Health & Fitness Newsletter: Back Pain Slowing You Down by Physical Therapy Specialties
Health & Fitness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body
BACK PAIN SLOWING YOU DOWN? Physical Therapy Can Help!
If you are experiencing pain, contact Physical Therapy Specialties today for help!
Health & Fitness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body
Here’s a fact about back pain that may bring you some comfort: it’s one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints in the world. Around 80% of people will have back pain at least once. So, if you’re suffering now, you probably aren’t the only one! BACK PAIN SLOWING YOU DOWN? PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP!
Of course, that thought does little to help if your back pain keeps you from performing day-to-day activities — as it often does. Back pain is often accompanied by mobility restrictions that make walking, rising from sitting, or bending over difficult. And if left untreated, it can sometimes lead to long-term pain and dysfunction. At Physical Therapy Specialties , we know how debilitating back pain can be. Our team of dedicated physical therapists will help you understand the cause or causes of your back pain and work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that will let you get back to the activities you love to do. What Causes Back Pain? One of the reasons that back pain is so common is that it’s associated with several different injuries, underlying
conditions, or lifestyle factors. That said, most back pain is non-specific, meaning it’s not caused by a specific disease or specific structural problem, but caused by mechanical issues. Mechanical issues are difficult to pinpoint and may include multiple tissues in and around the spinal joints. The first step in treating your back pain is understanding what’s contributing to it. Our therapists will perform a comprehensive evaluation to help us learn as much as possible about your experience with back pain, including screening for any mobility limitations or weakness you’re struggling with. Here are some of the more common sources of back pain that we see at our clinic: Strains and Sprains: A strain occurs when you injure the muscles in your back. A sprain occurs when you injure the
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BACK PAIN SLOWING YOU DOWN? PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP!
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ligaments that link your spinal vertebrae. Both can cause pain and limited mobility, and they often result from lifting with improper form (such as twisting while lifting) or attempting to lift something too heavy. Herniated Discs: Soft, flexible discs separate and cushion your spinal vertebrae. If one of those discs herniates — that is protrudes out — and irritates a nearby nerve, it can lead to intense pain, feeling “stuck” in a stooped over position, and often pain down the leg known as sciatica. Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the world, occurring when the cartilage and bone tissue in a joint degenerate and become inflamed. While we often associate it with the hips, knees, or hands, it can occur in the spine, too. Spinal osteoarthritis is sometimes called spondylosis. Lifestyle Factors: Several factors can contribute to lower back pain, including improper posture, prolonged sitting, or weakness in the muscles that wrap and support your spine (your core muscles). Why Physical Therapy at Physical Therapy Specialties Is Your Back Pain Solution While back pain often resolves on its own within 1-3 months, physical therapy is an excellent choice for people with particularly intense pain or extremely restrictive mobility. It’s also useful for people with chronic back pain — defined as pain that lingers past that three-month mark. We customize all our back pain treatment plans according to your specific needs: the location and severity of your back pain, any mobility restrictions, your ability level, and overall goals. We’ll work to address the underlying issues causing your pain rather than simply masking the symptoms. How will we do this? Through a blend of the following techniques: • Manual therapy helps manage pain, promote blood circulation, and improve mobility. • A personalized therapeutic exercise plan improves the strength, flexibility, and endurance of your back and core muscles. Muscle weakness significantly contributes to lower back pain, so exercise is a must. • Specialized training, such as proper techniques and activities that simulate functional movements you’ll need to perform (i.e., squats, lunges, lifting, etc.). • Prevention strategies help reduce future back pain incidents. These strategies might include postural corrections or
suggestions for at-home exercises, such as a walking program or regular strength and mobility practice. Get Moving Again with Physical Therapy!
Back pain is more than just pain. It can severely restrict your mobility, leading to less exercise and movement, further contributing to pain and dysfunction. The Physical Therapy Specialties team is here to help you break that cycle and find relief from back pain for good. Call us today to schedule an appointment!
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Prevent Back Pain and Mobility Restriction
Before It Starts!
I have a job that requires me to sit at a desk. I struggle to find time to exercise regularly. I never learned proper lifting techniques. People frequently tell me I slouch.
Do any of these statements apply to you?
