STAR PT: Back Pain and Difficulty Walking

October, 2018 NEWSLETTER

KHIANA HALL, RECEPTIONIST Getting To Know The Star PT Staff

What do you like about working at STAR? “I aspire to be a physical therapist, working at STAR I’m constantly learning and discovering why physical therapy is my passion. I’m very family oriented. I love that STAR is just as family oriented as I am. STAR has even assisted with my immediate family, my undergraduate professors and previous coworkers.“ What is one thing you like to do in your spare time? “I love to cook and bake. I find cooking to be very therapeutic. I’m obsessed with sweets, pastries, and homemade candy. I love trying new recipes and having my loved one and the kids be my taste testers.” Tori’s words of wisdom: “When you have faith, EVERYTHING is possible.”

Khiana, WE ARE SO HONORED TO HAVE YOU AT STAR!!

www.starptclinics.com

NEWSLETTER

October, 2018

WALKING AWAY FROM BACK PAIN

INSIDE: • Fixing Your Stride • Healthy Recipe • Exercise Essentials • Patient Success Spotlight

CALL IN! Call for your FREE BACK PAIN ASSESSMENT Call our clinic nearest you to schedule your first step out of pain today!

Back Pain with Matt Slimming, PT, DPT Dear Valued Client,

So, whether it is following asudden injury or achronic issue that has developed over time, physical therapy could be the answer to helping you enjoy life free of back pain. And the secret to success is learning to

approach recovery one step at a time. Walking Your Way Pain Free

Does going for a walk sound like a big pain in the back? For thosewhostrugglewithchronic back pain, even the basic task

Matt Slimming Physical Therapist

Walking is a great form of exercise, but more than that, it is anecessity of life.When you can’twalk, even basic tasks become complicated. Getting out of bed in themorning, getting to and fromwork, moving your way around the office, and even spending time with family on the weekends all rely heavily on your ability to walk. When your back pain begins to interfere with your ability to move around freely, then you know it is time to start doing something about it. Conveniently, walking is more than a goal when it comes to back pain, it could be part of the solution. Workingwithaphysical therapist todevelop improved strategies and techniques with your walking could help you to get back on your feet even sooner than you thought possible. What’s more, for those who are able to walk, getting on your feet more often with targeted exercises could help you find relief from back pain even sooner than expected.

of going for a walk can be overwhelming and painful. Backpain can strikeatany time.Whether in theupper back, surrounding the neck and shoulders, or in the lower back at the lumbar or sciatica, back pain is something that no one likes to deal with for too long. Relying on pain medications to help you overcome back pain will leave you disappointed. While pain medications are frequently helpful at alleviating the discomfort of your back pain for a short period of time, they are not capable of resolving the issue that is causing your pain to develop in the first place. The only thing that can actually fix your back pain is addressing the issue that is causing your pain head on. Physical therapy is a great resource for addressing your back pain and can be a helpful tool in getting you back on your feet.

www.starptclinics.com

FIXING YOUR Stride

When you are experiencing regular back pain, especially if you are experiencing back pain while walking, you should consider ways that you can reduce back pain by taking small steps to support your back. There are several things that you can do at home to improve your stride, which can make a significant difference when it comes to managing back pain day to day. Here are several ways that you can start taking care of your back with each step you take: 1. Make sure that you are wearing the right types of shoes. While the golden rule for walking is to wear sneakers, not all sneakers are created equally. You need to wear a sneaker that is going to provide you with the arch support that meets your individual needs.This may mean upgrading from your minimal supportsneaker tosomething more athletically designed. 2. Try a custom insert in your shoe. Of course, you can’t wear sneakers all the time. When you are at the office, professional footwear matters. You may find it helpful to have custom orthotics

made for your work shoes so that you can have more arch support around the clock. 3. Work on improving your posture. If you are slouching when you walk, then that may be impacting the way that your back feels. Take a few minutes in the morning and again in the afternoon to stretch your back, and then make a point of keeping your shoulders square and your back straight as you walk. Simply standing tall may alleviate some of your back pain. Another way that walking can help alleviate back pain is by encouraging weight loss. Being overweight puts added pressure on your back, and this can contribute to increased back pain. Working withaphysical therapist to improveyour walking technique can help you to overcome back pain one step at a time.

Healthy Recipe

Patient Success Spotlight

• 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)

VEGGIE HUMMUS ROLLS

“I can’t say enough about the staff, they have been wonderful.” Success Story: Mark H. “My experience at STAR PT has been outstanding. Flexibility and core strength has increased. This has decreased the pain from my lower lumbar injury, allowing me to have a better quality of life while recoverying from my injury. I can’t say enough about the staff, they have been wonderful. It is nice to work with people who enjoy doing their job. They have a great attitude and have interest in your recovery. This has helped me immensely. Thank you for all you do.”

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.

www.starptclinics.com

UPCOMING

WORKSHOPS

BACK PAIN & SCIATICA

BALANCE & DIZZINESS

ROTATOR CUFF & SHOULDER

FIBROMYALGIA & CHRONIC PAIN

KNEE PAIN

ELBOW PAIN

ARTHRITIS

COVINGTON

10/2 @ 6:30 PM 11/13 @ 6:30 PM

10/23 @ 6:30 AM

10/16 @ 6:30 PM

10/30 @ 6:30 PM

9/18 @ 6:30 PM

10/9 @ 6:30 PM

11/20 @ 6:30 PM

FOLSOM, MANDEVILLE, & LACOMBE

10/16 @ 6:30 PM

10/30 @ 6:30 PM

11/20 @ 6:30 PM

LAKEFRONT / GENTILLY

10/11 @ 6:30 PM 11/17 @ 6:30 PM

10/25 @ 6:30 PM

SLIDELL

10/9 @ 6:00 PM 11/27 @ 6:00 PM

10/23 @ 6:00 PM

NEW ORLEANS EAST

10/9 @ 6:30 PM

Exercise Essentials Try this movement to help relieve leg pain.

Refer A Friend

Helps Leg Pain

www.simpleset.net

HAMSTRING STRETCH

Stand with one leg on a medium sized stool as shown. Keeping your back straight, slowly lean forwards from the hips

Do You Have Friends Or Family Unable To Do The Following:

Who Do You Know That Needs Our Help? � Move without pain � Bend and move freely � Balance confidently & securely � Sit for long periods comfortably � Walk for long distances � Live a healthy lifestyle If you know someone suffering with aches and pains give the gift of health. Refer them to Star Physical Therapy today. Pass along this newsletter or have them call us directly to schedule an appointment.

www.starptclinics.com