LewyPT: How Bad Posture Affects The Body

LewyPT: How Bad Posture Affects The Body

Recover Quickly and Completely

Newsletter The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

NEW SEASON NEW LOCATION NOW OPEN! MID CITY 243 N. Acadian Thruway, Suite 102 Baton Rouge, LA 70806 P: (225) 800-8720 | F: (225) 427-1604

INSIDE: • What Can I Do About It? • Exercise Essentials • Spider Devil Eggs Recipe • Lewy PT Updates

www.lewypt.com

Recover Quickly and Completely

Newsletter The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

POSTURE THE REASON FOR YOUR ACHES & PAINS?

LEWY PT IS PARTNERING WITH DISNFX DIS.IN.FX ® provides cutting edge services and products that include fogging/spraying/misting technologies that treat facilities with a proprietary blend of high powered disinfectants and cleaners. Resulting in our customer’s complete satisfaction. This will ensure that all of our clinics stay certified clean.

cause internal issues, as it creates pressure on your lungs, heart, and digestive system. • If your posture includes sitting for long periods of time – When you sit for prolonged periods of time, the muscles in your hips and legs will stiffen. When these muscles become stiff, they tighten and will pull on the lower back, causing pain. The joints also lose their range of motion, which can cause soreness or achiness in the hips, legs, and back, and can create issues with your gait. The way in which you walk can also have an effect on your posture. When you have improper posture, your center of gravity changes. This can cause your balance to decline, which can cause pain when walking, thus creating a vicious cycle of overcompensation and pain. The most common symptom of poor posture is lower back pain, although pain can be present in other parts of the body, as well. The back muscles constantly contract to keep you upright, and they overcompensate when you slouch or hunch over. Over a period of time, constant poor posture can create an unusual amount of wear and tear on the lower back, which can increase the risk of arthritis in the spine.

Do you suffer from daily or recurrent aches and pains? If so, your posture may be the culprit. Just think about the number of hours a day we spend staring at a computer screen, hunched over our desks, or staring at our phones. That creates a lot of stress on the neck and back, especially if you are slouched, titled forward, or looking down for prolonged periods of time. How does poor posture affect me? Changes to your posture can negatively affect your body, and you may find yourself experiencing some of the following symptoms: • If your posture contains a forward head tilt– This forward-head posture creates a strain on the neck, which can result in neck pain, shoulder pain, arm pain, chronic headaches, and lower back pain. Tilting your head forward for long periods of time shortens the muscles in the back of the neck, and can result in soreness throughout multiple parts of your body. • If your posture contains slouching of the mid-back – If you slouch the middle of your back, you can drive your head forward and alter the way your ribs naturally align. By doing this, you may experience pain in the slouched region of the mid-back, in addition to pain in the neck. If this is your average standing posture, it is important to seek physical therapy treatment right away – over time, standing like this day after day may

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MID CITY 225.800.8720

BATON ROUGE 225.767.8182

DENHAM SPRINGS 225.791.7114

GONZALES 225.825.7700

WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?

It can be difficult to correct poor posture, but there are a few steps you can take on your own to try and help: 1. Sit properly. If you are at a desk for extended periods of the day, make sure your stance is okay. Sit upright, place your feet flat on the floor, and try not to cross your legs. Make sure there is a small gap between the back of your knees and the chair. Having a chair with strong back support and padding is also recommended for making your upright position more comfortable. 2. Take stretch breaks. If you are an office worker, it is not secret that most of the day is spent with limited levels of mobility. It is important to make sure that you get up every 30 minutes or so, and take a small walk, at least for a minute or two. This will help in loosening up your muscles and joints, as well as initiating a stronger blood flow. 3. Exercise. Exercise is incredibly important, especially if your job produces several hours of inactivity. When you exercise, you are stretching and strengthening certain muscles of your body, including problem areas such as your neck and back. Taking even a small amount of time to walk or jog around the neighborhood every day can highly improve your overall gait. 4. Set up your office properly. If you work from an office all day, it is important to have a proper ergonomic setup. Make sure that you are at a proper height with your desk chair and computer, so you don’t have to slouch or lean forward. Additionally, make sure your chair has the proper lumbar support needed to help you sit straight while you’re working. These simple steps can help tremendously with your overall posture.

