TheraFit: Determining The Origins Of Your Pain

THE NEWSLETTER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND CARING FOR YOUR BODY

KRISTI HALL, LPTA GETTING TO KNOW THE THERAFIT PHYSICAL THERAPY TEAM!

READ MORE ABOUT KRISTI INSIDE

Kristi Hall graduated from Lincoln County High School in 2006. Then received her degree from Volunteer State Community College in 2009. She joined the TheraFit team May 2019, with 10 years of previous outpatient physical therapy background. Kristi lives in Lincoln County with her husband Asa, son Tucker, daughter Alexis, and step

daughter Emma. Kristi enjoys loving on and helping the community she grew up in with the blessings God has given her. She spends her free time enjoying her family and church family at The Rock Fayetteville campus.

(continue reading about Kristi’s story on the inside of this newsletter)

INSIDE :

• Determining The Origin Of Your Pain • Things To Consider Before PT

• Exercise Of The Month • Patient Success Spotlight

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THE NEWSLETTER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND CARING FOR YOUR BODY

DETERMINING THE ORIGIN OF YOUR PAIN

Sometimes a pain develops that you can immediately identify the cause. A new pair of shoes may cause a sharp pain in your heel, or an old chair at work may cause your back to grow sore and uncomfortable as time goes on. But there are other situations in which pain develops, and the cause of the pain is unclear. Different types of pain can tell you different things about your body and overall health. Sometimes, a pain in your arm or your leg may have little to nothing to do with an actual issue in your arm or leg. Physical therapists are like well-trained detectives when it comes to identifying the causes of pain. A physical therapist knows the way that the nervous system works, making it possible to identify the potential causes of pain, even if the pain is manifesting itself in an unusual or seemingly inexplicable way.

can help you find the relief you are looking for. Physical therapists are trained in identifying and treating the cause of your pain, giving you the opportunity to shift away from the ongoing use of pain medication and instead, find relief from your pain with a series of strategies that include stretching, muscle building, and flexibility training. Understanding Your Pain When you meet with a physical therapist to understand where your pain may be coming from, one of the first things you’ll do is have a conversation about your pain. How long you’ve been experiencing pain, where it developed, and how the pain manifests itself are all very important distinctions that can help shed some light on what may be causing your discomfort.

If you are in pain, please call today to learn more about our programs and how to quickly relieve your pain.

Whether you are suffering from pain in your head, your back, your neck, or anywhere else in your body, working with a physical therapist

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Try this movement if you are experiencing pain. EXERCISE OF THE MONTH

Things To Consider Before PT

Relieves Core Pain

www.simpleset.net

SUPERMAN Lie on your stomach as shown. Lift your arms and legs off the floor slightly at the same time.

Consider exactly where the pain occurs in your body, and research what the different parts of the body are called so that you can have an accurate and helpful conversation about your pain. For example, back pain has a lot of differentiations, and lumbar pain (which is in the lower back) is frequently caused by factors different from what would cause upper-back or neck pain. • How does the pain feel when it develops? Is it a lingering ache? Is it a sharp stab? Is it more of a tingling feeling? Each of these sensations are actually associated with different types of problems, so describing your pain appropriately may be helpful in determining the best treatment methods for your body’s needs. • What do you think may be causing the pain? Of course, it happens that a pain will develop, and you are dumbfounded as to why, but more often than not, there is something that you think could be influencing it. If the pain started around the same time as a change in environment or life circumstances, then it is worth telling your physical therapist about the association. Another thing to consider about your pain is whether or not it develops at particular times of the day or year. There are plenty of situations when someone begins to experience pain when the weather starts to change, and it turns out that the pain is a result of arthritis and inflammation. There are other situations in which the pain will develop as a result of prolonged sitting, or the opposite — such as when things get crazy at home or at work, and you find that you are not getting as much sleep as usual. Considering any changes in your daily habits or environmental factors can be very helpful in determining what is causing your pain. Regardless of where your pain is, how long you’ve been dealing with it, or how intense the pain feels, the smart thing to do when pain develops is to speak with a physical therapist. Working with a physical therapist can help you finally get a step ahead of your pain, finding treatment options that are designed to provide you with long-term relief instead of temporary relief from medication. For more information about physical therapy for overcoming bodily pain, contact us.

EXERCISE & PAIN RELIEF If you have back or joint pain, there are probably some times when all you want to do is lie in bed all day. It’s tempting, but it might make the problem worse. Doctors used to prescribe bed rest for back pain and other chronic pain conditions, but studies have found that people who exercise and stay flexible manage their pain much better than those who don’t. If you do have a chronic pain condition like back pain or hip, knee, or shoulder problems, you shouldn’t begin an exercise program without guidance. Check with your physical therapist first. They have the expertise to help you develop an individualized exercise program. Have a professional; a physical therapist show you what is appropriate to do given your condition. Here are 6 exercises/activities you should do to alleviate pain: 1. Walking 2. Swimming 3. Yoga 4. Pilates 5. Stretching 6. Aerobics

CALL US TODAY IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING PAIN

Coupon Corner!

