a good chance that it could be related to your posture. Contact your physical therapist to learn more about how you can take steps to start improving your posture today. A poor habit of bad posture can have a lasting impact on your neck and back. The worse your posture is, themore intense your back and neck pain can become. Unfortunately, once you start experiencing neck and back pain, simply squaring your shoulders isn’t likely to be much help. Working with a physical therapist can help you to train the muscles in your back, neck and shoulders so that you can improve your posture permanently, and in doing so bring relief to your chronic neck and back pain. The Posture and Pain Connection Not all back pain is caused by poor posture, and it is true that you can have poor posture for years without feeling the consequences of that slouch right away, but in time the habit is likely to catch up with you. There are certain ways that you can tell if neck or back pain may be a result of poor posture, including: • The pain in your back is worsened at certain times of day.  For example, after you’ve spent a day at the office, or after a few hours on the couch. • The pain frequently starts in your neck andmoves into your upper and lower back. Pain that seems to travel from one area of the back to another is frequently an indication of posture concerns. • The pain will subside after switching positions, such as switching from sitting to standing or vice versa. • Back or neck pain that develops soon after a change in circumstances, such as starting a new job with a new desk chair, or getting a new car. After years of practicing poor posture, your back, shoulder and neck muscles will likely find standing or sitting with straight posture to be uncomfortable. This is because your muscles have grown accustomed to the slouching, and standing up straight will require some thorough stretching. That doesn’t mean that once you have bad posture you can never correct it. Call 972-837-4450 today to find out how your physical therapist can help you improve your posture!

PATIENT SUCCESS SPOTLIGHT

“Everyone was supportive and encouraging!” “I loved the one-on-one contact with my physical therapist. Everyone was supportive and encouraging. I know I have to keep up with my exercises to stay healthy because Ralph, my physical therapist, and I have worked really hard together. I hope to continue to go to the clinic and use the Wellness Plan so that I can maintain my new health status. Thank you all so much.” – Michael K.

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Do you or someone you know have hip, knee or leg pain? As a current or past patient, you have access to this valuable information at your fingertips. Start feeling better today in the privacy of your home. Go to www.globalptandspinespecialists.com, and scroll down to the middle of the page for your free download. This is the easiest way to get this information to our patients. Download and share with friends and family today!

You can find the FREE Hip, Knee & Leg Pain ebook download on our homepage at: www.globalptandspinespecialists.com

Healthy Recipe

GLUTEN-FREE PUMPKIN COOKIES

INGREDIENTS • 1 ripe banana, mashed • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree • 2 large eggs • 1/2 cup peanut butter • 3 tbsp coconut oil, melted

• 1/2 tsp baking soda • 1/8 tsp salt • 2 tsp Vietnamese 5% Oil • 1 tsp Cinnamon • 1/4 tsp Frontier Allspice • 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips • 1/2 cup dried mixed cranberries or cherries

• 2 tsp Vanilla Extract • 3 tbsp maple syrup • 1 1/2 cups gluten-free rolled oats • 1/2 cup oat flour, ground

• 1/2 cup almond meal • 1/2 tsp baking powder

DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease or line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside. In a mixing bowl stir together mashed banana, pumpkin, eggs, peanut butter, coconut oil, vanilla and maple syrup until well combined. Add in oats, oat flour, almond meal, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, allspice, chocolate chips and dried fruit; stir to combine. Refrigerate for 5 minutes to harden. Drop cookies by spoonfuls on prepared baking sheet. They won’t expand much, so feel free to press them down slightly, and make them as uniform as possible to ensure even baking. Bake for about 12 minutes until lightly browned.

Exercise Essentials Try this simple exercise to relieve neck pain.

Cervical Restraction Stand with your back against a wall. Tuck chin like you are nodding ‘yes,’ then draw your chin closer to the back of your throat. Repeat 6 times. Relieves Neck Pain

Exercises copyright of

www.simpleset.net

The above exercise is designed to be performed under the instruction of a licensed physical therapist.

DO I NEED A PRESCRIPTION TO START PHYSICAL THERAPY? No, you don’t. Although we see many patients sent directly by their physician, in the state of Michigan, a licensed physical therapist may begin the physical therapy process by performing a full physical therapy evaluation. We will verify benefits for you so that you can get started right away.

YOU CAN START NOW CALL TODAY!

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