Back pain can hinder your day-to-day activities. Left untreated, it can even lead to long-term joint, spine and nerve damage. As one of the most common physical complaints, over 80 percent of the U.S. population will suffer from it at some point in their lifetime. The pain itself can hinder your ability to reach, lean, kneel, lift or bend. It can also hinder your time spent with friends and family. Direct pain aside, minor aches and cramps associated with a back pain problem can make you irritable—ruining your good time.
Health+Fitness Newsletter
Don’t Let Back Pain Stop You!
ALSO INSIDE: BACK PAIN PREVENTION • EXERCISE ESSENTIALS • PATIENT SUCCESS SPOTLIGHT • STAFF SPOTLIGHT • HEALTHY RECIPE
Don’t Let Back Pain Stop You!
Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t seek treatment when back pain arises. Before they know it, they have a big problem. They might assume nothing—except for medication—can solve their back pain problem. Medication might mask the pain, but it won’t cure the problem’s root cause. Back Pain Solutions You’re in luck: Back pain can be cured! The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke covers a number of back pain remedies. These include the use of strength exercise, physical therapy and medication. Where medication is considered, anti- inflammatory drugs, analgesic medications and counter-irritants are the most popular. Before you can treat your back pain, however, you need to know why it started. Whether you’ve tweaked a muscle or have a deeper injury, a spine specialist can help.
Back pain can hinder your day-to-day activities. Left untreated, it can even lead to long-term joint, spine and nerve damage. As one of the most common physical complaints, over 80 percent of the U.S. population will suffer from it at some point in their lifetime. The pain itself can hinder your ability to reach, lean, kneel, lift or bend. It can also hinder your time spent with friends and family. Direct pain aside, minor aches and cramps associated with a back pain problem can make you irritable—ruining your good time. What Causes Back Pain? A few things cause back pain. The American Physical Therapy Association covers each of these, but the following are leading causes:
• Improper lifting form • Limited hip, spine and thigh muscle flexibility • Bad abdominal, pelvic and back muscle coordination
• Spinal and core muscle weaknesses • Bad posture • Spinal muscle and tissue damage
Call Johnson Physical Therapy at 970.564.0311 to schedule your appointment today!
Back Pain Prevention
It never hurts to visit a physical therapist, either. Get regular check-ups, and make sure your body is in good condition. If you have a history of back injuries, pain or minor aches, don’t hesitate to talk to a professional. You deserve a pain-free life, and your back will thank you. Call Johnson Physical Therapy at 970.564.0311 to schedule your appointment today!
A little prevention goes a long way. If you want to avoid future back pain, you can make sure you’re being good to your back. • Lift Properly. You pick things up constantly. Even if you’re lifting something light, make sure you’re facing the object. Squat, keeping your spine straight. Lift with your leg muscles, as this will reduce the pressure placed on your spine. • Use Good Posture. When you’re standing, imagine a string is attached to the top of your head—lifting you up. This will keep your hips, spine, shoulders and neck aligned. If you’re sitting, don’t slouch. • Use Strength Training. Your body has hundreds of muscles. These muscles protect and control your spine. By lifting weights, running and swimming, you can keep them strong. Train your core muscles. In doing so, you’ll easily control quick, lifting movements.
Sources http://www.apta.org/ https://www.acatoday.org/Patients/Health-Wellness-Information/Back-Pain-Facts-and-Statistics https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Low-Back-Pain-Fact-Sheet
Exercise Essentials
Now Offering Dry Needling!
Dry Needling involves inserting a tiny monofilament needle in a muscle or muscles in order to release shortened bands of muscles and decrease trigger point activity. This can help resolve pain and muscle tension, and will promote healing. This is not traditional Chinese Acupuncture, but is instead a medical treatment that relies on a medical diagnosis to be effective. Dry Needling is a valuable and effective treatment for musculoskeletal pain. Patients with the following symptoms may benefit from this treatment:
Exercisescopyrightof
www.simpleset.net
FOUR POINT TRUNK FLEXION & EXTENSION Start on hands and knees. Arch your back up to the ceiling as high as you comfortably can, and hold. Then, arch your back the opposite direction as low as you comfortably can, and hold. Repeat 6 times.
• Decrease Mobility/Range of Motion • Headaches • Chronic Pain
• Muscle Strains • Tendonitis • Osteoarthritis • Bursitis
Patient Success Spotlight “Caring, knowledgeable, and supportive!” “I have been going to Najib for several years for my therapy following knee and back surgeries. He is very caring, knowledgeable, and supportive. His treatments and exercise programs have helped me become a success story, and I have returned to all of my activities. Every one at Johnson PT is so friendly and I feel like I am family there. ” - Carol H.
Snow Shoveling Tips
Snow shoveling can lead to a number of health risks for many people, from back injuries to heart attacks. The following tips can help keep you safer when you set out to shovel: Warm up. Warm your muscles before heading out to shovel by doing some light movements, such as bending side to side or walking in place. Push rather than lift. Pushing the snow with the shovel instead of lifting can help reduce the strain on your body. Lighten your load. Consider using a lighter-weight plastic shovel instead of a metal one to help decrease the weight being lifted. Consider multiple trips. Consider shoveling periodically throughout the storm to avoid having to move large amounts of snow at once. Keep up with snowfall. Try to shovel snow shortly after it falls, when it is lighter and fluffier. The longer snow stays on the ground, the wetter it can become. Wet snow is heavier and harder to move.
Meet The Owner Najib Johnson Najib Johnson PT MTC has 26 years of experience as a physical therapist. Najib graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in physical therapy in 1992. He has certifications in manual therapy and dry needling. Najib has a strong passion for orthopedics and has hundreds of hours of continuing education in this area. Najib founded Johnson Physical Therapy in 2002. His main focus of his practice has always been to provide his patients with quality, comprehensive, one on one care to help his patients achieve their goals. In his spare time Najib enjoys spending time with his wife and two very active children, skiing, mountian biking and traveling.
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