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Thursday Oct 29, 2020

The Science of Back Injury: Some Inspiration Behind The Smartstrong Approach To Back Recovery

Thursday Oct 29, 2020

In this episode, we discuss some of the inspiration behind Smartstrong and the back-pain Solutions podcast. We detail one of the seminars we attended back in 2019, out in Eindhoven, where we spent several days with world renowned back expert professor Stuart McGill where we learnt some of the fundamental principles he takes in the management of back health with his clients, following years of research over in Canada.

Dr. Stuart McGill is a professor emeritus, University of Waterloo, where he was a professor for 30 years. Over that period his laboratory and experimental research clinic investigated issues related to the causal mechanisms of back pain, how to rehabilitate back-pained people and enhance both injury resilience and performance. Professor McGill’s professional work has resulted in over 400 scientific publications, including four textbooks!! The first book, Lower back disorders: Evidence based Prevention and Rehabilitation is now on its third edition and was written for clinicians such as us. His textbook Ultimate Back Fitness and Performance provides the evidence base to design and prescribe the most appropriate exercise programs for the back. In the book titled Back Mechanic, seeks to guide readers through a self-assessment of pain triggers, then shows how to avoid these roadblocks on the road to recovery. Most recently, his book The Gift of Injury, in collaboration with champion powerlifter Brian Caroll, is about healing injury in the athlete and building resilience to compete once again.

Some of the things you’ll discover:

Why removing the aggravating factors is fundamental in the recovery of back injury?
How the extensor muscles in the back contribute stability to the spine
Why it’s important not to ignore the hips when assessing the back
Don’t be misinformed by additional investigational findings such as MRI or X-ray
Degenerative disc disease is NOT a diagnosis!
Why we should identify what is appropriate for the rehabilitation goal of the individual, and not simply take a generic approach to recovery

Highlights

You wouldn’t tell your mother in law she had degenerative face disease so why is degenerative disc disease so commonly reported as a diagnosis for people with back pain?! Back pain always has a cause and degenerative disc disease, or degenerative joint disease, is not a diagnosis that should be given to a patient. All back pain always has a cause and for the most part, degeneration is rarely the cause of pain. Back pain complaints require a thorough history, and examination of the problem, if it is to be managed effectively for the specific individual, there are no short cuts!

For more episodes of the Back Pain Solutions podcast visit: www.smartstrong.co.uk Don’t forget to subscribe so you can receive updates on new episodes and direct links to additional content.

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Thursday Oct 22, 2020

Why Sleep is a Skill and How To Improve It With Mollie McGlocklin

Thursday Oct 22, 2020

Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which people have trouble sleeping. Experiences may vary from struggling to fall to sleep to difficulty in staying asleep as long as is desired. A little google research reveals that the word insomnia has a monthly search of over 1.5 million demonstrating that this is a common issue. Given that insomnia is often followed by day time sleepiness, irritability, low energy and depressed mood it is clearly a problem! Further research demonstrates that the cumulative long-term effects of sleep loss and sleep disorders have been associated with a wide range of deleterious health consequences. From diabetes to obesity and from depression to stroke the case can be confidently made that sleep loss and sleep disorders have profound and widespread effects on human health.

In this episode we talk about the importance of sleep with Mollie McGlocklin. Mollie is the creator of Sleep Is A Skill, a company that optimizes how people sleep through a unique blend of technology, accountability, and behavioral change. Mollie’s obsession with sleep came after her own experiences when her lifelong poor sleep habits progressed to a challenging bout of insomnia. With a background in psychology & human behavior, she went deep down the rabbit hole herself to solve her sleep disturbances. She became fascinated with chronobiology and its practical applications to restore a state of homeostasis to sleep. For the past three years, she’s traveled the world testing sleep quality in different environments across the globe. Knowing the difference between a life with sleep and without; she’s dedicated to sharing the forgotten skill set of sleep.

