Get More with our Hands of Hope Loyalty Program
This new rewards program is designed to help you earn points simply by taking care of your health. The more you participate, the more you earn, and the more you save!
How It Works
- Sign Up: Join today and receive 5,000 welcome points just for enrolling.
- Visit & Earn: Earn points at every appointment, when you refer a friend, when you leave a review, and more.
- Redeem & Save: Use your points like cash credits toward products, cash-based services, visit bundles, and wellness items.
Ways to Earn Points
- New Member Sign-Up – 5,000 pts
- Every Visit – 300 pts
- Evaluations – 500 pts
- Leave a Review – 1,000 pts
- Referral Program – 3,000 pts
- Arrive On Time – 50 pts
- Book in Advance – 1,000 pts
- Birthday/Anniversary – 500 pts
- Yoga Mat Purchase – Triple Points
- IV & Weight Loss Services – Triple Points
- WellCart Purchases – 5 pts per $1
Redeem Your Rewards For
- Care Credit services
- Free checkups
- WellCart products
- Special invitations & bonuses
Join today and start earning rewards simply by staying committed to your health!
Back Pain Slowing You Down? Physical Therapy Can Help!
Here’s a fact about back pain that may bring you some comfort: it’s one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints in the world. Around 80% of people will have back pain at least once. So, if you’re suffering now, you probably aren’t the only one!
Of course, that thought does little to help if your back pain keeps you from performing day-to-day activities — as it often does. Back pain is often accompanied by mobility restrictions that make walking, rising from sitting, or bending over difficult. And if left untreated, it can sometimes lead to long-term pain and dysfunction.
At Hands of Hope, we know how debilitating back pain can be. Our team of dedicated physical therapists will help you understand the cause or causes of your back pain and work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that will let you get back to the activities you love to do.
Call our clinic today to set up your initial consultation!
What Causes Back Pain?
One of the reasons that back pain is so common is that it’s associated with several different injuries, underlying conditions, or lifestyle factors. That said, most back pain is non-specific, meaning it’s not caused by a specific disease or specific structural problem, but caused by mechanical issues. Mechanical issues are difficult to pinpoint and may include multiple tissues in and around the spinal joints.
The first step in treating your back pain is understanding what’s contributing to it. Our therapists will perform a comprehensive evaluation to help us learn as much as possible about your experience with back pain, including screening for any mobility limitations or weakness you’re struggling with.
Here are some of the more common sources of back pain that we see at our clinic:
- Strains and Sprains: A strain occurs when you injure the muscles in your back. A sprain occurs when you injure the ligaments that link your spinal vertebrae. Both can cause pain and limited mobility, and they often result from lifting with improper form (such as twisting while lifting) or attempting to lift something too heavy.
- Herniated Discs: Soft, flexible discs separate and cushion your spinal vertebrae. If one of those discs herniates — that is protrudes out — and irritates a nearby nerve, it can lead to intense pain, feeling “stuck” in a stooped over position, and often pain down the leg known as sciatica.
- Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the world, occurring when the cartilage and bone tissue in a joint degenerate and become inflamed. While we often associate it with the hips, knees, or hands, it can occur in the spine, too. Spinal osteoarthritis is sometimes called spondylosis.
- Lifestyle Factors: Several factors can contribute to lower back pain, including improper posture, prolonged sitting, or weakness in the muscles that wrap and support your spine (your core muscles).
Why Physical Therapy at Hands of Hope Is Your Back Pain Solution
While back pain often resolves on its own within 1-3 months, physical therapy is an excellent choice for people with particularly intense pain or extremely restrictive mobility. It’s also useful for people with chronic back pain — defined as pain that lingers past that three-month mark.
We customize all our back pain treatment plans according to your specific needs: the location and severity of your back pain, any mobility restrictions, your ability level, and overall goals. We’ll work to address the underlying issues causing your pain rather than simply masking the symptoms.
How will we do this? Through a blend of the following techniques:
- Manual therapy helps manage pain, promote blood circulation, and improve mobility.
- A personalized therapeutic exercise plan improves the strength, flexibility, and endurance of your back and core muscles. Muscle weakness significantly contributes to lower back pain, so exercise is a must.
- Specialized training, such as proper techniques and activities that simulate functional movements you’ll need to perform (i.e., squats, lunges, lifting, etc.).
- Prevention strategies help reduce future back pain incidents. These strategies might include postural corrections or suggestions for at-home exercises, such as a walking program or regular strength and mobility practice.
Get Moving Again with Physical Therapy!
Back pain is more than just pain. It can severely restrict your mobility, leading to less exercise and movement, further contributing to pain and dysfunction. The Hands of Hope team is here to help you break that cycle and find relief from back pain for good.
Call us today to schedule an appointment!
Sources: https://www.choosept.com/guide/physical-therapy-guide-low-back-pain, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32669487/, https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004057.pub3/full
Exercise of the Month
Standing Lumbar Self-Traction (Lower Back)
Stand in front of a sturdy counter or bench about waist height. Place your hands firmly on the surface and slowly bend your knees slightly while leaning your weight into your arms. Allow your hips to drop downward, feeling a gentle stretch and decompression in your lower back. Hold the position briefly, then return to standing. 3 Sets, 30-Second Hold. (Materials needed: counter or bench)
Peking-style Beef
Sticky, sweet and savory minced beef cooked until glossy and caramelised. This makes for a quick fakeaway dinner that’s faster and cheaper than delivery.
Ingredients:
SAUCE
- 3 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp all-purpose soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp Chinese five-spice (optional)
BEEF
- 1 tbsp light olive oil
- 1 lb regular ground beef
- 1 tsp freshly minced garlic
- 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
- 1 tsp cornflour mixed with 2 tbsp water
TO SERVE
- Steamed jasmine rice
- 2 cucumbers, peeled into ribbons
- 2 spring scallions, thinly sliced
- Toasted sesame seeds
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Instructions:
- Make the sauce – In a jug or small bowl, combine the sauce ingredients and set aside.
- Cook the beef – Heat the oil in a large, heavy-based pan over high heat. Add the beef, break it up (so it covers more of the surface area of the pan), and allow it to cook, untouched, for at least 5–6 minutes – this will allow the beef to brown and develop crispy edges. Flip it, further breaking it apart with your spatula, and cook for a further 1–2 minutes or until cooked through.
- Add the garlic and ginger – Stir the garlic and ginger in, cooking for 30 seconds.
- Add the sauce – Pour the sauce over the beef and simmer for 1–2 minutes to coat the beef.
- Thicken the sauce – Stir in the cornflour and water mixture. Cook for 30–60 seconds until the sauce thickens and clings to the beef.
We’re Here to Help, Every Step of the Way
We know pain can be alarming, but you don’t have to manage it alone. A personalized therapy program from Hands of Hope can help reduce your symptoms so you feel more confident in your day-to-day life.
