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Is Back Pain Interfering With Your Everyday Life?
Is Back Pain Interfering With Your Everyday Life?

Is Back Pain Interfering With Your Everyday Life?

Here’s How One of Our Patients Got Back to the Things He Loved the Most

The chances are very good that you’ll experience back pain at some point in your life. You might lift a piece of furniture that’s a little too heavy for you. You might develop pain from prolonged sitting. Or you might just notice a “random” back pain that likely stems from repetitive or awkward movements.

No matter the source of your back pain, physical therapy with PacificPro Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine can help you find relief. We know that when you’re in the throes of debilitating pain, pinpointing the underlying cause is probably the least of your concerns. But to our team of experts, understanding the cause is the first step in helping you get the treatment you need.

To illustrate this, let’s look at a story from our files. Daniel developed back pain that was dramatically impacting his day-to-day life. It kept him on the couch during the day and wide awake at night–but our therapists helped him find lasting relief.

Meet the Patient (And His Back Pain)

Daniel was a computer programmer in his late 30s who spent his workday tapping away on his computer keyboard. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing board games with his buddies, taking his German shepherd to the dog park, and whipping up meals for his girlfriend.

One day, Daniel was digging out a dead shrub in his backyard when he felt a sudden spasm in his lower back, followed by a sharp jolt of pain. He stopped for the afternoon, but the pain hadn’t receded the next day. Or the next.

Daniel’s back pain was intense enough that it didn’t just cause pain; it also impacted his mobility. Forget digging out a shrub; now, Daniel could barely walk his dog! And while the pain lessened somewhat while he was sitting, it was still bothersome enough to distract him from work.

Enough’s Enough: Daniel Visits a Physical Therapist

Eventually, Daniel’s girlfriend told him he needed to seek treatment. She suggested he try a physical therapist, as she’d had a good experience with physical therapy after her own back injury.

At the PT clinic, Daniel shared his symptoms and noted that the pain had started while he was doing yard work. His therapist also guided him through several movement screens, testing Daniel’s range of motion and strength.

By the end of the appointment, Daniel’s therapist had determined that Daniel likely had an issue with his lumbar discs (the cushions found between vertebrae) from digging out the tree root; he’d twisted his body while lifting a heavy clump of dirt, damaging his discs. 

However, part of the reason Daniel suffered the injury was because the muscles in his back and core were weakened due to his sedentary job. Without strong core muscles to support his spine, he was more susceptible to injury, particularly when performing manual labor without any conditioning or warmup.

A Personalized Treatment Approach

Daniel’s physical therapist didn’t want to just mask Daniel’s symptoms. He wanted to resolve the underlying injury and help Daniel prevent future injuries. To accomplish this, he created a customized treatment plan that walked Daniel through the following steps:

  • Relieve acute pain: Manual therapy techniques like back mobilization and soft tissue manipulation offer an all-natural alternative to pain medication.
  • Restore mobility and build strength: A therapeutic exercise program helps address the underlying muscular weakness that set Daniel up for an injury in the first place. By building up the strength in his back and core, Daniel was able to provide more stability and support to his spine.
  • Address lifestyle factors: Another factor in Daniel’s injury was his sedentary job. His physical therapist offered suggestions to help offset the prolonged sitting involved in computer programming, including taking stretching breaks every 30 minutes and investing in a standing desk.
  • Prevent another injury: Finally, the therapist showed Daniel how to use proper technique when working in the yard and suggested some warm-up methods the next time Daniel needed to perform strenuous movements. 

Say Goodbye to Back Pain Today!

Does Daniel’s story resonate with you? Just like him, you don’t have to suffer! Schedule an initial consultation at PacificPro Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine to get started on the journey to lasting pain relief.

Sources: https://www.choosept.com/guide/physical-therapy-guide-low-back-pain

Unconventional Yet Effective Solutions for Neck Pain

Do you ever wake up with a stiff neck and wonder why it keeps happening? You’re not alone. Neck pain is pretty common, and it can be super annoying. But guess what? There are solutions, including some more unusual ones you may not have heard about yet. 

Our therapists at PacificPro Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine use cutting-edge approaches to ensure you find the most effective ways to find lasting relief!

