Cornerstone_Living Life Without Back Pain

For some, back pain is a daily occurrence that dictates the way you live your life. Every movement, every motion is determined by the pain in your back. Standing, sitting, laying down, driving, walking, or running — the pain persists.

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INSIDE: • A Life Free of Back Pain is Within Your Grasp

• Understanding the Why and How Physical Therapy Can Help You • Exercise Essentials

A LIFE FREE OF BACK PAIN IS WITHIN YOUR GRASP.

For some, back pain is a daily occurrence that dictates the way you live your life. Every movement, every motion is determined by the pain in your back. Standing, sitting, laying down, driving, walking, or running — the pain persists. In ages past, back pain was difficult to treat. If you experienced back pain, whether as a result of a work injury, trip-and-fall accident, or even just as a result of aging, the answer was almost always the same: head home, take a long rest, and give your back time to heal. This isn’t the way that things go anymore and for several reasons. To start, the world isn’t as forgiving. Heading home and taking a long rest until your back is healed may work for some, but not for most. With deadlines and carpools and work schedules to keep up with, there needs to be an alternate solution to dealing with back pain that doesn’t require you to completely remove yourself from your responsibilities. What’s more, recent research indicates that resting may not actually be the ideal solution for long-term back care. Spending too much time on

the couch or off your feet can cause the back muscles to weaken and can even weaken bone strength. This could lead to more long-term issues with back pain — not fewer. Exercise, in general, is shown to increase strength and flexibility, supporting healthy muscles and bones, and therefore supporting ideal back health. Physical Therapy for Back Pain: While rest and relaxation can help you overcome the immediate pain of a back injury, and may even be recommended by your physician in the early days following an injury, it is not a long-term solution. Physical therapy offers a long-term solution to back pain by using targeted exercises that focus on the cause of the pain. Through a combination of strength and flexibility training that focuses on muscle development and joint movement, physical therapy can address the underlying cause of the pain and significantly improve your quality of life. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO FIND RELIEF FOR BACK PAIN CALL US TODAY!

UNDERSTANDING THE WHY AND HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP YOU There are a lot of different reasons that back pain can develop. Even when you break down injuries, whether, from overuse or athletic pursuits, there are different problems that can develop. Sprains and strains are common, but so are issues with the vertebrae, blood flow, and even concerns regarding the spinal nerves. You might be amazed to discover the different factors that could be influencing your back health. Such as: • Your personal level of physical activity, including how often you exercise and the intensity of your typical workouts. • The types of shoes that you wear, in addition to how frequently you walk in different types of shoes, particularly shoes that lack support or those with high heels. • Prolonged engagement in sedentary behavior, including sitting at a desk for eight hours or more consecutive days of the week, or spending free time on the couch or otherwise relaxed. Aerobic activity and strength training exercises actually make it possible to reduce your risk of injury and to improve your ability to overcome back pain by strengthening the vertebrae and improving blood flow and nutrient disbursement throughout the back. When you are inactive, blood flow can actually become impeded, and this can have a negative effect on the overall health of your back and spine. How Physical Therapy Helps: Anyone who has struggled with back pain can tell you plain and simple: When your back is hurting, there is no way to pretend that it isn’t. Simply going from sedentary activity to being active and healthy isn’t an option — at least not so easily. It takes time and effort, and when back pain is obstructing you from getting started, it requires help. Physical therapy can help you overcome back pain by giving you the knowledge and support necessary to help your back feel better, giving you the option to get off the couch and push yourself to reach new goals. Working with a licensed and experienced physical therapist ensures that you do not take on too much too quickly, but instead are guided through the process of healing with gradual steps.

“I have been able to function without pain. Thank you.” PATIENT SPOTLIGHT

“Cornerstone PT did an amazing job rehabbing an ongoing issue where I

experience pain on a daily basis. The issue was causing me problems for almost a year and after 8 weeks of treatment, I have been able to function without pain. Thank you.” Michael K.

For more support in finding relief from your pain, call us today. Your physical therapist at Cornerstone Physical Therapy can help pinpoint the source of your symptoms and offer exercises that will help to relax your muscles as well as help you become more tolerant of activity.

YOU CAN BE FREE OF YOUR PAIN! CALL TODAY OR VISIT US AT WWW.CORNERSTONE-PT.NET

5 WAYS TO EAT HEALTHY 1. Eat More Omega-3s - Getting more foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids might just help you keep your blood pressure down. Research suggests that omega-3s can help improve your mood, which we all need a little help with in the short, dark days of winter. Aim to get two servings of fish a week, particularly fatty fish, such as salmon, sardines and some types of tuna, which are rich in omega-3s. Not a fish lover? Opt for walnuts and flax, which are good non fish sources of omega-3s. 2. Pile On The Veggies - Themajority of people don’t eat the daily recommended 3 or more servings of vegetables, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Roasting vegetables caramelizes their natural sugars so they taste fantastic. It’s an easy way to cook veggies for dinner—pop a pan of them in the oven andmake the rest of dinner while they roast. 3. Up Your Fiber Intake - Getting enough fiber may help prevent cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and a number of cancers. And eatingmore fiber may help you slimdown. But the average person eats about 14 grams a day—the recommended daily intake is 21 to 38 grams. One of the easiest ways to up your fiber intake is to eat more whole grains. Quinoa, whole-wheat couscous, bulgur and polenta are all quick-cooking options to add to your weeknight repertoire. 4. Eat Less Meat - A popular reason to cut back on meat is to lose weight, but you’ll be helping your heart too. When you replace meat with soy, you’ll naturally eat less saturated fat. While tofu might not have a real “flavor,” that’s what makes it so versatile—it soaks up the flavors of a stir-fry sauce or marinade like a sponge, making it taste terrific! 5. Rein in Your Sugar Addiction - We eat too much sugar. We consume 355 calories—or 22 teaspoons—of added sugars a day. Luckily, you can still make treats that satisfy your sweet tooth and cut back on your sugar intake at the same time by choosing treats that are naturally sweet like fruit.

Cilantro Lime Chicken & Avocado Salsa INGREDIENTS • 1.5 lb. boneless chicken breast • 1/4 cup lime juice • 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro • 1/2 tsp ground cumin • 1/4 tsp salt

FOR AVOCADO SALSA: • 4 avocados, diced • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, diced • 3 tbsp lime juice • 1/2 tbsp red wine vinegar • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes • 1 garlic clove, minced

DIRECTIONS Add 1/4 cup of lime juice, olive oil, 1/4 cup of fresh cilantro, ground cumin, and 1/4 tsp of salt to a small bowl. Whisk until mixed. Add chicken and marinade to a large ziplock bag. Let chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Place chicken on grill and grill each side for 4-6 minutes, until chicken is no longer pink. Remove and let sit. FOR AVOCADO SALSA: Add avocado, 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, 3 tbsp lime juice, red wine vinegar, red pepper flakes, garlic clove, and salt to a small bowl. Gently toss to mix. Top the cilantro lime chicken with the avocado salsa and serve.

EXERC I SE ESSENT I ALS USE THIS EXERCISE TO STRENGTHEN YOUR CORE

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 fifteen times.

Exercises copyright of

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

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