Sometimes it happens when a pain develops that you can immediately identify the cause. A new pair of shoes may cause a sharp pain in your heel, or an old chair at work may cause your back to grow sore and uncomfortable as time goes on. But there are other situations in which pain develops, and the cause of the pain is unclear.
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Determining the Origin of Your Pain
A L S O I N S I D E : The Origins of Pain • Upcoming Clinics • Patient Success Spotlight Exercise Essentials • Healthy Recipe • Tips For Healthy Hydration
Determining the Origin of Your Pain
Zak Danz hits out of the sand in the boys’ golf Division III South Sectional qualifier. Danz tied for medalist honors with a 5-over-par 77. (2016) Photo by Steve Haines/Cape Cod Times.
Sometimes it happens when a pain develops that you can immediately identify the cause. A new pair of shoes may cause a sharp pain in your heel, or an old chair at work may cause your back to grow sore and uncomfortable as time goes on. But there are other situations in which pain develops, and the cause of the pain is unclear. Different types of bodily pain can tell you different things about your body and overall bodily health. Sometimes, a pain in your arm or your leg may have little to nothing to do with an actual issue in your arm or leg. Physical therapists are like well-trained detectives when it comes to identifying the causes of pain. A physical therapist knows the way that the nervous systemworks, making it possible to identify the potential causes of pain, even if the pain is manifesting itself in an unusual or seemingly inexplicable way.
neck or anywhere else in your body, working with a physical therapist can help you find the relief you are looking for. Physical therapists are trained in identifying and treating the cause of your pain, giving you the opportunity to shift away from the ongoing use of pain medication and instead find relief from your pain with a series of strategies that include stretching, muscle building and flexibility training. Understanding Your Pain When you meet with a physical therapist to understand where your pain may be coming from, one of the first things you’ll do is have a conversation about your pain. How long you’ve been experiencing pain, where it developed and how the pain manifests itself are all very important distinctions that can help shed some light on what may be causing your discomfort.
Whether you are suffering from pain in your head, your back, your
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Things to Consider About PT
Here are a few things you may want to consider before heading into physical therapy: • Consider exactly where the pain occurs in your body, and research what the different parts of the body are called so that you can have an accurate and helpful conversation about your pain. For example, back pain has a lot of different differentiations, and lumbar pain (which is in the lower back) is frequently caused by factors different from what would cause upper-back or neck pain. • How does the pain feel when it develops? Is it a lingering ache? Is it a sharp stab? Is it more of a tingling feeling? Each of these sensations are actually associated with different types of problems, so describing your pain appropriately may be helpful in determining the best treatment methods for your body’s needs. • What do you think may be causing the pain? Of course, it happens that a pain will develop, and you are dumbfounded as to why, but more often than not, there is something that you think could be influencing it. If the pain started around the same time as a change in environment or life circumstances, then it is worth telling your physical therapist about the association. Another thing to consider about your pain is whether or not it develops at particular times of the day or year. There are plenty of situations when someone begins to experience pain when the weather starts to change, and it turns out that the pain is a result of arthritis and inflammation. There are other situations in which the pain will develop as a result of prolonged sitting or the opposite — such as when things get crazy at home or at work, and you find that you are not getting as much sleep as usual. Considering any changes in your daily habits or environmental factors can be very helpful in determining what is causing your pain. Regardless of where your pain is, how long you’ve been dealing with it, or how intense the pain feels, the smart thing to do when pain develops is to speak with a physical therapist. Working
with a physical therapist can help you finally get a step ahead of your pain, finding treatment options that are designed to provide you with long-term relief instead of temporary relief from medication. For more information about physical therapy for overcoming bodily pain, contact us. At Vineyard Complementary Medicine finding you a path toward pain relief is our priority. We utilize a multifaceted approach to non-narcotic pain relief, combining Western medicine approaches of pain while integrating Chinese Medicine philosophies. From a Western Medicine approach we use scientific methodology of endorphins, neurotransmitters and the relationship of the brain, our nervous system and skeletal and internal structure. We help our clients reformat body alignment, soft tissue structures and their perception of pain signals to provide relief. The Chinese medicine approach to pain relief works with a body’s disharmony to rebalance the flow of energy (Qi) and diagnoses pain by identifying traits of pain into various descriptive categories including excess,, deficient, hot , cold and treating the type of pain appropriately by using concepts of yin and yang. For example if pain is acute , inflamed and warm to touch use cold to balance it and cool the area down and relieve discomfort. Additionally. clinical studies show that acupuncture helps release endorphins (our body’s pain relief chemicals) so this makes acupuncture an excellent option for pain relief. Our clinical therapists have extensive training on how to decrease the pain response with chronic and acute injuries and are trained to help you “rewire” your body’s response to abnormal signals that relate to pain and bring balance back to your body using Western medicine and Chinese medicine approaches. By combining both approaches we see incredible results with faster pain relief using a complementary (combining multiple treatments) approach to pain relief and healing. Give us a call at 508.693.3800 to find out how our team at VCM can help you or a loved one get the relief you have been looking for.
