LoudounPT_Back Pain Recovery Is Here

HEALTH & WELLNESS The Newsletter About Your Health and Caring for Your Body

BACK PAIN RECOVERY IS HERE YOU CAN LIVE YOUR LIFE AGAIN

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LOUDOUNPT.COM

HEALTH & WELLNESS The Newsletter About Your Health and Caring for Your Body

LOUDOUNPT.COM Leesburg: (703) 794-5581 Lansdowne: (703) 794-5587

INSIDE: Back Pain Prevention • Meet Our Team • Featured Service • What Patients Are Saying • Exercise Essentials • Clinic News

Back pain can hinder your day-to-day activities. Left untreated, it can even lead to long-term joint, spine and nerve damage. As one of the most common physical complaints, over 80 percent of the U.S. population will suffer from it at some point in their lifetime. The pain itself can hinder your ability to reach, lean, kneel, lift or bend. It can also hinder your time spent with friends and family. Direct pain aside, minor aches and cramps associated with a back pain problem can make you irritable—ruining your good time. What Causes Back Pain? A few things cause back pain. The American Physical Therapy Association covers each of these, but the following are leading causes: BACK PAIN RECOVERY IS HERE YOU CAN LIVE YOUR LIFE AGAIN

• Poor abdominal, pelvic and back muscle coordination Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t seek treatment when back pain arises. Before they know it, they have a big problem. They might assume nothing—except for medication—can solve their back pain. Medication might mask the pain, but it won’t cure the problem’s root cause and can lead to adverse side effects and addiction if abused. Back Pain Solutions You’re in luck: Back pain can be cured! The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke covers a number of back pain remedies. These include the use of strength exercise, physical therapy and medication. Where medication is considered, anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesic medications and counter-irritants are the most popular. Before you can treat your back pain, however, you need to know why it started. Whether you’ve tweaked a muscle or have a deeper injury, a spine specialist can help. Have back pain that just won’t go away? We want to help! Call us (Leesburg: 703-443-6700, Lansdowne: 703-858-9880) or visit us online at www.loudounpt.com.

• Spinal and abdominal muscle weaknesses • Bad posture and bad sleeping positions • Spinal muscle and tissue damage • Improper lifting form • Limited hip, spine and thigh muscle flexibility

BACK PAIN PREVENTION S I MP L E S O LU T I ON S F O R A L I F E F R E E F ROM PA I N

A little prevention goes a long way. If you want to avoid future back pain, you can make sure you’re being good to your back. Lift Properly You pick things up constantly. Even if you’re lifting something light, make sure you’re first facing the object and standing as close as possible. Then squat while keeping your spine straight. Lift with your leg muscles, as this will reduce the pressure placed on your spine. Use Good Posture When you’re standing, imagine a string is attached to the top of your head—lifting you up. This will keep your hips, spine, shoulders and neck aligned. If you’re sitting, don’t slouch. Use Strength Training Yourbodyhashundredsofmuscles.Thesemusclesprotectandcontrol your spine. By lifting weights, running and swimming, you can keep them strong. Train your core muscles. In doing so, you’ll easily control quick, lifting movements. Itneverhurtstovisitaphysicaltherapist,either.Getregularcheck-ups, andmakesureyourbody is ingoodcondition. Ifyouhaveahistoryofback injuries, pain or minor aches, don’t hesitate to talk to a professional. You deserve a pain-free life, and your back will thank you. Take charge of your back pain by calling us (Leesburg: 703- 794-5581, Lansdowne: 703-794-5587) or visiting our website at www.loudounpt.com. Take charge of your back pain by calling us (Leesburg: 703-443-6700, Lansdowne: 703-858-9880) or by visiting our website at www.loudounpt.com.

