SUFFERING WITH ACHES & PAINS?

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1 Health & Fitness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body SUFFERING WITH ACHES & PAINS? What different types of pain can tell you When you have an ache or pain it can leave you scratching your head as to where the pain is truly coming from. Just because it hurts in that part of your leg or arm, doesn t mean that is where the problem is coming from. Is it a disc, muscle strain or did you just plain overdo it? We know it is important to gather all the right information first to make the correct diagnosis. That is why we thoroughly evaluate you first and work with your doctor closely. Being a physical therapist is much like being a detective of the body. Where did that pain come from, what type of pain is it, what are you not able to do that you want to get back to, how is your body moving incorrectly, etc.? If you are suffering from back pain or neck pain, here are some questions it is important for you to know, to determine the origins of your pain: How long have you had your pain? For example, acute low back (lumbar) pain may be because of a muscle strain. Chronic low back pain is typical of restricted joints, tight muscle tissue and weakened muscle strength. How is the pain? Achy, sharp, tingling? Achy pain is typically a problem with movement due to poor functioning of muscles and joints. Sharp pain can be a muscle spasm or even an impingement of a joint. Tingling sensations and pain can be irritation to a nerve either from compression or inflammation of that area. (Continued Inside)

2 Suffering With Aches & Pains? What different types of pain can tell you Does the pain travel to a specific part of the leg or arm, or does it spread over a wide area to the buttock, back of the leg or arm? Wide-spread pain is typical of muscle strain, inflammation and weakness. Patients will typically relate this pain happening with prolonged standing, walking and other physical activities. This is due to the fact that the muscles cannot support the spine or hips and thus become strained. Specific pain to a part of the leg or arm can possibly be nerve related. In either of these cases, it is important for you to seek out the right professional help. Is the pain worse at a specific time of day? Achy, stiff pain in the morning can be due to muscle and tissue stiffness. Severe radiating pain to the lower back, buttock and leg with bending in the morning is an indicator of a potential herniated disc. Wide-spread pain is typically related to the lack of flexibility and guarding in the spine. Whereas pain towards the end of the day after moving and activity is an indicator of spinal muscle weakness as the muscles fatigue during the day. Do you have difficulty with prolonged sitting, standing or walking? Pain with prolonged standing and walking is typical of muscle fatigue of the spine as well as the hip muscles. It is typical to complain of pain to the low back and buttocks as your muscles cannot tolerate the activity. An easy test to check your hip strength is to lie on your side and lift your leg up 10 times. If you struggle with this, you most likely have hip muscle weakness, which will cause a lot of strain to your spine. Most people with back pain have a lot of weakness with these muscles and many others. The good news is that with the right physical therapy treatment plan, you can treat these problem areas and prevent the pain from returning. There is a lot that can be done to help pain and the fastest way to relieve pain is to find out the true source and treat it. At Loudoun Sports Therapy Center, our therapists have years of medical training, specializing in muscles, joints and nerves, to determine where your pain is coming from. Then with specialized hands-on therapy, structured easy medical exercises and modalities, we can relieve your pain, get you stronger and put you on the right path to return to the activities you love to do, without pain. Call us today to find out more. CALL US TODAY! Phone: (703) Fax: (703) FIND US ON FACEBOOK

3 Patient Results What patients are saying... Feel stronger! I have had problems with my knees flaring up for the past 6 years. When they did I would have a hard time walking, going up and down stairs, and just living life. Now after one month of therapy my knee has good movement and there is no swelling. It feels stronger and I am able to exercise more without restrictions. John F. I can go swimming again! I could not swim or exercise at all when I first came to PT. Now after a few weeks, I just went swimming yesterday and I have no pain today. My neck and shoulder blade had begun to hurt most of the time as well and that is all gone now. Thanks LSTC. Dani B. I feel more energetic! I used to have problems with things during the day like walking through the grocery store and carrying things and I felt tight all the time. Now I am more flexible and the pain is gone. I feel stronger as well. I have learned how to do normal activities a better way. I feel more energetic. Justin M. Loudoun Sports Therapy Center Can Help You: Decrease your pain Increase your strength Increase your activity level Increase your flexibility Improve your health Get back to living Why Choose Loudoun Sports Therapy Center... Expertly trained therapists Focused on achieving fast results We take the time to listen to you We spend time educating you on your problem and how to solve it Friendly, courteous staff WE GLADLY ACCEPT: Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Cigna ALL OTHER INSURANCES On time appointments Doctor recommended Experts in neck, back and orthopedic care

4 News LOUDOUN SPORTS THERAPY CENTER HAS A NEW MASSAGE THERAPIST! In our continued efforts to help you stay healthily and enjoy life, we brought a new member to our team here at Loudoun Sports Therapy Center. Liz Scully is a Certified Massage Therapist (CMT). Whether you are recovering from an accident, sports injury, surgery, or just want to unwind, massage is a great way to complement and enhance treatment and other routines. Massage is greatly beneficial in many ways. Deep tissue treatments help to break up scar tissue, realign muscle fibers for optimal performance and pain reduction, reduce edema to speed recovery, and release muscle restriction for overall greater comfort and less pain. Including massage in any program you already may be participating in will provide optimal recovery and function. Each massage session with Liz is geared towards your own personal needs and goals. She will work with you to set goals for what you want to achieve and assist you with self care as needed. Liz is here to help you get ready for that next race, relieve pain and stress, or just take care of yourself for a bit. Give us a call today to schedule your next appointment with Liz. TIMES WILL GO FAST!!!! REFER-A-FRIEND You can receive a FREE gift for each friend referred to Loudoun Sports Therapy Center! Give This Coupon To A Friend or Family Member Who Can Use Our Help New Patient:: CALL US TODAY! phone: (703) fax: (703) Referred by: Phone: Ridgetop Circle Suite #140 Sterling, VA The greatest compliment you can give us is to refer a friend of family member. We want to help them get the results you had with therapy at LSTC. Have them call today or visit our website for more info. www. loudounsportstherapy.com

5 Exercise Essentials Try these simple exercises to help relieve your pain. Share this with a friend or family member to help keep them healthy too! LEVATOR SCAPULAE STRETCH Grasp your arm on the affected side and tilt your head downward and to the side until a stretch is felt. QUADRUPED ALTERNATE LEG While in a crawling position, slowly draw your leg back behind you as you straighten your knee. DIAPHRAGMATIC BREATHING While lying down on your back, place one hand on your breast bone and one hand on your abdomen near your navel. Slowly take a deep breath in and focus on trying to get your hand on your navel to rise while the hand on your breast bone remains still. HEEL SQUEEZES While lying face down, spread your knees apart and press your heels together. Exercises copyright of HEP2GO Free Home Rehab Exercise Program Always consult your physical therapist or physician before starting exercises you are unsure of doing. SHARE Please share these exercises with friends and family members to help them stay healthy and free from pain. SAVE Save these in a place where you can easily use them as needed. Watch for more exercises in our next issue. Call or come in if you feel you are not moving like you used to. We will get you the results you deserve!

6 21251 Ridgetop Circle Suite #140 Sterling, VA CALL US TODAY! phone: (703) fax: (703) Aches & Pains? Don t wait it out. Do something to feel better. We ll show you how!