Babin PT: Back Pain and Difficulty Walking

Babin PT: Back Pain and Difficulty Walking

NEWSLETTER

BACK PAIN & DIFFICULTY WALKING BETTER UNDERSTAND YOUR BACK PAIN

INSIDE: • Back Pain & Difficulty Walking • 9 Things That Stifle Your Stride

• New Year, New You! • Patient Success Story

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NEWSLETTER BACK PAIN & DIFFICULTY WALKING

INSIDE:

• 9 Things That Stifle Your Stride • Relieve Pain In Minutes • Patient Success Story • New Year, New You!

Did you know that the way that you walk may be causing your back pain? Many people use mechanically incorrect movements while walking that cause long term wear and tear on their bodies. The experts at Babin Physical Therapy are trained in treating walking disorders and will help teach you corrective walking techniques. By changing the way you walk, it is possible to eliminate and prevent back or any other types of lower extremity pain. On a daily basis, you walk more than any other physical activity and your gait has a large impact on your overall physical abilities. We can help you discover if something with the way you walk may be the reason that you are having pain. You walk over a million steps in a year Your gait involves many body structures all interacting together to produce your walking style. It is as natural as breathing, and if any of your six (two ankle, two knee, two hip) weight-bearing joints are not in correct alignment, you may be at risk for structural pain. One minor walking error

repeated millions of times can do an incredible amount of damage to your back, muscles, nerves and joints. This can also eventually cause pain and arthritis. In addition to improper gait, another major cause of back pain is poor core strength -- specifically, weakness in the abdominal muscles. A person’s pelvis is held in place by numerous muscles, including the abdominals, hamstrings, gluteals, and hip flexors. An imbalance or weakness in these muscles can lead to pelvic misalignment, causing the pelvis to tilt forward or backward. A forward tilt of the pelvis leads to a sway back which can change the way a person walks. In addition to abdominal weakness, a lack of strength in the gluteals and hamstrings can lead to forward pelvic tilt. While the abdominals stabilize the pelvis by pulling upward on the front, the gluteals and hamstrings offer stability by pulling down on the rear of the pelvis. Exercises must be completed to strengthen both the abdominals and gluteals. In general, an extensive walking program provides the gluteals with a very solid workout if the individual is walking with correct gait.

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9 THINGS THAT STIFLE YOUR STRIDE

Problems with walking increase as we age and are a leading cause of falls and disability in older adults. At least 20% of adults over 65 have problems with walking. This increases to 50% in adults 85 years old and older. Most of these problems with walking are associated with other underlying issues. Problems with walking are not a direct consequence of getting older. Rather, they are the effects of other conditions that become more common and severe with age. Common risk factors for severe problems with walking include advanced age (older than 85) and multiple chronic disease conditions such as heart disease, arthritis, dementia, stroke, hip fracture, or cancer. Common conditions that contribute to walking problems include the following: 1. Back pain 2. Joint pain and arthritis 3. Diseases of the muscles or bones 4. Poor fitness 5. Problems after orthopedic surgery or stroke 6. Low blood pressure and heart disease 7. Parkinson’s disease 8. Vision or balance problems 9. Fear of falling One of the most common New Year’s Eve resolutions across the United States is to get in shape. Whether that means becoming a weekend warrior, signing up for nightly fitness classes, or simply making more of an effort to be active, physical therapy can help you. Our team at Babin PT is trained to help you in preventing injuries and making physical activity as easy as possible. For more information about how we can help you achieve your goals, give us a call today! Don’t forget the past! You may feel like a brand new, rejuvenated person in the new year, but your body undoubtedly hasn’t received that message. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is pushing yourself too fast and too soon. Let’s say you make a resolution to start taking morning runs in 2019. That’s great! However, if your body hasn’t been used to running in the past, you need to ease yourself into it. Your mindset may be focused on your marathon goal, but your body isn’t there yet. Start slow, perhaps with a half-mile jog around the neighborhood, then start pushing yourself to a mile, then two, then three. The gradual increase will make it much easier on your body (and a much easier resolution to keep!) than diving right in will. Starting off with that three mile run may feel liberating in the beginning, but your body will curse you after. The new year can bring great changes, but don’t forget the past.

NEWYEAR, NEWYOU!

Stay on top: Even if your resolution doesn’t leave you feeling achy or painful (and we hope it doesn’t!), we can still help you maintain your peak physical performance. Babin PT uses advanced methods and technology, such as injury prevention screening, gait analysis, and mobility evaluation to determine what exercises and therapies would work best for aiding in your physical excellence. We can help make sure you stay on top, avoiding any potential pain or injury. Additionally, you will have a team of supporters to encourage your goals and celebrate your achievements along the way! To meet one of our physical therapists and discuss how we can help you safely reach your resolutions, schedule a consultation today.

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PATIENT SUCCESS STORY

“Babin PhysicalTherapy has been helping me recover from 4 major surgeries of which 3 have been total joint replacements over the past 8 years. Never once have I been hurt by any of the technicians, which is more than I can say about other PT units which place you onto machines which show you no mercy and neither do their technicians. Babin PT has a policy of: if it hurts severely, then that particular exercise or movement has zero value. They, then will find another exercise or movement which will not hurt near as much and have the same/similar effect. Professionalism runs deep at Babin PT; but not so much that you cannot have some fun on a regular basis. I most likely will have to endure future surgeries, and most likely will be returning for all my planned out-patient PT to Babin, if my insurance will allow it, and Babin PT will accept it. Later, ‘taters, see y’all again before you know it.” - Dexter S. “Professionalism runs deep at Babin PT; but not so much that you cannot have some fun.”

“Thank you, Mike, for fixing everything!”

“The combination of Dry Needling and PT exercises resolved pain and difficulty walking within 3 weeks, after a low back injury. The same treatments resolved my pain and range of motion to my neck almost immediately! Thank you, Mike, for fixing everything!” - Susan W.

DISCOVER HOW TO LIVE PAIN-FREE

RELIEVE PAIN IN MINUTES Try this movement if you are experiencing pain.

At Babin Physical Therapy, you will receive hands-on therapy treatments by our friendly, caring health experts during focused and individualized sessions. It’s time to come to Babin Physical Therapy if: • You’re tired of living in pain • You want to feel better and move better • You have been in an auto accident or injured on the job • You want to prevent injury

Helps Relieve Leg Pain

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HAMSTRING STRETCH

Stand with one leg on a medium sized stool as shown. Keeping your back straight, slowly lean forwards from the hips

1. Call and talk to your therapist 2. Discover why your pain has come back 3. Get your custom recovery program

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