Sports & Ortho Therapy. Arthritis Pain

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

O V E R C OM I N G A R T H R I T I S P A I N ALSO INSIDE How Physical Therapy Can Help • Healthy Recipe What Our Patients Are Saying • Exercise Essentials

N E W S L E T T E R

O V E R C OM I N G A R T H R I T I S P A I N

If you’re constantly facing lower back, hip and knee pain—you might be feeling arthritis. According to the Centers for Disease Control, roughly 54.4 million U.S. adults are diagnosed with some form of arthritis per year. As we age, our bones wear down. Are yours? If they are, don’t worry. It’s possible to alleviate the symptoms. It’s even possible to eliminate them entirely. What Is Arthritis, Exactly? Before knowing how to relieve arthritic pain, you’ll need to understand it. Arthritis—or the painful stiffness, or inflammation, of joints—isn’t a single disease. The term “arthritis” is an informal explanation of joint pain and disease in general. Over 100 types of arthritis exist, asserts the Arthritis Foundation. People of all ages, races and sex can get it. It’s also the leading cause of ongoing disability in America.

What Causes Lower Back, Hip and Knee Arthritis? Because arthritis is a catch-all term, pinpointing what causes arthritis may be difficult. In most cases, arthritis is caused by injuries. These injuries degenerate bones, joints and cartilage, resulting in the pain. Arthritis can also be caused by:

• Infections, such as Lyme disease • An immune system dysfunction • The inheritance of osteoarthritis • An abnormal metabolism, which leads to gout

Simply walking can cause arthritis in the lower back, hip and knee. Our legs wear down as they’re used. Sometimes, old age is simply the culprit as use wears away at our joints and bone tissue. This type of arthritis, called degenerative arthritis—or osteoarthritis—is the most common kind of arthritis. When the leg’s cartilage—or its slick, cushioned surface—is worn away, bone rubs against bone. This pain, stiffness and swelling requires professional osteoarthritis treatment.

IF YOU THINK YOU COULD BENEFIT FROM PHYSICAL THERAPY, VISIT MYSPORTSPT.COM TODAY!

H O W P H Y S I C A L T H E R A P Y C A N H E L P Regardless of the cause of arthritis, physical therapy serves a purpose in most cases. Often, severe arthritis may require medication, hot and cold therapy or even surgery. While maintaining a healthy weight, exercise and a good diet help, medical intervention may eventually be needed. During physical therapy, the individual is trained to reach If you or a loved one suffers from arthritis, you still have options. Contact one of our therapists today, and ask about ongoing physical therapy treatment to restore mobility, comfort and quality of life. If you’re suffering from sciatica or back pain, call 301.989.9040 to talk with your physical therapisttodayandscheduleyourappointment!

maximum mobility. They may also undergo exercises that reduce the pressure on arthritic spots. If a patient has undergone surgery, post-op physical therapy can help them reclaim their mobility—as well as their lifestyle.

Sources https://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/understanding-arthritis/what-is-arthritis.php https://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/where-it-hurts/back-pain/causes/back-arthritis.php https://www.arthritis-health.com/blog/7-core-exercises-relieve-back-and-hip-arthritis-pain https://www.arthritis-health.com/blog/4-types-arthritis-cause-sacroiliac-joint-pain

H E A L T H Y R E C I P E BERRY ALMOND SMOOTHIE BOWL INGREDIENTS

• ⅛ tsp ground cardamom • ⅛ tsp vanilla extract • ¼ cup blueberries • 1 tbsp unsweetened coconut flakes

• ⅔ cup frozen raspberries • ½ cup frozen sliced banana • ½ cup plain almond milk • 5 tbsp sliced almonds, divided • ¼ tsp ground cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS Blend raspberries, banana, almond milk, 3 tablespoons almonds, cinnamon, cardamom and vanilla in a blender until very smooth. Pour the smoothie into a bowl and top with blueberries, the remaining 2 tablespoons almonds and coconut.

WHAT OUR PAT I ENTS ARE SAY I NG : “Monique Beeko brought me optimal recovery from a challenging knee replacement surgery with first-rate therapy. The amount of time she spent with me, the hands-on therapy she provided with skilled hands, and the exercises she guided me through all helped me recover and get back to hiking. Connecting to the whole person, Monique is able to converse personally and sensitively. She always confers, prescribes, and instructs diplomatically while also responding with genuine care and a lovely sense of humor that put me at ease. She could sense when it was time to stay the course and when it was time to add exercises or encourage pushing more in doing some exercises. I would go back to Monique in a heartbeat. In fact, I plan to do that for my second knee replacement surgery next year and also for a yearly “movement assessment physical.” Beyond Monique, the rest of the staff at SPORTS Therapy were welcoming, warm, and professional. I should mention that this treatment is not my first time at this practice. Over the last ten years or so, I had therapy for a strained hip and strengthening exercises to help with knee and hip pain. I have had an excellent experience each time with other therapists at this practice; I wouldn’t go anywhere else for physical therapy.” - Shirley M.

When we remodeled our facility, we endeavored to develop a clinic which is open and inviting. The color scheme and art work were included to encourage a safe-healing environment. Besides being beautiful it is extremely functional with 3200 square feet of clinical treatment area.

HAS YOUR PA I N COME BACK?

STAF F SPOT L I GHT KAREN GROSSMAN

Karen has worked at SPORTS since 2007, when she retired from teaching art to middle and high school students for over 30 years in Montgomery County. During her first year she enjoyed the clinical interaction with patients as a physical therapy aide and since then has worked part-time assisting Deborah Johnson with managing the financial, front office and marketing aspects of the practice. Karen also works part-time as an adjunct professor in ceramic arts (hand-building and wheel-throwing) at Howard Community College in Columbia, MD. There she enjoys teaching an inter-generational community and the time and opportunity to use the studio for creating more of her own professional work. She is an avid gardener and enjoys biking, kayaking, traveling and cheering for the Orioles with her husband, Bob.

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Feel free to call us and ask to speak to your therapist.

Your therapist can discuss with you why your pain is bothering you again and what you might do about it at home. If further assessment is warranted, your therapist might recommend you come in for an appointment. WE ’ RE HERE TO HE LP YOU WI TH : • Low Back & Neck Pain • Hip, Knee, & Leg Pain • Hand, Arm, & Shoulder Pain

E X E R C I S E E S S E N T I A L S

Manypatientsbenefit from thisexercise,andwehope ithelpsyou, too!However, if it is not met with a good outcome rapidly, please do not continue to perform the exercise. To get an individualized exercise program for your specific problem, it is best to see a SP.OR.T.S. physical therapist to perform an evaluation at which time a more focused approach will really make a difference.

KNEE EXTENSION While sitting, tighten your top thigh muscle to press the back of your knee downward towards the ground. Repeat 3 times.

• Post-surgical Rehab • Balance Problems • Vestibular & Neurological Disorders • Headaches

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