Back pain can hinder your day-to-day activities. Left untreated, it can even lead to long-term joint, spine and nerve damage. As one of the most common physical complaints, over 80 percent of the U.S. population will suffer from it at some point in their lifetime. The pain itself can hinder your ability to reach, lean, kneel, lift or bend. It can also hinder your time spent with friends and family. Direct pain aside, minor aches and cramps associated with a back pain problem can make you irritable—ruining your good time.
N E W S L E T T E R
YOU CANWIN AGAINST THE PAIN BACK PAIN DOESN’ T STAND A CHANCE
ALSO INSIDE
BACK PAIN PREVENTION • PATIENT SUCCESS SPOTLIGHT EXERCISE ESSENTIALS • MEET THE TEAM: DR. KIRSTEN TRAPP
N E W S L E T T E R
YOU CANWIN AGAINST THE PAIN BACK PAIN DOESN’ T STAND A CHANCE
• Poor abdominal, pelvic and back muscle coordination Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t seek treatment when back pain arises. Before they know it, they have a big problem. They might assume nothing—except for medication—can solve their back pain. Medication might mask the pain, but it won’t cure the problem’s root cause and can lead to adverse side effects and addiction if abused.. Back Pain Solutions You’re in luck: Back pain can be cured! The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke covers a number of back pain remedies. These include the use of strength exercise, physical therapy and medication. Where medication is considered, anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesic medications and counter-irritants are the most popular. Before you can treat your back pain, however, you need to know why it started. Whether you’ve tweaked a muscle or have a deeper injury, a spine specialist can help. Contact us today at (214) 383-0623 or visit our website at aaphysicaltherapy.com to find out more about how we can help you take charge of your back pain.
Back pain can hinder your day-to-day activities. Left untreated, it can even lead to long-term joint, spine and nerve damage. As one of the most common physical complaints, over 80 percent of the U.S. population will suffer from it at some point in their lifetime. The pain itself can hinder your ability to reach, lean, kneel, lift or bend. It can also hinder your time spent with friends and family. Direct pain aside, minor aches and cramps associated with a back pain problem can make you irritable—ruining your good time. What Causes Back Pain? A few things cause back pain. The American Physical Therapy Association covers each of these, but the following are leading causes:
• Spinal and abdominal muscle weaknesses • Bad posture and bad sleeping positions • Spinal muscle and tissue damage • Improper lifting form • Limited spine, hip, knee, and ankle range of motion
A R E Y O U L E T T I N G Y O U R PA I N H O L D Y O U B A C K ? C A L L T O S C H E D U L E Y O U R A P P O I N T M E N T T O D AY !
A little prevention goes a long way. If you want to avoid future back pain, you can make sure you’re being good to your back. Lift Properly You pick things up constantly. Even if you’re lifting something light, make sure you’re first facing the object and standing as close as possible. Then squat while keeping your spine straight. Lift with your leg muscles, as this will reduce the pressure placed on your spine. Use Good Posture When you’re standing, imagine a string is attached to the top of your head—lifting you up. Standing in this way will help keep your hips, spine, shoulders and neck aligned. When sitting, it is important to have your body positioned in a neutral way that will reduce stress and strain on your body. For a how-to guide on ergonomic workstation setup, check out www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/ computerworkstations/positions.html online. Use Strength Training Your body has hundreds of muscles. These muscles protect and BACK PAIN PREVENTION T I P S Y O U C A N U S E T O S T A Y I N T H E G A M E
control your spine. By lifting weights, running and swimming, you can keep them strong. Train your core muscles. In doing so, you’ll
easily control quick, lifting movements. Maintain Adequate Hip Flexibility
A lack of motion in your hips leads to overuse of the spine during everyday activities. This often leads to back pain. See your physical therapist for individualized hip stretching techniques. It never hurts to visit a physical therapist, either. Get regular check- ups, and make sure your body is in good condition. If you have a history of back injuries, pain or minor aches, don’t hesitate to talk to a professional. You deserve a pain-free life, and your back will thank you. Sources: www.apta.org • www.acatoday.org/Patients/Health-Wellness- Information/Back-Pain-Facts-and-Statistics • www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/ Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Low-Back-Pain-Fact-Sheet To find out more about how we can help you achieve freedom from your back pain, call us at (214) 383-0623 or visit our website at aaphysicaltherapy.com.
