Excel PT: The Core of Back and Neck Pain

EXCEL PHYSICAL THERAPY PHYSICIAN UPDATE

A Courtesy Publication for the Medical Community

THE CORE OF NECK AND BACK PAIN

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EXC PHYS The Core of Nec A Courtesy Publication fo

All of us have probably met someone in our lives who suffers from chronic (or long-term) back or neck pain. It could be a friend, a family member, or it may even be yourself. Think about that individual for a moment. Imagine the struggle they experience while seeking a remedy, or the attempts made at solving the mystery of their discomfort.

By Nicholas Drago, PT, DPT, Clinic Director of Excel Physical Therapy – Ardmore

These are the types of patients that physical therapists, such as me, are working to help

every day. These are also the patients who frequently ask us what it is we can do to properly address their condition. The answer is fairly simple and somewhat surprising: it’s education! When a physical therapist is performing an evaluation, they are working on getting to the CORE of your problem. For the low back (or lumbar spine), that problem may indeed be the stabilizing musculature that we commonly refer to as the “core.” While a physical therapist will not be able to give you abs like Vin Diesel, we can show you how to activate the abdominal muscles which help to stabilize and protect your back. Once you have a basic understanding, we begin to educate patients on how important those muscles are to perform everyday activities, along with how they relate to your posture and function. In the neck (or cervical spine), the importance of posture is immeasurable. Neck pain, migraines, stenosis, disc pathologies, and even shoulder and lower arm soreness, can all be corrected with postural education. An example of how one can benefit is by adjusting how you are positioned while looking down at your smartphone. We may not call the neck stabilizers the “core” but it operates in the same manner. By activating the specific musculature that supports the neck and head we can improve the positioning of the cervical spine and put you on the right path to pain relief.

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Once we’ve identified the root cause of your pain and communicated some education, then the real fun begins! CEL PHYSICAL THERAPY ICIAN UPDATE ck and Back Pain or the Medical Community A skilled physical therapist will utilize “hands-on” or manual therapy to help achieve your recovery goal. These types of techniques help to relax tight muscles, open up space in the joints, improve range of motion and make you feel good! Therapy in conjunction with education will not only get you on the right path towards success but also provide you with the skills to avoid further problems. So let’s relate this back to the person I asked you to think about earlier. As it turns out, their pain may not be as mysterious as once thought. All you need is a skilled physical therapist working to get to the CORE of your back and neck pain. BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY • Decrease pain quickly • Increase spinal stability • Increase activity level • Increase flexibility • Improve health • Improve mobility • Improve posture • Improve quality of life • Prevent future injury • Return to work faster • Decrease healthcare costs • Increase independence

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Patient Success Spotlight

“It has been 8 weeks since my last therapy session, and I am pleased and excited to report that I have been experiencing 0 pain in my back. I continue to exercise each and every day with the program set up for me. I thought that, well, this is the way you feel at 66, and you just have to live with it. I received an MRI, which revealed two herniated discs along with spinal stenosis. I started PT with Jacob Lawrence, PT, DPT, at Excel’s Royersford location. Jake listened patiently and showed great concern asking questions concerning my injury. I was skeptical as to what level therapy was going to help. I was experiencing pain daily, sometimes as high as a 9 on a scale of 0-10. It was difficult to drive, walk at a normal pace, and even get dressed in the morning. Jake explained to me in detail what we were going to be doing in the weeks to come. Jake was very hands-on every session. I was also greeted every session by Fern, who was pleasant, welcoming, and fun to talk to. As I continued every session, I was feeling great improvement. I was excited and was starting to feel like I hadn’t in quite some time. I began to look forward to my next visit and got to the point I was feeling very little to no pain at all. I feel great! Excel was a life changer for me! I will continue to praise Jake, Fern, and Excel for their dedication and professionalism wherever I go.” - Michael G. (Royerford Patient) “I feel great! Excel was a life changer for me!”

Specialties Offered At Excel Physical Therapy

• Balance & Vestibular Rehab • Concussion Rehab Program • Functional Movement Screens (FMS) • LSVT Big Therapy • Lymphedema Treatment

• Manual Therapy – ART & Graston Techniques • McKenzie Method • Pelvic Health • Pre- & Post-Surgical Rehab • TMD (Temperalmandibular Dysfunction)

Please visit www.excelphysicaltherapy.com/ services for more information

excelphysicaltherapy.com CALL 866-949-2726 TODAY!