Article of the Month

Just Breathe!

Man Deep Breathing in Supine Position

Life gets busy, and it can often be stressful. While we cannot always change the things happening around us, we can help control how our body responds to these stressors by adding some breath work to your daily routine. Don’t panic! You don’t have to lie on a yoga mat on the floor in a candle lit room (yep – I get that’s not everyone’s jam!) to reap the benefits.

Here’s a fun fact: the pattern we use with our breathing can impact our nervous system, and in turn impact how we feel! When we perform slow, deep breathing we activate our parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), sometimes referred to as our “rest and digest” system. This system helps relax our body after periods of stress and danger. Sometimes, if we’re experiencing ongoing pain or life stresses, we have difficulty turning our PNS on, and we may spend too much time the “fight or flight”/sympathetic nervous system (SNS). This “fight or flight” (SNS) is necessary for safety and survival, but if we spend too much time in this system, it can be quite straining on our bodies.

Breathe… To Calm Your Body’s “Fight or Flight” Response to Pain or Stress

To start, find a comfortable position (standing, sitting, lying down) and just take note of how you are breathing. Are you expanding your belly/lower ribs, or does most of the movement happen in your upper chest and shoulders? When you inhale does your abdomen expand or are you sucking it in? What we are looking for is minimal movement in the upper chest/shoulders, and expansion of the ribs/abdomen when we take a breath in. If you are breathing quickly, see if you can slow it down a little. Be sure to use a rate that feels comfortable to you.

If you want, you can even close your eyes and visualize areas on your body relaxing, perhaps letting go of any extra tension with each exhalation. You may even say something like “I am” when you are inhaling/expanding your ribs/abdomen, and then say “calm” (or really whatever you WANT to be!) when you exhale (allowing your abdomen to return to its normal shape). If you have the time, spend 5-10 minutes practicing this. Try not to let your mind wander off to what you might need to do after this practice and try to be in the moment.

Once you have the patterning down, try to add this activity frequently throughout your day. Breathing like this for just a minute, regularly during your day can really make a big difference – so go ahead and give it a try. If you want to practice this technique with a skilled Saunders physical therapist, and learn a few more helpful tips, please give us a call so we can help you feel your best!

By Shannon Burrows, PT MSc

Man Breathing in Supine

 

 

Choose Physical Therapy For Low Back Pain!

woman on back performing core strengthening with ball exercise

If you’re living with low back pain (LBP), you’re not alone. The condition is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. Studies show 80 percent of American adults will experience LBP at some point in their lives. If LBP turns from short-­term to chronic (lasting three months or longer), it can impact your overall quality of life.

Modern society craves quick-­fix solutions to even complex problems, but this mindset can be particularly counterproductive when it comes to LBP. Studies show that LBP is often over-treated, particularly when it comes to the use of opioids, imaging scans (such as MRIs and X­-rays), and surgery. Guidelines recommend first trying exercise and other conservative approaches instead.

“When it comes to low back pain, the best advice is to move,” said APTA spokesperson Colleen Louw, PT, MEd. “Most low back pain will resolve on its own and responds positively to increased movement and regular exercise.”

As America seeks solutions to its ongoing opioid epidemic, patients and prescribers should be especially cautious about treating low back pain with opioids. Opioids come with a list of serious potential side effects, and every day more than 1,000 people are treated in emergency departments for opioid misuse. Meanwhile, long­-term use of opioids might not be particularly helpful for low back pain, which is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released guidelines urging the use of safer alternatives, including physical therapy, for most non-cancer-related chronic pain conditions.

“Given the substantial evidence gaps on opioids, uncertain benefits of long­-term use and potential for serious harm, patient education and discussion before starting opioid therapy are critical so that patient preferences and values can be understood and used to inform clinical decisions,” the CDC states.

Physical therapists can play a valuable role in the patient education process, including setting realistic expectations for recovery with or without opioids.

Physical therapists are movement experts who optimize quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care and patient education.

