Back Care / Holiday Season
Don’t Let Your Back Suffer This Holiday Season
Lower back pain can be an unwelcome intruder, especially during the busy holiday season, when you should be enjoying festivities, not nursing a sore back. Understanding how our physical therapists can help you manage and alleviate this pain is essential. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to expect when seeking treatment for lower back pain that appears without a clear cause.
01 / Main Article
The Gradual Onset of Pain
Imagine you begin to notice a nagging pain in your lower back. At first, it seems trivial – perhaps a little sore after a long car ride or something ordinary like doing the dishes. However, as days pass, the pain persists and even intensifies.
Simple actions like sitting for long periods, standing up from a chair, or bending over become challenging and painful. The discomfort might even disrupt your sleep, making finding a comfortable position almost impossible.
The Role of Physical Therapy
When you decide enough is enough, call ReQuest Physical Therapy and let one of our physical therapists help you find lasting relief. We’ll work to identify the root cause of your pain, give you the tools to manage your pain, and help you understand how to treat your lower back pain.
Comprehensive Evaluation
The journey to relief starts with a comprehensive evaluation. This step is critical for our therapist to understand your specific situation.
- Patient History: This includes discussing your daily routines, any significant changes in your activities, and your medical history.
- Physical Examination: The therapist examines your posture and spinal alignment and looks for any visible signs of imbalance or discomfort.
- Detailed Movement Screen: Our therapist conducts a detailed movement screen, vital in pinpointing the exact movements that trigger your pain.
- Analyzing Movement Patterns: This includes assessing how you sit, stand up, and bend and identifying positions or movements that exacerbate your pain.
Identifying the Root Cause
By synthesizing information from your history, physical exam, and movement analysis, our therapist can identify potential causes of your pain. It could result from poor posture, prolonged sitting, a lack of physical activity, or even weak core muscles.
Personalized Treatment Program
Based on the findings, a personalized treatment program is developed to address your specific needs.
- Pain Management Strategies: Initially, the focus is on alleviating your immediate pain through targeted stretching and manual therapy techniques.
- Core Strengthening: A key element of your recovery will be strengthening your core muscles, providing better support for your lower back.
- Improving Mobility: Exercises are introduced to address any limitations or restrictions to enhance the mobility of your back, hip, and pelvis joints and surrounding muscles.
- Educational Component: Understanding the mechanics of your back pain is crucial for long-term management and prevention. You’ll learn about how certain activities impact your back and strategies to prevent future pain.
Take the First Step Toward a Pain-Free Holiday
If you’re struggling with lower back pain, now is the time to act. Reach out to our ReQuest Physical Therapy team and embark on a personalized journey to recovery. Don’t let back pain hold you back from enjoying the holiday season. Contact us today and move towards a healthier, more comfortable future!
Sources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9827206/, https://www.jospt.org/doi/10.2519/jospt.2021.0304
Your next step starts here
Book Your Appointment Today
If you’re dealing with lower back pain or looking for someone to help you figure out what is causing your issues, call us today and set up a consultation.
Back Pain Tip
Care without unnecessary delay
Did You Know You Can See a Physical Therapist Without a Referral?
In many cases, you can start physical therapy right away without needing a referral from your doctor—this is called Direct Access. It means faster relief from pain, quicker recovery, and less time waiting to get the care you need. Whether you’re dealing with an injury, nagging aches, or want to prevent future problems, our licensed physical therapists are here to help.
However, it’s important to note that if you have Medicare, a referral is still required before beginning treatment. We’re happy to help coordinate with your physician to make the process as smooth as possible.
Don’t wait for pain to get worse—reach out today and get started on the path to feeling better!
Move together / Find your support
Community That Makes Movement Feel Better
Walk & Talk Cancer Support Group
Each month, women walking through treatment, recovery, and survivorship come together to share stories, find strength, and celebrate resilience one step at a time.
Restorative Yoga with Shawn Hinds
About This Class
Restorative yoga is a style of yoga that encourages physical, mental and emotional relaxation. Appropriate for all levels, restorative yoga is practiced at a slow pace, focusing on long holds, stillness and deep breathing.