How can physical therapy help? If these at-home treatments don’t work, it is important to consult help from a physical therapist. Simply standing up straight is a fight against gravity, and if you have been standing the wrong way for several years, it may be difficult to change it on your own. However, physical therapists are dedicated to getting you on back on track to a pain free, and risk free life. They will evaluate your posture and gait to determine the best treatments necessary for you, and then they will create a treatment plan unique for your needs. They can improve your posture, eliminate your pain, and get you back to doing the activities you love to do. If you are experiencing pain, and you think it may be a result of your posture, give us a call today. We will help you get back to a comfortable posture with just a few sessions.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

LEWY PT UPDATES

Exercise Essentials Try this movement for back pain.

Improves posture

www.simpleset.net

SITTING POSTURE Sit on a sturdy chair and scoot your hips forward. Place your feet flat on the floor. Tip your pelvis slightly forward. Straighten your spine until your ears are directly over your shoulders and your shoulders are over your hips. Draw your shoulder blades gently back and together. Tuck your chin. Stretch up tall; imagine a string attached to the top of your head, pulling you up to your full height. Repeat 10 times.

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MID CITY 225.800.8720

BATON ROUGE 225.767.8182

DENHAM SPRINGS 225.791.7114

GONZALES 225.825.7700

You Can Start Feeling Better Now!

ASK ABOUT OUR PAYMENT PLANS! Our knowledgeable and caring staff uses the latest tools and techniques to get you back on your feet as soon as possible. The new facilities at Lewy Physical Therapy allows us to offer diverse treatment regimens including aquatic therapy, sports physical therapy, and general physical therapy. Our outpatient rehabilitation facilities are conveniently located near you in Baton Rouge and Denham Springs.

Our Mission: Provide the highest quality of physical therapy for those in the Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, and surrounding areas. Our Philosophy: Apply the latest evidence-based therapy best suited to the patient for the quickest and most complete recovery. When patients have a difficult time getting started with traditional exercises, patients receive customized aquatic to land-based programs. Every plan of care is designed with the goal of getting patients back to their normal daily routine, pain-free. Our Promise: We promise to provide the best patient experience possible in a highly professional, friendly, and caring environment. Payments: We accept CareCredit, credit card, check, and debit card. We are happy to discuss payment plan options as well. It is our policy that payment is made at the time of service. Your insurance benefits will be determined before your second visit, and you will be informed of what, if any, payment is necessary on that date.

Schedule your appointment at Lewy Physical Therapy today by calling 225.767.8182 (Baton Rouge) | 225.800.8720 (Mid-City) | 225.791.7114 (Denham Springs) | 225.825.7700 (Gonzales)

spider Devil Eggs

Has Your Pain Come Back?

INGREDIENTS • 12 large eggs • 2 tbsp diced pimientos plus more for garnish

• 2 tbsp canola mayonnaise • 2 tsp grainy Dijon mustard • 2 tsp apple cider vinegar • 1/4 tsp black pepper • Dash of hot sauce • 4 oz sharp cheddar cheese

1. Feel free to call us and ask to speak to your therapist . 2. Your therapist can discuss with you why your pain is bothering you again and what you might do about it at home. 3. If further assessment is warranted, your therapist might recommend you come in for an appointment.

• 3 large pimiento-stuffed olives, each cut crosswise into 4 thin slices

DIRECTIONS Fill a large saucepan with water to a depth of 1 inch; bring to a boil. Place steamer basket in pan; place eggs in basket. Cover and steam 15 minutes. Plunge eggs into a bowl filled with ice water. Let stand 5 minutes. Peel eggs. Remove top 1/3 of hard-cooked egg white from each egg (reserve caps). Use a teaspoon to remove yolks while keeping whites intact. Place yolks in a medium bowl. Add pimientos and next 6 ingredients (through cheese), stirring until well combined. Place yolk mixture in a large Ziploc bag; snip one corner from bottom of bag to create a hole. Pipe yolk mixture into egg white cups, filling to just above the rim of each cup. Place one olive slice on exposed yolk mixture of each egg to create the body of the spider topping. Chop slices of olives to create the legs. Add pimiento pieces to either side of the body for horns, if desired.

Call To Talk to Your Therapist Today

DENHAM SPRINGS 225.791.7114

BATON ROUGE 225.767.8182 GONZALES 225.825.7700

https://www.cookinglight.com/recipes/devil-eggs

MID CITY 225.800.8720

www.lewypt.com

See What’s New! See what’s newwith us at Lewy Physical Therapy!

Find Us At These Locations!

IT’S IMPORTANT TO NOT MISS AN APPOINTMENT Our commitment to your prescribed therapy program requires your commitment as well. Your adherence to the recommended number of treatments is a vital component of your progress therefore we have certain rules that need to be followed to ensure the most optimum results. With the exception of serious emergencies, it is expected that you keep all your appointments. Should you need to re-schedule an appointment, it is required that you provide us with a 24 hour notice. To reschedule an appointment please call our Front Desk to arrange your makeup appointment.

