A MESSAGE FROM DR. CHRISTIAN, DPT
DON’T LET BACK PAIN DAMPEN YOUR HOLIDAYS
The seasons are changing, and with that comes all of the festivities of the holiday season. For many of us, our back pain can limit our ability to do all the fun things associated with the holidays. Long car rides to visit our extended family, walking around the neighborhoods to see all the Christmas lights, and even working outdoors in the colder weather can be limited by chronic back pain. Our back pain can even reach the point where we have difficulty walking, which can not only limit our holiday plans, but severely affect our quality of life!
Our spine is an integral part of our body’s movement system. Without proper mobility and stability throughout our entire spine, our walking pattern can be changed for the worse. These changes can bring about pain all over the body, including our hips, knees, and even our lumbar spine. When our low back is in a constant state of pain, it can make even the most basic activities such as walking a much more difficult task. Thankfully, we have many conservative treatments to improve our spine pain and even improve our walking mechanics so that we can walk farther and with less pain. Physical therapy treatment can significantly improve our spinal mobility and stability to allow you to get your life back and enjoy the holidays, rather than bear through it. If you are ready to take the next step to improve your quality of life, schedule an evaluation with a skilled physical therapist at Joint Restoration Center today!
Does Your Back Pain Make Walking Difficult?
Do you find it challenging to go for a walk because of back pain? Have you noticed how your walk has changed since your back pain started? You are not alone! Fortunately, physical therapists are experts in treating back pain and assessing your gait!
For those who struggle with chronic back pain, even the essential task of going for a walk can be overwhelming and painful. Back pain seems like it can strike at any time. Whether in the upper back and neck or in the lower back, back pain can affect even the most basic activities like walking.
The only thing that can fix your back pain is addressing the issue causing your pain head-on. Our physical therapists are an excellent resource for managing your back pain and difficulty walking.
Call Joint Restoration Center today for our comprehensive assessment of your back and your gait! We can be a helpful tool in getting you back on your feet.
How Back Pain Affects Your Gait
Whether your back pain started after a sudden injury or due to a chronic issue that has developed over time, it is common that it interferes with everyday activities like walking.
People with low back pain often walk slower than people without pain. In addition, the coordination of how you walk changes. When you are in pain, you tend to walk “out-of-phase,” meaning the rotation of the pelvis and thorax are less synchronized. It is thought that you will do this out-of-phase gait to avoid signifi cant (or fast) rotations in the back.
It is also common for people in pain to have increased muscle activity on the painful side of their back. This change in muscle tension can influence your step length, step time, stride length, velocity, and cadence.
At Joint Restoration Center, our physical therapists can be the answer to helping you enjoy a life free of back pain. And the secret to success is learning to approach recovery one step at a time.
Healthy Recipe
Coconut Apricot Energy Balls
- 1 1/2 cups dried apricots
- 1 cup raw cashews (can
sub blanched almonds or
macadamia nuts) - 1/4 cup unsweetened
shredded coconut (plus
extra for rolling) - 2 tbsp brown rice syrup
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
Add all of the ingredients to a food processor and pulse until everything is mixed together. You should be able to easily press the mixture between your fingers to form a sticky dough. Scoop out 1 tbsp at a time of the mixture and use your hands to roll into a ball, then dip each ball into a plate of shredded coconut. Place in the fridge for at least 2 hours to set.
Patient Success Story
“Great receptionist — his
smile lights up the office.
The staff have been patient
with me and treated me
with respect. I truly
appreciate the work
they have done to
improve my knee. ”
— Windy C.
Home Exercise
LUMBAR EXTENSION
Try This Exercise to Increase Range of Motion.
Start by standing up straight. Place both hands on your lower back and press forward gently as you lean back to extend your back. Pause briefly. Repeat 3 sets, 10 reps each.
