South Valley: Keeping Spinal Stenosis at Bay

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

Would You Prefer Surgery Or Physical Therapy? Low Back Spinal Stenosis...

Most commonly occurring in the neck and the lower back, spinal stenosis is the official term for when the openings between the spine’s vertebrae become too narrow. For patients with lumbar (lower back) stenosis, the resulting pressure on the spinal cord or the related nerves results in pain and limited range of motion. (continued inside)

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

Do You Know What Causes Spinal Stenosis? Low Back Spinal Stenosis...

(continued from outside) In addition, lumbar spinal stenosis sufferers can experience some form of tingling and weakness in their legs, and lower back. Often, walking for more than a short distance, or standing for extended periods, becomes almost impossible. Depending on where the pressure points occur, bowel and bladder problems may even become an issue. Basic aging is a common, underlying factor for people who develop the narrowing of the openings between their vertebrae. Discs can wear away and flatten with age, leading to a smaller gap through

which nerves can pass. In addition, bone spurs that form as a result of osteoarthritis may cause narrowing of the spine. In either case, these age-related disorders put pressure on the spinal nerve. It is possible for younger adults to also experience spinal stenosis. Poor posture, or certain injuries can lead to the narrowing of the vertebrae, as can disorders affecting joints above or below stenosis areas.

Call us today to speak with a physical therapist, or come on in for a consultation. 408-365-8400

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How Physical Therapy Helps Spinal Stenosis

Unless you have an extremely advanced form of spinal stenosis, your doctor will likely recommend a more conservative approach. Physical therapy is the physician preferred treatment for spinal stenosis. It improves your ability to walk and perform other daily movements and, most importantly, to eliminate the pain you feel when undertaking those movements. Why does PT work for spinal stenosis? Physical therapy is effective because it provides a multi-dimensional approach to spinal stenosis, addressing both the causes and the effects of the disorder. Flexibility, postural support, and strength- building measures are built into the physical therapy treatment plan for this disorder. Physical therapy uses both joint mobilization and stretching to increase mobility in all of your spinal joints. These flexibility- enhancers allow all of your joints to work at full capacity, taking the pressure off affected areas. In addition, you’ll find it less painful to stand, walk and bend after building up strength in your hips, as well as stabilizing pelvic support, which supports the base of your spine. Strengthening your abs and other muscles in your core will provide better spinal support and stabilization. Avoiding Surgery Studies show that in many cases, physical therapy for spinal stenosis can prevent the need for surgery altogether. If used as a first choice option, it is effective as a pain management tool and helps identify activities to avoid that may be making the symptoms worse. A 2015 study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine followed two groups of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis—one group which had opted for surgery, and one which had gone to physical therapy as the main course of treatment—and found that both groups had similar success rates. If you’re coping with spinal stenosis and concerned about which course of treatment to undertake, call us today to arrange a consultation. We’ll work with your doctors to ensure that your treatment is the right fit for you. We can help treat your spinal stenosis whether you’re undertaking physical therapy as a first- course option, or as a way to ease the recovery process following spinal stenosis surgery.

http://www.moveforwardpt.com/symptomsconditionsdetail.aspx?cid=5e4daaa0-cb21-4eee-8484-e728617397aa http://www.apta.org/PTinMotion/News/2015/4/7/StenosisPTvsSurgery/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25844995

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South Valley Practice News

17th Annual Golf Tournament Thursday, October 4th, 2018 South Valley Family YMCA

Get in the Swing of things! Every year South Valley Physical Therapy is a sponsor of this worthwhile tournament. Enter for your chance to join our foursome! Includes lunch, golf and dinner! No cost to you... this drawing is open to all current and past patients or their family members. Send an email to [email protected] with your name and phone number to be entered into the drawing which will take place on Monday, September 17th . Winners will be notified by the 18th. Location: Cinnabar Hills Golf Course, 23608 McKean Road Date: Thursday, October 4th, 2018 Registration Time: 10:00am Lunch: 11:00am Shot Gun Start: 12:00pm

