Newsletter About Your Health and Caring for Your Body by Atlas Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine
HEALTH & WELLNESS NEWSLET TER
DON’T IGNORE YOUR Lower Back Pain
INSIDE:
THREE REASONS TO SEEK TREATMENT FOR LOWER BACK PAIN
SEASONAL RECIPE
PATIENT SUCCESS
904.292.0195 • ATLASPHYSICALTHERAPY.COM
HEALTH & WELLNESS NEWSLETTER
DON’T IGNORE YOUR LOWER BACK PAIN!
INSIDE... • THREE REASONS TO SEEK TREATMENT FOR LOWER BACK PAIN • SEASONAL RECIPE • 4 EATING RESOLUTIONS
Are you someone who pushes through those mysterious aches and pains that crop up occasionally? Do you just assume your lower back pain will get better on its own? While this can work out, it’s not a guarantee. If you’re struggling with back pain, make an appointment with Atlas PT & Sports Medicine and seek the treatment you deserve. Lower back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal ailments globally, with an estimated 80% of people experiencing it at some point. But just because it’s a common experience doesn’t mean it can’t cause complications: around 23% of the world’s population suffers from chronic back pain, pain that lingers for longer than three months. The good news is that physical therapy can resolve most cases of back pain. One study of 150,000 cases saw an 89% reduction in the need for habit-forming drugs when physical therapy was pursued first. Even better, our therapists can often help you improve your back strength and mobility so your back functions better than before your injury. But to get to that point, you have to take the first step and make an appointment with the physical therapists at Atlas PT & Sports Medicine. Need a little extra push? Keep reading to learn why you shouldn’t ignore lower back pain. THREE REASONS TO SEEK TREATMENT FOR LOWER BACK PAIN 1.The sooner you start, the better the outcomes. Early physical therapy intervention can reduce the likelihood of chronic onset from 15% to 2%. The quicker physical therapy begins the less likely you will develop poor compensations. Physical therapy will help to reduce or avoid altogether the need to limit or stop your favorite activities and sports. 2. Not all lower back pain is a back problem. Certain medical conditions, such as spinal fractures, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, can all cause back pain. Back pain can also result from injury or dysfunction of the hips, knees, or feet. Our team of physical therapists can help you determine the exact cause of back pain and suggest appropriate treatment methods. If you have developed a chronic condition, we can help you manage your symptoms and work with you to delay the disease’s progression.
CALL TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPINTMENT TODAY!
904.292.0195
Continued inside.
DECK THE HALLS, NOT YOUR BACK 3. You deserve a pain-free life. Back pain may be common, but it can also be debilitating. Intense, persistent pain can keep you from staying active, which only worsens your symptoms and delays healing. It’s a vicious cycle that keeps you from fully enjoying your life. Rather than waiting for your pain to resolve, take a proactive approach with physical therapy. We’ll give you the tools to build strength, improve your posture, and get moving — so you can experience lasting back pain relief. HOW DOES PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP WITH BACK PAIN, ANYWAY? When it comes to back pain, movement is definitely the best medicine. Research repeatedly shows that regular exercise can reduce back pain and keep it from occurring. The problem is that exercise might feel like an impossibility when you’re in pain. That’s why physical therapy is such an excellent treatment option: we make movement the center of our treatment. Once you’ve decided not to ignore your back pain, give Atlas PT & Sports Medicine a call. Here’s what we’ll do to help you find relief: 1. Find the cause. Our in-depth physical assessments will help us identify precisely why you’re experiencing back pain, allowing us to develop a customized treatment plan. 2. Manage pain. We offer several drug-free techniques for managing pain so you can get moving again. Manual therapy, gentle mobilization exercises, and pain-relieving modalities can get you started. 3. Get moving. We’ll provide a tailored exercise program that suits your needs, interests, and ability levels. We will address the whole body to ensure not only is your back strong again, but YOU are strong again. 4. Prevent future pain. We’ll also help you avoid future incidences of back pain by instructing you on how to maintain your strength and mobility through home exercises or guided training. TODAY’S THE DAY TO STOP IGNORING YOUR BACK PAIN! Want to take action? The first step is simple: call Atlas PT & Sports Medicine to schedule an initial consultation. Then wave your back pain goodbye as you embark on a journey to long-term relief! Continued from outside.
Seasonal Recipe HEALTHY CHEWY GINGER MOLASSES COOKIES
INGREDIENTS: • 1 flax egg (1 TBSP flaxseed meal + 3 TBSP water; let sit for 5 minutes to thicken) • 1/2 cup almond butter • 1/3 cup coconut sugar • 2 tablespoons molasses • 1 teaspoon Simply Organic Vanilla Extract
• 1 teaspoon Simply Organic Ginger • 1/4 teaspoon Simply Organic Allspice • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda • 3 tablespoons coconut flour • Raw turbinado sugar for sprinkling optional
INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a mixing bowl, combine the flax egg, almond butter, coconut sugar, molasses and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the spices, salt, baking soda and coconut flour and beat again until a sticky dough forms. Using a small cookie scoop, drop the dough onto the baking sheet, spacing the cookies at least 2” apart. Repeat until all the dough has been used. Gently flatten the cookies with your hands and sprinkle with sugar. Bake on the center rack for 11 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool for 10 minutes on the pan before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling. Once cool, pack up and/or enjoy!
CALL TODAY 904.292.0195 • ATLASPHYSICALTHERAPY.COM
4 HEALTHY RESOLUTIONS
“This place was amazing.”
1. Drink more water Drinking water is one of the most essential actions you can take to improve your short and long-term health. Dehydration can affect concentration, alertness, short- term memory, and can cause fatigue. Drinking enough water each day also helps support your kidney health and your physical performance. The benefits go on and on! 2. Eat more Omega-3s
This place was amazing. My husband was told he may never be able to walk again. Leo was our therapist. He had me walking within a month. The facility was top notch. Super clean ALWAYS and the best staff. Thank you Atlas. -Brooks M.
Increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods may help you maintain a healthy blood pressure. According to research, omega-3 fatty acids can help improve your mood, which is something we all need during the short, dark days of winter. Aim for two servings of fish per week, preferably fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and some types of tuna high in omega-3s. Not a fan of fish? Choose walnuts and flax as good non-fish sources of omega-3s. 3. Meet your daily protein intake goal Protein is crucial for maintaining and building muscle, supporting cell function, and regulating metabolism. It helps you feel fuller longer, reduces hunger hormones, and can aid in weight management. Adequate protein intake supports tissue repair, oxygen transport, enzyme production, and hormone regulation, contributing to
overall health and wellness. 4. Lift weights 2-3x per week
Lifting weights 2-3 times per week allows muscles to recover and grow stronger between sessions. This frequency helps improve muscle strength, balance, and coordination while reducing injury risk. By targeting major muscle groups and allowing adequate rest, you can effectively build strength and maintain overall fitness without overtraining. MONTHLY EXERCISE Angel On Back Start by lying flat on your back with your arms straight down by your sides, your palms down, and your legs together. Slowly slide both arms straight up over your head and simultaneously slide both legs outward. Slide your arms back down and your legs back in. Repeat 3 sets, 10 reps each.
Keep up with your physical therapy exercises to relieve pain and prevent further injuries. HAS YOUR PAIN COME BACK? 1
2 3
If your pain doesn’t subside, consult with your therapist about what other things might be causing pain.
Call Atlas PT & Sports Medicine for an injury consultation. We will guide you so you can get back to the activities you love.
904.292.0195
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Converter PDF to HTML5