Some of the things you’ll discover…

How the body pulls for homeostasis, it wants us to sleep but often we’re the ones that get in the way of it!
Just how lonely insomnia can be and the physiological responses that people can experience as a result of it
The science of time, chronobiology, and how this can influence your sleep potential
Just why exposure to light throughout each day is so important to your sleep health because of the full spectrum of light we’re exposed to
How our thoughts can increase the temperature in our brain and the influence can have on our sleep
The importance of consistency when it comes to improving your sleep
The influence of hormones on our body and the impact they have on our sleep
That the now common blue and green light immitted from many modern light bulbs suppresses melatonin which impacts sleep
Why re-thinking your use of sunglasses, baseball caps and even suntan cream can be beneficial
Understanding the influence of thought timing and the impact this can have on your sleep
Why you may be waking up tired despite thinking you’ve slept well throughout the night

Highlights

If you want to start to improve your sleep routine, then start by getting more sun exposure daily. You need to prioritize periodic breaks throughout the day to get sun exposure, whether you’re working from home or from the office! Exposure to natural light exposes us to full spectrum light which is important to our health. Evidence shows that those that are admitted to hospital and have a room with windows recover more quickly than those that do not so the importance of light exposure cannot be underestimated. Clearly there are geographical considerations to think about particularly in those regions that experience long periods of light or darkness during different times of the year. Here it is important to set a routine to get the light exposure needed and where necessary, although not ideal, may be consider light boxes to support your exposure.

For more episodes of the Back Pain Solutions podcast visit: www.smartstrong.co.uk Don’t forget to subscribe so you can receive updates on new episodes and direct links to additional content.

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Sleep Trackers:

Oura Rings - https://ouraring.com/
Biostrap - https://biostrap.com/evo-pre-order/
Whoop - https://www.whoop.com/experience/

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Mollie McGlocklin Contact Details...

Website: https://www.sleepisaskill.com/

Pdf: Download "The Optimized Bedroom" PDF Now

Thursday Oct 15, 2020

The Benefits of Walking On Back Health: Is Walking Good For Sciatica & Other Back Conditions?

Thursday Oct 15, 2020

Walking is often overlooked in the recovery process of lower back injury. The strategy best suited for the individual is of course the one best fit for their specific problem but walking should almost always form part of the rehabilitation process. The effect of walking on the tissues in and around the spine is essential and similarly when we do not get this movement it can have a detrimental impact. Walking gives the injured person the advantage of speeding up the healing process as well as aiding the mental aspect of getting outside and remaining active. The mental aspect of walking is also fundamental in the recovery process. As we increase the ability to walk pain free, we are getting feedback from our body that we are recovering and thus we are building movement tolerance in the subconscious.

In this episode we highlight the benefits of walking in the recovery process and just how it benefits the spine. We highlight how walking activates the muscles that support spine stability. We also cover off the potential prescription of walking in terms of frequency and duration to provide a guide for implementing walking into your recovery plans.

Some of the things you’ll discover:

How walking effects, the spine and injured tissues when walking
How walking aids in recovery through activation of spinal muscles
What might be the ideal prescription of walking for you
How the mental aspect of walking influences your lower back recovery
What you can do together with walking to aid your recovery

Highlights

Walking is often neglected in the recovery process of lower back injuries, but it is a very important aspect of the healing process. Research, together with clinical experience, has shown us how movement is essential to pump fluids and blood around the body in order for tissues to get back to normal function. Walking is the most natural movement we can make and should be used to restore general physical movement. Considering this, we should understand that walking should be used in very specific dosages when we are injured and that the dosage depends on your injury.

For more episodes of the Back Pain Solutions podcast visit: www.smartstrong.co.uk Don’t forget to subscribe so you can receive updates on new episodes and direct links to additional content.

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Thursday Oct 08, 2020

Omega 3 Benefits & Omega 3 Supplements: What Are The Health Benefits Of Omega 3

Thursday Oct 08, 2020

For anyone that is in any way health conscious they will have heard of the benefits of omega-3 fats. There is increasing research demonstrating the health benefits of omega-3 fats, including the reduction of inflammation. As most diseases have an inflammatory component and given that new physiological data demonstrates their essential role in the human body, it would seem prudent to increase our consumption of omega-3 fats in the diet. However, the lesser known fact is that the consumption of omega-6 fats is also an important factor and getting the right ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fats is as important. Omega-6 has almost the opposite effect to omega-3 fats, promoting inflammation and contributing to many of the modern diseases we see today. Unfortunately, omega-6 fats are commonplace in the modern diet being found in nearly ALL processed food, as well as restaurant cooked meals.

