In the old days, when your back was hurting, your doctor told you to rest until it felt better. However a lot has been learned about proper treatment for back pain since those days, and gone are the days of prolonged bed rest. New studies show that proper movements, posture and a gradual return to activities, has been found to be much more successful to control back pain. This allows you faster pain relief and a return to normal pain-free activities.
Health&Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body
Meet Joey Scearce, MPT Joey is a Physical Therapist at Danville Orthopedic & Athletic Rehabilitation. With over 15 years experience in outpatient rehab, Joey is an expert in orthopedics rehabilitation to restore physical function and maximize performance at home, at work, and at play. His specialities include therapeutic exercise, aquatic exercise, and industrial rehab, including work conditioning and Functional Capacity Evaluations. A native of Pittsylvania County, Joey earned a Bachelor of Science degree fromAverett University in Danville, Virginia. After college, Joey worked
as a Physical Therapy Aide at Danville Orthopedic & Athletic Rehab’s location on Executive Drive. He went on to earn aMaster of Physical Therapy (MPT) Elon University, then rejoined our teamas a Physical Therapist in 2001. Outside of work, Joey stays active keeping up with his two young sons and coaching a youth baseball team. Joey’s wife, Laurie Ann Scearce, is also a Physical Therapist with All Care Home Health.
Inside: • Did You Suffer a Sprain or a Strain? • Do You Have Shoulder Elbow or Wrist Pain?
• Exercise Essentials • Refer a Friend
In the old days, when your back was hurting, your doctor told you to rest until it felt better. However a lot has been learned about proper treatment for back pain since those days, and gone are the days of prolonged bed rest. New studies show that proper movements, posture and a gradual return to activities, has been found to be much more successful to control back pain. This allows you faster pain relief and a return to normal pain-free activities. Bed rest and inactivity have been shown to weaken muscles and bones. Whereas exercise in general, increases strength and flexibility of the muscles, aiding in healing through increased blood flow to the affected area. It has also been found that exercise and aerobic activity, like walking, assists in bringing nutrients to structures in the spine. Some of these structures, like the discs between your vertebrae, have a poor blood supply and rely on your body’s movements and aerobic activity to circulate nutrients. When a person is inactive, less of these nutrients are able to get to the structures in the spine to keep them healthy. We look at your individual health history, as well as your current mobility level and interests. Based on this, we’’ll put together an individualized exercise program specifically for you.They will help guide you back into your previous activity level without pain. In addition to exercise, physical therapy utilizes a variety of gentle modalities such as ultrasound, electric stimulation, massage and heat or cold therapy to help relieve muscular spasms. We will first relieve your pain and then provide exercises to restore your strength and instruct you in how to prevent your symptoms from recurring. IsBedRest GoodFor Your Back Pain?
www.acipt.com • www.doarpt.com • www.martinsvillept.com
How Your Feet Can Cause Back Pain “Are Your Feet Causing Your Back Pain?”
When your foot hits the ground, your whole body feels the effect. Imagine in your car if your shock absorbers were worn out. You would feel every bump and jolt from the road. Your feet and legs are much the same way. The greater the impact of your step, the more impact it has on your body. Sometimes our legs are not quite the same lengthdue to joint replacements or arthritic conditions in the ankle, knee, or hip. Even small differences may cause back or leg pain. A small heel lift can often change symptoms dramatically. Many times tightness in the ankle can also contribute to back pain. When the ankle joint is tight, this essentially makes that leg “longer” which can
cause the spine to curve slightly and result in back and leg pain. Your feet and legs need to be able to support the rest of your body during walking tasks. We will evaluate your leg and foot strength and mobility and focus on improving the muscles that are weak and stretching those that are tight. This in turn will allow you to walk with better form and help to eliminate back pain. If we find that you need some type of modification to your shoes or inserts we will make those recommendations as well. We want to look at everything that can be contributing to your back pain, not just your back. This can be done under the guidanceandexpertiseofourphysical therapists.
Exercise Essentials
Strengthens Core Bridging
Try this movement if you are experiencing back pain.
www.simpleset.net
Always consultyour therapistorphysicianbefore startingexercisesyouareunsureofdoing.
While lying on your back, raise your buttocks off the floor/bed. Hold for 20 seconds. Then repeat 6 times.
IS YOUR CHILD’S BACK PACK GOING TO CAUSE INJURY?
Finding a Safe Pack Despite their potential problems, backpacks are great when used properly. Before you buy one, though, consider a backpack’s construction.
Patient Success Spotlight
Look for the following to choose the right backpack:
• Lightweight pack: get one that doesn’t add a lot of weight to your child’s load; for example, leather packs look cool, but they weigh more than canvas backpacks • Two wide, padded shoulder straps: straps that are too narrow can dig into shoulders
“All the staff is so friendly and they really listen to what you have to say. They are all very caring and understanding. Been a few months with them and still have a ways to go but it’s all worth it. I really have enjoyed going to them for this rough time in my life they get your mind off the pain while you doing your best. Thank y’all!” – Wendy P. “They really listen to what you have to say!”
• Padded back: it not only provides increased comfort, but also protects kids from being poked by sharp objects or edges (pencils, rulers, notebooks, etc.) inside the pack • Waist belt: this helps to distribute the weight more evenly across the body • Multiple compartments: to help distribute the weight throughout the pack Although packs on wheels (which look like small, overhead luggage bags) may be good options for students who have to lug around really heavy loads, they’re very hard to pull up stairs and to roll through snow. Check with the school before buying a rolling pack; many don’t allow them because they can be a tripping hazard in the hallways. Using Backpacks Wisely To help kids prevent injury when using a backpack: • Lighten the load. No matter how well-designed the backpack, less weight is always better. Use the bathroom scale to check that a pack isn’t over 10% to 15% of your child’s body weight (for example, the backpack of a child who weighs 80 pounds shouldn’t weigh more than 8 to 12 pounds). • Use and pick up the backpack properly. Make sure kids use both shoulder straps. Bags that are slung over the shoulder or across the chest — or that only have one strap — aren’t as effective at distributing the weight as bags with two wide shoulder straps, and therefore may strain muscles. Also tighten the straps enough for the backpack to fit closely to the body. The pack should rest evenly in the middle of the back and not sag down to the buttocks. You may need to adjust your kids’ backpacks and/or reduce how much they carry if they : • Struggle to get the backpack on or off • Have back pain • Lean forward to carry the backpack If your child has back pain or numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, talk to your doctor or a physical therapist.
REFER A FRIEND
Who Do You Know That Needs Our Help? Do You Have Friends Or Family Unable To Do The Following:
� Sit for long periods comfortably � Walk for long distances � Live an active and healthy lifestyle
� Move without pain � Bend and move freely � Balance confidently & securely
CALL TODAY
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