Is Back Pain Interfering With Your Everyday Life?
Are you experiencing pain or tension in your lower back? Are these symptoms making it difficult for you to go about your daily routine? At McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy, our mission is to help you break through these barriers. Our McKenzie-trained team uses clinical and diagnostic reasoning to help you pinpoint the source of your pain so you can find immediate and lasting relief.
For some, back pain is a daily occurrence that can profoundly impact their quality of life. It can affect all sorts of daily movements, including standing, sitting, lying down, driving, walking, or running. Because every symptom has a source, we don’t just look at where it hurts, we identify why it hurts.You might develop long-term back pain for many reasons, such as poor postural habits or prolonged sitting. These factors strain the back’s structures and increase the risk of overuse injuries. While addressing back pain can be overwhelming, you don’t have to do it alone. We will be there for you every step of the way with a problem-solving approach to help you reach your full physical potential and get you back to living the life you enjoy!
Understanding the Risk Factors Associated with Back Pain
One reason back pain is so prevalent is that so many different factors can contribute to it, which means that the exact mechanical source of back pain can vary by individual. Here are some of the most common factors we see at our clinic:
- Lack of exercise
- Prolonged sitting
- Poor posture
- Core weakness
- Frequent repetitive bending or twisting motions
These factors make it more likely that you’ll suffer an injury, such as straining your back muscles or developing a herniated disc. Often, back pain stems from overuse injuries that develop gradually over time. Until you identify and correct the factors causing the injury, you’ll continue to experience symptoms.
Even for degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis or degenerative disc disease, our goal is to provide you with the self-treatment tools to alleviate pressure on the spine and improve your long-term outcomes.
The Importance of Movement In Solving Back Pain
Many people mistakenly believe rest is the best way to deal with back pain. In reality, a lack of physical activity can actually make your back pain worse!
Exercise plays a key role in reducing back pain, but choosing the right “directional preference” is essential. A strong core and stable back minimize strain on the vertebrae, discs, and surrounding tissues. Our individualized programs improve overall mobility, helping to keep your spine healthy.
Different types of movement help in different ways:
Targeted Core Strengthening:
Supports your spine and reduces excess pressure on discs.
Mechanical Mobility Work:
Increases your range of motion and addresses the source of stiffness.
Aerobic Activities:
Boosts circulation and encourages the release of endorphins.
Postural Awareness:
Improves spinal alignment and eases muscle strain.
Comprehensive Solutions for Back Pain
Physical therapy at McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy provides a highly structured, evidence-based approach. Our team will perform a thorough mechanical evaluation and create a plan based on your unique needs. Common strategies include:
Manual Therapy:
Hands-on techniques like joint mobilization or IASTM to reduce tension and prepare your body for movement.
The McKenzie Method (MDT):
A specialized diagnostic system used to classify your pain and find the specific movements that provide relief.
Targeted Exercises:
Strengthening the muscles that support the spine to improve stability.
Patient Empowerment:
We provide you with the knowledge and tools to treat yourself and prevent further strain.
Back Pain Relief is In Your Grasp
When your back is hurting, there is no way to pretend that it isn’t. Fortunately, you don’t have to struggle! Our McKenzie-trained team will work to address the root of your pain. Schedule an initial appointment at McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy to get started on your path to a pain-free life.
Get Started with PT Now!
Return to McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy and Let’s Continue Your Journey to Wellness Together. Schedule Your Appointment Now!
This Crock Pot Irish Stew is a hearty, comforting classic that’s perfect for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Slow-cooked and full of rich flavor, it’s an easy, cozy meal to enjoy with family and friends. 🍀
Enjoy This Seasonal Healthy Recipe!
Best St. Patrick’s Day Crock Pot Irish Stew
- 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cubed
- 2 large potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 cups diced carrots
- 1 envelope onion soup mix
- 2 (10¾ oz) cans tomato soup
- 1 soup can water
- 16 oz frozen peas
- salt and pepper, to taste
- parsley, for garnish
- Combine beef, potatoes, carrots, soup mix, tomato soup, can of water, salt and pepper in Crock Pot.
- Cook on LOW 8 hours.
- Add frozen peas and ¼ cup water.
- Cook on LOW 1 additional hour.
- Garnish with parsley.
Exercise of the Month
BENT OVER ROWS
Hold a weight in your hand. Slightly bend your knees and bend at your waist to bring your torso forward. Make sure your back remains flat and about parallel to the floor. Pull the weight towards you. Make sure your elbows stay close to your body. Slowly return to the starting position.
3 Sets, 10 Reps. (Materials needed: dumbbells)
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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 that could become a barrier to your active lifestyle.
At McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy, we want to help you break through the barriers to stay 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 to prepare your body for demands of gardening. Our team can provide you with specific movements based on your unique physical needs!
2. Switch things up: Repetitive movements and staying in one position can both lead to strain and injury because every symptom has a source. 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. At McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy, we empower our patients with the knowledge and self-treatment tools to understand how their bodies move, ensuring you can identify and correct poor habits before they lead to pain.
The last thing you want is to injure yourself while working out in the garden. A little awareness can go a long way in preventing pain and injury. Have questions? Our McKenzie-trained physical therapists are committed to your outcomes and can help! Call us to schedule a thorough evaluation today.
Our Patients Get Great Results
“I have used McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy on more than one occasion, and I have always had a wonderful experience. The team, in particular Steve Smeck, has ensured my level of care was customized to support my needs. I would highly recommend this practice for any of your physical therapy needs.”
— Deb C.
Refer a Friend
If you’ve experienced the outstanding care at McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy, why not share it with your friends? Referring them means giving them access to personalized treatment that can make a real difference in their health and well-being. Help them find a trusted healthcare partner—refer a friend to McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy today!
Meet Our Team
Alexandra Prophet
DPT, Cert. MDT
Douglas Brady
DPT, JD, Cert. MDT, AIB-VRC
Frank McCabe
MPT, B.S. Ex. Phys., Cert. MDT
Lauren Suchanick
DPT, Cert. MDT, AIB-VRC
Richard Winters
CSCS, DPT, OCS, Cert. MDT
Steve Smeck
BS. Ex. Phys, DPT
