Pittman_Are You Experiencing Lower Back Pain?

Are You Experiencing Lower Back Pain? It May Be Caused By Another Issue The Pittman CONNECTION The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

Your spine is a complex part of your body – it requires proper posture, flexibility, coordination, and strength, in order to do its job correctly. When one of these elements is altered, your spine can emit painful responses that can settle in other nearby parts of the body. (Continued inside)

Also Inside: Is My Neck The Cause of My Back Pain? • Send Your Pain Running • Complimentary Workshops • Patient Success Spotlights • Exercise Essentials – Core & Back

The Pittman CONNECTION The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

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ARE YOU EXPERIENCING LOWER BACK PAIN? It May Be Caused By Another Issue

According to theNational Instituteof Health, approximately 80%of adultswill experience lower back pain at some point in their lives. Back pain is actually the most commonly reported location of pain across the globe. But howoften is the source actually another part of your body? Pain Is Usually Connected Your spine is a lengthy structure, and pain can travel along it. Let’s say you are prone to neck pain–perhaps you have a slouched posture from sitting at a desk all day and the pressure radiates in your shoulders. Or, maybe you’ve had a previous injury, such as whiplash, that still elicits painful stings every nowand then. Now, let’s say youbegin feeling pain in your lower back in addition to your neck pain. Why does this happen? Basically, the pains are connected to each other. Your head weighs about 10- 12 pounds, which is roughly the weight of a bowling ball. When you slouch, or compensate pain by realigning your body,

your backmuscles have towork extra hard tokeep you fromtoppling forward. Have you ever been so tired that your head begins to bob and it jolts you awake?That’s because your head is heavy! The weight from the motion wakes you back up because your body isn’t used to carrying it in that way. This is also why pain in your lower back may occur as a result. Your back muscles are working in overdrive and may be constricting to try and hold you up. If you notice neck and back pain at the same time as one another, try sitting up straighter – it should help ease some of the stress! Is Your Neck the Culprit? The most common combination of pain is in the neck and the back. If you are experiencingboth, it ismost likely stemming from the neck. We don’t typically think about it, but we use our necks for a lot of our daily activities.

Even simple things, such as turning to grab something out of the cupboard or looking over your shoulder when backing out of a driveway, use a lot of neckmuscles. When you do simple tasks such as these, do you find yourself turning your entire body, as opposed to just your head? If so, you could experience back pain alongwith your neck pain. When you have limitedmotion in your neck, your body compensates by twisting more than it usuallywould, thus over-rotating your lower back. This could cause a source of pain or general discomfort in the area, due toabnormal overuse. If youareexperiencing neck pain, back pain, or a combination of both, our physical therapists would be more than happy to meet with you for a consultation to discuss how they can help. Give us a call today at 901-850-5246 to find out how we can help you get back to better health.

Is My NECK The Cause of My BACK Pain?

It can sometimes to be difficult to determine if your back pain is rooted in your neck. This simple, at-home test can assist you in figuring it out: 1. Stand straight in front of another person. Theywill be your eyes regarding the movements you make. 2. Once they are watching you, turn your head as far as you comfortably can to the left. Repeat the samemotion to the right. Have them take note of how far you are able to go. 3. Now, sit down in front of the same person. Repeat the same turningmotions froma chair or couch. Again, have them take note of how far you are able to comfortably turn your head. 4. Ask if therewere any differences in the turningmovement. Did one side seem to turn further than the other? Was there a difference in standing vs. sitting? This test is helpful in finding out if your neck is causing (or is at risk of causing) pain in your lower back. If your movement

is limited, especially sitting down, itmeans that themuscles in your back or upper back are tight. These constrictedmotions can cause pain in the lower back. How Physical Therapy Can Help Physical therapy is the leading recommendation for back pain. Physical therapists are trained to evaluate muscle and joint movement, and they can easily assist you in finding the root of your problem. They will thoroughly evaluate you to figure out why you are experiencing pain, determining the source and treating all affected areas. After your initial consultation, theywill create a specialized treatment plan for you, based on their diagnosis of your specific needs. A physical therapist’s end goal is the same as yours – to get you feeling better, healthier, and more comfortable! If you are experiencing lower back pain and think it may be caused by an issue occurring in your neck, give us a call today at 901-850-5246. We’ll get you moving comfortably again in no time.

We offer Personal Training & Group Fitness Classes. You’ll find knowledgeable trainers, a positive atmosphere, and innovative programming tailored to all fitness levels. At JenFitNess, LLC we pride ourselves in helping clients feel healthy AND strong. Book your session, today!

Visit JenFitNessLLC.com or Email JenFitNessLLC @ gmail.com

COMPLIMENTARY WORKSHOPS! You are invited to our FREE

Heel Pain Thursday, July 18 6:00 pm

Shoulder Pain Thursday, July 25 6:00 pm

Heel Pain Thursday, Aug 15 6:00 pm

How Do I Register For a Free Workshop at Pittman Physical Therapy? Call us at 901-850-5246, today! We only have 25 seats available for each event due to the interactive nature of our workshops, so be sure to register now! How Much Does It Cost To Attend a Workshop? Nothing... the event is absolutely FREE but call 901-850-5246 now to register as our workshops are limited to 25 attendees.

