VCSST_Living Life Without Back Pain

VCSST_Living Life Without Back Pain

Newsletter WelcomeBrandon Poen, PT, DPT!

Dr. Brandon Poen joined the VCSST family in August 2017 after relocating from Michigan to Virginia with his fiancé, who is in a General Surgery residency at VCU. Originally from Illinois, Brandon received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northern Illinois University and has a strong orthopedic and neurological background. He is certified in LSVT-BIG which is a clinically validated program for treating individuals with Parkinson’s disease and associated neurological disorders of movement. He is fluent in conversational and rehab Spanish.

Brandon is one of two cohosts of “The Healthcare Education Transformation Podcast” in which prominent healthcare professionals are interviewed for their insights and advice about topics in healthcare. The podcast is geared toward patients, students, the community, therapists, and other healthcare professionals. To listen, go to The Healthcare Education Transformation Podcast on iTunes or through his website: http://healthcareeducationtransformationpodcast. com. Brandon has a passion for learning and improving his clinical skills to best serve his clients. He is currently pursuing advanced certifications in Manual Therapy, Dry Needling and Vestibular Rehabilitation. Outside of the clinic, Brandon enjoys a wide variety of activities including running, swimming, hiking, strength training and visiting historic sites.

Newsletter "FindOut Howto WakeWithoutAnAche!" IsBedRestGoodFor Your Back?

INSIDE: • Understand the Cause of Your Back Pain • Love Your Heart, Eat Your Oatmeal • Laughter is the Best Medicine • Patient Spotlight • Relieve Back Pain in Minutes

In the old days, when your back was hurting, your doctor told you to rest until it felt better. However a lot has been learned about proper treatment for back pain, and gone are the days of prolonged bed rest. New studies show that proper movements, posture and a gradual return to activities have been found to be much more successful to control back pain. This allows you faster pain relief and to be able to return to normal activities sooner. Bed rest and inactivity have been shown to weaken muscles and bones. Whereas exercise in general, increases strength and flexibility of the muscles, aiding in healing through increased blood flow to the affected area. It has also been found that exercise and aerobic activity, like walking, assists in bringing nutrients to

structures in the spine. Some of these structures, like the discs between your vertebrae, have a poor blood supply and rely on your body’s movements and aerobic activity to circulate nutrients. When a person is inactive, less of these nutrients are able to get to the structures in the spine to keep them healthy. In our Spine Care program, we look at your individual health history as well as your current mobility level and interests. Following a thorough exam, our spine specialists will develop an individualized treatment program specifically for you. We combine our expertise in manual therapy, exercise prescription and patient education to relieve your pain, restore your function and prevent your symptoms from recurring. We want to be your partner in health to guide you back into your previous activity level without pain.

(804) 249-8277 FAX: (804) 249-9690 CALL TODAY! 2820 Waterford Lake Dr. Suite 103 Midlothian, VA 23112.

"UnderstandTheCauseOf Your BackPain." AreYour Feet CausingBackPain?

When your foot hits the ground, your whole body feels the effect.  Imagine in your car if your shock absorbers were worn out. You would feel every bump and jolt from the road. Your feet and legs act much the same way. The greater the impact of your step, the more impact it has on your body. Sometimesour legsarenotquite thesame lengthdue to jointreplacements or arthritic conditions in the ankle, knee, or hip. Even small differences may cause back or leg pain. A small heel lift can often change symptoms dramatically. Many times tightness in the ankle can also contribute to back pain. When the ankle joint is tight, this essentially makes that leg “longer” which can cause the spine to curve slightly and result in back and leg pain. Your feet and legs need to be able to support the rest of your body during walking tasks. We will evaluate your hip, knee and ankle strength and mobility. Oncewehave identified theproblems,wecan focuson improving the muscle strength of those that are weak and stretch those that are tight. This will allow you to walk more efficiently and eliminate back pain in many instances. If we find that you need some type of modification to your shoes or orthotic inserts, we will make those recommendations as well. We want to look at everything that can be contributing to your back pain,not justyourback. Thiscanbedoneunder theguidanceandexpertise of our physical therapists at Virginia Center for Spine & Sports Therapy. LOVEYOURHEART, EATYOUROATMEAL

Laughter is the best Medicine

Did you know? …that laughter is good for your heart? It diminishes stress and boosts the immune system. Even the simple act of smiling has a positive effect on happiness and physical health, helping the heart recover more quickly after stressful events. Smilingand laughter reduce blood pressure and releases serotonin and other natural pain killers. Did you know?

...that laughter’s positive effects are instantaneous! Once you start laughing, you immediately feelbetterandpain isperceived as less intense. These effects can last as long as 24 hours so laugh at least once a day!

Oatmeal contains a powerful cholesterol-fighting fiber called beta- glucan. This soluble fiber helps remove cholesterol from the body and has a profound effect on improving your cardiovascular health. Whole grain, rolled oats or steel cut oats are optimal and will keep you feeling fuller longer than heavily processed oatmeal packets. But if you must choose instant oatmeal, avoid the presweetened packets that are loaded with sugar, salt and artificial coloring or flavoring. If you prefer a little sweetness, try adding a bit of almond milk, fruit, applesauce or maple syrup.

Patient Spotlight “Provides you with excellent care!”

Eachandeveryday,our interactionswithourpatientsgiveus joyand fulfillment. We truly have fun with our patients and believe together we are changing lives . WE LOVEOURPATIENTS!

“I would recommend any of my friends and family to work with Brandon. He is a very knowledgeable therapist who goes over and beyond to help you understand your condition and provides you with excellent care.” -J.O.

Take Care of Your Little Aches & Pains Before They Become Big Aches & Pains

www.vcsst.com

Don’t put your healthonhold - Start thenewyear offon the right foot!

LOWER TRUNK ROTATIONS Lying on your back with your knees bent, gently rock your knees side-to-side. Perform this 10-15 times in each direction. Good stretch if you sit at a computer all day Relieve Back Pain In Minutes Try this movement if you are experiencing back pain.

If those annoying aches and pains are hindering you from pursuing your health goals, you can see one of our physical therapists without a prescription from a physician. A comprehensive evaluation including

movement analysis can identify any problems and our specialists can guide you on the path to your goals. Our friendly office staff will gladly verify your insurance benefits for you so that you can begin right away. YOU CAN START NOW - CALL TODAY! (804)249-8277

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