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Is Back Pain Interfering With Your Everyday Life?

Physical Therapy Can Help You Resolve Your Back Pain!

Are you experiencing pain or tension in your lower back? Are these symptoms making it difficult for you to go about your daily routine? A life free of back pain is within your grasp.

For some, back pain is a daily occurrence that dictates the way you live your life. The pain in your back determines every movement, every motion. Standing, sitting, laying down, driving, walking, or running — the pain persists. According to most studies, poor postural habits, prolonged sitting, repetitive movements like bending and twisting, and lack of physical exercise have a significant association with low back pain. Knowing what to do can be confusing. Our physical therapists help you find solutions to your pain and provide you with an individualized program to help you manage your pain and get you back to living the life you enjoy! Call Priority Physical Therapy today to make an appointment.

Physical Therapy Solutions for Back Pain

It has become more evident that passive methods (i.e., rest and medication) are associated with worsening disability and are not recommended. Education and the recommencement of regular activities and exercise are related to decreased disability. Physical therapy aims to improve function and prevent disability from getting worse.

Physical therapy at Priority Physical Therapy offers a long-term solution to back pain by using targeted exercises that focus on the cause of the pain. Through a combination of strength and flexibility training that focuses on muscle development and joint movement, physical therapy can address the underlying cause of the pain and significantly improve your quality of life.

Exercise of the Month

Figure Four Stretch
  1. Lie on your back on a yoga mat with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Bend one leg and place your ankle on your opposite knee.
  2. Now grasp the back of your thigh and gently pull your knee toward you. Hold for 10 seconds.
  3. Release your foot back to the floor to return to the starting position.

Understanding the Risk Factors Associated with Back Pain

Though several risk factors have been identified, the exact cause of lower back pain remains challenging. Whether from overuse work-related postures and movements or injuries from traumatic events or athletic pursuits, the exact mechanism of lower back pain varies by the individual. Sprains and strains are common, but issues with the vertebrae, discs, and even concerns regarding the spinal nerves can occur.

You might be amazed to discover the different risk factors influencing your back health include: 

  • Lack of exercise 
  • Prolonged sitting 
  • Lifting heavy objects 
  • Bending or twisting 
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Use of soft foam mattress 
  • Sleep disorder 
  • Hypertension 

Aerobic activity and strength training exercises make it possible to reduce your risk of injury and to improve your ability to overcome back pain by strengthening the vertebrae and enhancing blood flow and nutrient disbursement throughout the back. 

What’s more, recent research indicates that resting may not be the ideal solution for long-term back care. Spending too much time on the couch or off your feet can lead to more long-term issues with back pain — not fewer. Exercise, in general, is shown to increase strength and flexibility, supporting healthy muscles and bones, and therefore supporting ideal back health.

South Carolina Staff celebrating Physical Therapy Month
Allison, Lauren, & Amy
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How Physical Therapy Helps

According to research, physical therapy treatments are effective for acute and chronic back pain. Physical therapy treatments for back pain include manual therapy, joint mobilization manipulation, exercise instruction, education, and techniques like the McKenzie Method and Therapeutic Yoga. 

These have all been proven to help alleviate pain and restore function. Physical therapists assess your particular condition to identify the contributing factors and address ALL of them. Rather than focusing on one cause of your pain, your physical therapist will handle all causes. 

At Priority Physical Therapy, our physical therapists are skilled at hands-on intervention and exercise selection for the most comprehensive and appropriate intervention to help you resolve your pain and/or restore your function.

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Anyone who has struggled with back pain can tell you plain and simple: When your back is hurting, there is no way to pretend that it isn’t. 

Our physical therapists will help you overcome back pain by giving you the knowledge and support necessary to help your back feel better! Working with a licensed and experienced physical therapist ensures that you do not take on too much too quickly. Our therapists will guide you through the process of healing with gradual steps.

Call Priority Physical Therapy for a comprehensive assessment and learn what steps you can take to alleviate your pain and prevent further episodes. If you have a history of back injuries, pain, or minor aches, don’t hesitate to talk to a physical therapist. We offer the results you are looking for!

Santa and Mrs. Claus: A Christmas Tradition in Palmyra

Don’t Let Yard Work Be a Pain! Tips for Avoiding an Injury in the Garden

Have you been putting off yard work? Consider this: It’s a great source of exercise and an excuse to get out in the fresh air. But it is essential for you to be mindful of injuries, particularly before diving into a strenuous outdoor project.

At Priority Physical Therapy, we want to help you be safe and healthy as you work in your garden. Here are three of our physical therapists’ favorite tips for avoiding an injury as you take care of outdoor chores:

  1. Warm up before you get started: Just as you get your body ready to go on a run or lift heavy weights, warm up before diving into intense yard work. Dynamic stretches or light aerobic activities work perfectly. Our team can give you suggestions!
  2. Switch things up: Repetitive movements and staying in one position can both lead to strain and injury. If you’re performing a repetitive task, take breaks or alternate with different activities. For example, trim your rose bushes for 20 minutes, then take a break by sweeping your patio.
  3. Be mindful of your movement: Certain movements, such as bending or twisting, put you at a higher risk of injury. If you find yourself contorting into awkward positions to complete a task, stop and take a moment to think about proper biomechanics. Our therapists can give you more personalized guidance.

The last thing you want is to injure yourself while working out in the garden. A little mindfulness can go a long way in preventing pain and injury. Have questions? Our physical therapists can help! Call us to schedule an appointment today.

Have You Met Your Annual Insurance Deductible?

An insurance deductible is the amount of money that you must pay before your insurance company pays for your medical services. If your deductible is met, your physical therapy may not cost you anything. Patients with family plans or those who have had major surgeries or have a chronic illness are especially likely to have a $0 balance remaining on their out-of-pocket expenses. This means that the cost of physical therapy could be minimal or completely covered by the patient’s insurance plan.

If you are close to or have met your insurance deductible for the year, then now is the time to come in for physical therapy! Are you feeling aches and pains? Need to work on your core? Let us help you get a head start for 2025.

Have you undergone surgery recently? Call us today to schedule an appointment with one of our physical therapists. We’ll guide you to affordable treatments that will place you one step closer to pain relief.

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Share Your Success!

The best way to help a small business in the community is by leaving a Google review! We want to help more people. Share your great experience with Priority Physical Therapy and help us heal our neighbors.

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Holiday Jam (A Great Homemade Gift!)

Ingredients:

  • 1 package (40 ounces) frozen unsweetened strawberries, thawed or 2-1/2 quarts fresh strawberries, hulled
  • 1 pound fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed
  • 5 pounds sugar
  • 2 pouches (3 ounces each) liquid fruit pectin

Directions:

  1. Grind strawberries and cranberries in a food processor or grinder; place in a Dutch oven. Add sugar.
  2. Bring to a full rolling boil; boil for 1 minute. Remove from the heat; stir in pectin and return to a full rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat.
  3. Cool for 5 minutes; skim off foam. Carefully ladle hot mixture into hot half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Remove air bubbles; wipe rims and adjust lids. Process for 10 minutes in a boiling-water canner.
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