Total Care PT_Tired of that aching back?

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, back pain is the most commonly experienced type of pain across the United States. In fact, one in every four Americans has experienced back pain within the last three months. The type of pain felt in your back can vary, from a slight nagging ache to crippling, shooting pains. Because of this, it is no secret that back pain can limit you from enjoying your daily life to the fullest. Fortunately, Total Care Physical Therapy can get you the help you need so you can improve your quality of life!

Health &Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

7 TIPS FOR AVOIDING BACK PAIN While consulting with a physical therapist is the first step in finding relief, there are a few tips you can also try on your own, in order to relieve your back pain at home. This can help alleviate pain that may occur while you’re away from the clinic and help prevent it from worsening: 1. Get more exercise. If your back is hurting, you may think the best way to get relief is to rest. However, studies show that frequent changes in position and regular physical activity can actually help ease inflammation and muscle tension faster in the back. 2. Maintain a healthy weight. Extra pounds, especially in your midsection, can make back pain worse by shifting your center of gravity and putting a strain on your lower back. Maintaining a healthy weight can help control back pain and will provide additional health benefits. 3. Quit smoking. Nicotine in smoke restricts the flow of nutrient-containing blood to spinal discs. Because of this, smokers are especially vulnerable to back pain, which typically dissipates on its own after the nicotine is out of your system. 4. Adjust your sleeping position. If you’re prone to back pain, talk with your physical therapist about the best sleeping position for you. It is important to sleep in the position that will help you achieve the most rest. It is typically best to avoid sleeping on your stomach. If you enjoy sleeping on your back, you can try putting one pillow under your knees and another under your lower back. If you sleep on your side, you can try pulling your knees slightly toward your chest and sleeping with a pillow between them. 5. Improve your posture. Posture is important, whether you’re working, exercising, or simply relaxing. Find a good chair to sit on that will allow you to keep your feet flat on the floor while you sit. Try to avoid soft couches or chairs that put you in a slouched position. When standing, try to alternate your positions and walk around if possible. Have one foot forward when standing, alternating between feet every 10 minutes. 6. Watch how you lift. It is a common mistake to lift with your back, rather than your legs. Make sure you don’t bend over at the waist to lift heavy objects. Instead, bend your knees and squat, pulling in your stomach muscles and holding the object close to your body as you stand up. Don’t twist your body while lifting. If you can, push heavy objects, rather than pulling them. 7. Use supportive shoes. A good pair of cushioned shoes can reduce pressure on your back. When possible, avoid wearing high heels, as they shift your center of gravity and strain your lower back. If you have been suffering from back pain and the tips above aren’t working, contact Total Care Physical Therapy today. Your physical therapist will work with you to address and treat the underlying cause of your back pain. No matter how severe it may be, we can help you find relief so you can get back to doing the activities you love and living your life comfortably!

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Health & Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

FIND RELIEF FOR YOUR ACHING BACK WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY

Inside: • Find Relief With Total Care Physical Therapy • Immunity Boost Recipe: Lemon Garlic Chicken Soup • Patient Success Spotlight

Because back pain is so commonplace in the United States, there is a lot of information we have on the topic. Below are some facts about back pain: • Back pain is the number one disability for those under age 45. • In the United States alone, there are an expected 31 million people with lower back pain at any given time. • Back pain runs second, only after the common cold, as the top reason for visiting a healthcare provider in the United States. • Experts place the likelihood of any person to experience some type of back problem in their lifetime at about 80%. That’s four out of every five people! • 30-40 percent of all workplace absences are due to back pain. • Approximately one quarter of U.S. adults reported having low back pain lasting at least one whole day in the past three months, and 7.6% reported at least one episode of severe acute low back pain within a one-year period. • More than two-thirds of back strains are caused by lifting and other exertions, such as pulling and pushing. • Most cases of back pain are mechanical—meaning they are NOT caused by serious conditions, such as infection, fracture, or cancer.