Make Hydration A Habit With These Simple Tips!
Don’t Forget To Stay Hydrated This Summer!
Upcoming VCM Clinics Please visit vcmpt.com/upcoming-events to reserve all clinic appointments. • Acupuncture 5 Needle Ear Protocol Clinic Every Monday - 6:00pm - 7:00pm We are pleased to be able to again offer our weekly Acupuncture Clinic. Only 8 spots are available each week. All appointments will be physically distanced and will observe all Covid19 safety precautions. Benefits of 5 Point Acupuncture include releasing all kinds of trauma, detoxification, regulating the nervous system, pain relief, depression/ Mania, anxiety, and addiction. Cost: $20.00 • FREE Injury and Pain Reduction Screenings Every Wednesday - 2:30pm-4:00pm We provide FREE screenings to assess pain free movement and injury management. This is a free 20-minute consultation. During the screening, you will get a comprehensive report and a recommended plan of care. Options for screenings are your choice of Telehealth or in-person outdoor sessions.
3. Sip on a mug of herbal tea every evening. If you make this a habit, you’ll add an extra cup of fluid to your body every single day. 4. Eat a diet rich in whole foods. By eating foods like vegetables, fruits, and yogurt, you’ll automatically up your fluid intake. If you’re an elderly adult, it’s especially important to pay attention to hydration. Aging impairs the body’s natural thirst mechanisms, which makes it easier to become dehydrated. These tips should make hydration a habit in your life. Remember to always keep a water bottle as a physical reminder to drink even if you’re not thirsty.
Many people are so busy that they barely have time to eat, let alone pause for a water break, and you may find that you often go hours and hours without quenching your thirst. But staying hydrated has real advantages, including helping you maintain your energy and focus. It’s important to give your drinking habits the attention they deserve. Here are some simple ways to stay hydrated this summer. 1. Always carry a water bottle. If you have a bottle within arm’s reach, it’s very likely that you’ll mindlessly sip from it throughout the day, without having to make a conscious effort. 2. When you’re feeling frazzled, grab a glass of cold water. Studies show that people instantly feel more alert after drinking H2O.
Patient Success Spotlight
“I had spinal fusion surgery in December and had just started physical therapy when the shelter in place started. I was uncomfortable 24 hours a day. Now that I’m back at VCM, I feel amazing. After 3 weeks of physical therapy and acupuncture, I feel like a new person. I am so grateful to these
guys. Love them.” — Caitlin R., 7/2/20
• August 6th — The Quick and Dirty: Carpal Tunnel Self-Assessment • August 13th — Athlete in Training: Best Exercises for Concussion Prevention • August 20th —Healthy Feet, Happy Body • August 27th — iPosture: Preventing Neck and Back Pain FromMobile Devices • September 4th — Sue’s Top 10 At Home Exercises For A Balanced Body • September 11th — Ear Acupuncture: 5 Point Protocol How It Works Can’t Join Us Live? You’ll find all videos on our VCM YouTube Channel!
Exercise Essentials Relieve Pain In Minutes!
DYING BUG | HEEL TOUCHES Lie on your back with your hands and knees raised upward, keeping your core engaged. Slowly lower one heel to the ground, then alternate sides, keeping your core engaged. Repeat 6-10 times on both sides.
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