AthleticAdvantagePT_5 Keys to a Healthy Spine

AthleticAdvantagePT_5 Keys to a Healthy Spine

N E W S L E T T E R

5 KEYS TO A HEALTHY SPINE UNLOCKING A HEALTHIER YOU

ALSO INSIDE

Finding the Source of the Pain • Service Spotlight: IASTM • Exercise Essentials • Meet the Team: Christa Morovitz

N E W S L E T T E R

5 KEYS TO A HEALTHY SPINE UNLOCKING A HEALTHIER YOU

common for these muscles to become weak with prolonged sitting, before/after pregnancy, and after surgeries or injuries. Strengthening your abdominal and hip muscles can go a long way to providing the necessary muscle support to your spine. We can identify which specific muscles need to be targeted in order to decrease your pain. 4. Maintain mobility & strength in your hips and shoulders. Our bodies do not move as individual parts, independent of one another. When you reach to grab your seatbelt, your spine must rotate, your shoulder flexes, your elbow bends, and your hips may even rotate as well. Now imagine that you cannot bend your elbow. You would have to move more from your spine or your shoulder in order to reach the seatbelt. Now you can imagine how inadequate mobility in surrounding joints can increase the demands on the spine, ultimately predisposing you to pain or dysfunction. The same applies for strength in surrounding muscles. We can assess both of these components to decrease wear and tear on your spine.

1. Avoid prolonged sitting. Sitting not only puts a lot of pressure on the back,but italsocreatesmuscle imbalancesthat putstresson thespineand increase instability. It is important to break up your sitting time throughout the day and take frequent breaks. Work on standing or walking tasks at various times throughout the day, limiting your sitting to about 30 minutes at a time. 2. Protect your spine with better posture. The best posture is one that is consistently moving. This means that although there is an optimal static posture, it is unhealthy to stay in one position for too long. However, sometimes with our job and hobbies, we don’t have a choice. We can teach you about optimal postures in different positions like sitting at a desk and with activities like lifting and bending. 3. Create a more stable spine. Your core muscles are made up of your abdominal muscles, spinal muscles and pelvic / hip muscles. They function together as a functional unit to stabilize the spine. It is very

5. Get your spine moving. Your body was made to move, especially your spine. A mobile spine is a healthy spine. The discs inourspineactuallyreceivetheirnutrition as we move. Throughout the day, nutrients and water are propelled in from surrounding structures, creating a pillow like cushion that absorbs shock as we walk, jump, run, etc. It is common for areas of your spine to tighten up, placing too much strain on other areas. Theseareas,thenbecome irritatedandpainful. Restore the flexibility in your spine with gentle, specializedhandsontherapyaswellasspecific exercises. Participate in Yoga and Pilates to improve your stability, strength and spinal balance. Make your back as healthy as it can be this year by investing in it. Physicaltherapyistherightsolutiontoimproving your spinal health and saying goodbye to that aching neck or back. Prevent future pain by seeing one of our specialists today. Call to speak with one of our experts at (214) 383-0623, and ask about our physical therapy options.

W A N T T O I M P R O V E Y O U R L I F E A N D S P O R T ? C A L L 2 1 4 - 3 8 3 - 0 6 2 3 T O S C H E D U L E A N A P P O I N T M E N T

FINDING THE SOURCE OF THE PAIN

Most of us will experience back or neck pain at some point in our lives. It is the price we pay for walking on two legs. If you suffer from the occasional ache or have chronic low back or neck pain, the goal is to relieve the pain without the need for surgery. In fact, recent studies point to the fact that patients who underwent a common fusion procedure for the spine, were more likely to have a second surgery within 2 years. The best way to avoid the need for spine surgery, is to improve the health of your spine, and physical therapy plays a key role in making that happen. Why does your neck or back hurt? One thing to understand about neck and back pain is that it is mechanical. Just like a car can have problems with moving parts, so can your spine. The daily barrage of strain on our backs with sitting, lifting improperly and a lack of activity can wreak havoc on our spines.

