A PLANK A DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AT BAY
A plank is a simple exercise that anyone can do to improve their core strength. This exercise helps you strengthen so many of your muscles, guiding them to work together. Your core muscles are vital to the health of your low back and spine. If you suffer from an achy back or neck, then try doing this exercise to feel better. How to do a plank: (If you are unsure about doing this exercise, call us first) 1. Start by lying face down. You may want to put a pillow under your abdomen if it is uncomfortable to lie flat. 2. Bring your elbows underneath you, then gently rise up onto your elbows and knees, so that your abdomen is off the floor. 3. Keep your abdomen tucked gently in so that your body is straight without sagging. 4. Try to hold this for 30 seconds if you can. You may feel your muscles shake a little while doing this, which means they are working! 5. It is important to start off with small increments and build over the course of a week as you become stronger. 6. To advance the plank and make it more difficult, lift your knees off the ground, keeping your body straight. 7. Ideally, you should be able to hold this position for 2 minutes 8. You may have some soreness the next day as you are using muscles that have not been worked that way in a while. For a healthy spine, keep doing your exercises and remember our physical therapists need to see you for a check-up. You see your dentist every 6 months to keep you teeth and gums healthy. Why not your PT? Your physical therapist is the mechanic for your whole body to keep your spine and extremities moving like they should. Detecting a problem early can lead to
a simple treatment solution that can save you a lot of pain, and financial burden down the road. Call us today to speak with your therapist about your problem, before it becomes a PROBLEM. You see your doctor every year, your dentist twice a year, when was the last time you saw your physical therapist?
Call us today to schedule an appointment!
HEALTHY RECIPE: GLUTEN-FREE PUMPKIN COOKIES
PATIENT SUCCESS SPOTLIGHTS
INGREDIENTS • 1 ripe banana, mashed • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree • 2 large eggs • 1/2 cup peanut butter • 3 tbsp coconut oil, melted
Exceeded my surgeon’s expectations! “I am now 16 weeks post-surgery and have exceeded my surgeon’s expectations onmy 12 week checkup.” - B. Piccolo, Forest, VA pictured with therapist Jackson Connell PT, DPT, CMTPT
• 1/8 tsp salt • 2 tsp Vietnamese Cinnamon (5% Oil) • 1/4 tsp Frontier allspice • 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips • 1/2 cup dried cranberries and cherries
• 2 tsp vanilla extract • 3 tbsp maple syrup • 1 1/2 cups gluten-free rolled oats • 1/2 cup oat flour, ground
• 1/2 cup almond meal • 1/2 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp baking soda
Excellent job with my therapy!
DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease or line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside. In a mixing bowl stir together mashed banana, pumpkin, eggs, peanut butter, coconut oil, vanilla and maple syrup until well combined. Add in oats, oat flour, almond meal, baking powder, baking soda, salt, Vietnamese cinnamon, allspice, chocolate chips and dried fruit; stir to combine. Refrigerate for 5minutes to harden. Drop cookies by spoonfuls on prepared baking sheet. They won’t expand much, so feel free to press them down slightly, and make them as uniform as possible to ensure even baking. Bake for about 12 minutes until lightly browned.
“Centra Rehab has done an excellent job with my therapy! They are the best!” - J. Adams, Jr., Lynchburg, VA pictured with therapist Spencer Latham PT, DPT
rehab.centrahealth.com
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