In this episode we introduce, and discuss, some of the benefits of omega-3 fats. We discuss some of the health benefits of omega-3 fats and discuss the physiological issues that arise from a poor balance of omega-3 versus omega-6 fats. We highlight the competition that is faced between omega-3 and omega-6 fats which demonstrates why increasing omega-3 fats in the diet is not the only strategy to consider. Finally, we discuss fish oils which have become increasingly popular in the last ten years, but that people don’t understand that not all fish oils are created equal. There are numerous products on the market, some of which are very popular, but which are produced with poor quality ingredients which may actually create the issues that we’re trying to avoid!

Some of the things you’ll discover…

Why not just omega-3 levels are important but the ratio of omega-3 fats to omega-6 in the diet
The impact of omega-3 and omega-6 fats on inflammatory mediators
Why you might be surprised by the omega-3 to omega-6 ratios in your own body despite the healthy diet you may feel you follow
Why you might want to reconsider some of the common foods that are often consumed as part of a Western diet
Why fish oil in capsules may have a negative impact on your health and not the positive response you might expect
Why consuming fish oil in liquid format may be a better option for supplementing omega-3 in your diet

Highlights

The health benefits of omega-3 fats are far reaching and the evidence to support their benefits is increasingly compelling. From heart disease to arthritis and many other chronic inflammatory diseases, omega-3 will remain a focal element of a nutritional approach to better health. However, don’t assume that because you consume a good quantity of omega-3 each week that this offers you the health benefits you’re looking for unless you take into consideration the levels of omega-6 fats that you also consume on a weekly basis. The ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fats is out of proportion for many of us and this needs to be addressed. There are now a number of companies that offer simple blood tests to allow you to assess this easily, whilst supplying the quality of fish oil needed to help make a difference.

For more episodes of the Back Pain Solutions podcast visit: www.smartstrong.co.uk Don’t forget to subscribe so you can receive updates on new episodes and direct links to additional content.

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Thursday Oct 01, 2020

Lumbar Disc Herniation & Herniated Disc Recovery: A Patient Success Story With Vincent Hulk

Thursday Oct 01, 2020

Debilitating back pain is difficult to endure yet is suffered by many at some point in their lives. Patients who have suffered a disc herniation often describe experiencing excruciating pain and fear avoidance as they seek to overcome their injury. Whilst the majority of care seeker stop seeking care within 3 months, around 10% will experience chronic, disabling low back pain whilst some experience repeat episodes. The key is to prevent the transition to persistent pain and disability and facilitate a pathway to functional restoration which involves a movement based approach.

In this episode we’re joined by a special guest as we talk with Vincent Hulk about his back injury and the steps, he took to manage his disc herniation, which was preventing him from taking part in the sporting activities he loves. We discuss the onset of the injury and the initial approach he took to manage the pain before continued discomfort led him to seek out professional help in his native South Africa. We talk around the rehabilitation process and the things that led to him experiencing a further episode of pain which brought him in to see the Smartstrong team! Vincent talks about the consistent things he was doing that he thinks brought on another episode of pain, despite him believing them to be safe at the time. He discusses his experience with pain and how important it was for him to have a long-term goal to aim for as part of his recovery plan. Finally, he highlights the commitment required on his behalf in order to support the work of the therapist in order to build resilience to his injury over time and build a strong back.

Some of the things you’ll discover…

Why understanding your boundaries when exercising, and understanding appropriate exercises is so important to injury resistance?
How important it is to understand your limitations and not return to sport until fully healed.
Why accumulative trauma is the likely culprit of your injury, not one specific event.
The important role the glutes played in the rehabilitation process for disc injury
How important it is to make healthy lifestyle choices to avoid injury repetition
Just how long it can take to fully recover from a lumbar disc herniation
Why a collaborative approach is required to ensure effective recovery from injury

Highlights

Full recovery from disc herniation can take up to 10 years!! With that in mind, and the high incidence of recurrence rates, its fundamentally important to adhere to long term lifestyle changes to support the recovery from back injury. Daily movements, no matter how small, can have a negative cumulative effect which can prevent full recovery. It really is about committing to a long-term exercise program to engrain healthy movement patterns, and build core endurance, if the back is to function optimally and you’re to return to sporting activities if that’s your ambition. There are no short cuts, and it takes a collaborative approach with the therapist to be successful. You can’t expect someone to do all the work for you and for the injury to go away.

