VALENTINE’S DAY ROSE LATTE
If you’ve ever dealt with nagging neck pain, your lower back was probably the last thing you were thinking about–and vice versa. But if you’ve ever experienced both at once, you might have started wondering if they could be linked. Well, your hunch was correct: Neck pain and lower back pain are often interconnected. The human body is a marvel of connectivity, where different parts support and affect each other. That’s why the physical therapists at Preferred Physical Therapy take a whole-body approach to your care. We’ll figure out where the underlying issue is actually located and work with you to address it directly. Understanding the connection between neck pain and lower back pain can help you feel better in the long run. EXPLORING THE NECK AND LOWER BACK CONNECTION Imagine you’re holding a chain, trying to tug it forward. Unbeknownst to you, however, the opposite end of that chain has gotten caught on a hook. No matter how hard you pull, you won’t be able to move the other end of the chain. Your spine is a lot like that chain. Each vertebra is a link that depends on the others to maintain strength and balance. So, when one part of your spine is out of line, it can impact other parts. Here’s an example using poor posture, one of the most common culprits behind both neck and lower back pain: Slouching, Compensations, and Interconnected Pain Your spine is surrounded by muscles that work to support and stabilize it. When you slouch, constantly look down at a mobile device, or sit for too long without taking breaks, you can strain these muscles. Your body then responds to this strain by compensating elsewhere along the chain. For example, when muscles in the lower back are strained or weakened, the upper back and neck muscles have to do extra work to compensate. Similarly, tension in the neck can lead to adjustments in posture that strain the lower back. So what does this mean? Let’s say you spend a lot of time at your desk, putting strain on your lower back. Your body then moves further up your back to compensate for the weakness there, placing stress on your neck. As a result, you’re now dealing with lower back pain and neck pain. This cycle of compensation and strain highlights the importance of treating the body as a whole. THE SURPRISING LINK BETWEEN Neck and Lower Back Pain
INGREDIENTS • 2 1⁄2 cups Unsweetened Plant-Based Milk • 1 tbsp + 1 tsp Maple Syrup
• 1 tsp Beet Powder • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract • 2 tsp Rose Water Optional: • 1⁄2 tsp Ground Cardamom • 2 Espresso Shots
DIRECTIONS Add the unsweetened plant-based milk, maple syrup or agave, beetroot powder, and cardamom (if using) to a small pot over low heat. Heat on low for about 5 minutes or until warmed to your liking, stirring frequently. Then take off the heat and stir in the vanilla extract & rose water. Pour the espresso shot into your mug (if using). If you have a milk frother, use it to froth the plant-based milk mixture (this is optional too). Pour the rose milk latte into your mug and top with dried rose petals and an extra dash of cardamom if you like. Enjoy!
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