Do you or a loved one suffer from heel, shoulder, back, or hip pain? Are you age 40+ and have suffered with pain for longer than you feel you should have? Are you currently thinking about or seeing a doctor? If Your Answer is “Yes” to These Questions, You Should Come to One of Our FREE Workshops!

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Patient Success Spotlight

“I am now pain free and have a plan and program for continuing to live pain free.” “I was referred to Pittman PT due to recovering sciatic pain 8 weeks ago. When I began my therapy, I was having constant pain in my lower back radiating down my leg. After working with Jeff and Brad, I am now pain free and have a plan and program for continuing to live pain free. Kudos to the Pittman team!”

- L.S.

Meet the Newest Member of Our Pittman Team! TERESA D’ALTO, PTA

We are really excited to be growing along with Collierville. I wanted to introduce our newest teammember, but I thought it would be better to let her introduce herself. She has been a great addition...so far!?! Hello! I amTeresa D’alto but I have always gone byTessa. Excluding the times patients thinkmy name isTish, Trisha, Tressa, Tisha, Trina, Terry, etc. My alternative list is quite long. But enough about my name. If you’re interested to know a little more about me keep reading! I am 25 years old and the eldest of four children. I always say that proudly because I hold that rank by only twominutes. Asmuch as my twin brother wishes he held the title I beat him to it. I grew up in New Jersey and moved to Collierville when I was 14 and have been here ever since.

When it comes to my personality, I am somewhat of and Introvert. I’m shy and often reserved when placed around new people and newsurroundings. Once I begin toopenupmy Italianblood (50%) comes out and I becomemore animated. So yes, I talk with my hands... a lot. If you have to walk past me, then walk around with caution. I have knocked things out of people’s hands before... by accident. Not my proudest moments. What do I like to do? This list is a little long. Growing up I always loved sports, doing fun hairstyles,music, dancing, beingoutside, and hanging with friends. I still love ALL those things. I have played a total of 9 sports. I am part of aBarbershopAcapellaChorus. You’ll typically find me dancing if there is music being played. On the sunny weekends I try to set up either ultimate frisbee or sand volleyball with my friends. On days it’s not sunny I enjoy watching movies or playing

games with friends. My hairstyles change constantly and I always like to try out new looks. My hairstyles change enough that sometimesmyownpatientswon’t recognize me. I am terrified of Heights. I always get this knot in my stomach when looking over tall balconies. I always feel like I’ll clumsily trip and over I’d go. I work as a Physical Therapist Assistant at Pittman PT. I love it here! I truly feel like part of a family and I enjoywhat I do. I enjoy getting the experience to meet a variety of people andwork to help them improve their quality of life. To those who read this, there is your brief insight into who I am. Hope you learned something! If you didn’t...that’s okay there isn’t a quiz. Tessa

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“After excellent treatments and help... I have no neck pain and I’m back to lifting weights...” “When I began physical therapy at Pittman’s, my neck pain and numbness in my right shoulder and arm were preventing me from lifting any weight with my right arm. After excellent treatments and help from Helen, Mitch, and Laura, I have no neck pain and back to lifting weights with my right arm…same amount of weight prior to my injury! Thank you Pittman PT!!”

- T.R.

Exercise Essentials Try these exercises to help maintain a healthy body

QUADRUPED ALTERNATE ARM & LEG RAISE

PRAYER STRETCH Stretches Your Lower Back

Strengthens Your Core

While in a crawl position, slowly lower your buttocks towards your feet until a stretch is felt along your back and/or buttocks. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat 3 times.

While on your hands and knees, slowly raise up an arm out in front of you. Then slowly raise opposite leg behind you, while keeping your back straight. Hold for 10 seconds then repeat 3 times on both sides.

Exercises copyright of

Not all exercises are appropriate for every person. Please consult with a healthcare provider before starting.

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Who do you know that needs our help?

Refer a Friend Do You Have Friends or Family Unable to Do The Following? 9 Move without pain 9 Bend and move freely 9 Balance confidently and securely 9 Sit for long periods comfortably 9 Walk for long distances 9 Live an active and healthy lifestyle WIN A $20 GIFT CARD If you know someone suffering with aches and pains, give the gift of health. Refer them to Pittman Physical Therapy today. Pass along this newsletter or have them call us directly to schedule an evaluation! You will get your name in our next newsletter and you could win a $20 gift card!

Referral Club: Thanks to our patients for referring a friend or family member!

Andrea Claunch Jennifer Gurley Leslie Knowles Lori Luther

Lanny Oakes Stephanie Sullivan Bonnie Weeks