L NIGHT’S SLEEP
Dylan's good posture while playing video games, at least while I am watching!
ARTHRITIS IN CHILDREN?
Most physical injuries are associated with a specific age group. For example, when you hear about a patient experiencing back and neck pain or arthritis-related injuries, you might picture an older patient. Lately, our therapists here at Vital Care Physical Therapy have noticed an increase in these types of injuries in children and adults. The influx of patients ages 8–10 stems from a variety of factors, but the primary cause of these issues is the overuse of hand-held technological devices. Whether they are using a cell phone, a tablet, or a hand-held gaming device, the users’ associated poses are the same: gaze cast downward, back hunched over, fingers zooming over keys. It wreaks havoc on all bodies, young and old. People who assume this pose for hours a day and overuse these devices experience issues in their spinal column. They can also develop conditions such as thumb tendonitis or carpal tunnel in their fingers and wrists. The new term used for neck pain caused by this posture is “tech neck.” Older generations of patients might remember their mothers or grandmothers hounding them about their posture, but in our technology-driven world, a slouched back has become the norm when it comes to sitting. While prevention is always ideal when managing pain associated with controllable daily habits, our therapists can help people of all ages recover if they are experiencing persistent discomfort. They work to effectively resolve issues in the neck, back, wrists, and fingers by creating a unique plan to treat each patient’s specific condition, relieving the pain, restoring normal motion, and strengthening the supporting muscles that surround the injured area. While parents tend to think that children’s bodies are resistant to issues like soreness or joint inflammation, the increasingly popular sedentary lifestyle is changing that. If you or anyone you know — young, middle aged, retired, or elderly — is experiencing any neck or back pain, please give us a call at (623) 544-0300 to schedule a first visit.
G reen B ean and S esame S alad
INGREDIENTS
• 3 cups green beans, ends trimmed • 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped • Small bunch of fresh mint • Small bunch of flat-leaf parsley • Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
DIRECTIONS
1. Bring a large saucepan of water to boil; cook green beans for 4–5 minutes; drain well. 2. In a blender, mix finely chopped mint and parsley with olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Blend until combined. 3. Add dressing, onion, and sesame seeds to beans. Toss together. Cool dish, then refrigerate until ready to serve.
Inspired by Delicious magazine.
www.VitalCareRehab.com | 3
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