AgeWell_The Ideal Treatment for Low Back Pain

AgeWell_The Ideal Treatment for Low Back Pain

N E W S L E T T E R

THE IDEAL TREATMENT FORLOW BACKPAIN Low back pain is by far one of the most common ailments ever experienced. Just about everyone deals with low back pain at one point in their life. For some, the lucky ones, perhaps, the pain is just for a day or two as a result of a particularly grueling day of yard work or a slip-and-fall accident that landed you flat on your bum with a bruise to prove it. (Read more inside...) AGEWELL PT IS CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF PROVIDING INDIVIDUALIZED AND CARING PT TO EACH OF OUR VALUED CLIENTS!

I N S I D E LOWER BACK PAIN AND PHYSICAL THERAPY HEALTHY RECIPE: MINTED COUSCOUS SALAD DARK CHOCOLATE CAN BENEFIT YOU!

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N E W S L E T T E R

THE IDEAL TREATMENT FOR LOW BACK PAIN

Lower Back Pain in the United States According to the National Institute for Health, the rates of lowback pain have been steadily rising in the United States over the past 20 years. The studywas conducted by medical researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Researchers consulted with members of the North Carolina community who experienced back pain to understand what caused their pain, how frequently they experience the pain, andwhat the severity of the pain is like. They found by talking with household members across the state that the incidence of lower back pain has increased significantly since the last time this surveywas conducted, which was in 1992. Since 1992, the percentage of people coping with lower back pain increased from just over three percent to well over 10 percent. This is a significant finding, especially when it was found that the increase in lower back pain remained constant across demographics. A further interesting finding is that of those who experience lower back pain, 84 percent opted to seek medical treatment to address the pain, whichwas an increase of more than 10 percent in 1992. This means that while more people are experiencing back pain, more people are also seeking treatment for that pain, though there is still an approximate 15 percent of the populationwho are coping with severe lower back painwithout treatment. For those, seeking support from a physical therapist could significantly improve quality of life.

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For others, the low back pain is something that lingers for years and years, getting worse as a result of improper footwear or particularly unsupportive furniture, and never really healing or going away. It is estimated that one-half of all Americans experience lower back pain annually, and it is considered to be the leading cause of workplace disability worldwide—not just in the United States. It is also one of the most common reasons that people miss work, and is the second most common reason that people visit the doctor’s office. When you put those two facts together, the cost of dealing with lower back pain really starts to add up. The average annual cost of dealing with back pain in the United States is $50 billion dollars. Unfortunately, a lot of those financial resources go into dealing with back pain through pain management and medication, but that is not an effective long-term solution for dealing with back pain. A far healthier and cost-effective solution is through physical therapy.

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LOWER BACK PAIN AND PHYSICAL THERAPY

Physical therapy is a great resource for lower back pain because it addresses the cause of the pain, rather than simply attempting to hide the symptoms. Working with a physical therapist can help you to experience improved range of motion, to restore strength to muscles in your lower back that may have experienced atrophy through lack of use, and also reduce tension in your lower back muscles through targeted massage. Whenworkingwith a physical therapist, youmay also be guided through different lifestyle changes that you can make that can help you begin to overcome your back pain with everyday activities. This can include: • Making changes to the type of shoes that you wear so that your back is getting more support with every step. Sometimes, using special insoles can significantly improve your back pain. • Adjusting your sleeping habits, or perhaps investing in a new mattress so that your back has more support at night. • Using more lumbar support at work or on your commute by using a special chair or chair cover. Lower back pain is a pain in the butt, but you don’t need to deal with it any longer. Reach out to your physical therapist for information and support overcoming lower back pain, and finally find long-term relief.

Source https:/www.acatoday.org/Patients/Health-Wellness-Information/Back-Pain-Facts-and-Statistics

HEALTHY RECIPE: MINTED COUSCOUS SALAD

INGREDIENTS • 1 cup dry couscous • 1 cup jarred roasted red peppers • 2 tbsp olive oil • Juice from 1/2 lemon

• 1 tomato, seeded and diced • 1 English cucumber, diced • 1/2 cup mint (or flat-leaf parsley) • Salt and pepper

INSTRUCTIONS Cook the couscous according to package directions. Fluff with fork. Meanwhile, dice roasted red peppers and add diced tomato and cucumber to a bowl. Add lemon juice and olive oil and stir to combine. Finely chop mint (or parsley) and add to bowl, along with the cooked couscous, and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

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DO YOU HAVE A SWEET TOOTH? DARK CHOCOLATE CAN BENEFIT YOU!

WE’RE OPEN!

We’re happy to announce that we’re open and accepting patients! We’re taking all precautions recommended by the CDC for your safety. Your cooperation in this tough time is what makes us able to continue to provide valuable services to your and your family. We appreciate your support! I N - OF F I CE SPECIAL TEST ING SERV I CES AgeWell PT offers in-house electrodiagnostic testing and musculoskeletal diagnostic ultrasound testing for all of our patients. We hope our therapy patients take advantage of these tests to improve their rate of recovery and therapy outcome. FOR YOUR CONVENI ENCE AGEWELL ALSO OFFERS ONE-TO-ONE “IN HOME” PHYS ICAL THERAPY! This is covered by Medicare and other insurance plans. Call us now to schedule your appointment!

When enjoying your desserts, keep in mind that dark chocolate actually has a lot of health benefits – much more than milk chocolate. So, when ordering that slice of cake at the restaurant or buying ingredients to make a treat for your family, give dark chocolate a try! What can dark chocolate do for me? A bar of dark chocolate is actually more nutritious than you may think. If it has a high cocoa content, then it will also contain a good amount of soluble fiber and minerals. The bioactive compounds found in the cocoa of dark chocolate have also been known to improve blood flow and can help lower blood pressure. In turn, increased blood flow results in higher brain function, allowing you to stay sharp during the holiday season. Additionally, dark chocolate actually has a variety of powerful antioxidants – even more so than some fruits! Dark chocolate and pain relief Perhaps one of the most important benefits of dark chocolate is that it can help relieve pain – seriously! The improved blood circulation that dark chocolate brings is a natural pain relief remedy. When blood is circulating efficiently through the body, it prevents muscles from becoming tight and resulting in discomfort. The act of eating chocolate also releases several “feel-good” hormones in your body, which naturally eases pain. So, you get the benefits of feeling good eating a sweet treat AND relieving pain in your body! Of course, like any sweet treat, dark chocolate is best enjoyed in moderation – this is the most effective way to enjoy the benefits. If you have more questions about nutritious ways to stay healthy this holiday season, don’t hesitate to contact AgeWell Physical Therapy & Wellness, P.C. today! We’ll be more than happy to provide you with tips and tricks for improving your health while also being able to fully enjoy the holidays!

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E X E R C I S E E S S E N T I A L S H E L PS R E L I E V E BACK PA I N

Exercises copyright of

CURL UP

Lie on back with one leg straight. The other leg is bent with the foot flat on the ground. Position your hands underneath your lower back. Tuck your chin and lift your shoulder blades off the ground slightly. Return to the start position in a controlled manner.

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