When: Thursday 1pm–1:45pm
Where: Gainesville Health & Fitness
Tip of the Month
Enjoy a Pain-Free Life This Fall
As leaves change and the air turns crisp, ensure back pain doesn’t cast a shadow on your fall festivities. Enjoy the season’s beauty without the burden of back pain. Our personalized treatments are tailored to your specific needs to ensure you get the results you deserve.
The perfect plan to conquer back pain includes the following:
- Effective treatments to eliminate pain and prevent future episodes.
- Personalized plans to restore your mobility and build your strength.
- Tips to enjoy family and friends without worrying about your back.
Take a step towards a pain-free life—connect with ReQuest Physical Therapy today, and we’ll help you get back to doing what you love this fall!
Patient Success Story
“This is the second time over several years that I have been helped to recover at ReQuest. There is a good atmosphere there and they listen. They are patient and provide a plan of stepped exercises to achieve full mobility.”
Lydia B.
Community Feature
Blossoming Butterfly
Welcome to Blossoming Butterfly, Inc.! 🦋
If you are navigating an unexpected breast, ovarian, or uterine cancer diagnosis, you don’t have to fly solo! We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to walking hand-in-hand with you. Consider us your ultimate support squad.
How We Can Help
We offer a wide range of services to help you feel supported, beautiful, and cared for:
- Pampering & Wellness: Massage therapy, yoga, esthetician services, makeup, wigs/hair extensions, bras, lymphedema sleeves, and personal hygiene products.
- Mind & Spirit: Counseling, group therapy, and caregiver support (because your loved ones need care, too!).
- Everyday Essentials: Food assistance, plus rental and utility assistance (please note: rent and utility services are pending available funds).
Let’s Connect!
We would love to hear from you. Here is how you can reach our team:
- Home Base: 4509 NW 23rd Ave, Ste. 18, Gainesville, FL 32606
- Ring Us: (352)-554-5904
- Email: info@blossomingbutterflyinc.com
- Website: www.blossomingbutterflyinc.org
The Details
We operate by appointment only, so please give us a call or shoot us an email to get on our calendar! Appointments are offered Monday through Thursday, from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM.
ReQuest in the Community
Real Men Wear Pink Golf Tournament
ReQuest recently participated in the “Real Men Wear Pink” golf tournament to benefit breast cancer research with the American Cancer Society. Our golf team was Albert (DPT), Alex (PTA), Caleb (ES), and Marshall (Operations Manager). Our licensed massage therapists, Natalia and Anthony, worked on the players while Sam educated people on breast cancer resources, lymphatic drainage, and scar tissue management.
Our Breast Cancer Program
ReQuest offers a comprehensive breast cancer program. We monitor for lymphedema and do custom garment measurements along with tailored exercise and manual lymphatic drainage.
To learn more about our breast cancer offerings, please email samantha.ream@requestphysicaltherapy.com.
Every Stronger Step Starts With the Right Plan.
Our team can help you understand what is contributing to your back discomfort and build a plan for moving forward.
Movement activity
Back Health Word Puzzle
Unscramble six words from this month’s back pain focus.Exercise of the Month
BIRD DOG
(Core, Lower Back, Glutes)
Start on your hands and knees on a mat or table. Brace your abdominals and keep your back flat. Slowly raise one arm straight out in front of you while simultaneously raising your opposite leg back behind you until both limbs are straight and parallel with the ground. Lower them back down and repeat with your other limbs.
3 Sets, 10 Reps.
Recipe of the Month
Creamy Butter Chicken
A deliciously mild spice dish that is easy to put together this Creamy Butter Chicken is a recipe that is full of flavor and one that you will want to make over and over.
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons oil
- 1 1/2-2 pounds chicken breasts cut into pieces
- 6 Tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 2 Tablespoons minced garlic
- 2 Tablespoons grated fresh ginger
- 1 Tablespoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 15 ounce can diced tomatoes undrained
- 6 ounce tomato paste
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro optional
Directions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken and stir to cook until done, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Melt butter in the same skillet, then add the onion, garlic and ginger. Cook until onions are translucent, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add the garam masala, turmeric, smoked paprika, chili powder and salt and mix well, cooking about a minute to let the flavors meld together.
- Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste and chicken broth and return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer uncovered 10 to 15 minutes, until sauce has thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in the heavy cream and cilantro.
- Serve over rice, if desired.
Thank You for Subscribing to ReQuest Physical Therapy
We are here to help you reclaim your mobility and get back to the life you love.
