Willow: Overcome Back Pain

Health & Wellness Newsletter by Willow Physical Therapy

NEWSLETTER Health &Wellness

Why Consider DRY NEEDLING

Dry needling is a technique physical therapists use (where allowed by state law) to treat myofascial pain. The technique uses a “dry” needle, one without medication or injection, inserted through the skin into areas of the muscle, known as trigger points. Physical therapists use dry needling with the goal of releasing or inactivating trigger points to relieve pain or improve range of motion. Preliminary research supports that dry needling improves pain control, reduces muscle tension, and normalizes dysfunctions of the motor end plates, the sites at which nerve impulses are transmitted to muscles. This can help speed up the patient’s return to active rehabilitation. Dry needling may provide relief for some muscular pain and stiffness. In addition, easing the trigger points may improve flexibility and increase range of motion. That’s why this method is often used to treat sports injuries, muscle pain, and even fibromyalgia pain.

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NEWSLETTER Health &Wellness

HOW TO OVERCOME BACK PAIN “Gain The Right Guidance To Back Pain Relief!”

INSIDE: How to Take Care Of Your Back Healthy Recipe Relieve Back Pain In Minutes Patient Success Spotlight

Is back pain causing you to move a little slower and more cautiously? If left untreated, chronic back pain can lead to long-term spinal, joint, and possibly nerve damage. Back pain is one of the most common physical complaints that people suffer from and more than 80% of the US population will experience back pain at some point in their lifetime. Back pain can interfere with your ability to bend, kneel, lift, reach, do work and enjoy time with your family. Not to mention, it can make you down right irritable and affect others around you. Why do I have Back Pain? Back pain occurs for a number of reasons, but has a few simple root causes: • Weakness in the spinal and core muscles of the trunk • Poor posture and strain on the spine from slouched sitting • Repetitive injury to muscles and tissues around the spine from improper lifting of the spine, hips and muscles of the thighs • Poor coordination of the abdominal, pelvic and back muscles

Most people don’t seek treatment soon enough and continue to suffer with a nagging ache or pain in their back.They may even feel symptoms travel to the buttocks and legs. Many people feel that not much can be done for back pain and use medication to numb the pain to get through the day. However, medication mostly masks the pain and does nothing to address the root cause of the problem. Solutions to Back Pain Treating back pain starts with determining the true cause. A thorough evaluation of your movement, strength, posture and joint mobility can tell a lot about the true origins of your pain. Only then, can the proper plan be formulated to get you out of pain quickly and back to the activities you love. Whether you just tweaked your back or have been suffering for a long time, seeing one of our spine specialists can help you return to a more active and pain-free life.

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HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR BACK 1. Keep a Good Posture

When you are standing, imagine a string through the top of your head lifting you straight up. This puts your neck, shoulders, spine and hips in natural alignment. While sitting, make sure you sit back in the chair with your feet on the floor and your lower back supported. Your shoulders should not slouch when sitting. Avoid soft couches when you can. 2. Lift Properly Picking things up is a normal part of our day. Even if you pick up something light, your back muscles have to lift the weight of your upper torso and control that movement. Make sure you always face what you need to pick up, squat keeping your spine straight and push with your leg muscles.This helps reduce the excessive pressure on your spine. 3. Stay Flexible Flexibility is key to maintaining a healthy back. By keeping your body flexible, the normal forces of movement and lifting can be distributed across the spine, rather than focused onto a few segments, which can then fail. An easy stretching routine everyday can keep you feeling great and put a

5. Physical Therapy Our physical therapists are medical experts in evaluating spine and body movement. By having a regular check up, you can make sure your body is in good condition to tackle the activities you love. If you have a history of back pain, injury or are currently experiencing aches and pains, we can analyze your problem and construct a treatment program that will work best for your individual problem. With soothing hands-on therapy and targeted easy exercises we can help you return quickly to feeling your best. Even if you suffer from severe pain we can help you get out of pain and living the life you deserve. Call us today to schedule an appointment.

spring in your step. 4. Stay Strong

You have hundreds of muscles, which control the movement of your spine. Major muscles that support the spine are called your core and include your abdominal, pelvis, spinal and hip muscles. By keeping your core muscles strong, you support your spine and have the ability to easily control lifting, quick movements, bending and a lot more.

HEALTHY RECIPE No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls www.willowpt.com

INGREDIENTS • 2 cups of old-fashioned rolled oats • ½ cup of ground flax seed • 1 tablespoon of black chia seeds • 1 teaspoon of cinnamon

• ½ cup of raw honey • ½ cup of peanut butter • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract • 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder • ½ cup of dark chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS Add rolled oats, ground flax seed, chia seeds, cinnamon, honey, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and vanilla protein powder to food processor. Pulse until ingredients are blended (about 7-9 times). Add mixture to a large bowl, add in chocolate chip. Stir to combine. Form energy bite mixture into 1” balls and place on parchment paper lined baking sheet. Cover and place in refrigerator for 2 hours. Serve! Author: Krista@https://www.joyfulhealthyeats.com/no-bake-chocolate-peanut-butter-energy-balls/

WE LOVE SERVING OUR PATIENTS

CONDITIONS WE TREAT: • Back & Neck Pain Relief • Foot & Ankle Pain Relief • Shoulder Pain • Hand, Wrist & Elbow Pain Relief • TMJ Syndrome • Arthritis Pain • Vertigo • Post-Surgery Rehab • Arthritis Pain SPECIALTY SERVICES: • Women’s Health (Pelvic Floor) • Sports Injury Rehab • Jaw Pain

Patient Success Spotlight

I have no pain and have improved!

“Since I’ve started therapy here, I have improved a lot! Started with a lot of pain in my back to now, strengthening my back. Now I have no pain and have improved since therapy!” - Madeline F.

Relieve Back Pain In Minutes Try this movement if you are experiencing back pain.

LOWER TRUNK ROTATIONS Lying on your back with your knees bent, gently rock your knees side-to-side. Repeat 8 times on both sides. Improves Mobility www.simpleset.net

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