The Surprising Link Between Neck and Lower Back Pain
If you’ve ever dealt with nagging neck pain, your lower back was probably the last thing you were thinking about–and vice versa. But if you’ve ever experienced both at once, you might have started wondering if they could be linked.
Well, your hunch was correct: Neck pain and lower back pain are often interconnected. The human body is a marvel of connectivity, where different parts support and affect each other. That’s why the physical therapists at National Physical Therapy take a whole-body approach to your care. We’ll figure out where the underlying issue is actually located and work with you to address it directly.
Understanding the connection between neck pain and lower back pain can help you feel better in the long run.
Exploring the Neck and Lower Back Connection
Imagine you’re holding a chain, trying to tug it forward. Unbeknownst to you, however, the opposite end of that chain has gotten caught on a hook. No matter how hard you pull, you won’t be able to move the other end of the chain.
Your spine is a lot like that chain. Each vertebra is a link that depends on the others to maintain strength and balance. So, when one part of your spine is out of line, it can impact other parts. Here’s an example using poor posture, one of the most common culprits behind both neck and lower back pain:
Slouching, Compensations, and Interconnected Pain
Your spine is surrounded by muscles that work to support and stabilize it. When you slouch, constantly look down at a mobile device, or sit for too long without taking breaks, you can strain these muscles. Your body then responds to this strain by compensating elsewhere along the chain.
For example, when muscles in the lower back are strained or weakened, the upper back and neck muscles have to do extra work to compensate. Similarly, tension in the neck can lead to adjustments in posture that strain the lower back.
So what does this mean? Let’s say you spend a lot of time at your desk, putting strain on your lower back. Your body then moves further up your back to compensate for the weakness there, placing stress on your neck. As a result, you’re now dealing with lower back pain and neck pain.
This cycle of compensation and strain highlights the importance of treating the body as a whole.*
How Our Physical Therapists Can Help You Find Relief
The team at National Physical Therapy is highly trained to find the root causes of your discomfort. We start with a whole-body assessment to determine the specific areas of concern, then use targeted therapies to develop a customized treatment program.
With these treatments, our physical therapists aim to provide a comprehensive approach to managing and alleviating neck and lower back pain. Our ultimate goal is to empower our patients with the knowledge and skills they need for a healthier, more active lifestyle free from pain.
Treatment Techniques We Might Suggest
Postural Awareness
One of the first steps to breaking the cycle is understanding how your posture affects your body. Our PTs will teach you to recognize and correct poor postures, whether you’re sitting, standing, or moving, to reduce strain on your neck and lower back. We’ll work on:
- Body mechanics to understand how to make conscious postural adjustments in daily life.
- Personalized workplace ergonomics, including proper workstation setup and tips for maintaining your ideal posture.
- Forming long-term habits to prevent pain and strain from returning.
Manual Therapy
This hands-on approach helps to relax tense muscles, improve blood flow, and mobilize joints. By addressing specific areas of pain and stiffness, manual therapy can provide immediate relief and encourage the body’s natural healing process.
Targeted Exercises
Strengthening and stretching exercises tailored to your needs can alleviate pressure on the spine, improve strength and mobility, and help support your spinal alignment. These exercises help alleviate current pain and prevent future issues by building a stronger, more resilient body.
Book an Appointment at National Physical Therapy Today!
Don’t let poor posture and muscle strain create a domino effect. Let’s work together to strengthen your body’s chain and ensure each link is as strong and balanced as possible. Remember, a healthy posture and muscle strength are your best allies in the fight against pain.
Your Success Is Our Priority!
Return to National Therapy, and Let’s Continue Your Journey to Wellness Together. Schedule Your Appointment Now!
Prone Shoulder Extension
PRONE SHOULDER EXTENSION
Start by lying facedown on a table. Place a rolled towel under your forehead. Hold the dumbbell in one hand. Position yourself so that the arm holding the dumbbell is hanging off the table. Move your shoulder that is hanging off the table upwards slightly so that your shoulders are in line with each other. Keeping your arm straight during the movement, raise the dumbbell straight back so that at the top of the movement, your arm is parallel with your body. Lower the dumbbell back to the starting position with control.
Celebrating National Physical Therapy Month
October is National Physical Therapy Month and we’re taking a moment to celebrate the power of movement and the people who make progress possible!
Physical therapy is about more than treating an injury or managing pain. It’s about helping you regain confidence, build strength, improve your movement, and get back to the activities that matter most to you. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, working through a chronic condition, or simply looking to move and feel your best, physical therapy can play an important role in your overall health.
Progress looks different for everyone — and every milestone is worth celebrating.
Progress is more than a finish line.
Confidence
Regaining confidence in your body’s ability to move and perform.
Strength
Building the strength and ability to take on the activities that matter most.
Movement
Returning to the movements, hobbies, and activities you enjoy.
We’re proud to be part of your journey.
We’re proud to work alongside our patients through every step of their journey. Every milestone, from your first pain-free movement to returning to your favorite activity, is worth celebrating.
Thank You
For Trusting Us
This National Physical Therapy Month, we’re especially grateful for our patients who trust us with their care. Thank you for allowing our team to be part of your journey!
