Your spine is a complex part of your body – it requires proper posture, flexibility, coordination, and strength, in order to do its job correctly. When one of these elements is altered, your spine can emit painful responses that can settle in other nearby parts of the body.
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WHERE IS YOUR BACK PAIN COMING FROM?
• Could Your Neck Be The Cause? • Exercise Essentials
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Health+Fitness Newsletter
WHERE IS YOUR BACK PAIN COMING FROM?
This is also why pain in your lower back may occur as a result. Your back muscles are working in overdrive and may be constricting to try and hold you up. If you notice neck and back pain at the same time as one another, try sitting up straighter – it should help ease some of the stress! IS YOUR NECK THE CULPRIT? The most common combination of pain is in the neck and the back. If you are experiencing both, it is most likely stemming from the neck. We don’t typically think about it, but we use our necks for a lot of our daily activities. Even simple things, such as turning to grab something out of the cupboard or looking over your shoulder when backing out of a driveway, use a lot of neck muscles. When you do simple tasks such as these, do you find yourself turning your entire body, as opposed to just your head? If so, you could experience back pain along with your neck pain. When you have limited motion in your neck, your body compensates by twisting more than it usually would, thus over-rotating your lower back. This could cause a source of pain or general discomfort in the area, due to abnormal overuse. If you are experiencing neck pain, back pain, or a combination of both, our physical therapists would be more than happy to meet with you for a consultation to discuss how they can help. Call us today to talk to an expert about how we can relieve your aches and pains!
Your spine is a complex part of your body – it requires proper posture, flexibility, coordination, and strength, in order to do its job correctly. When one of these elements is altered, your spine can emit painful responses that can settle in other nearby parts of the body. According to the National Institute of Health, approximately 80% of adults will experience lower back pain at some point in their lives. Back pain is actually the most commonly reported location of pain across the globe. But how often is the source actually another part of your body? PAIN IS USUALLY CONNECTED Your spine is a lengthy structure, and pain can travel along it. Let’s say you are prone to neck pain – perhaps you have a slouched posture from sitting at a desk all day and the pressure radiates in your shoulders. Or, maybe you’ve had a previous injury, such as whiplash, that still elicits painful stings every now and then. Now, let’s say you begin feeling pain in your lower back in addition to your neck pain. Why does this happen? Basically, the pains are connected to each other. Your head weighs about 10-12 pounds, which is roughly the weight of a bowling ball. When you slouch, or compensate pain by realigning your body, your back muscles have to work extra hard to keep you from toppling forward. Have you ever been so tired that your head begins to bob and it jolts you awake? That’s because your head is heavy! The weight from the motion wakes you back up because your body isn’t used to carrying it in that way.
Call & schedule your appointment today! Bristol 860.585.5800 • Southington 203.272.8490 • Wallingford 203.741.9948
Could Your Neck Be The Cause? It can sometimes to be difficult to determine if your back pain is rooted in your neck. This simple, at-home test can assist you in figuring it out: especially sitting down, it means that the muscles in your back or upper back are tight. These constricted motions can cause pain in the lower back. HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP ME?
1. Stand straight in front of another person. They will be your eyes regarding the movements you make. 2. Once they are watching you, turn your head as far as you comfortably can to the left. Repeat the same motion to the right. Have them take note of how far you are able to go. 3. Now, sit down in front of the same person. Repeat the same turning motions from a chair or couch. Again, have them take note of how far you are able to comfortably turn your head. 4. Ask if there were any differences in the turning movement. Did one side seem to turn further than the other? Was there a difference in standing vs. sitting? This test is helpful in finding out if your neck is causing (or is at risk of causing) pain in your lower back. If your movement is limited,
Physical therapy is the leading recommendation for back pain. Physical therapists are trained to evaluate muscle and joint movement, and they can easily assist you in finding the root of your problem. They will thoroughly evaluate you to figure out why you are experiencing pain, determining the source and treating all affected areas. After your initial consultation, they will create a specialized treatment plan for you, based on their diagnosis of your specific needs. A physical therapist’s end goal is the same as yours – to get you feeling better, healthier, and more comfortable! If you are experiencing lower back pain and think it may be caused by an issue occurring in your neck, give us a call today. We’ll get you moving comfortably again in no time.
SEASONAL RECIPE
EXERCISE ESSENTIALS
ORANGE CRANBERRY BREAD
RELIEVE BACK PAIN IN MINUTES!
INGREDIENTS • 2 cups white whole wheat flour • 1/2 cup sugar • 1 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp baking soda • 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1cup freshcranberries • 1 tsp orange zest • 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted • 3/4 cup fresh orange juice • 1 egg
DIRECTIONS Grease an 8×4 inch loaf pan. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350° F. In a large bowl, add white whole wheat flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cranberries, and orange zest. Gently stir. In a separate medium-sized bowl, add coconut oil, fresh orange juice, and an egg. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Stir to combine everything together. Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Remove and let cool for 5 minutes. Serve and enjoy! www.joyfulhealthyeats.com/moist-orange-cranberry-bread
SIDELYING TRUNK ROTATION While lying on your side with your arms out-stretched in front of your body, slowly twist your upper body to the side and rotate your spine. Your arms and head should also be rotating along with the spine as shown. Follow your hand with your eyes. Hold for 20 seconds repeat 3 times on each side.
www.simpleset.net
Call Today! Bristol 860.585.5800 • Southington 203.272.8490 • Wallingford 203.741.9948
Patient Success Spotlight “I’m very excited to run my second 5k in November without worrying about my back.” “I had a wonderful experience here at FYZICAL. I took a lot of time off going to the gym and lifting weights because it increased my back pain. After a few short months of physical therapy, I have seen a major difference in my back. Just simply standing up and sitting in a chair gave me tremendous pain, but now I can do these simple tasks without increasing the pain. I’m very excited to run my second 5k in November without worrying about my back. Thank you, Danielle, Nicole, and Amy for everything you’ve done! I will miss my weekly appointments with you ladies.”” - Rachel P.
NEW PRODUCT ALERT!
HAS YOUR PAIN RETURNED?
1. Call and consult with a physical therapist to discuss your pain and symptoms.
Introducing The Apex Rx Recovery Trigger Point Massage Gun! $169 00
MICHAEL J. COOK Registered Massage Therapist
Michael combines the best aspects of Massage, Acupuncture and Athletic Therapy to provide a safe but aggressive and effective, individualized rehabilitation programs ensuring the patient reaches their optimal goals quickly and economically.
2. Your physical therapist may suggest exercises or precautionary measures to relieve or avoid pain.
3. If further assessment is needed to find the cause of your pain, your therapist can schedule an appointment with you.
Engage your body with the reward it deserves. This percussion massage gun will alleviate almost any knot or spasm. Decrease post-workout muscle pain and cramps, accelerating the body’s ability to heal and recover. This percussion massage device also is great for a sore back from sitting too long at your desk at the office too! Stop in FYZICAL Central CT today to get yours!
Did you know that you are not required to see your primary physician before seeing a physical therapist? We are now able to evaluate you, determine if you need physical therapy, and implement a treatment program… ALL without a referral!
Schedule your consultation with FYZICAL Therapy today by visiting FYZICALCT.com for information!
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