Play Golf and make a difference in the life of our youth. Make an impact by participating in our 17th annual benefit event! One hundred percent of the proceeds from the benefit event will be applied to youth programs to benefit the youth in the South San Jose Community. Dinner Reception: Immediately following play. Dinner reception includes raffle drawing, auction, and youth testimonial. Event Includes: Commemorative event material, green fees & cart, deluxe lunch, team prizes, entertainment, range balls, player bag, dinner reception, and beverages. • Golf Format – Four Person Scramble • Team format where all four players tee off and you pick the best “shot”, all four hit from the best lie “through the hole.”

Make sure to follow us on Facebook for our daily thread of Monday Meatless Menus, Tuesday Tasty Treats, Wednesday Workouts, Thirsty Thursday Smoothies and Fit Fact Fridays!

• Track weight loss • Track muscle mass gains/losses • Measure caloric intake levels Only $25 Full Body Composition Analysis GET THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO FEEL AND LOOK YOUR BEST!

CALL TODAY! 408-365-8400 Fax: 408-365-8417

For scheduling and pricing questions please email [email protected]

We want to not only help our patients but we love to give back to our community. Discover our events, recipes and goings on.

Do you want to take advantage of our Patient Referral Program but don’t have a card handy? Just clip this card from the newsletter, add YOUR name and phone number and give it to a friend or family member. For every new patient you refer we will give you your choice of a gift card to the movies (good for 2 admissions), $20.00 for coffee or tea at Peet’s or a $25.00 gift card for Le Boulanger. Remember each patient you refer must bring in a referral card and be a NEW patient to the clinic. South Valley Physical Therapy Would Like To Say Thank You!

Patient Referral Program Thank You!

CALL TODAY! 408-365-8400 Fax: 408-365-8417

Name: Phone:

For scheduling and pricing questions please email [email protected]

Eating Right Never Tasted So Good!

Veggie Hummus Rolls

INGREDIENTS • 2 vegan whole wheat wraps • 1/2 cup diced red peppers • 1/2 cup diced yellow pepper • 1/2 cup diced red cabbage

• 2 large carrots, peeled • 6 - 8 tbsp. no-oil, low-salt hummus • 2 tbsp. raw sunflower seeds (or your choice of raw seeds)

INSTRUCTIONS Heat wraps for 10 to 20 seconds in the microwave. Spread each wrap with 3 to 4 tbsp of no-oil hummus (depending on the diameter of your wrap). Divide veggies and sprinkle on top of the hummus on each wrap. Make sure to stop your veggies about 2 inches down from the edge of the tortillas (this will help the wraps seal up better). Starting on the opposite end, roll upwards tightly and press down to seal. Eat as whole wraps or cut into 1 1/2 to 2 inch pieces to make sushi-like rolls.

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What you can do to relieve pain and feel energized! 2 Easy Stretches

STRETCHES STIFF BACK MUSCLES

STRETCHES LOWER BACK

ALT. ARM & LEG LIFTS Start on hands and knees, hips and shoulders at 90°. Lift one arm straight out in front. At the same time, lift opposite leg straight back. Repeat 8 times on both sides. Hold for 3 seconds.

LOWER BACK ROTATIONS Lying on your back with your knees bent, gently rock your knees side-to-side. Perform this 10-15 times in each direction.

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Does Your Friend or Family Member Need Physical Therapy? Tell Them to Check Us Out!

Do You Have Friends Or Family Unable To Do The Following? • Climb stairs without pain • Bend and move freely

If you know someone suffering with aches and pains give the gift of health. Refer them to South Valley Physical Therapy today. Pass along this newsletter or have them call us directly for a Pain Relief Consultation.

CALL TODAY! 408-365-8400 Fax: 408-365-8417

• Balance confidently and securely • Sit for long periods comfortably • Walk for long distances • Live an active and healthy lifestyle