PHYSICAL THERAPY N E W S L E T T E R
WHERE IS YOUR BACK PAIN COMING FROM?
Your spine is a complex part of your body – it requires proper posture, flexibility,coordination,andstrength, inordertodo its jobcorrectly.When one of these elements is altered, your spine can emit painful responses that can settle in other nearby parts of the body. AccordingtotheNational InstituteofHealth,approximately80%ofadults 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 youarepronetoneckpain–perhapsyouhaveaslouchedposture 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,thepainsareconnectedtoeachother.Yourheadweighsabout 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. 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,trysittingupstraighter– itshouldhelpeasesomeofthestress! 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! If you’re suffering from back pain, call your Physical Therapist at Total Performance Physical Therapy to schedule your appointment today!
Learn more by visiting our website at TotalPerformancePT.com or schedule your consultation today by calling 215.997.9898 !
HOW TO TELL IF YOUR NECK IS CAUSING BACK PAIN
How Can Physical Therapy Help Me? 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,theywillcreateaspecializedtreatmentplan foryou,based on theirdiagnosisofyourspecificneeds.Aphysical therapist’sendgoal 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.
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: 1. Stand straight in front of another person. They will be your eyes regarding the movements you make. 2. Oncetheyarewatchingyou,turnyourheadasfarasyoucomfortably 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,sitdown in frontofthesameperson.Repeatthesameturning motions from a chair or couch. Again, have them take note of how far you are able to comfortably turn your head. 4. Ask iftherewereanydifferences intheturningmovement.Didone 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, 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.
Call Total Performance Physical Therapy at 215.997.9898 or visit totalperformancept.com to schedule your appointment today!
EXERCISE ESSENTIALS Perform This Exercise To Relieve Back Pain In Minutes!
EXERCISE ESSENTIALS AN YOU FIND THE 7 HIDDEN EASTER EGGS?
Call in with the locations of the 7 hidden Easter Eggs to be entered to win a prize! Last Day to WIN: April 12th, Easter Sunday Call in to win! 215.997.9898
PRAYER STRETCH While in a crawl position, slowly lower your buttocks towards your feet until a stretch is felt along your back and or buttocks. This is a great stretch for those who work at a computer desk for long periods.
Always consult with your physical therapist before performing an exercise in order to relieve pain.
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Learn more by visiting our website at TotalPerformancePT.com or schedule your consultation today by calling 215.997.9898 !
S TA F F S P O T L I G H T
WHAT IS CUPPING?
Wayne’s interest in physical therapy began after an athletic injury in high school. He pursued his doctorate at Widener University and enjoys treating athletes and supporting local schools. During his time at Widener, Wayne served as part of the student board that created thecountry’sfirststudent-led pro bono physical therapy
Dr. Wayne Burkholtz Physical Therapist
clinic. This clinic has served as the model for clinics in programs across the country. Wayne still serves as a member of the Advisory Board for the clinic as well as an adjunct professor at Widener teaching classes and supervising the pro bono clinic throughout the year. Wayne takes a personal interest in each of his patients and helping them to reach their goals. To ensure the best ability to support his patients, Wayne attends classes to help him stay current on treatment techniques. Wayne is currently certified in dry needling and fascia movement taping. He is also trained in the McKenzie method of Mechanical DiagnosisandTherapy (MDT),McConnellTaping, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Massage, and Pose Running. Wayne takes a personalized approach to treating each patient and has a way of creating a friendly atmosphere. He looks forward to joining the Norristown community and supporting you and your family.
WHAT PATIENTS ARE SAYING! “I couldn’t move my arm for a month, had cupping done by Wayne and I felt relief instantly. I recommend Wayne at the East Norristown office for anyone suffering from tennis elbow! - Allison M. “I would love to say that this was my first physical therapy experience, but an active lifestyle has meant several experiences; however, thisbyfarwasmybest intermsofspeedofrecovery. There is no doubt inmymind that Total Performance PT is blessed to have hired Wayne. His diagnostic skills are spot on, and his tailoredapproachtoPT interventionsetshimapartfromtheother PT facilities I have used. Excellent “bedside manner,” and I hope I will never need PT again, but if I do, I know where I am headed.” - Rich C. Cupping therapy isa formofalternativemedicine thatusessuction as a way of manipulating tissue. Because proper circulation is a key component of treating somany conditions, physical therapists use cupping as a complementary therapy for a wide range of health issues, from acne to high blood pressure and depression. Cupping is generally used in conjunction with other treatments to help alleviate pain. Neck pain, lower back pain and migraines are among the conditions for which patients have reported favorable results. Decreased stiffness is another welcome result many patients experience. By helping to improve circulation, especially of blood and lymphatic fluids, internal scar tissue is also broken up. This improves flexibility for the patient, as well as creates a greater range of motion. If you’re interested in cupping therapy, call 215.997.9898 today to learn more and schedule your appointment!
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Are You Suffering From Back Pain? If back pain is keeping you from work, sports, or a an overall pain-free life, this is the workshop for you. We will be offering Back Pain Workshops on the following dates and locations.
MAY 9TH 10 am at Norristown
APRIL 18TH 10 am at Hatfield
APRIL 4TH 10 am at Norristown
If you’re interested in attending a workshop and want to learn more,reserveyourspot todaybycallingTotalPerformancePT!
Learn more by visiting our website at TotalPerformancePT.com or schedule your consultation today by calling 215.997.9898 !
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