AdvantageRehab: Determining The Origin Of Pain

AdvantageRehab: Determining The Origin Of Pain

Health &Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

Getting To Know The Advantage Rehab Staff ASHLEY KUHNAU, PTA

Ashley Kuhnau is a Physical Therapist Assistant with Advantage Rehab Inc. A 2002 graduate of Lake Area Technical Institute in SD with an Associate’s degree in Physical Therapy and has been with Advantage Rehab Inc. from the beginning. She enjoys getting to know and treating patients as well as helping them discover their unique learning styles and areas of growth. It is important to her that each individual she is fortunate to treat as a patient understand their body and their symptoms, and never leave without a full understanding of their injury and why they feel what they do. Over the past 10 years I have gained a great understanding of those who suffer with chronic pain which is a growing issue for many. I have been able to sharpened my skills in neck and back pain and have been able to not only treat, but educate patients in how to live life with their pain. I’ve enjoyed this challenge and have been able to help others in this challenge that they face. I also enjoy all the duties that come with managing the clinic by making sure patient care, scheduling, billing, communication with doctors and marketing are all in check.

Health & Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

DETERMINING THE ORIGIN OF YOUR PAIN

INSIDE: • Things To Consider Before Heading Into Physical Therapy • Relieve Pain In Minutes • Patient Success Spotlight • Free Physical Therapy Consultation

Discussing Origins of Pain with Mike Savageau, PT Dear Valued Client, Sometimes it happens when a pain develops that you can immediately identify the cause. A new pair of shoes may cause a sharp pain in your heel, or an old chair at work may cause your back to grow sore and uncomfortable as time goes on. But there are

possible to identify thepotentialcausesofpain,even if thepain ismanifesting itself in an unusual or seemingly inexplicable way. Whether you are suffering from pain in your head, your back, your neck or anywhere else in your body, working with a physical therapist can help you find the relief you are looking for. Physical therapists are trained in identifying and treating the cause of your pain. This gives you the opportunity to shift away from the ongoing use of pain medication and instead find relief from your pain with a series of strategies that include stretching, muscle building and flexibility training. Understanding Your Pain When you meet with a physical therapist to understand where your pain may be coming from, one of the first things you’ll do is have a conversation about your pain. How long you’ve been experiencing pain, where it developed and how the pain manifests itself are all very important distinctions that can help shed some light on what may be causing your discomfort.

MIKE SAVAGEAU PT/CEO/Owner

other situations in which pain develops, and the cause of the pain is unclear. Different typesofbodilypaincan tellyoudifferent thingsaboutyourbodyand overallbodilyhealth.Sometimes,apain inyourarmoryour legmayhave little tonothing todowithanactual issue inyourarmor leg.Physical therapistsare like well-trained detectives when it comes to identifying the causes of pain. A physical therapist knows the way that the nervous system works, making it

Look inside to learn more about our programs and say good-bye to aches and pains!

www.advantagerehabinc.net

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE HEADING INTO PHYSICAL THERAPY

• Consider exactly where the pain occurs in your body, and research what the different parts of the body are called so that you can have an accurate and helpful conversation about your pain. For example, back pain has a lot of different distinctions, and lumbar pain (which is in the lower back) is frequently caused by factors different from what would cause upper-back or neck pain. • How does the pain feel when it develops? Is it a lingering ache? Is it a sharp stab? Is it more of a tingling feeling? Each of these sensations are actually associated with different types of problems, so describing your pain appropriately may be helpful in determining the best treatment methods for your body’s needs. • What do you think may be causing the pain? Of course, it happens that a pain will develop, and you are dumbfounded as to why, but more often than not, there is something that you think could be influencing it. If the pain started around the same time as a change in environment or life circumstances, then it is worth telling your physical therapist about the association. Another thing to consider about your pain is whether or not it develops at particular times of the day or year. There are plenty of situations when someone begins to experience pain when the weather starts to change, and it turns out that the pain is a result of arthritis and inflammation. There are other situations in which the pain will develop as a result of prolonged sitting or the opposite — such as when things get crazy at home or at work, and you find that you are not getting as much sleep as usual. Considering any changes in your daily habits or environmental factors can be very helpful in determining what is causing your pain. Regardless of where your pain is, how long you’ve been dealing with it, or how intense the pain feels, the smart thing to do when pain develops is to

speak with a physical therapist. Working with a physical therapist can help you finally get a step ahead of your pain, finding treatment options that are designed to provide you with long-term relief instead of temporary relief from medication. For more information about physical therapy for overcoming bodily pain, contact us.

Healthy Recipe: Wedge Salad With Blue Cheese & Herb Dressing

Relieve Pain In Minutes Try this movement if you are experiencing pain.

INGREDIENTS Blue Cheese & Herb Dressing • ¾ cup crumbled blue cheese • ⅔ cup plain Greek yogurt • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil • 2 tbsp white-wine vinegar • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard • 1 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley • 1 tbsp chopped fresh oregano • 1 medium clove garlic • ¼ tsp kosher salt • ¼ tsp ground pepper

Decreases Pain

www.simpleset.net

DIAPHRAGMATIC BREATHING Lie on your back with your knees bent. Breathe deep, from the belly.

Salad • 6 heads lettuce • ½ cup crumbled blue cheese • 3 pieces bacon, cooked & crumbled • 2 scallions, thinly sliced

DIRECTIONS To prepare dressing: Place ¾ cup blue cheese, yogurt, oil, vinegar, mustard, parsley, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper in a blender or food processor. Blend until almost smooth. To prepare salad: Cut each head of lettuce in half lengthwise and place on a large salad plate. Dollop 2 tablespoons of the dressing over each serving and top with more blue cheese, bacon and scallions. Serve with extra dressing on the side, if desired.

CALL TODAY! (320) 219-9680

www.advantagerehabinc.net

DISCOVER HOW TO LIVE PAIN-FREE

At Advantage Rehab Inc., you will receive hands-on therapy treatments by our friendly, caring health experts during focused and individualized sessions.

It’s time to visit Advantage Rehab Inc. if: • You’re tired of living in pain • You want to feel better and move better • You have been in an auto accident • You want to prevent injury • You have been injured on the job 1. Call and talk to your therapist 2. Discover why your pain has come back 3. Get your custom recovery program

Patient Success Spotlight “Iamverypleasedwithmy treatment Iam receivingatARI.The therapists are very personable and willing to work with my schedule. My knee injury is getting so much better. I recommend them highly.” - Mary J. My knee injury is getting so much better!

Take Care of Your Aches and Pains Before It’s Too Late.

Attention Pain Sufferers!

Do You Have Difficulty Bending Or Reaching?

• Decrease your pain • Increase your strength • Increase your activity level We can help:

• Increase your flexibility • Improve your health • Get back to living

Mention or Bring in This Coupon Today For a FREE Physical Therapy Consultation

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