Staff Spotlight (continued) : Kristi Hall

On May 8th, 2018 Kristi and her family had a life changing event. On the way home from her son’s soccer game, Kristi along with her two youngest children, and her mother was in a head on collision. Praise the lord the children received only minor issues. Unfortunately, Kristi and her mother had extensive injuries that required multiple surgeries and extensive rehab.

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As a result of the car accident Kristi had multiple broken bones and other injuries. She was diagnosed with a left hip dislocation with multiple displaced pelvic fractures, multiple breaks in left ankle, crushed right patella with dislocation, half of her meniscus and cartilage were missing in her right knee, broken ribs, fractures in her right hand, and fracture of the occipital condyle of the skull. After almost 9 years of being a LPTA, Kristi was seeing the other side of physical therapy. Kristi spent 2 weeks in Vanderbilt hospital with 4 surgeries, followed by 6 weeks of inpatient rehab at skilled care. Once discharged from skilled care, Kristi and her mother both went home with home health care physical therapy. Kristi had to under-go 2 more surgeries after she was home. She and her mother were both in a wheelchair with a non weight bearing status with both of their legs for 3 months. They learned how to function in a wheelchair learning how to do their own daily activities without the ability to use their legs and Kristi did not have use of her right hand for the 3 full months as well. After 3 months of home health, they began outpatient physical therapy. Kristi had a really good group of very frank doctors as well as physical therapists. During her pelvic reconstruction surgery, the doctor told her not to do any of her “therapy crap” for 3 months. This was one of the hardest things she had to do, becausesheknew ifshebearedweight inher leg itwoulddestroyher reconstruction. But on the other hand she really did not want to go to skill care. She wanted to be independent and wanted to be home with her family. Another big issue was to have a manipulation to her right knee which was stuck at 60 degrees flexion, or to live with it because of the risks, pain, and extending her recovery phase even longer. Kristi believes having the manipulation was one of the best decisions she made, even though she really dreaded going through with another surgery. Kristi had heard all the horrible stories people told about having a manipulation. She said the pain is all worth being able to sit in a restaurant without your foot resting on the chair across from you, being able to squat and pick things up off the floor, hiking with the kids, and many other activities requiring a good knee bend. Kristi knows her future holds making more decisions to further surgeries, but continues to research new and upcoming technology and surgeons. Kristi was told that it would be a 1 to 1 ½ years before she would even be physically able to return to work. Praise the Lord, God showed out. Kristi returned to her full time job as a LPTA 6 months after the wreck. Kristi can not express enough thanks to her family, friends, and community for everything they did to help her and her family through her recovery. Through all of the surgeries and hardships Kristi learned the struggles her patients see with a surgery or injury such as the conflict you feel when the doctor tells you whatnot todo,butyouneed to takecareofyourselfand family.Kristialsodeveloped more empathy when her patients struggle making the decision of whether to have that big surgery or not, because of being scared of the what ifs that come along with risk of surgery. Since her car accident, Kristi has a better understanding of pain, emotional ups and downs of the recovery process, and the acceptance of the things she can change and the things she can not. She has had firsthand knowledge of the bodies ability to heal, the necessities of surgeries, and the need for physical therapy. Kristi continues to work full time as LPTA with a greater passion to help others achieve a pain free active lifestyle. Kristi says your recovery is what you put into it, and how much faith you have. Kristi’s favorite quote that helped her through her struggles is, Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

PARK CITY, TN 931-557-5030

HAZEL GREEN, AL 256-829-9544

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Patient Success Spotlight

“Threemonthsago Ibrokemy leg inseveralplaces. Even though I remained non-weight bearing for twelve weeks, I began physical therapy at three weeks post-injury to work on range of motion and strengthening in preparation for walking and “I was in a wheelchair when I started here, and now I am beginning to walk again.”

running again. I had PTat another facility for a couple of weeks before transferring here to TheraFit. I am so glad that I changed my therapy to here! The therapists are top notch and everyone is so nice. The biggest difference though is that at the other place I felt like I got a cookie cutter program, whereas the therapists at TheraFit tailor the exercise program for me specifically based on my abilities and progress. As a result, I have improved much faster than expected. I was in a wheelchair when I started here, and now I am beginning to walk again. It looks like I may be running again by this summer. Getting back to an active lifestyle is important to me, andTheraFit has been instrumental in accomplishing this!” - K.S.

PARK CITY, TN 931-557-5030

HAZEL GREEN, AL 256-829-9544

www.therafital.com