Hi Friend...Check these videos out! (Peak Performance September Update!)

Back Pain or Sciatica a Problem?

Drained by the nagging back pain you get with bending or sitting?
Forced to lean over the grocery cart just to finish your Wegmans run?
Tired of those sharp pains that hit you when you get out of the car or roll over in bed?

Back pain and sciatica can
suck the joy out of your life!

And it can lead you to pain meds, expensive tests, injections, and even major surgery.

YOU DON’T NEED TO ACCEPT
your loss of movement and enjoyment of life!

You’re invited to a

FREE Back Pain & Sciatica Workshop
at Peak Performance PT & Sports Training

SATURDAY, SEPT. 24 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.

To find out you can get relief from back pain NATURALLY!
If you'd like to come to the FREE Workshop all you have to do is call (585) 218-0240 or email hello@peakptrochester.com.

If you're having Back Pain or Sciatica and prefer to just START THERAPY now, you can also call 218-0270 to schedule.

I understand your pain...

By Sheila Steadman, Front Office Coordinator

Day after day I sit at this desk… talking to you, our patients, as you come in. At times we joke, we laugh, tell stories about our families, and I often offer my sympathies for the pain you are in. I hear the stories of the ways in which your injury , usually your pain, affects your life and although I truly sympathize , at the end of the day, I get up, pack up, and go home.

Last week that all changed.

I have a history of scoliosis and back /hip pain, but I've been able to keep it at bay. Over the last year I've been pain-free and increased to golfing 3-4 times per week. This year I even took more strokes off my game consistently than any other year!

Then came Tuesday.

I woke with a deep searing knife-like pain in my left hip and down my left leg. My back was in spasm, and it all took my breath away. It worsened as the day went on, and I began to get nauseous from the pain. I had trouble focusing and was couldn't find a position to relieve it. The usual mobilizations that used to help my normal symptoms had no effect on this and suddenly the roles were reversed and I was the patient!

I knew that I had an underlying issue and was doing some things to help it, but just enough to get by. After seeing my x-rays, I could see why this had all caught up with me.

I was missing out on my life!
And I wanted it back…(no pun intended!)

My life was flipped upside down. I couldn’t stand, cook, clean, drive or golf!!! I was relegated to laying down on my back or side for over a week. My husband and daughter stepped up to help and, although grateful for the help, I was sapped of my independence! It took all of my energy to get thru the day in a pleasant manner, and after a few days of relentless pain, I often found myself close to tears of hopelessness and self pity, and not always able to stay quite so pleasant.

Why me?

Why now?

How long will I have to endure this?

Will I ever get back to normal?

Will I get back to golf?

What can I do to take this pain away?

Take it away NOW!!!

I was suddenly aware that walking, sleeping, standing to cook, and dressing myself were tasks that I had taken for granted. Now I was just wishing to be able to do even these simple activities. I was missing out on my life! And I wanted it back…(no pun intended!)

The worst of it is over for now, and I am slowly recovering. I have a lot of work to do, and it's never fast enough. Fast enough would be yesterday. I am getting content with the idea that small improvements towards my goal of normal are the norm.

So when you come up to my desk with real life issues, be it after surgery, or after injury… know that I know how it feels. I know what pain and inability to move can do to you. I really can empathize and sympathize with you because I really do understand.

But as I hear out PT’s often tell patients, we’ve all got to remember that “feeling better” doesn’t always equal “being better.” You can’t get complacent just because the pain went away. Gaining back good mobility, having strength and endurance, knowing and using good body mechanics….you’ve got to get those back or the “feeling better” might just be temporary. Believe me, I know! One of these days you just may see me right next to you at PT, doing our exercises together!

If you're having back pain or sciatica or someone you care about is, you should REGISTER NOW for the Back Pain & Sciatica Workshop that Andrew and Karen are doing Saturday, September 24th.

It's FREE!

Check out the video above for more info. Call us at 218-0240 or email hello@peakptrochester.com

Peak Performance…where you’re
Treated like the Pros
and Cared for like Family!

VIDEO: Iris Zimmermann Interview, Part II

Got kids in sports? This is a must see!

Mike's interview continues with Iris Zimmermann and Iris shares her inside perspective on kids in sports!

That's the percentage of Americans who know someone who has been addicted to prescription painkillers.

REFERENCE: Kaiser Health Tracking Poll: April 2016. http://kff.org/health-reform/report/kaiser-health-tracking-poll-april-2016/.

