BLOG: Do You Feel Lucky? Part II

Last time I told you about Bob…Remember him?

He was the business owner who came in for Physical Therapy because his back pain stopped him from concentrating on his business.

Bob’s symptom of pain was relieved in just 3 visits and he decided he was “good to go.” 

I wanted you to realize that just because your pain has gone under the radar that sometimes many of the same problems that REALLY CAUSED your problem to begin with are still lurking inside, ready to little by little, cause your “injury” and eventually your pain to come back again. 

It often takes just a few more visits to shore up a solid home program to help you address some of those underlying PROBABLE SUSPECTS that we find in our evaluations.  Keep in mind, we can’t always address or even find those causes initially until your pain is reduced enough. 

But if a patient like Bob feels so great with his pain lessened and then stops Physical Therapy before we can more fully address those PROBABLE SUSPECTS, then I’m afraid that someday down the road he’s likely to have to see me again for the same thing. 

I think Bob was hoping he’d luck out in the future and that everything would stay alright.  

In a similar case, John stayed pain free for the first four weeks after he left.  Then one day, as he was bending over to pick up a piece of paper, his luck ran out!  You have heard this story from someone else I am sure, because it is something we hear a lot too.  “I just bent down to pick up something small and insignificant and then BAM!

The good news is with some strengthening, and some education, John and Bob won’t need to rely on luck anymore.  They would have the tools, skills, strength, and knowledge now to keep their backs symptom free!

So the old adage “do you feel lucky today….well do ya?” …. save that for Clint Eastwood, and arm yourself with what you need to maintain your function and keep yourself pain free!

VIDEO: Snow Shoveling Tips

It’s that time of year again…Are you ready to shovel snow?

Take 5 Minutes to Save Your Back!

In the same amount of time it takes you to gear up for the cold with your boots, hat, coat, gloves and scarf you can watch this video from Peak Performance Phyical Therapy and help save your back from all that shoveling!

Watch as Michael Napierala, PT, SCS, CSCS walks you through some quick Warm Up Exercises & Shoveling Tips for the New Year!

School Can Be a Real Pain!

Hare are a few backpack tips for this school year:

Wear both straps

Use of one strap causes one side of the body to bear the weight of the backpack. By wearing two shoulder straps, the weight of the backpack is better distributed.

Wear the backpack over the strongest mid-back muscles

Pay close attention to the way the backpack is positioned on the back. It should rest evenly in the middle of the back. Shoulder straps should be adjusted to allow the child to put on and take off the backpack without difficulty and allow free movement of the arms. Straps should not be too loose, and the backpack should not extend below the low back.

Lighten the load

Keep the load at 10-15% or less of the child’s bodyweight. Carry only those items that are required for the day. Organize the contents of the backpack by placing the heaviest items closest to the back. Some students have two sets of books so as not to have to carry the heavy books to and from school.

How a Physical Therapist Can Help

A physical therapist can help you choose a proper backpack and fit it specifically to your child. Children come in all shapes and sizes, and some have physical limitations that require special adaptations. Additionally, a physical therapist can help improve posture problems, correct muscle imbalances, and treat pain that can result from improper backpack use. Physical therapists can also design individualized fitness programs to help children get strong and stay strong—and carry their own loads!