Sources: www.apta.org•www.acatoday.org/Patients/Health-Wellness-Information/ Back-Pain-Facts-and-Statistics•www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver- Education/Fact-Sheets/Low-Back-Pain-Fact-Sheet

MEET OUR TEAM: MARYGRAY STEWART PT, DPT, OCS Dr. Marygray Stewart is the Clinical Director at Loudoun Physical Therapy. She is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, a Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist,andhasastrong influence in the local community.

also has training in vestibular rehabilitation and enjoys treating balance and gait dysfunctions. She is certified in advanced trigger point dry needling, a powerful therapeutic technique that helps her patients heal quickly. Dr.Stewart istheprimarytherapistfortheaquatic program at Loudoun Physical Therapy, and she has served as the Virginia state representative for theAquaticSectionof theAmericanPhysical Therapy Association. Whenshehas free time,Dr.Stewartenjoysyoga, biking,wine tasting, travelingwithherhusband, and the outdoors. She loves basketball and is a die-hard Dallas Mavericks fan.

Dr.Stewartgraduated fromTexasTechUniversity withadegree inExerciseScienceandcompleted hermaster’sdegree inPhysicalTherapyatTexas Woman’s University. She later completed her DoctorateofPhysicalTherapyandpridesherself on incorporating the most recent and cutting- edge research into her practice. ADallasnative,Dr.Stewartspecializes inmanual therapy for a variety of orthopedic conditions, including injuries to the upper and lower extremities, as well as the spine. Dr. Stewart

YOU CAN BE FREE OF YOUR BACK PAIN! CALL TODAY OR VISIT US AT LOUDOUNPT.COM

AQUATIC THERAPY FEATURED SERVICE

OUR SERVICES • Women’s Health • Return to Work Programs • Return to Play Programs • Auto Injury Recovery • Active Range of Motion (AROM) Therapy • Ultrasound Therapy • Inflammation Reduction HAS YOUR PA I N COME BACK? Keep up with your physical therapy exercises to relieve pain and prevent further injuries. If your pain doesn’t subside, consult with your therapist about what other things might be causing pain. Call Loudoun Physical Therapy for a complimentary injury consultation. We will guide you so you can get back to the activities you love. • Aquatic Therapy • Sports Rehabilitation • Therapeutic Massage • Resistance & Flexibility • Trigger Point Dry Needling • Cryotherapy • Electrical Stimulation • Pelvic Health 1 2 3

Did you know that water is the most potent healer when it comes to specific injuries or conditions? Patients can benefit fromwater- resistance and low-impact aquatic exercises to gain more mobility and strength in their bodies. As one of the few practices in the area that offers this service, we offer aquatic therapyatbothofour locations. Inconjunction with land-based therapy, or by itself, aquatic therapy can address your specific issues in a gentle, restorative way. Call Loudoun Physical Therapy (Leesburg: 703-443-6700, Lansdowne: 703-858-9880) and find out how aquatic therapy can benefit you.

WHAT PATIENTS ARE SAYING

Afterasimple fender-bender Istarted experiencing back pain. I called to

makeanappointmentandwasabletocome in for my initial appointment the next week. Purvi and Holly were incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. I looked forward to my appointments twice a week and learning new ways tostretchandstrengthenmyback.Carmen andConniewerealwaysveryattentiveandmade sure I was doing each exercise correctly. After 8 sessions I am no longer feeling the pain I was feelingand Ibelieve Iamcomingoutof treatment feeling better than I felt before the accident. Thank you Loudoun Physical Therapy!” - A. B.

CLINIC NEWS • SUPERHERO 5K

EXERC I SE ESSENT I AL S USE THIS EXERCISE TO STRENGTHEN BACK MUSCLES

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We are proud to have participated in the Loudoun County Superhero 5k, part of the

2019 Healthy Business Challenge. • LANSDOWNE WOODS SPRING HEALTH & WELLNESS EXPO

Our Physical Therapist, Dr. Purvi Trivedi attended the Health & Wellness Expo in early June.

Bird Dog 4-Point Arm & Leg Raise Begin by placing your knees and hands on the floor, with your hips and shoulders at a 90° angle. While keeping stable and engaging your core muscles, lift one arm and an opposite leg straight out toward the horizon, with your thumb pointed to the ceiling. Place both arm and leg back down to starting position. Perform 10 repetitions and then repeat this exercise with the opposite arm and leg. To build stability, this exercise can first be performed using only the arm or leg, and the opposing arm or leg can be added once ready for progression.

Always consult your physical therapist or physician before starting exercises you are unsure of doing.