Oakland Physical Therapy_Don't Ignore Your Back Pain

NEWSLETTER Frank Kava DPT • Kristie Kava DScPT

“Relief Starts as Soon as You Start Physical Therapy!” DON’T IGNORE YOUR BACKPAIN

N E W S L E T T E R

FrankKavaDPTandKristieKavaDScPT

6BackPROBLEMSYouShouldn't Ignore Plus: Physical TherapyHelps!

Do you feel aches and pains in your lower back? If so, you are not alone. Four out of every five Americans will suffer from back pain at some time in their lives. Without proper spine mobility, stability and alignment your back structures wear down over time, similar to tires that are out of alignment. There are many different back conditions, but here are a few common ones: 1. Lumbar or sacral radiculopathy: The result of pressure on a nerve exiting the spine. Pain, numbness and tingling can be felt down in different parts of the leg. 2. Sciatica: This comes from compression of the sciatic nerve by a muscle called the piriformis, deep in the buttock. Symptoms can radiate down the buttock and leg. 3. Spinal stenosis: This is a narrowing of the bony spinal canal which causes rubbing or pressure on nerves. Central canal stenosis is quite serious as it presses upon the spinal cord. 4. Lumbar sprain/strain: This is a common cause of low back pain due to injury of muscles and tendons. The rows of muscles that run up

and down the sides of the spinal column, are the major muscle groups usually involved in lower back injury. 5. Fractures: These are due to trauma, or sometimes occur without any injury in people with osteoporosis. 6. Spinal cord compression: This is unusual, but very worrisome and may be associated with weakness and loss of bowel/bladder control. Medication and Bed Rest Most lower back pain sufferers try over the counter drugs and bed rest. However, most self remedies will not provide the relief that you need. In fact, bed rest is the wrong thing to do, because it can weaken the spinal muscles further. Weakness in the spinal muscles is one of the main reasons for low back pain and puts you at risk for injuring your back with common activities such as lifting, bending or squatting. Most of us sit too much and this contributes to severe weakening of the back and torso muscles which are needed for a healthy back.

• 6 Back Problems You Shouldn’t Ignore • Will Your Back Hurt As You Get Older? • Patient Success Spotlight • Upcoming Workshops INSIDE:

Call Today (248) 380-3550

www.oaklandphysicaltherapy.com

WillYourBackHurtWhenYouGetOlder?

If you think that growing older automatically leads to back pain, here’s some great news; it doesn’t! Many people suffer from pain, yet, they still believe their aches and pains are a natural part of aging. They’re not. Back pain is primarily caused by four main factors: • Spinal muscle weakness • Poor muscle or joint movement • Poor posture • Lack of spinal or pelvic muscle coordination Treating the Cause of Your Back Pain The goal of our SPINE program is to find the root cause of your pain and correct it, not just treat the symptoms. By treating the root cause of the pain, you can achieve faster, long-lasting results. We provide the most advanced and effective treatments to each of our patients in a caring, friendly environment. Our highly trainedandskilledphysical therapistsuseproven hands-on therapy techniques to help people of all ages become free of pain and get back to the activities they enjoy. If your back pain prevents you from standing for long periods, bending down to pick up objects, or getting up and down from the floor to play with your children or grandchildren it’s time to come to Physical Therapy and restore your quality of life.

Knowing the Right Expert to Help You PhysicalTherapistsaremedicalmusculoskeletal specialists, meaning we are the experts when it comes to the movement of the body and how the muscles, joints and skeletal structure work with one another. Effective physical therapy experts recognize that the best treatments are not modalities that depend solely on ultrasound, cold or heat therapy, but rather a skilled hands-on approach to examination and treatment. Studies have

proven that manual therapy and specific exercises produce better and faster results than traditional exercise based therapy. If you are suffering with back pain or know someone who is, call us today to discover how we can finally help you become pain free and get back to the activities you enjoy. After all, you’re as young as you feel!

Practice News Spotlight

Staff Spotlight

Julie Laferty, PTA Julie Laferty, PTA received her Associate Degree in Applied Science/Physical Therapy Assistant from Kellogg Community College in May 2017. She was awarded the “Outstanding Clinical Student” award in her class.

Julie has clinical experience in sports medicine therapy and orthopedic rehabilitation and truly enjoys helping people reach the very best of their ability through physical therapy. Julie is currently in a training program for the Gyrotonic Method® which is used here at Oakland Physical Therapy, P.C. Outside of physical therapy Julie loves spending time with her family and friends doing any outdoor activity near the lakes or mountains. Julie especially has a passion for riding horses and loves to share her passion through volunteering to help people with disabilities to have the ability to ride horses.

In January our Director & Physical Therapist Kristie Kava, Office Manager Ashley Ferrara and Receptionist Amanda Roberts attended the Breakthrough Physical Therapy Marketing Bootcamp! KristiereceivedanExcellenceAward inrecognitionofheraccomplishments withinBPTMandhercontinuedpursuitofexcellence in theKillerMarketing and All Star Program! Congratulations Kristie!

If you, or a loved one, has pain, join us in a complimentary informative workshop on common causes, treatments, and prevention of your pain. COMPLIMENTARY WORKSHOPS

Patient Success Spotlight

“While lower back pain didn’t curtail my everyday activities, I always had a soreness and/or tightness, sometimes with a specific pain point, in my back. Coming to PT has really helped to ease all those issues. The stretching exercises I was given were a great help in my loosening up my lower back as well as my legs and hips. While my pain is not entirely gone I have an overall improvement that has helped ease lower back pain. The staff at Oakland, Linda, and everyone who assisted in my treatment were always professional, friendly and, most of all, very instrumental in the big progress I have made.” - G.H. “The stretching exercises I was givenwere a great help inmy loosening upmy lower back as well asmy legs and hips.”

Back Pain and Sciatica Workshop Saturday, February 17 Saturday, March 17 10am Call (248) 380-3550 or email us at: [email protected]

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

Quadratus Lumborum Stretch Sidelying Lieonyoursidewithyour top legstraightandbottom leg bent up as shown with a pillow underneath your side. Reach your arm over your head. and feel a stretch in your side. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 4 times both sides.

Good stretch to help your lower back

26850 Providence Parkway Suite 365 Novi, MI 48374 Frank Kava DPT and Kristie Kava DScPT

www.oaklandphysicaltherapy.com