Andrew's Answers!

by Andrew Neumeister, DPT, CAFS
of
Peak Performance PT & Sports Training

Andrew answers your physical therapy questions right here.
Email jillaine@peakptrochester.com to submit a question for Andrew!

Question: My back has been hurting and I've got pain going down my leg. Should I get an MRI?

Answer: A lot of my patients think first of getting an MRI when they experience back pain, but that's not always the right course of action. Back pain and sciatica are very common (affecting 80% of us at some point).
Often, other interventions such as specific exercises and a thorough evaluation from a trained physical therapist can determine if an MRI is necessary or if pain can be relieved with PT.
Sometimes an MRI ends up costing more than PT and then the physician will still recommend physical therapy after the MRI.

You’re invited to a

FREE Back Pain & Sciatica Workshop

at Peak Performance

SATURDAY, SEPT. 24 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.

To find out you can get relief from back pain NATURALLY!
If you'd like to come to the FREE Workshop all you have to do is call (585) 218-0240 or email hello@peakptrochester.com.

If you're having Back Pain or Sciatica and prefer to just START THERAPY now, you can also call 218-0270 to schedule.

PEAK PERFORMER
OF THE MONTH

Paula Harris

Above, Paula Harris with Karen

Before Physical Therapy:

Paula had a history of lumbar instability, and after attempting to strengthen, knew the spinal fusion of her lower back was necessary. She had the bottom three vertebrae fused with a rod and screws. Enough damaged had been caused for her to experience weakness in her left lower leg along with some loss of sensation.

After Physical Therapy at Peak Performance:

Paula says: "I first came to Peak Performance to prepare my body for spinal surgery. At rehab, after the surgery, my OT commented on the fact that I was doing so well because of my work at Peak Performance. As soon as it was approved by my surgeon, I returned to Peak Performance and began working with Karen. At that point, I was using a walker or a cane and wearing a back brace. It was difficult for me to even walk up a curb, let alone the stairs in my house. Through Karen's diligence, encouragement and persistence, my abilities have improved to the point where I can do many of the things I did before my surgery. Karen listens to me and observes me and then changes my program based on these. She is interactive with me and encourages me along the way. I wouldn't be where I am today without the support that I have received from Karen and the staff at Peak Performance."

Karen says: "Paula knew coming in that this would be a 6-9 month process at minimum. Once she dug in and began doing her stretches and exercises, there was no stopping her! Her goals were climbing the stairs, making the bed, returning to exercise classes and cooking, and she was relentless in pursuing these goals. She was always ready to increase her intensity and work hard to get where she wanted. Her walking is much stronger and most of her strength is regained. Great job, Paula!"

WANT a FREE $10 Gift Card?

Of course you do! And we're raffling one off this month.
Just call us at (585) 218-0240 and say "count me in" or email jillain@peakptrochester.com with subject "count me in" to enter the drawing!

Rochester Fun & Fitness

Ideas to get you out and moving!

Rochester Take Steps for Crohn's and Colitis Walk
Saturday, September 17

Take Steps is a family-friendly event where patients, loved ones, friends and supporters EMPOWER and INSPIRE each other to continue the fight against Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Patients and their families are provided the perfect opportunity to CONNECT with the greater inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) community, helping them understand they are never alone in this fight. On the MCC campus in Brighton. Check-in and festival at 3:30; walk starts at 5. Register right here!

Saturday, September 24
Barktoberfest Walk for the Animal

Be part of the march to make lives better for pets in need by signing up for this 1.5 mile walk around Lollypop Farm in Fairport! Champion homeless pets alone or form a Tail Waggin' Team with friends, family, co-workers, and other animal lovers! 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn more here!

August Contest Winners!

Congratulations, Collin Bowen!
Congratulations, Molly Sauter!
Congratulations, Paula Miller!

These lucky winners won our August Contest, "How many medals of each color will the US Olympic Team win in Rio?," and each scored a gift card from Dick's Sporting Goods!

Help us get to 300 "likes" this month by "liking" us on Facebook.
Click on the Facebook logo above!

Look for us on Twitter @peakptrochester.
Click on the twitter logo above to follow!

Thanks for your support!

Forward This Newsletter to a Friend!

DISCLAIMER: THIS NEWSLETTER DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained in this newsletter is for informational purposes only. The purpose of this newsletter is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this newsletter.
Peak Performance Physical Therapy does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions or other information that may be mentioned in this newsletter.

www.PeakPTRochester.com

585-218-0240

CALL NOW to find out what YOUR BEST could be!

Click the Video at the Top to Learn More!