For more episodes of the Back Pain Solutions podcast visit: www.smartstrong.co.uk Don’t forget to subscribe so you can receive updates on new episodes and direct links to additional content.

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Thursday Sep 24, 2020

Ankylosing Spondylitis; Ankylosing Spondylitis Symptoms & Ankylosing Spondylitis Treatment

Thursday Sep 24, 2020

Alongside mechanical lower back pain there are several conditions that result in pain, and stiffness, in the back which need to be considered during diagnosis. One condition which targets the lower back specifically is ankylosing spondylitis. Ankylosing spondylitis is a progressive form of inflammatory arthritis which mainly affects the spine but can also affect other joints, tendons and ligaments. It’s a condition that affects young people with symptoms starting in the late teens to early twenties, and with the average age of onset being 24.The current average delay to diagnosis from when symptoms start is 8.5 years, by which time irreversible damage to the spine may have occurred! As a result, early conservative management of people with suspected AS is important.

In this episode we discuss the aetiology of ankylosing spondylitis and the common symptoms that are experienced by those suffering from this condition. We highlight the common investigations involved in diagnosing AS as well as the long-term prognosis of the disease. In addition, we discuss a pro-active approach to managing AS which includes the use of exercise as well as diet in the management of disease progression. Whilst there is limited scientific support for the dietary management of AS, improving gut health, and nutrition are proving increasingly important in the management of chronic inflammatory conditions. Given the average time to diagnosis, and the irreversible changes that will have occurred at that timepoint, we discuss the potential role that diet could play in the proactive management of this condition. Finally, we introduce a case study highlighting successful disease management by a lady who made specific dietary choices, as well as other lifestyle decisions, in support of her condition.

Some of the things you’ll discover…

What is ankylosing spondylitis and what are the symptoms to be aware of?
How is ankylosing spondylitis diagnosed, and what is the time to diagnosis?
Radiographic versus non radiographic AS. What is the difference between the two?
What is the average age of onset of ankylosing spondylitis and is it influenced by gender?
Who is likely to manage the condition and what is the approach to disease management?
Can exercise play a role and what considerations should be made with regards exercise prescription?
Could diet play a role in the prevention, as well as management of ankylosing spondylitis?

Highlights

The average time to diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis is 8.5 years and it is a progressive condition. Given this timeline there must be a big focus on the conservative management of this condition, as early as possible. Whilst nutritional research around the management of ankylosing spondylitis is limited, there is anecdotal evidence that it can play a role in the management of this condition. There are several success stories that have been shared online that support the impact nutrition can have on limiting disease progress. Whilst the recommendation is to follow the advice of your doctor it would certainly make sense to consider all options, especially given the duration of time it takes for a diagnosis to be made! Don’t waste time waiting for the diagnosis, take action!

For more episodes of the Back Pain Solutions podcast visit: www.smartstrong.co.uk Don’t forget to subscribe so you can receive updates on new episodes and direct links to additional content.

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Thursday Sep 17, 2020

Lower Back Pain Exercise: Is All Movement Equal?

Thursday Sep 17, 2020

It is now common practice for healthcare practitioners to advise against bed rest and encourage a return to activity when managing lower back pain. Bed rest has long been considered to have deleterious effects on recovery from injury and indeed can increase pain due to the osmotic effects on the intervertebral discs as increased hydration results in additional stretch of the localised soft tissues. Furthermore, research demonstrates that prescribing bed rest can have a negative impact on the strength and flexibility of supporting musculature within only a few days when they are not being used. Given the importance of the muscles in supporting the spine this is clearly an outcome we want to avoid. However, whilst research confirms the benefits of taking an active recovery, is all movement equal? And just what activities should you return to as part of your recovery?!

In this episode we ask if all movement is equal when taking an active approach to recovery and identify some fundamental considerations you should take when returning to activity. We demonstrate some of the mistakes people make when they’re recovering from injury and what you can do to avoid them. We discuss some key exercises that you should consider as part of your rehabilitation program as well as some key exercises to avoid. Furthermore, we discuss how important it is to optimise your environment to support your recovery and need you to tune in to your back pain to guide your recovery.

