NRG: Is It Back Pain Or Sciatica?

HEALTH & FITNESS NEWSLETTER August, 2018

www.nrgathletes.ca

IS IT BACK PAIN OR SCIATICA? KEEP UP WITH YOUR JOGGING PARTNER! Are you one of the approximately 85 percent of adults that are affected by low back pain during their lifetime? If you suffer with back pain or sciatica, know that low cost results are closer than you think. Recent studies show that patients with low back pain should consider physiotherapy first for their back pain, according to the American Physiotherapy Association (APTA). Another recent study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, recommends that in most cases of low back degenerative disc disease (a common cause of low back pain), the most effective treatment is physiotherapy combined with anti-inflammatory medications. It concludes that physiotherapy and anti-inflammatory drugs are the best options of non-surgical treatment of low back pain. (continued inside)

GET RELIEF FOR YOUR PAIN WITH A SIMPLE CLICK! Do you or someone you know have back or neck pain? As a current or past patient, you have access to this valuable information, at your fingertips. Start feeling better today in the privacy of your home. Go to

www.nrgathletes.ca, and scroll down to the middle of the page for your free download today.

FREE DOWNLOAD LOOK INSIDE

You can find the FREE Back & Neck Pain ebook download on our homepage at: www.nrgathletes.ca

HEALTH & FITNESS NEWSLETTER August, 2018 www.nrgathletes.ca

Practice ANNOUNCEMENTS UPCOMING HEALTH FAIR NRG STAFF SPOTLIGHTS Kelsi McGonigal, PT & Barbara Przecherka, Office Administrator INSIDE: TheChallengeOfTreating BackPain • September 15th • Stay tuned for more info!

Low back degenerative disc disease develops when the discs between your spine weaken (often due to repetitive strain), are injured or shrink from aging. As a result, the discs are unable to hold normal spacing and therefore, collapse increasing instability, causing back pain. Physiotherapist intervention includes strengthening of core muscle groups, including the abdominal wall, which has positive effects on people with this condition. Exercise and hands on therapy have been shown to alleviate pain in many people. Inaddition,educationonhow toprotectyourspineand remainactive isbeneficial.Ourphysiotherapists are trained to identify your problem and plan out the most effective treatment for you. Along with building your core muscle groups, hands-on physiotherapy to move your spine has shown to be very effective. Our physiotherapists develop a safe and effective treatment program that is tailored to your specific needs and goals. Surgery should always be the last option, but too often people think of surgery as a cure all and are eager to embark on it without knowing the long term risks. Receiving care from our knowledgeable and licensed physiotherapists first, can improve your odds that you can quickly reduce your pain and maintain your quality of life. Call us today for more information! IS IT BACK PAIN OR SCIATICA? “Paddle Your Way Into A New Outlook On Pain!”

RelieveBackPainInMinutes ANaturalSolutionToAches &Pains PatientSuccessSpotlight

Subscribe to receive our digital newsletters on our website today!

www.nrgathletes.ca

“Here’s Why You’re Still Suffering From Pain!” THE CHALLENGE OF TREATING BACK PAIN

Back pain is the second most common diagnosis seen by physicians in their offices. 85% of the US population will suffer an episode of back pain sometime in their life. Why is this? A lot has to do with the design of our body. It is the price we pay for walking upright on two legs. In humans, the force of gravity pulls directly down through the vertical spine compressing it together over the years. In other mammals such as horses, apes and cows, the spine is horizontal and the pull of gravity does not compress the spine together. Most back pain falls under the category of mechanical back pain, meaning the mechanics of the movement are not correct. The spine has to move in intricate ways to make whole movements of bending, extending and twisting. Therefore, the “mechanics” of the spine are important in order for all the vertebrae (the bones) to be able to move. Mechanical back pain means that the joints, muscles and ligaments of the spine are not moving correctly at the right time. This can cause increased strain on certain parts of your back, especially the very lower back. Why do the mechanics of the spine change and cause pain? This is due to a variety of reasons including small injuries from lifting heavy objects, bending, twisting, repetitive strain, accidents, weakness from prolonged sitting and changes in your core strength. In today’s world, most of our daily activities involve sitting which causes the abdominal and back muscles to weaken. This in turn lessens the necessary support to the spine, causing strain. The strain causes inflammation, which leads to

pain. Back pain can be localized to the back area or even radiate into the buttocks or backs of the legs.