How to Help Your Neck Pain — Tips You May Not Know

Tackling neck pain is not just about focusing on the neck itself. By implementing these unconventional yet scientifically-backed recommendations into your daily routine, you’re setting yourself on a path toward relief and lasting wellness.

Lumbar Support Can Alleviate Neck Pain

The way your lower back is positioned has a big effect on your neck. Using lumbar support can help you sit up straight, letting your neck sit over your shoulders like it should. 

When you know you will be sitting for a while, whether at work or in the car, use a rolled-up towel or buy a lumbar roll to put in your lower back. Even though you’re changing the lower back position, your neck will thank you!

Why Thoracic Mobility Matters

The thoracic spine consists of the 12 vertebrae in your mid-back. It plays a critical role in your overall spinal function. When this area is stiff or restricted, your neck compensates by moving more than it should. This often leads to a forward head posture, which can strain the neck muscles and lead to long-term pain. 

Mind-Body Connection

Believe it or not, the state of your mind can also help heal your neck pain. Research has shown that stress can intensify pain, so techniques like mindfulness and breathing exercises can help reduce stress levels. Just a few minutes a day of deep breathing can go a long way.

Using unconventional techniques like lumbar support, thoracic mobility exercises, and even mindfulness can help you feel better faster. Why not give these unconventional methods a try? Your neck will be happier for it!

We will work with you at PacificPro Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine to accommodate your needs by providing the most advanced rehabilitation strategies and injury prevention programming. For more information, contact us today!

Exciting News: PacificPro Physical Therapy is Expanding! 

We’re thrilled to announce that PacificPro Physical Therapy has opened a brand-new location! This expansion allows us to serve even more patients and provide the same expert care in a convenient new spot.

New Clinic Address:
Ontario Ranch
3055 S. Archibald Ave., Suite C-2
Ontario, CA 91761

Contact Us:

Phone: (909) 460-6487
Fax: (909) 930-3577

Whether you’re looking for injury recovery, pain relief, or performance enhancement, our team is ready to help you reach your goals. Stop by our new location or give us a call to schedule your visit!

Exercise of the Month

Dead Bug

(Core, Lower Back)

Lie down on your back with your arms by your sides, your knees bent to 90-degrees, and your feet on the floor. Raise one arm up straight and one knee up towards the ceiling at the same time. Your arm should stay straight and be pointing straight up at the top and your knee should be at 90-degrees and be pointing straight up at the top. 3 Sets, 10 Reps.

Recipe of the Month: Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Crispy, sticky and full of flavor – these honey garlic thighs are weeknight magic, and somehow ridiculously easy. No marinade, no deep-frying, no stress.

CHICKEN

  • 6 boneless chicken thighs, skin on or off, can be substituted with chicken breast
  • ½ tsp sea salt flakes
  • ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

HONEY GARLIC SAUCE

  • 3 tbsp tamari or all-purpose soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp freshly minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar, or white vinegar
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp cornflour (cornstarch)
  • 2 tbsp water

TO SERVE

  • Steamed rice
  • Steamed Chinese broccoli, or any Asian greens
  • Finely sliced spring onion, scallion
  • Chili oil

Instructions:

  • Prepare the chicken – Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
  • Heat the oil in a large, deep pan over medium–high heat.
  • Cook the chicken – Add the chicken thighs, skin- or smooth-side down, and cook for 4–5 minutes or until the skin is golden and crisp. If using skin-on chicken, press down slightly when cooking skin-down, using your spatula for maximum crispness. Flip and cook for a further 4–5 minutes or until cooked through. Set aside on a plate. Spoon out any excess fat if preferred, leaving at least 2 tablespoons (for extra flavour).
  • Prepare the honey garlic sauce – Combine all the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl. Whisk to combine.
  • Combine the chicken and sauce – Reduce the heat to medium. Pour the honey garlic sauce into the pan. Let it bubble and simmer for 2–3 minutes, or until thickened and glossy. Return the chicken to the pan, turning to coat in the sauce.
  • Serve – Slice the chicken into strips, if desired, and serve over rice with Chinese broccoli or Asian greens on the side. Spoon over any extra sauce and top with spring onion and chilli oil, if desired.