Some of the things you’ll discover…

Why not all movement is equal & why you shouldn’t always be influenced by what others have done
That everyone is individual and why you should not simply follow what others have found successful
Why you need to identify the movements that you can tolerate as part of your recovery
What we mean by quality of movement & how this applies to simply activities of daily living
Why making a diary throughout the day can be so beneficial as part of your recovery
Don’t underestimate some of the simple things you do everyday that can influence your back health
Why understanding neutral spine is a foundation in your recovery & for your long term back health
Some of the fundamental mistakes people make when trying to overcome back injury

Highlights

Don’t be fooled when you’re advised to keep moving and taking an active approach to recovery, especially when you are given no direction on what movements you should be considering as part of your rehabilitation. Time and time again people are given poor, or at least unclear, advice about the exercises they should undertake as part of their treatment plan. Inevitably this leads to many instances of recurring, and chronic, pain which could be avoided with better advice. Just because someone else has had success with certain exercises it doesn’t mean that you should follow their lead as it may have a deleterious effect for you. Always seek out sound advice to give you the confidence you need to overcome your injury.

For more episodes of the Back Pain Solutions podcast visit: www.smartstrong.co.uk Don’t forget to subscribe so you can receive updates on new episodes and direct links to additional content.

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Thursday Sep 10, 2020

Microdiscectomy, Microdiscectomy Recovery Times & Life After Microdiscectomy

Thursday Sep 10, 2020

As with many medical procedures, there have been advances is the surgical approach to back care. Spinal surgery once meant large incisions, long recovery periods and extended periods of rehabilitation. Fortunately, advances in surgical approach have improved the process making it less invasive. One such procedure is the microdiscectomy which is performed on patients suffering from a herniated disc, often with pain extended down the leg. During this surgery, a surgeon removes a portion of the disc to remove pressure on the spinal nerves exiting the spine which can be the source of pain. But how effective is this treatment? Is this a quick fix for patients suffering from back pain, with associated sciatic nerve pain and what are the longer-term outcomes following this surgical procedure?

In this episode we discuss the microdiscectomy and briefly outline the surgical approach to this treatment. We discuss the tissues that can be affected by the surgery and the potential collateral damage that can occur as a result of this procedure. We highlight why this approach is not a quick fix to the underlying problem such that an effective rehabilitation program post-surgery is fundamentally important to the long-term prognosis of your back health and the risk of recurrence of injury. Furthermore, we discuss the why many people consider this an early option in the treatment of their back injury without giving consideration for the active involvement they must play in their recovery. Finally, we touch on the recovery time and early exercises that can be expected post-surgery.

Some of the things you’ll discover:

How the microdiscectomy is performed?
Some of the risk factors involved in surgery of this type
Why this procedure should not be considered a quick fix to the underlying problem
What you should expect to do post-surgery in order to enhance the outcome of surgery
Surgery success rates and recurrence rates
Expected recovery time following surgery and what you can expect in the early stages of recovery
Why an effective rehabilitation plan could help prevent the need for surgery and what you should expect from it

Highlights

When experiencing pain people want a quick resolution to their problem which is understandable. Unfortunately, as is often the case, people feel that surgery can provide a quick resolution to their problem. Whilst surgical advances allow for less invasive treatment options, and outcomes are considered more favorable, it does not mean it is a quick fix to the problem. If you simply go back to doing the things that you were doing preinjury then you should expect the problem to return! People fail to acknowledge that in the vast majority of cases the injury they experience is the result of repetitive, and consistent, aggravation of the underlying tissue. Good surgery will not solve for poor movement, and a lack of core strength so commit to solving these things if you want a healthier back!!

For more episodes of the Back Pain Solutions podcast visit: www.smartstrong.co.uk Don’t forget to subscribe so you can receive updates on new episodes and direct links to additional content.