BATON ROUGE 8448 Siegen Lane Baton Rouge, LA 70810

P: 225.767.8182 F: 225.767.8757

DENHAM SPRINGS 31985 LA Hwy 16. Ste C Denham Springs, LA 70726

P: 225.791.7114 F: 225.791.7118

“I have experienced great compassion and felt like the staff really cared about me—as well as my pain areas! I would recommend them to everyone!” - R.J. “Felt like the staff really cared about me!” If you are suffering from any pain, seeing a physical therapist at Lewy Physical Therapy can help you return to a more active and pain-free life. Give us a call today!

GONZALES 14633 Airline Hwy Gonzales, La 70737 P: 225.825.7700 F: 225.825.7100

MID CITY 243 N. Acadian Thruway, Ste 2 Baton Rouge, LA 70806

P: 225.800.8720 F: 225.427.1604

www.lewypt.com

DISCOVERING PROPER ERGONOMICS FOR YOUR HOME OFFICE

Have you thought about investing in a standing desk? Did you know that standing burns between .7 to .15 more calories per minute than sitting does? It may not seem like a lot, but by simply standing for longer periods of time, you can easily burn more calories throughout the day. Sedentary lifestyles, especially the ones that many of us are experiencing right now, can increase your risk of heart disease, obesity, or other serious health issues. However, investing in a standing desk or alternate seating option at work can help in greatly decreasing these risks and making your home office more ergonomically friendly! You may be asking, “doesn’t standing all day long have its own implications?” The short answer is – yes. Anything without moderation can have its pitfalls. Standing can boost your energy levels, concentration, and even your mood, but if you have a traditional 9-5 job, chances are that level of productivity will dissipate after a while. Many medical professionals recommend adjustable desks for your home workplace environment, so you can spend a large amount of your day standing or stretching, with the opportunity to rest when you become tired. In fact, those who participated in some sort of integrative support program for their standing or adjustable desk stood for an average of 50 minutes longer each day than those who did not. At the end of the day, make sure you’re comfortable. Ergonomic laptop desks and chairs can promote proper posture and decrease the risk for back problems, while workplace design can make an impact on your overall happiness, productivity, and well-being. At the end of the day, make sure you’re comfortable – don’t let the daily stresses of working from home take a toll on your physical health! There are several steps you can take to improve your posture, strength, energy, and overall wellbeing throughout the workday. For more information, contact Lewy Physical Therapy today. www.lewypt.com

With all of us working from home, it can be difficult to find a comfortable workspace. However, it is important tomake sure that the ergonomics in your office are functioning properly, in order to avoid developing unwanted aches and pains. If you are experiencing aches and pains, especially in your neck or back, poor posture is probably to blame. Fortunately, posture can be improved with some ergonomic changes. For more information on how to optimize the ergonomic setup of your home office, or additional tips for beating daily aches and pains, contact Lewy Physical Therapy today. Making the most of your work-from-home days. Make sure that you are at a proper height with your desk chair and computer, so you don’t have to slouch or lean forward. Additionally, make sure your chair has the proper lumbar support needed to help you sit straight while you’re working. If you are at a desk for extended periods of the day, it is important to make sure your back posture is okay. Sit upright, place your feet flat on the floor, and try not to cross your legs. Make sure there is a small gap between the back of your knees and the chair. Having a chair with strong back support and padding is also recommended for making your upright position more comfortable. In addition to making the most of your home office, it is also important to make sure you are taking care of your body. It is important to make sure that you get up every 30 minutes or so and take a small walk, at least for a minute or two. Exercise is incredibly important in general, especially if your job involves several hours of inactivity. Taking even a small amount of time to walk or jog around the neighborhood every day after working from home can highly improve your posture and gait – in addition to helping you get you out of the house for some time!

MID CITY 243 N. Acadian Thruway, Ste 2 Baton Rouge, LA 70806

DENHAM SPRINGS 31985 La Hwy 16. Ste C Denham Springs, LA 70726

GONZALES 14633 Airline Hwy Gonzales, La 70737 P: 225.825.7700 F: 225.825.7100

BATON ROUGE 8448 Siegen Lane Baton Rouge, LA 70810

P: 225.800.8720 F: 225.427.1604

P: 225.791.7114 F: 225.791.7118

P: 225.767.8182 F: 225.767.8757