Full Potential: Spinal Stenosis

NEWS

March, 2018

“Is Your Upper Back Strong Enough?” According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, spinal stenosis is a silent epidemic. It is estimated that 2.4 million Americans will suffer from spinal stenosis by 2021. Spinal stenosis occurs mostly in people 50 and over, but can occur in younger adults with a history of arthritis. (continued inside) DON’T LET SPINAL STENOSIS STOP YOU

INSIDE: � Don’t Let Spinal Stenosis Slow You Down � Top 4 Ways to Relieve Stenosis

� Exercise Essentials � Upcoming Workshop � Full Potential News

Health & Fitness

The Newsletter About Achieving and Maintaining Optimal Well-Being March, 2018 “Stand Tall & In Confidence Without Pain!” DON’T LET SPINAL STENOSIS STOP YOU

What is spinal stenosis? Spinal Stenosis refers to the narrowing of the canals in your spine that are formed by the vertebrae. This narrowing can impinge on the nerves exiting your spine or the spinal cord itself. Symptoms can vary, but often include radiating pain to the back, buttocks and even legs. Furthermore, weakness and poor balance in the legs can often occur, making it difficult to tolerate walking long distances and prolonged standing. Foraminal stenosis This is the most common form of spinal stenosis. It refers to the narrowing of the foramen canals on either side of the spine formed by the vertebrae above and below the segment. In each canal, spinal nerves exit the lower back to supply different parts of the pelvis and legs. With age and deterioration of the discs between the spine, the canals shrink in size and may also have bone spurs. This irritates the nerve roots, especially

when the spine is extended. Sitting typically feels better, but standing and backwards bending increase pain. Is surgery needed? There is a big push towards fusion surgery for spinal stenosis and back pain. However, studies show that surgery should be a last resort, before conservative measures such as physical therapy are performed. In the vast majority of cases, surgery is not needed and people will have significant if not complete relief of their symptoms with physical therapy. Physical therapy targets the muscles and joints of the spine to build strength, improve stability of the spine and maintain the foramen as open as possible. If you believe you have spinal stenosis symptoms, then call us today to speak with one of our expert physical therapists. Our SPINE program has helped thousands of patients successfully relieve their back and stenosis pain.

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Pain Relief “Start Your Journey To A Pain Free Life!” TOP 4 WAYS TO RELIEVE STENOSIS

Spinal stenosis is a mechanical problem of movement in your body. While medication may help to numb the pain, it does not fix the underlying mechanical problem. Here are tips on how you can improve your stenosis and back pain symptoms: 1. ICE Icing at the low back area on the affected side helps to decrease the inflammatory process. Use a flexible ice pack with a moist thin towel to make it easier to tolerate the ice. Use for 10 minutes and off for 30 minutes. Make sure to check your skin often and stop if it becomes painful. Apply 2-3 times a day, especially after repetitive bending or standing activities. 2. Improve Hip and Spine Flexibility Restoring natural movement to the spinal joints, hip joints and sacroiliac joints, helps to relieve abnormal pressures on the sciatic nerve. It allows your body to move freely when doing normal everyday tasks and prevents injury and strains. Care should be taken when stretching to be gentle and work with your breathing. Never push through pain and avoid exercises that aggressively extend the spine.

3. Strengthening Your Core Your core muscle groups are the spinal muscles, abdominal muscles, pelvic and hip muscles. By doing exercises that combine these muscle groups together you can develop an internal corset that supports your spinal column. Gentle Pilates and core strengthening exercises are good, however, be sure to consult your physical therapist before starting exercises you are unsure of doing. 4. Manual Physical Therapy Hands on specialized manual physical therapy techniques restore the natural movements of the spinal, hip and sacroiliac joints. This helps to open the foraminal canals in the spine. Physical therapists are the unique medical professionals who are trained extensively in these types of techniques. If you are suffering with back pain or spinal stenosis, don’t put off getting help as your condition weakens the spine further and can set you up for more extensive injury in the future. Call us today to speak with one of our physical therapists and see for yourself, what a difference our SPINE program can make for your back.

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Upcoming Workshop

Attention Back Pain Sufferers! Back Pain Workshop Reveals How to Naturally Heal Back Pain For Good.