Most spine pain comes from the following 4 trouble areas: 1. Poor posture and alignment 2. Lack of knowledge on how to bend, lift, sit, sleep

3. Lack of muscle strength and spinal stability 4. Poor flexibility and muscle coordination What’s the good news?

The good news is that your body is adaptable and you can always improve what you have. With the right treatment and training, your back or neck can usually make a full recovery. Physical therapists are the mechanics of the body, and coming to a physical therapist first can eliminate the need for expensive testing or medical procedures. Athletic Advantage Physical Therapy can help you maintain a healthy spine! Call us today at (214) 383-0623.

Sources: Anand Veeravagu, Tyler Cole, Bowen Jiang, John K. Ratliff The Spine Journal, Vol. 14, Issue 7, p1125–1131 Published online: October 14 2013

OUR SERV I CES • Aquatic Therapy • Trigger Point Dry Needling (TDN) • Concussion Therapy • Dance Injury Rehabilitation • Electrical Stimulation • Instrument Assisted Manual Therapy • Joint Mobilization • Kinesio Taping • Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) • Manual Therapy • Therapeutic Exercise • Vertigo Treatment

IASTM SERVICE SPOTLIGHT

WHAT IS IASTM (INSTRUMENT ASSISTED SOFT TISSUE MOBILIZATION)? • Directly associated with the Graston technique, IASTM is a type of manual therapythatutilizesspecializedergonomic toolstomassageandscrapetheskinand underlying fascia/musclegently. THERAPY RESULTS • Increases the rate of volume and blood flow to affected areas to enhance healing • Breaks down collagen cross-links • Boosts cellular activity for good health • Reduces inflammation and pain • Increases mobility and the ability to perform daily tasks

ME E T THE T EAM

SPOTLIGHT PAT I ENT SUCCESS

CHRISTA MOROVITZ PT Tech

A t h l e t i c Advantage

Christa was born in Corpus Christi, Texas and lived there for nine years beforeher familymoved toSanAntonio. She grew up playing soccer and was on Reagan High School varsity soccer team for four years and continued to play soccer at UT Dallas Woman’s team for two additional years.

Physical Therapy is the BEST... the staff, therapists, and interns are friendly, optimistic, and accommodating... inspirational and motivating.”

Christa is currently a student at UT Dallas pursuing a degree in Healthcare Studies with a Pre-PT track. Even though she doesn’t play college soccer anymore, she loves to stay active by participating in intermural volleyball, disc golf, and hiking. Christa has always been interested in how the body works and loves to help people. In high school she got a bad ankle sprain that ended up exposing her to physical therapy and since then she’s been fascinated in all the techniques that can be used to help the body feel better. She loves to see people progress as they recover from their injuries and is excited to pursue a career in physical therapy. Key Stats & Knowledge • Currently pursuing a B.S. in Healthcare Studies with a Pre-PT track from UT Dallas Enhance Your Mobility • Activity • Performance • Life Call (214) 383-0623 Today! NOW’ S YOUR MOMENT !

“Small storefront, but HUUUUUGE results! I have had multiple joint replacements, revisions, and physical therapy under ten different inpatient/home health/outpatient facilities. I have RA and AS. Athletic Advantage Physical Therapy is the BEST in my estimation. The staff, therapists, and interns are friendly, optimistic, and accommodating. The camaraderie in this group of folks is inspirational and motivating. They listen to your concerns. And work on whatever you present with any given day to help you maintain. I recommend this place to anyone who needs help with mobility. Thanks, Dr. Trapp!” - G. M. HAVE YOU MET YOUR INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE? Patients with family plans or those who have had major surgeries or have a chronic illness are especially likely to have a $0 balance remaining on their out-of-pocket expenses. This means that the cost of physical therapy could be minimal or completely covered by the patient’s insurance plan. If you are unsure of your remaining deductible, you can either call your insurance company or we can check for you. If you are close to or have met your insurance deductible for the year, then now is the time to come in for Physical Therapy! Let us help you get a head start for 2020. Call (214) 383-0623 to schedule an appointment. We’ll guide you to affordable treatments and place you one step closer to pain relief.

AAPHYSICALTHERAPY.COM