Millions of people a year rely on over the counter medication and back braces to get through their day. However, the unfortunate reality is that unless treated properly, 75% of people with back problems will have another episode of their back pain. This is because the cause of the problem, the mechanical movement, is not addressed by treating it with drugs or a hot pack. More and more people with back pain are realizing the full benefits of our specialized hands on physiotherapy to address the cause of their back pain and understand what they can do to have lasting relief. Call us today to learn more how we can help quickly relieve your back pain!

A NATURAL SOLUTION TO ACHES & PAINS

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

AtHomeHydrotherapy. Soaking in Epsom Salt can be very helpful for the release of muscle aches and pain. It is important to remember the actual name of Epsom Salt is magnesium sulfate. Among magnesium’s many functions is it will reduce the rate of calcium binding after a muscle contracts as it competes for the same binding sites as calcium, which

Stretches Lower Back Muscles

PRONE HIP EXTENSION While lying face down with your knee straight, slowly raise up your leg off the ground. Alternate legs and repeat 8 times.

www.simpleset.net

contracts a muscle. Simply put, this relieves tightness and soreness in the muscles. Something as simple as an Epsom Salt bath can be of great benefit in relaxing a tight muscle. It is easily done by: 1. Adding 2 cups of Epsom Salt to a warm bath full of water. 2. Soak your neck in the bath for 15-20 minutes, allowing the magnesium to be absorbed through your skin. Put Down The Pain Medication. When you find that you are suffering with aches and pains, come in for physiotherapy. A few sessions can go a long way to helping you feel your best and learning what you can do to prevent your pain from returning. Put down the Ibuprofen or Tylenol and pick up the phone to speak with one of our physiotherapists today!

NRG STAFF SPOTLIGHTS

KELSI MCGONIGAL, PHYSIOTHERAPIST

to her athletic pursuits. She has a very good understanding of what it’s like to live an active lifestyle and the importance of being able to stay healthy to enjoy every minute of it. With each of her patients, she takes great pride in getting to know them and help them meet their goals using a holistic, evidence-based approach. Kelsi believes you should be able to pursue your passion without being limited in any way, whether you’re a recreational or high performance athlete!

KelsiholdsaMaster’sdegree inPhysiotherapy from the University of Manitoba. Prior to completing her Masters, she completed a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of Toronto where she played for the Varsity Blues Women’s HockeyTeam. She is also a Certified Exercise Physiologist and a High Performance female hockey coach in Manitoba. From a young age, Kelsi was exposed to physiotherapy, as it was a vital component

BARBARA PRZECHERKA, OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Welcome our new Office Administrator, Barbara! We are excited to bring Barbara on board with the NRG team!

PATIENT SUCCESS SPOTLIGHT

“NRG is an elite treatment and training establishment!”

“Without question, NRG is an elite treatment and training establishment. Scott and his staff have both the knowledge, and technology to not only treat and rehab any injury, but make sure to leave you with the knowledge and tools to be a better you when it’s all said and done. The priority and professionalism that NRG gives all of their clients is simply unparalleled upon any other.” - Derek W.

YOU HELP US, HELP OTHERS

Care enough to share how we have helped you? Who do you know that could benefit from therapy? If you know someone suffering with aches and pains, then give

1. Refer a friend to NRG Athletes Therapy Fitness 2. Give th em our contact info: 204.783.9578 3. We’ll start their custom recovery program

the gift of health. Refer them to NRG Athletes Therapy Fitness today! Pass along this newsletter or have them call us directly for a Free Athletic Therapy Screen. They will thank you, and so will we!

www.nrgathletes.ca