• Do you suffer with back pain or leg pain when you stand or walk? • Do you have pain when you sit for long periods or drive? • Do you experience pain, numbness or tingling into your butt, groin or down your leg? • Does your back ever “go out” if you move the wrong way? • Are you afraid your pain will get worse if you don’t do anything about it?

If you have answered YES to any of the above questions (or have a stubborn spouse who is in denial) – the Lower Back Workshop may be a life changing event for you… 100% of past attendees said they would recommend this workshop to a friend.

Full Potential Physical Therapy Presents LOWER BACK PAIN WORKSHOP!

THURSDAY, MARCH 22ND, 7PM Full Potential Physical Therapy This Event Is FREE Only 30 Seats Available

How do I register? Call our office at 616-392-2172 and ask for Bria. We only have 30 seats available for the event... and this will be going out in facebook ads, flyers, emails, and newspapers. So if you would like to attend, be sure to register now.

If you’re confused about what to do and looking for answers, here’s some of what you’ll learn: • The Single Biggest #1 Mistake back pain sufferers make which actually stops them from healing… • The 3 Most Common Causes of Lower Back Pain • A Sure-Fire Way to Pick the Right Treatment for the Cause of Your Pain (and save you a ton of time and money) • How a problem in your back can cause pain, numbness or tingling in your leg… • What successful treatment and permanent relief looks like without the side effects of medications, injections or surgery. As a Special Bonus… all attendees for the Lower Back Pain Workshop will receive a Special Report: “The Top 10 Burning Questions for Lower Back Pain”.

Looking forward to seeing you there,

Vincent Hanneken, PT Full Potential Physical Therapy

P.S. This event is limited to the first 30 people to register. When you register, you can bring a guest at no additional cost. If you are a past patient, we encourage you to bring a guest in order to help your friends and family as we did in the past for you.

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Full Potential News

Our Full Potential Family is Growing! Congratulations to our Office Manager, Cari Allen on the birth of her baby boy, Jude Michael Allen. He was born on December 22, 2017 at 12:43 pm. He weighed 8 pounds and was 20.5 inches long. Cari and Kelly are now enjoying their time with their growing family; Allyssa (14), Maxwell (3), and Jude (3 months).

Healthy Recipe

Roquefort Pear Salad Eating Right Never Tasted So Good!

• 1/3 cup olive oil • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar • 1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar • 1 1/2 teaspoons prepared mustard • 1 clove garlic, chopped • 1/2 teaspoon salt • Fresh ground black pepper to taste

INGREDIENTS • 1 head leaf lettuce • 3 pears • 5 ounces Roquefort cheese • 1 avocado • 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions • 1/4 cup white sugar • 1/2 cup pecans

INSTRUCTIONS In a skillet over medium heat, stir 1/4 cup of sugar together with the pecans. Continue stirring gently until sugar has melted and caramelized the pecans. Carefully transfer nuts onto waxed paper. Allow to cool, and break into pieces. For the dressing, blend oil, vinegar, 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar, mustard, chopped garlic, salt, and pepper. In a large serving bowl, layer lettuce, pears, blue cheese, avocado, and green onions. Pour dressing over salad, sprinkle with pecans, and serve.

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Outstanding relief for your aches... Try these simple exercises to keep you moving... Exercise Essentials

SACRAL STRETCH Squat deep. Keep your knees behind your toes. Use elbows to push knees wide. Hold for 10 seconds repeat 3 times. Helps Low Back Pain

Strengthens Back LATERALWEIGHT SHIFT Sit with arms out in front. Shift weight side to side. Use your arms as a counterbalance. Repeat 20 times.

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www.simpleset.net

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

Who do you know that needs our help?

At Full Potential, we know that a referral from our patients is the biggest compliment. Let us thank you with these 3 simple steps! 1. Start by handing out the referral cards located at our front desk to your friends and family that are in need of our help! 2. The card with your name on the back must be returned to us at their first appointment! 3. You win! Come in to claim your prize!

PLAY THE REFERRAL GAME!

READY. SET. GO! Thank you to the following for referring your friends and family!

• Bill VanBruggen • Rita Nykamp • Melody Freckman

• Lynda Redder • Bev DePree • Martha Woltman

• Patti Schonfeld • Carlene Ramirez • Ann Nieuwkoop

• Judy Allen • Melody Freckman • Michael Tubbs

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