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Thursday Sep 03, 2020

Why Losing Weight Could Increase Your Lower Back Pain & How You Should Lose Weight Safely For Back Health

Thursday Sep 03, 2020

It is now well established that there are numerous health risks associated with being overweight. From increased blood pressure and type 2 diabetes to sleep apnea and osteoarthritis. Global estimates suggest that over 2 billion adults are overweight, with an estimated 650 million suffering from obesity. This number has tripled since 1976 and most of the world’s population now live in countries where obesity and overweight kills more than underweight. Despite the known health implications, the rising number of people who are overweight, and obese, demonstrates that people are not taking a proactive, preventative approach to their health. Oftentimes it is when people are faced with health challenges that they finally act.

In this episode we discuss the impact that excess weight has on back health and why losing weight quickly could be having a negative impact on the back pain experienced by some. We highlight how some weightlifters can take advantage of their weight to support the low back during exercise whilst establishing the long-term benefits of weight loss in supporting low back health. Finally, we discuss the nutritional implications of health dietary choices on overall health and on back health so that you can start to make some changes that will support your recovery.

Some of the things you’ll discover…

Why weight loss could be a red flag that should be investigated to rule out sinister causes of back pain
How weightlifters can take advantage of their weight to help support their lower backs during heavy lifting
Why weight loss may cause be the cause of increased back pain for some people
Why you need to set a foundation for exercise through good movement and core stability, not dive straight into exercise classes just to lose weight
How muscle mass in the lower back can be replaced by fat in those that have been sedentary for long periods of time
Why nutritional choices can lead to chronic, low-grade inflammation which reduces the effectiveness of the immune system to support injury or illness
Why consuming enough protein should be an important consideration during your rehabilitation

Highlights

Losing weight quickly could be detrimental to the back health of some people. Whilst in some cases this is the result of reduced stability in the short term, most often it is the result of making the wrong choices regarding the exercise they undertake. Far too often people want to see quick results and so dive straight into aerobic classes, body pump classes, or other high intensity workouts without having established healthy movement patterns, or core strength, first. As a result, they don’t have the back stability to support their bodies during these new fitness endeavors and they compound the underlying injury. Frustratingly this can lead many to give up which is a disappointing outcome.

In those people carrying excess weight, losing a few pounds will undoubtedly have a positive impact on back health if the exercise choices are the right ones. Choosing the right exercises and committing to them over the long term will result in improvements. In conjunction with a healthier diet this will allow effective, and sustainable, results.

For more episodes of the Back Pain Solutions podcast visit: www.smartstrong.co.uk Don’t forget to subscribe so you can receive updates on new episodes and direct links to additional content.

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Thursday Aug 27, 2020

Lower Back Pain Referring To The Hip; Hip Pain & Buttock Pain & Hip Exercises

Thursday Aug 27, 2020

Many sufferers of back pain will report experiencing pain in areas away from the low back itself, which is known as referred pain. Referred pain is the result of the extensive nervous system which supplies sensory nerves to many tissues in the low back, pelvis and thigh. As a result, an injury to any of these structures can cause pain to radiate to any of the other tissues. The brain is unable to determine the specific source of the pain and therefore the primary source of injury isn’t always obvious. Hip pain is a common source of pain in those suffering from low back injury so a thorough history, and careful examination, are required in order to distinguish the site of injury and direct effective treatment.

In this episode we talk about the differences between hip and low back pain. We discuss the anatomy and where you should expect to feel pain in a true hip injury. We also discuss the reasons why true hip pain is uncommon and how we can take advantage of this joint to support our low back due to the stability, as well as the power, of this joint. Furthermore, we describe the importance of conditioning the muscles around the hip which reduce stresses on the low back by removing reliance of the lower back extensors during movement.

Some of the things you’ll discover…

Why you shouldn’t get distracted by hip pain and that often people suffering from lower back pain will experience discomfort into this area
Differentiating between true hip pain and pain radiating from the lower back
Why you should expect to get an anatomy lesson as part of your treatment!
Why many patients experience referred pain when they’re suffering from a low back injury
Why true hip pain, and injury, is rare particularly amongst younger patients
Some of the clinical tests that you should expect to experience when being examined for hip pain
Some of the exercises that help to stimulate, and train, the muscles of the buttock which provide support to the lower back

Highlights

The hip joints provide a powerful platform for supporting the low back and due to the stability of the joints are rarely injured in isolation. Often the discomfort patients experience in the hip joint are a result of referred pain from the low back, so it is important that we do not focus in on the symptoms alone when trying to manage pain of this nature. Be sure to challenge any healthcare professional that ignores the lower back when your primary complaint is discomfort in the hip or groin. This holistic approach to examination is important to direct an effective treatment plan for the underlying issue.