OUR SERV I CES • Aquatic Therapy • Trigger Point Dry Needling (TDN) • Concussion Therapy • Dance Injury Rehabilitation • Electrical Stimulation • Instrument Assisted Manual Therapy • Joint Mobilization • Kinesio Taping • Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) • Manual Therapy • Therapeutic Exercise • Vertigo Treatment
AQUATIC THERAPY SERVICE SPOTLIGHT
UNIQUE ASPECTS & BENEFITS • Optimizing non-impact environment for your pain relief • Variable speed underwater treadmill • Resistance jets for therapy, rehabilitation, sports performance training, and swimming • Underwater massage to relieve your muscle spasms THERAPY RESULTS • Improved flexibility and core strength • Decreased inflammation to damaged muscles and nerves • Speedier recovery process by initiating therapy in a low-impact environment
ME E T THE T EAM
KIRSTEN TRAPP DPT Physical Therapist
Dr. Kirsten Trapp is our newest physical therapist at Athletic Advantage. She specializes in spinal evaluation and treatmentandholdssevenmanual therapy certifications.Sheutilizes triggerpointdry needling along with manual skills and therapeutic exercises to optimize patient outcomes and reduce pain. Dr. Trapp is a
PAT I E N T S U C C E S S S P O T L I G H T
member of the American Physical Therapy Association and is an advocate for the#choosePTmovementwhichemphasizes theuseofphysical therapy over opioid usage whenever possible. Born and raised in Plano, Texas, Dr. Trapp received her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from Sam Houston State University in 2014. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, she worked as a member of the Athletic Advantage team for two years before attending graduate school. She furthered her education at The University of St. Augustine in Austin, Texas to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) in 2018. Kirsten grew up dancing, both competing as part of a junior company and in her high school dance teams. Throughout her undergraduate career, Kirsten competed as a member of the Orange Pride Dance Team, winning three National Championships with the National Dance Alliance (NDA) in Daytona, Florida. Dancing, a desire to help others, and an interest in the biomechanics and etiology of musculoskeletal dysfunctions are what drove her to become a physical therapist. “Providing quality care through a strong patient, therapist relationship is of the utmost importance in my practice. I take the responsibility of guiding my patients through the journey of improving their mobility and functional capacity very seriously. I want to help my patients lead a more active lifestyle. I utilize the most up to date evidence-based approach to evaluate and treat inorder toaddressandprevent further injury foreach individual.”
“I came to Athletic Advantage with a chronic knee injury I had dealt with for many years that was on the verge of ending my professional ballet career. I had seen
numerous doctors and specialists throughout the country, and none were able to give me a proper diagnosis. On just my first visit with Dr. Johnson he was able to accurately identify the root cause of my injury and begin treatment. He clearly understood ballet and how a dancer’s body works differently from other athletes. His attention to treating the entire body and not just one affected area has made
me a stronger dancer than ever before.” - M. B. Image by Sharen Bradford (Avant Chamber Ballet)
Is arthritis pain keeping you from the life you love? Know a friend or family member who is also suffering? Come to our Free Arthritis Workshop to learn tips and tricks that you can use to find relief and overcome your pain. Call us today at (214) 383-0623 to register now! First three who call and sign up will WIN a free lacrosse ball, a great tool helpful in increasing mobility, loosening muscles, and reaching trigger points. REGISTER FOR OUR FREE ARTHRITIS WORKSHOP MAY 9TH, 7-8PM AT THE CLINIC
Key Specialties & Certifications • Spinal Evaluation & Manipulation
• Upper Extremity Evaluation & Manipulation • Lower Extremity Evaluation & Manipulation • Myofascial Manipulation • Advanced Lumbar & Thoracic Spine • Advanced Cervical & Upper Thoracic • Functional Analysis-Pelvic & Hip
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