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, back pain is the most commonly experienced type of pain across the United States. In fact, one in every four Americans has experienced back pain within the last three months. The type of pain felt in your back can vary, from a slight nagging ache to crippling, shooting pains. Because of this, it is no secret that back pain can limit you from enjoying your daily life to the fullest. Fortunately, Total Care Physical Therapy can get you the help you need so you can improve your quality of life! Did you know this about back pain? “Back pain” is an all-encompassing term used to describe a vast number of conditions that cause pain in the upper or lower back. Sports-related injuries, poor posture, and car accidents are just a few of the many ways that someone can develop back pain. The most common cause of back pain is from sustaining an injury. This can happen in one of two ways - from an instant, sudden trauma, or from a repetitive-use injury that develops gradually over time.

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FIND RELIEF WITH TOTAL CARE PHYSICAL THERAPY

Fortunately, back pain can be relieved with our SPINE program. This program helps in improving your spine movement, posture, muscle stability, and strength, so your back can function in the pain-free way that it’s intended. Our SPINE program can also provide you with helpful tips for preventing your back pain from returning. Your physical therapist will also work with you to implement an individualized treatment plan, based on your specific needs. The main stages of your plan will focus on pain relief, which may include any combination of ice and heat therapies, manual therapy, posture improvement, targeted stretches and exercises, or any other treatment that your physical therapist may deem fit. As you progress and improve, your physical therapist will expand on your exercises and stretches by making them more intensive over time. This will help increase your overall strength and range of motion.

Immunity Boost Recipe: Lemon Garlic Chicken Soup

INGREDIENTS • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 lb chicken breast • 1 medium onion, diced • 3 large carrots, diced • 2 celery stalks diced • 3 cloves of garlic, diced

• 1 medium lemon (zest & juice) • 1 handful fresh ginger • 2 qt chicken broth • 1 can coconut milk (optional)

DIRECTIONS Heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add chicken breast and brown. Then, add onion, garlic, carrots, celery, salt and pepper. Cook for about 5 min, until softened. Add 2 quarts of chicken broth and ginger with the skin on. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 35-45 minutes (the longer you boil ginger the stronger it is). Remove ginger and discard. Remove chicken, then shred and set aside. Add lemon zest and squeeze lemon to taste. Continue to simmer for 15 minutes. Add shredded chicken and (optional) 1 can of coconut milk.

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Discover How To Live Pain Free!

Patient Success Spotlight

At Total Care Physical Therapy, you will receive hands-on therapy treatments by our friendly, caring, health experts during focused and individualized sessions. 1. CALL AND TALK TO YOUR THERAPIST 2. DISCOVER WHY YOUR PAIN HAS COME BACK 3. GET YOUR CUSTOM RECOVERY PROGRAM FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

“I went to Total Care after tearing my pollicis tendon in my left ankle. A podiatrist suggested surgery to repair which would result in 4 to 6 weeks on crutches. My family doctor suggested trying PT and recommended Total Care. I am happy to report that after 10 or so therapy sessions, I am now walking without a limp and looking forward to golfing soon. Great thanks to the entire team at Total Care. The care they provide is simply best in class!” - P.T. “After 10 or so therapy sessions, I am now walking without a limp.”

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• Cost Effective • Non-invasive • Safe & Natural • State-of-the-art Facility Features of Physical Therapy: DO YOU SUFFER FROMBACK PAIN?

Exercise Essentials Try this stretch if you are experiencing back pain.

Stretches Back

Exercises copyright of

CURL UP Lie on back with one leg straight. The other leg is bent with the foot flat on the ground. Position your hands underneath your lower back. Tuck your chin and lift your shoulder blades off the ground slightly. Return to the start position in a controlled manner. Repeat 5 times on each side.

Mention This Coupon To Receive A BACK PAIN ANALYSIS

Always consult your physical therapist or physician before starting exercises you are unsure of doing.

Call Today! 908-262-7404

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