7 Halloween Safety Tips for a Spooktacular Night
Halloween is a creepy-fun holiday for kids, but it can also be full of hazards for your little ghosts, witches, and superheroes.
You and your kids can have a safe Halloween by taking a few simple steps and staying vigilant. From costumes and trick-or-treating to driving and candy, these simple tips can help keep your family safe while still enjoying all the fun.
7 Simple Ways to Keep Halloween Safe
A little preparation can go a long way toward preventing injuries and helping your family enjoy a fun and memorable Halloween.
Carve Safely — or Not at All!
Children should never handle sharp knives, so parents and caregivers should always take responsibility for pumpkin carving.
For a safer alternative, let kids decorate pumpkins with paint and stickers instead of carving them. Just make sure any paint or decorating materials are nontoxic.
Make Costumes Safe
Costumes are the centerpiece of Halloween, but the wrong fit or design can increase the risk of trips and falls.
- Avoid baggy or dragging costume pieces.
- Choose bright or easily visible costumes.
- Avoid masks that limit peripheral vision.
- Choose comfortable, properly fitting shoes.
Be Seen on the Streets
Halloween means more pedestrians and more traffic. Make visibility a priority as your family heads out for trick-or-treating.
- Walk on sidewalks instead of in the street.
- Cross only at labeled crosswalks.
- Add reflective tape to costumes and bags.
- Carry glow sticks or flashlights.
- Use strollers or wagons for younger children.
Be Alert Behind the Wheel
Drivers have an extra responsibility on Halloween. Children are excited and may move unpredictably, so slow down and stay especially alert.
- Drive slowly through neighborhoods.
- Stay off your phone.
- Take extra time at crosswalks and intersections.
- Turn on headlights before it gets fully dark.
- Watch for children between parked cars.
Don't Get Distracted
Excited kids can be less attentive and more unpredictable than usual. Adults need to stay focused and keep their attention on their surroundings.
Safety reminder: Keep your phone away while walking and avoid getting so caught up in conversations that you lose track of the kids around you.
Stick Together
If older kids are trick-or-treating without an adult, make sure everyone knows the plan before heading out.
- Agree on the route ahead of time.
- Stay together as a group.
- Never leave anyone alone.
- Stay aware of traffic and surroundings.
- Keep phones away while walking.
Avoid Tummy Aches
Halloween candy can be hard to resist, but too many sweets can lead to stomachaches, constipation, nausea, and vomiting.
Encourage kids to take it easy with their Halloween haul and monitor how much candy they eat during and after Halloween.
A little moderation can help keep the fun going long after trick-or-treating ends.
Don't Forget to Have Fun!
Halloween is meant to be enjoyed. Take the right precautions, stay alert, and give your kids plenty of opportunities to enjoy the costumes, decorations, neighborhood fun, and family memories.
Safe + fun = a spooktacular Halloween!
Have a Safe & Spooktacular Halloween! 🎃
A little planning can help your family avoid common Halloween hazards while still enjoying the holiday. Stay alert, stick together, be visible, and most importantly, don't forget to enjoy yourself!
Hanover Has Moved!
We’re excited to announce that our Hanover location has moved! The new clinic offers more treatment space and the same friendly team you know and trust.
New Address:
1207 Washington St Suite B5,
Hanover, MA 02339
Phone: (781) 412-1549
Real Recovery.
Real Results.
Creamy Thai Carrot & Sweet Potato Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 cups chopped yellow/sweet onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger
- 2 tbsp red curry paste
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, plus more if needed
- ¼ cup raw almond butter or peanut butter
- 3 cups diced peeled carrots
- 3 cups diced peeled sweet potatoes
- ½ tsp fine-grain sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Up to ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, if you like spice)
Minced fresh cilantro
Fresh lime juice
Directions
- In a large pot, melt coconut oil over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and ginger and sauté for 5-6 minutes until onion is translucent. Stir in curry paste.
- In a small bowl, whisk together some of the broth with almond butter until smooth. Add mixture to pot, along with carrots, sweet potatoes, salt, and remaining vegetable broth. Stir until combined.
- Bring soup to a low boil over medium-high heat and then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until potatoes and carrots are fork-tender.
- Ladle soup carefully into a blender. You will likely have to do this in a couple of batches, depending on the size of your blender (never fill your blender past the maximum fill line).
- Being careful to avoid hot steam from the lid, blend on low and slowly increase speed until soup is completely smooth. Alternatively, you can use an immersion blender and blend the soup directly in the pot.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste. For more spice, add ¼ tsp cayenne pepper, and blend again.
- Transfer soup back to pot and reheat if necessary. If desired, you can thin soup out with a bit more broth if it’s too thick for your preference.
- Ladle soup into bowls and top with minced cilantro, a squeeze of lime juice.
🍲 A Bowl Full of Comfort
Creamy sweet potatoes and carrots pair with fragrant ginger, garlic, red curry paste, and fresh lime for a cozy soup with plenty of color and flavor.
Refer a Friend
Our purpose at National Physical Therapy is to leave a greater impact on the community around us. In order to achieve our goal we want to change as many lives as possible as we become a beacon of positivity in our community.
