ManualEdgePT_Where Is Your Back Pain Coming From

ManualEdgePT_Where Is Your Back Pain Coming From

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RESILIENCY I use this word all the time when I talk to patients. As Manual Therapists, we want to identify the areas of the body that aren’t working quite right. When we touch your body, these areas feel stuck and stiff. They are usually responsible for your pain and limitation of movement. We as PTs want to restore your muscles, joints, tissues, organs, and head to the normal “loose” feel that they had at one time in the past when you weren’t having pain. You see, the looseness of your body allows normal movement, and when all your areas are moving normally they don’t produce tightness and inflammation that result in pain. So often during treatment, we will point out the areas on your body that feel tight and stuck. That helps you feel where the problem is, keeping in mind that sometimes the pain isn’t in the area that is stuck. When we treat you, you can feel the resiliency in the structure return once motion is restored. In addition to helping with your pain now, the return of resiliency allows your body to be better able to handle future injuries so that they don’t result in long term pain.

Of course the “resiliency” word has several meanings. We as PTs like to think about how your body is able to handle not just physical injury but also increases in stress. We all know about the “S” word given what we have gone through with Coronavirus and the recent civil unrest. When your body is stressed, many things happen. One of the things that can happen is muscles get tight and they cause pain. As your body becomes resilient, the muscles aren’t starting from a place of already being tight, so you should be able to handle these stressful situations somewhat more easily. Other ways to give your body more resiliency are prayer, meditation, exercise, and turning off the news. Peace is a good thing!

Tim Bonack

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ARE YOU EXPERIENCING LOWER BACK PAIN? CHANCES ARE, IT MAY BE CAUSED BY ANOTHER ISSUE

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. According to the National Institute of Health, approximately 80% of adults will 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 how often 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 now and then. Now, let’s say you begin 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 back muscles have to work extra hard to keep you from toppling 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 experiencing both, it is most 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 neck muscles. 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 along with your neck pain. When you have limited motion in your neck, your body compensates by twisting more than it usually would, thus over-rotating your lower back. This could cause a source of pain or general discomfort in the area, due to abnormal overuse.

If you are experiencing 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. Call us today to talk to an expert about how we can relieve your aches and pains!

Call Today 719-694-8342

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HOW CAN I TELL IF MY NECK IS CAUSING 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. They will 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 same motion 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 turning motions from a chair or couch. Again, have them take note of how far you are able to comfortably turn your head. 4. Ask if there were any differences in the turning movement. 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, it means that the muscles in your back or upper back are tight. These constricted motions can cause pain in the lower back.

How can physical therapy help me? 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, they will 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. We’ll get you moving comfortably again in no time.

OUR POLICY ON CORONAVIRUS

EXERCISE ESSENTIAL

Manual Edge is committed to the health and wellbeing of you and your family. In the wake of the recent spread of COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus, we are taking every precaution. Before and after every session we are asking our clients and staff to wash or sanitize their hands. Additionally, we have increased the number of times per day that we sanitize our equipment and facility. To do your part to prevent the spread of this contagious disease, we ask parents that if you are demonstrating symptoms of coronavirus— coughing, sneezing or fever—to please stay home. Additionally, if you or your family has been exposed to someone who has a confirmed case of the virus, please notify us immediately, so we can take the necessary steps. Your cooperation in this tough time is what makes us able to continue to provide valuable services to you and your family. We appreciate your ongoing support. Our clinic features individual treatment rooms that are cleaned after each session for maximum safety.

Relieves Neck & Back Pain

www.simpleset.net

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. Hold slightly and return to the start position in a controlled manner. Repeat 10 times.

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LASER THERAPY

STAFF SPOTLIGHTS

Bo - Rehabilitation Tech

Manual Edge Physiotherapy offers the latest tools in rehabilitation, including Laser Therapy! To learn more about how Laser Therapy can help you, visit our website to learn more!

Bo is a Colorado native. She attended UCCS and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences while playing on the Women’s Basketball Team. She graduated a year early, and is now pursuing a Master’s degree in Applied Physiology while continuing to play basketbal l. After graduate school she intends on going to medical school. In her free time she enjoys hanging out with her friends and family, hiking, and being outdoors.

Call the clinic to schedule your laser therapy treatment today and your first treatment is FREE!

HEALTHY RECIPE BAKED CHIMICHURRI CHICKEN

Michelle - Patient Representative

INGREDIENTS: • 4 lbs of bone in chicken thighs or 3 lbs boneless thighs or breasts • 1/2 cup olive oil, extra virgin • 1/4 cup white (red or white wine) vinegar • 3 – 4 large garlic cloves • 1 tsp salt • 1 tsp oregano, dried • 1 cup parsley, packed • Dash of maple syrup or raw honey

INSTRUCTIONS: In a food processor or high speed blender, add Chimichurri ingredients and process on Low until chunky sauce forms. In a large bowl, add chicken and pierce randomly with a small knife. Pour half of Chimichurri sauce on top and mix with your hands to coat the meat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or preferably overnight. Rub the bottom of large baking dish with oil and lay marinated chicken breasts or thighs in a single layer. Bake uncovered in 450 degrees F preheated oven for 25-35 minutes for chicken breasts and 40 minutes for thighs. Or until internal read thermometer registers 150 degrees F internal temperature. Serve hot drizzled with remaining Chimichurri sauce.

Janet is one of our new front desk patient representatives and is a native to Colorado Springs. She is a mother to two boys and an outdoor enthusiast. She is a registered medical assistant and has worked in healthcare for the past 13 years. When Janet is not rocking the front desk, you can find her bowling, playing putt putt, or taking pictures during one of her hiking adventures.

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