If so, you may be at a higher risk of developing back pain. Several lifestyle factors can increase the likelihood of an injury leading to back pain. Fortunately, physical therapy at Physical Therapy Specialties is a great choice not only for resolving back pain but for stopping it before it even begins! Three Simple Back Pain Prevention Tips
Tip 1: Exercise Regular physical activity helps strengthen the muscles that support and stabilize your spine. Find something that suits your interests and ability level, such as daily walks, simple resistance exercises, or dance fitness classes.
Tip 2: Minimize Sitting Prolonged sitting can have wide-ranging effects, including increased pressure on your spine. If you have a desk job, get up and move around every 30 minutes or so, even if it’s just to stand up and stretch.
Tip 3: Ask for Help When it comes to lifting heavy objects, don’t get ambitious! Ask for help when lifting anything heavy or awkwardly shaped, and make sure you’re using proper lifting techniques. Not sure what those are? Our therapists will happily show you how to lift without risking injury.
CALL 925.417.8005 TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT
While these tips can get you started, the therapists at Physical Therapy Specialties can help you develop a customized back pain prevention plan. We’ll help you identify any lifestyle factors that might put you at risk of developing back pain and then work with you to address them.
Come Back In For A Consultation Whether you want to come in for a check-up, suffered a recent injury or want to improve your health, a doctor referral is not needed. In the state of California, you have direct access to physical therapy!
Save time
See our physical therapists for: • Recent injury • Nagging aches and pains • Back and neck pain • Joint pain and movement problems • Walking or balance difficulties
Improve your health naturally
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PATIENT SPOTLIGHT What our patients have to say!
Do you have your own PT success story? Why not share it with others and maybe you will be the inspiration someone needs to get the help they are seeking. Just scan the QR code to leave a Google Review.
“My PT visits targeted my sciatica pain and the pain in my knees which caused me to walk badly. The pool therapy worked wonders and made my pain more tolerable. Soon, I stopped feeling the nagging sciatic pain and the arthritis pain I had in the joints of my fingers. I threw myself into
Improve Your Health In Our Warm Water Therapy Pool! going to pool therapy as well as two days a week of land therapy. After a few months I could walk up the stairs with ease, it has improved my balance and strength tremendously and over all I feel much healthier. The most effective tool in treatment is the consistency of attending all PT sessions. PT-Specialties therapists are so valuable, guiding me through my healing journey, and I loved meeting the friendly staff.” - Neda N.
Has a New Pain Started? Have you experi- enced an injury?
I n c r e a s e range of motion M o v e freely P r o t e c t joints R e d u c e pain O b t a i n cardio fitness V i t a l i z e muscle strength E n h a n c e flexibility and balance
Pool Therapy and Water Classes Offered Daily. Schedule is on our website.
www.pt-specialties.com COME BACK TO PT Make an appointment today with one of our therapists and get back to the activities you enjoy — pain-free! 925.417.8005
Exercise Essentials Try these simple exercises to help keep you loose and pain-free... Share this with a friend or family member to help keep them healthy, too!
This exercise helps develop balance while increasing core stability.
MIDLINE STABILITY MARCH Start by lying on your back and raising both your knees to a 90-degree angle at your hip and knee. Slowly lower one heel to the ground, keeping your knee angle. Once your heel hits the ground, raise your leg back up while simultaneously lowering your other in the same manner.
Always consult your physical therapist or physician before starting exercises you are unsure of doing.
Who do you know that needs our help?
Refer a Friend Do You Have Friends or Family Unable to Do The Following? 9 Move without pain 9 Bend and move freely
9 Balance confidently and securely 9 Sit for long periods comfortably 9 Walk for long distances 9 Live an active and healthy lifestyle
If you know someone suffering from aches and pains give the gift of health. Refer them to Physical Therapy Specialties today. Pass along this newsletter or have them call us directly for a Physical Therapy Consultation.
Call Today! 925.417.8005
CALL TODAY! 925.417.8005 3908 Valley Ave., Suite B Pleasanton, CA 94566 INSIDE: • Prevent Back Pain and Mobility Restriction Before It Starts! • Improve Your Health In Our Warm Water Therapy Pool! • Exercise Essentials • Patient Spotlight
www.pt-specialties.com
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