For more episodes of the Back Pain Solutions podcast visit: www.smartstrong.co.uk Don’t forget to subscribe so you can receive updates on new episodes and direct links to additional content.

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Thursday Aug 20, 2020

Taking An Active Approach To Injury; What To Do For Back Pain & Taking Ownership Of Your Back Health

Thursday Aug 20, 2020

The global research is compelling when we consider the number of cases of obesity, heart disease and other ‘lifestyle’ based diseases. It seems that people are not prepared to take a proactive approach to the management of their health and wellbeing. The incidence of chronic disease is increasing, and healthcare costs are rising as we try to manage the cases of ‘self-inflicted’ illness across the world. Despite suggestions that the younger generation are better informed, and more health conscious, it doesn’t seem that the message is getting through to everyone just yet! According to the World Health Organisation approximately 3.2 million lives are lost each year as a result of insufficient physical activity!

Whilst the figure above is staggering to comprehend it does not tell the full story. Whilst a significant number of people are losing their lives each year as a result of inactivity, what is the overall quality if life across the global population, and what other health issues are occurring as a result of poor lifestyle choices? Unfortunately, in many cases, it is only when individuals experience illness, injury, or pain, that they seek help and even then, they often want a quick solution. Often people expect that medication, or passive care alone, will solve their underlying problem without them having to do anything themselves and lower back pain is just one example of this.

Evidence increasingly demonstrates that the repetitive nature of the lives we lead, inactivity and the resultant deconditioning are impacting back health. Unfortunately, without a proactive approach to preventing back injury, or without taking an active based approach to rehabilitation, the numbers will only rise. In this episode of the back pain solutions podcast we’re joined by Dr Meghan Braun as we discuss the importance of taking ownership of your injury, why the symptom-based approach of traditional medicine is failing, and how there is not enough focus on preventative medicine in todays healthcare environment.

Dr Braun is a board certified and licensed Physical Therapist in the state of Florida over in the US, specializing in sports performance and rehabilitation, injury prevention, return to play, strength and conditioning, and much more!! She’s certified in Manual Therapy (MTC), and is also an Emergency Medical Responder, and Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) promoting athletic and movement development.

Dr. Braun's philosophy is focused on applying treatment beyond the symptoms; by identifying the root cause of pain or discomfort, correcting movement discrepancies, and providing appropriate treatment plans with emphasis on patient education to Restore, Develop, and Strengthen functional mobility.

Her newest venture is partnering with The Lax Box which is Jacksonville's premier indoor/outdoor lacrosse training facility; fully equipped with areas for strength and conditioning, athletic training, physical therapy, and specific lacrosse skills workshops, clinics, and more! With a keen interest in lacrosse and basketball she continues her passion of playing and coaching sports within the North Florida area.

Some of the things you’ll discover…

How the approach to medicine is shifting with a focus on preventative care.
Why a surgical repair for injury requires rehabilitation to be effective and in many cases can improve outcomes if started in advance.
Surgery is always an option but it shouldn’t be the default approach because you can’t go back!
Why your therapist should focus on educating you about your injury and not just focusing on providing intervention.
There is a pattern of patients seeking care from numerous practitioners when movement based intervention is not considered.
Why you should not underestimate the education provided by a good therapist and how it can empower you in the long term.
A good therapist will recognise their limitations and draw on their network to help you reach your goals.
Why you should be careful when partaking in crossfit classes as a result of the injury rates being experienced globally. Be sure that you’re getting the correct advice from a trained professional and not just focussed on completely a WOD quickly!
Why traditional medicine alone is not a solution for low back pain and other musculoskeletal injuries

For more episodes of the Back Pain Solutions podcast visit: www.smartstrong.co.uk Don’t forget to subscribe so you can receive updates on new episodes and direct links to additional content.

Resources…

https://raiseyourgame.club

Champions Challenge: https://docmeghanbraun.com/champions-challenge/

Dr Braun Contact Details…

Website: www.bodymechpt.com

Website: www.docmeghanbraun.com

Facebook: @bodymechspt

Twitter: @bodymechpt

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