Lott PT. Living Life Without Back Pain

Lott PT. Living Life Without Back Pain

Health + Fitness N E W S L E T T E R

“ A M E R I C A ’ S P R A C T I C E O F T H E Y E A R ” P P S / A P T A 2 0 1 1

L I V I N G L I F E WI THOUT BACK PAIN ALSO INSIDE Understanding The Why And How • What Our Patients Are Saying No Referral Needed for Physical Therapy Starting September 1!

Health + Fitness N E W S L E T T E R

“ A M E R I C A ’ S P R A C T I C E O F T H E Y E A R ” P P S / A P T A 2 0 1 1

L I V I N G L I F E W I T H O U T B A C K P A I N

For some, back pain is a daily occurrence that dictates the way you live your life. Every movement, every motion is determined by the pain in your back. Standing, sitting, laying down, driving, walking or running— the pain persists. Inagespast,backpainwasdifficulttotreat. Ifyouexperiencedbackpain, whetherasaresultofawork injury,trip-and-fallaccident,oreven justas a result of aging, the answer was almost always the same: head home, take a long rest, and give your back time to heal. This isn’t the way that things go anymore, and for several reasons. To start, the world isn’t as forgiving.Headinghomeandtakinga longrestuntilyourback ishealed may work for some, but not for most. With deadlines and carpools and workschedulestokeepupwith,thereneedstobeanalternatesolution todealingwithbackpain thatdoesn’trequireyou tocompletelyremove yourself from your responsibilities. What’smore,recentresearch indicates thatrestingmaynotactuallybe the ideal solution for long-term back care. Spending too much time on

thecouchoroffyourfeetcancausethebackmusclestoweakenandcan even weaken bone strength. This could lead to more long-term issues with back pain — not fewer. Exercise, in general, is shown to increase strength and flexibility, supporting healthy muscles and bones, and therefore supporting ideal back health. Physical Therapy for Back Pain Whilerestandrelaxationcanhelpyouovercomethe immediatepainofa back injury,andmayevenberecommendedbyyourphysician intheearly days following an injury, it is not a long-term solution. Physical therapy offersa long-termsolutiontobackpainbyusingtargetedexercisesthat focus on the cause of the pain. Through a combination of strength and flexibility training that focuses on muscle development and joint movement, physical therapy can address the underlying cause of the pain and significantly improve your quality of life.

IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN THERAPY OR PERSONAL TRAINING, VISIT LOTTPHYSICALTHERAPY.COM TODAY!

U N D E R S T A N D I N G T H E W H Y A N D H O W

• The types of shoes that you wear, in addition to how frequently you walk in different types of shoes, particularly shoes that lack support or those with high heels. • Prolonged engagement in sedentary behavior, including sitting at a desk for eight hours or more consecutive days of the week, or spending free time on the couch or otherwise relaxed. Aerobic activity and strength training exercises actually make it possible to reduce your risk of injury and to improve your ability to overcome back pain by strengthening the vertebrae and improving blood flow and nutrient disbursement throughout the back. When you are inactive, blood flow can actually become impeded, and this can have a negative effect on the overall health of your back and spine. How Physical Therapy Helps Anyone who has struggled with back pain can tell you plain and simple: When your back is hurting, there is no way to pretend that it isn’t. Simply going from sedentary activity to being active and healthy isn’t an option — at least not so easily. It takes time and effort, and when back pain is obstructing you from getting started, it requires help. Physical therapy can help you overcome back pain by giving you the knowledge and support necessary to help your back feel better, giving you the option to get off the couch and push yourself to reach new goals. Working with a licensed and experienced physical therapist ensures that you do not take on too much too quickly, but instead are guided through the process of healing with gradual steps. For more information about overcoming back pain, contact us.

There are a lot of different reasons that back pain can develop. Fortunately, our bodies are incredibly adaptable and able to overcome a variety of injuries. You might be amazed to discover the different factors that could be influencing your back health. Such as: • Your personal level of physical activity, including how often you exercise and the intensity of your typical workouts.

Call Lott Physical Therapy or visit lottphysicaltherapy.com to schedule your appointment today!

N O R E F E R R A L N E E D E D F O R P H Y S

The Governor of Texas recently signed a bill that will change the future of physical therapy in this state forever. For those who are unaware, Texas was one of only two states in America that still required patients to obtain a referral from a physician in order to access physical therapy. This is an issue for many reasons. Without direct access to physical therapy services, many patients live with painful conditions for far too long, only seeking assistance when pain becomes unmanageable. Physical therapists are movement experts who are trained in the methods of pain relief, prevention, and functional improvement. In some cases, a physician may not recommend physical therapy services simply because they do not have the same knowledge that

W H A T O U R P A T I E N T S A R E S A Y I N G

L OT T P T ’ S AR E T O P NOT CH ! Both of our locations have a McKenzie- certified physical therapist on staff! The Mckenzie Method is a well-researched, exercise-based approach of assessment, diagnosis and treatment that promotes the body’s potential to repair itself without medication or surgery. Dr. David Lott and Dr. Raymond Devanna have this respected credential, one that less than 1% of physical therapists in the country possess! Visit lottphysicaltherapy.com or mckenzieinstituteusa.org to learn more!

“I cannot say enough nice things about the staff there.” “I have been getting therapy at Lott Physical Therapy and Fitness Center since having rotator cuff surgery to repair three of the four tendons. I cannot say enough nice things about the staff there. From the front office staff to the doctors of physical therapy in the treatment area, the attention to their patients is amazing. I would highly recommend Lott’s to everybody who needs physical therapy!”

- Johnny M.

E X E R C I S E E S S E N T I A L S A S A F E E X E R C I S E T O R E L I E V E B A C K P A I N

FOUR POINT TRUNK FLEXION & EXTENSION Start on hands and knees. Arch your back up to the ceiling as high as you comfortably can, and hold. Then, arch your back the opposite direction as low as you comfortably can, and hold. Repeat 6 times.

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W I T H R A T E S A S L O W A S $ 2 5 / M O N T H ! N O C O M M I T M E N T !

Always consult your physical therapist or physician before starting exercises you areunsure ofdoing.

C A L T H E R A P Y S TA R T I N G S E P T E MB E R 1 S T !

a licensed physical therapist does on how much a patient can benefit from them. Furthermore, going through a physician to gain a referral every time is a hassle. Patients don’t want to spend the time and energy to do so – and we don’t blame them! In many cases, a physician visit for minor aches and pains may not even be necessary. Fortunately, for physical therapists and patients everywhere, this is no longer the case! With the signing of House Bill 29, patients now have direct access to physical therapy whenever they need it – without having to go through their physician! This bill provides patients with: • Improved Access to Care • Better Health Outcomes • Lower Health Care Costs

L OT T P T A C C E P T S MI L I TARY I NSURANCE ! If you have military insurance such as VA, Tricare, Triwest, or Triwest VA, your physical therapy costs could be reimbursed for up to 100% of the cost! Call your insurance representative today for details!