A physical therapist will perform a thorough evaluation that includes:

  • A review of your health history.
  • Questions about your specific symptoms.
  • A thorough examination that includes assessing the quality and quantity of your movements, and any movement behaviors that might put you at risk for delayed recovery.
  • Tests to identify signs or symptoms that could indicate a serious health problem, such as broken bones or cancer.
  • Assessment of how you use your body at work, home, during sports and at leisure.

An active treatment plan from a physical therapist can help you improve your mobility while managing your pain, whereas opioids only mask the sensation of pain.

Here are four reasons to choose physical therapy for your back pain:

Physical therapy is a safe and effective alternative to opioids. While doctor-­prescribed opioids are appropriate in some cases, choosing a safer alternative, like physical therapy, eliminates the risk of misuse and avoids the potential negative side effects. Your physical therapist will set realistic expectations for recovery, with or without opioids.

Physical therapists help you help yourself. Physical therapists empower you to be an active participant in your own treatment. Depending on the severity of your pain, your therapist may work collaboratively with other health professionals to ensure a comprehensive course of treatment.

Physical therapy is cost effective. A recent study shows patients with LBP who consult physical therapists early in their treatment processes incur lower out-­of-pocket medical costs, with less probability of accruing expenses associated with opioid prescriptions, advanced imaging services or emergency room visits.

Physical therapy is accessible. You do not need a physician referral to access physical therapists’ services in the U.S.

When it comes to your health, you have a choice. Choose more movement and better health — choose physical therapy.

CREDIT: MoveForwardPT.com article published in The Baltimore Sun, Wednesday, Oct 10, 2018

Chronic Pain Alternatives

man with chronic knee pain

When it comes to treating chronic pain, physicians have often turned to medication as a first resort for conditions such as headache, neck pain, low back pain, and pelvic pain. In recent years, it is becoming increasingly obvious that this has been a bad approach. The “opioid epidemic”, as it’s now called in local and national news, has claimed the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans, and shows no signs of slowing down. Why do physicians so quickly turn to medication for treatment of chronic pain conditions? Is strong medication the only thing that can provide relief for headaches? Is there no other approach for treating neck and back pain?

An article in the New York Times discusses alternative therapies, including physical therapy, exercise, acupuncture, tai chi, yoga, progressive relaxation, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness-based stress reduction. It also discusses a frustration we physical therapists often express: Drugs are often prescribed as a first resort because American health insurance systems have been slow to pay for other forms of care. Physical therapy visits can be limited or associated with very high co-pays, making drugs a more affordable (but more dangerous) option. Other alternative therapies aren’t covered, so back, neck, and headache pain sufferers are forced to pay out of pocket…

Still, one should consider the pros and cons of medication vs. alternative therapies. Most people recover from severe pain without the need for surgery or long-term, potentially addictive medications. If you do not have a serious diagnosis requiring surgery, consider a visit or two to the physical therapists at Saunders Therapy Centers. We can consult with you and tell you if we can help. We are well-attuned to financial considerations and will make sure to not waste your money or time when determining what we have to offer for your particular case.

Arthritis Isn’t Just Wear and Tear!

Arthritis Treatment

Conventional wisdom is that osteoarthritis of the knee results mostly from wear and tear, which is why, these days, it’s more common among older people and those whose excess body weight puts extra stress on those joints. BUT THAT’S NOT WHAT LATEST EVIDENCE SHOWS! 

Dr. Richard Loeser, a rheumatologist who directs the Thurston Arthritis Research Center at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, was quoted in this article published by NPR,  “Your joints aren’t just like your automobile tires that wear out as you use them,” he says. In fact, exercise helps nutrients diffuse into cartilage in the knee and keep it strong and healthy.

If cartilage “is formed and more healthy when you’re younger, then your joints are more likely to be functioning better and have less osteoarthritis when you get older,” Loeser says. And exercise also helps fully grown people.

“By strengthening your muscles and by stimulating your cartilage you can still improve the health of your joint,” Loeser says. Read more in the original article HERE.

