Somersworth: Don’t Ignore Back Pain

Somersworth: Don’t Ignore Back Pain

Health &Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

Do Something About Your Back Pain Today! DOYOUWANT NATURAL RELIEF FOR YOURNAGGING BACKPAIN?

We Can Help!

Tips To Stay Active In Cooler Weather

Health & Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

6 BACK CONDITIONS NOT TO IGNORE “Continue An Active Life Free Of Pain!”

INSIDE: • Will Your Back Hurt As You Get Older? • Relieve Back Pain In Minutes • Patient Success Spotlight

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.

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WILL YOUR BACK HURT AS YOU GET OLDER? 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 trained and skilled physical therapists use proven 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 Somersworth Physical Therapy and restore your quality of life. Knowing the Right Expert to Help You Physical Therapists are medical musculoskeletal 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!

Eating Right Never Tasted So Good!

Lemon Rosemary Salmon Healthy Recipe

INGREDIENTS • 1 lemon, thinly sliced • 4 sprigs fresh rosemary

• 2 salmon fillets • Salt to taste • 1 tablespoon olive oil

DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Arrange half the lemon slices in a single layer in a baking dish. Layer with 2 sprigs rosemary, and top with salmon fillets. Sprinkle salmon with salt, layer with remaining rosemary sprigs, and top with remaining lemon slices. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until fish is easily flaked with a fork.

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Patient Success Spotlights

I’ve learned exercises and stretches to do to stay strong and healthy and there is no more pain in my back!

“Two years ago I injured my back gardening — just before golf season. I am an avid golfer so injuring myself in the spring was the worst thing I could do. I went to chiropractic and massage therapy and was able to get through the golf season, but I had to limit my games and ride a cart rather than walking the course. I exercised all winter, then came spring and once again my back went out just before the season started.This time I went to physical therapy, chiropractic, massage and athletic training. I was able to play golf just once a week and ride a cart instead of walking and I had to eliminate all other activities just for the opportunity to play once a week. This was not what I signed up for! Then Somersworth Physical Therapy offered a free workshop at the golf course for golfers with back problems! I listened to what they had to say and figured why not give it a try. At least they would be trying to get me better, not just maintaining the pain. Today I am graduating and can’t wait for the golf season to start! I plan to play 2-3 times a week and WALK! I’ve learned exercises and stretches to do to stay strong and healthy and there is no more pain in my back! Thank you Justin and Minami! Now I can get back to my regular life activities! Thank you!!” - Diane F.

Take Care of Your Aches and Pains Before It’s Too Late.

OUR SERVICES:

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

Stretches Lower Back SINGLE KNEE TO CHEST STRETCH

www.simpleset.net

While lying on your back, hold your knee and gently pull it up towards your chest. Hold for 10 counts. Repeat 6 times on both sides.

• Back Pain & Sciatica • Neck Pain & Headaches • Shoulder Pain • Foot & Ankle Pain

• Hip & Knee Pain • Hand, Wrist & ElbowPain • Balance& Fall Prevention • Vertigo

CALL TODAY! (603) 841-5441

Low Back Pain Workshop Reveals How to Naturally Heal LOW BACK PAIN FOR GOOD. ATTENTION LOW BACK PAIN SUFFERERS! Wednesday, March 21st at 6:30pm • Do you suffer with low pain when you are reaching or bending? • Do you rely on pain medication for your pain?

• Does your back ever “go out” if you move the wrong way? • Do you have pain when you stand for a long period of time? • Are you afraid your pain will get worse if you don’t do anything about it?

If you have answered YES to any of the above questions (or have a stubborn spouse who is in denial) the Low Back Pain Workshop may be a life changing event for you…

HEAR WHAT OUR PATIENTS HAVE TO SAY: “I was being seen for a lower back pain due to arthritis–could not walk to my desk at work (about 150ft) without it hurting. I could not stand 5 minutes before it would hurt. No shopping, etc. Due to the therapy I received from Justin and Minami and dry needling, I am now able to walk down and back at work with no back issue. I can stand, do dishes, shopping and walking with no back issue; can do housework (lovely) and be more active for my grandchildren.” -Cheryl M.

Low back pain can completely ruin your life… we have seen it many times. ü It can cause stress and make you rely on pain medication more often than needed ü It can take your focus away from enjoying your life… like spending time with your children or grandchildren

ü It can mess up your work or force you to do a job you don’t want to do ü It can ruin your travel plans ü And it can take away your ability to live life… having to rely on others

Less movement and less enjoyment of life can lead to depression, increased stress and creates a sedentary lifestyle (mostly sitting… not moving much) which leads to more health problems… and life problems. Here at Somersworth Physical Therapy, we’ve helped hundreds of people from Somersworth and the rest of Seacoast, who have suffered with low back pain. It’s our specialty. If you’re confused about what to do and are looking for answers, here’s some of what you’ll learn: ü The single BIGGEST #1 MISTAKE low back pain sufferers make which actually stops them from healing ü A SURE-FIRE WAY to pick the right treatment for the cause of your pain (and save you a ton of time and money)

ü The 3 MOST COMMON CAUSES of low back pain

ü What successful treatment and permanent relief looks like without the side effects of medications, injections or surgery

Don’t delay, register by calling today! (603) 841-5441 The workshop is free but limited; 30 spots available. www.somersworthpt.com

STAYING ACTIVE IN COOL WEATHER

As winter beings to fade into spring, temperatures can fluctuate wildly from cold to cool. But don’t let the cool weather slow you down.The American Heart Association offers these tips for working out in cooler weather. There’s no reason you need to take a break from physical activity when the temperature drops. In fact, exercising in cooler weather has some distinct advantages over working out in warmer weather. Tips to Keep in Mind No heat and humidity to deal with. The chill of early spring might even make you feel awake and invigorated. You may be able to work out longer in cooler weather— which means you can burn even more calories. It’s a great way to take in the sunlight (in small doses). Not only can light improve many people’s moods, it also helps you get some vitamin D. Exercise boosts your immunity! Just a fewminutes a day can help prevent simple bacterial and viral infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Try these outdoor activities:

• Brisk walking • Hiking • Jogging or running • Bicycling • Gardening

https://healthyforgood.heart.org/move-more/articles/how-to-stay-active-in-cold-weather

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