 

Micro-Positivity

Positive Attitude

Let’s talk more about the power of positivity… Trying to be positive when you’re experiencing stress or pain is difficult, and do-gooders who spout trite advice can come off as annoying, at best!

nesting birds

New research by Dr. Barbara Fredrickson, a psychologist at the University of North Carolina, takes the pressure off of trying to be positive all the time. Her theory promotes “micro-moments” of positivity as a key to improving long-term well being. The concept is that repeated brief moments of positive feelings can provide a buffer against stress and depression and improve both physical and mental health.

After reading about this theory in Jane Brody’s April 3rd New York Times article (Turning Negative Thinkers into Positive Ones), I spent a day trying to be hyper-aware of tiny moments that made me happy. Here are a few things I remember:

  1. Discovering that birds moved into the new birdhouse I bought at the Uptown Art Fair.
  2. Noticing the bright, lime-green color of fresh buds on these really cool trees in my neighborhood. 
  3. Being charmed by the baby in the Target checkout line –she flashed me the BIGGEST toothless smile!

Try it out! Dr. Fredrickson’s research has shown that micro-moments of positivity are cumulative, and that we can train the circuitry in the brain to promote more positive responses with repeated practice.

By Robin Saunders Ryan, PT MS

The Power of “Mini-Moments” for Neck and Jaw Pain!

Woman sitting with furrowed brow due to headache

Many patients worry that the changes needed to make  lasting improvements in their symptoms might just be too much to ask of them. A lot of people have the misconception that Physical Therapy will undoubtably require hours of exercise and a complete overhaul of their daily lives. I’m here to tell you that this simply isn’t the case!

I would be a liar if I didn’t tell you that you have to put some skin in the game. There is no free lunch. However, this can mean a lot of things, depending on what your individual issues are. I don’t think it would surprise you to hear that poor posture is often a contributing factor in neck and facial pain. We all know it would be better to sit a little taller, and let go of the muscle tension we are holding, but how exactly do we do this enough to really make a difference? One of the most powerful, yet simple, things you can do is what I call a mini mindful moment.

To me, a mini mindful moment, is where you spend a very brief time (think 30 seconds!) becoming aware of where you are in space and identifying if anything could be improved. This isn’t a time to be critical of yourself, simply a time to take notice. For example, could you be sitting any taller with your ears over your shoulders? Could your shoulder blades gently come a little closer together? Can you soften the muscles in your face and neck and make sure your teeth are apart? Maybe the answer is yes! If so, then I would encourage you to make some adjustments.

Doing that infrequently though, won’t bring you the changes you are looking for. Luckily, this isn’t designed to take you a long time, and it shouldn’t get in the way of your other daily tasks. Perhaps setting a reminder on your phone or computer every 30 minutes might help you develop this check in then adjust habit.

Some people find it helpful to associate the mindful moments with a task they frequently complete during the day. The goal is that this becomes so habitual, you won’t have to think about it, and you won’t feel like it is work!

Please visit your Saunders Physical Therapist for more tips and hands on treatment to help you feel your best!

By Shannon Burrows, PT MSc

Woman with Cervical Headache

 

 

Is Your Headache a Pain in the Neck?

Woman working at computer rubbing her neck

Did you know? Many headaches are caused by neck problems. The term for these types of headaches is “cervicogenic.” The joints, discs, ligaments, and muscles contain nerve endings that can refer pain to the head. Although neck related headaches are most common at the base of the skull, your pain can also be felt in the face, forehead, eyes, temples, and even the upper back and shoulders.

If your headache is accompanied by a feeling of stiffness, tenseness, or decreased motion in your neck, upper back, or shoulders, there is probably a neck-related component to your headaches. You should see a physical therapist for an evaluation.

Here’s what we will do:

  • Assess the motion of each of your neck (cervical) joints – Your cervical spine has seven vertebrae – each “segment” has a disc and facet joints, along with the ligaments that hold it all together. We can often find a problem at one or two of these segments. The treatment for this type of problem involves mobilization of the stiff segment.
  • Assess the muscles of your head, neck, and upper back. The muscles that control rotation, side bending, head tilting, looking up and down, etc… can get out of balance – especially when repetitive motion, static postures, or abnormal posture is involved. The treatment for muscle imbalance involves myofascial release, manual stretching, and very specific muscle exercises.
  • Assess your posture and lifestyle – Good alignment of the head and neck will minimize the forces on your neck structures. Poor posture, especially when sitting for prolonged periods, is one of the most common causes of neck related headaches and The treatment for poor posture is exercise and education and, sometimes, assistive devices, or a change in your chair or work station.
Neck Pain Treatment

Medication can help headache pain temporarily, but unless you get to the root cause of neck related headaches, you are only treating the symptoms. Our physical therapists are skilled at headache evaluation and treatment. We can help your physician assess whether neck treatment would be of benefit.

Herniated Disc – Should I be afraid?

Herniated Disc Treatment

A common cause of back pain and sciatica is herniated disc. When our patients first hear that diagnosis, many of them are afraid, because they may know someone who had surgery or might have had a poor outcome. MRIs, CTs, and even drawings of herniated discs can be really frightening!

herniated disc

 

In fact, most people with a diagnosis of herniated disc do very well with conservative care. We use manual therapy, and teach you proper positioning and exercise to counteract the stressful forces that your work, hobbies and habits place on your back.

A 2016 study in the New England Journal of Medicine* followed a 29-year-old female with herniated disc and nerve compression causing right leg pain and numbness. Five months after epidural injection and physical therapy, an MRI showed that the herniation had disappeared.

Here’s another fun fact: Depending on age, up to 80% of people with NO SYMPTOMS have evidence of disc problems on MRI or CT scan**. This means that, even if you have a herniated disc, it might not be related to your pain. You might just need good, old-fashioned, back rehabilitation. It’s amazing what a handful of targeted exercises can do! Our therapists perform a very specific evaluation to determine which exercises you need to counteract any stability, weakness or range-of-motion problems.

Fear can be debilitating. Don’t let a diagnosis of herniated disc scare you away from doing the things you love. Try physical therapy!

*NEJM. 2016; 374:1564

**Am J Neuroradiol. 2015; 36(4):811-816

Text Neck – Yes, it’s a Thing!

Woman looking at her phone in surprise

Smartphones help us in many ways, but they can be bad for your neck. An informal term for a relatively recent phenomenon in physical therapy is “text neck”. This refers to the neck and upper back pain, headaches, and even arm and hand symptoms that can be caused by excessive texting.

The human head weighs about twelve pounds. But when you bend your neck downward while texting, the weight and stress on the neck increases – a lot more than you’d imagine. For example, at a 45-degree angle, the force on your neck can approach 50 lbs! And if you’re texting as much as some of our patients do, that’s a lot of force for a long time.

Don’t worry – we won’t suggest that you stop texting – looking down at your phone is only half the problem. A sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, static positions, and muscle imbalances – these can all contribute to the syndrome. Learning exercises to strengthen certain muscles and counteract the texting position can significantly help. Physical therapists are movement specialists! If you’re having trouble with “text neck” or anything else, give us a call – we can help.

 

Should I Stretch Before I Exercise?

man running on side of road

Stretching is something that we have been taught to do ever since our physical education classes growing up. Static stretching of holding a particular stretch for 30-60 seconds has been highly debated over the past few years. Research now shows that a static stretching prior to exercise can negatively affect your muscles power, strength, and overall performance.

Dynamic stretching consists of active movements that elicit a stretch, but are not held for any length of time. Through repetitive movements, it helps prepare your muscles and joints for your workout. By properly warming up your body prior to exercise, it can help decrease your risk of injury. One of the benefits to dynamic stretching, is that it can be individualized based on your activity. A runner’s dynamic stretching would look very different compared to a cyclist’s due to the different movements required for each sport. Talk to your physical therapist today about an appropriate dynamic stretching routine you can incorporate for your specific exercise goals.

by Lisa Martens, DPT

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22316148