Is Back Pain Interfering With Your Everyday Life?
Here’s How One of Our Patients Got Back to the Things He Loved the Most
The chances are very good that you’ll experience back pain at some point in your life. You might lift a piece of furniture that’s a little too heavy for you. You might develop pain from prolonged sitting. Or you might just notice a “random” back pain that likely stems from repetitive or awkward movements.
No matter the source of your back pain, physical therapy with Foundation Therapy can help you find relief. We know that when you’re in the throes of debilitating pain, pinpointing the underlying cause is probably the least of your concerns. But to our team of experts, understanding the cause is the first step in helping you get the treatment you need.
To illustrate this, let’s look at a story from our files. Daniel developed back pain that was dramatically impacting his day-to-day life. It kept him on the couch during the day and wide awake at night–but our therapists helped him find lasting relief.
Meet the Patient (And His Back Pain)
Daniel was a computer programmer in his late 30s who spent his workday tapping away on his computer keyboard. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing board games with his buddies, taking his German shepherd to the dog park, and whipping up meals for his girlfriend.
One day, Daniel was digging out a dead shrub in his backyard when he felt a sudden spasm in his lower back, followed by a sharp jolt of pain. He stopped for the afternoon, but the pain hadn’t receded the next day. Or the next.
Daniel’s back pain was intense enough that it didn’t just cause pain; it also impacted his mobility. Forget digging out a shrub; now, Daniel could barely walk his dog! And while the pain lessened somewhat while he was sitting, it was still bothersome enough to distract him from work.
Enough’s Enough: Daniel Visits a Physical Therapist
Eventually, Daniel’s girlfriend told him he needed to seek treatment. She suggested he try a physical therapist, as she’d had a good experience with physical therapy after her own back injury.
At the PT clinic, Daniel shared his symptoms and noted that the pain had started while he was doing yard work. His therapist also guided him through several movement screens, testing Daniel’s range of motion and strength.
By the end of the appointment, Daniel’s therapist had determined that Daniel likely had an issue with his lumbar discs (the cushions found between vertebrae) from digging out the tree root; he’d twisted his body while lifting a heavy clump of dirt, damaging his discs.
However, part of the reason Daniel suffered the injury was because the muscles in his back and core were weakened due to his sedentary job. Without strong core muscles to support his spine, he was more susceptible to injury, particularly when performing manual labor without any conditioning or warmup.
A Personalized Treatment Approach
Daniel’s physical therapist didn’t want to just mask Daniel’s symptoms. He wanted to resolve the underlying injury and help Daniel prevent future injuries. To accomplish this, he created a customized treatment plan that walked Daniel through the following steps:
Relieve acute pain:
Manual therapy techniques like back mobilization and soft tissue manipulation offer an all-natural alternative to pain medication.
Restore mobility and build strength:
A therapeutic exercise program helps address the underlying muscular weakness that set Daniel up for an injury in the first place. By building up the strength in his back and core, Daniel was able to provide more stability and support to his spine.
Address lifestyle factors:
Another factor in Daniel’s injury was his sedentary job. His physical therapist offered suggestions to help offset the prolonged sitting involved in computer programming, including taking stretching breaks every 30 minutes and investing in a standing desk.
Prevent another injury:
Finally, the therapist showed Daniel how to use proper technique when working in the yard and suggested some warm-up methods the next time Daniel needed to perform strenuous movements.
Say Goodbye to Back Pain Today!
Does Daniel’s story resonate with you? Just like him, you don’t have to suffer! Schedule an initial consultation at Foundation Therapy to get started on the journey to lasting pain relief.
Return to PT at Foundation Therapy!
Miss feeling your best? Come back to Foundation Therapy and let us help you get there—schedule your appointment today!
Embrace Heart Health This Valentine’s Season
February, a month symbolizing both love and heart health, offers a unique opportunity to focus on cardiovascular well-being. Let our Foundation Therapy physical therapists help you commit to heart-healthy practices that enhance your overall wellness, with the following tips:
- Cardio Exercises: Engage in activities like brisk walking, swimming, or cycling to strengthen your heart.
- Partner Workouts: Valentine’s Day is perfect for trying partner exercises. Activities like dance or daily walks holding hands can make workouts enjoyable and beneficial for heart health.
- Stress Reduction: Our therapists can teach you stretches and mindful breathing to reduce stress and improve heart function.
- Healthy Habits: Learn about heart-healthy habits from your physical therapist, including diet and lifestyle tips.
Let’s take a step towards a healthier heart this Valentine’s month. Remember, taking care of your heart is not just for February; it’s a lifelong commitment!
February Word Scramble
lotacehoc
eeanlnitv
bauefrry
iprdinehfs
iwentr
aceornm
Answer Key
chocolate
valentine
february
friendship
winter
romance
Patient Spotlight:
“I highly recommend Foundation Therapy. They provide thoughtful therapy in a good-natured, supportive, Christian environment.”
“When I came to Foundation Therapy, I had suffered a fall and broken femur. I was barely able to walk through the doors on a walker. Over a period of time, I am now able to walk most places without a cane. It wasn’t always easy, but the staff was patient with me. The careful, caring team at Foundation Therapy have helped me be able to return to an almost normal (within reason) life.”
— Gary Y.
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Exercise of the Month
STANDING DUMBBELL REVERSE FLY
Stand with your feet hip-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand. Hinge forward slightly at the hips with a flat back, letting your arms hang down with palms facing each other. Keeping a slight bend in your elbows, lift both arms out to the sides until they reach shoulder height. Squeeze your shoulder blades together, then lower back down with control.
3 Sets, 10 Reps. (Materials needed: dumbbells)
Enjoy This Holiday Recipe!
Valentine’s Day Rose Latte
This Valentine’s Day Rose Latte recipe is a cozy, romantic drink that blends creamy comfort with delicate floral sweetness. It’s the perfect way to treat yourself—or someone you love—to a beautiful and relaxing moment.
- 2 1⁄2 cups Unsweetened Plant-Based Milk
- 1 tbsp + 1 tsp Maple Syrup
- 1 tsp Beet Powder
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 2 tsp Rose Water
Optional:
- 1⁄2 tsp Ground Cardamom
- 2 Espresso Shots
Directions:
- Add the unsweetened plant-based milk, maple syrup or agave, beetroot powder, and cardamom (if using) to a small pot over low heat.
- Heat on low for about 5 minutes or until warmed to your liking, stirring frequently. Then take off the heat and stir in the vanilla extract & rose water.
- Pour the espresso shot into your mug (if using). If you have a milk frother, use it to froth the plant-based milk mixture (this is optional too).
- Pour the rose milk latte into your mug and top with dried rose petals and an extra dash of cardamom if you like. Enjoy!
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.
At Foundation Therapy, we want to help you be 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:
- 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. Our team can give you suggestions!
- Switch things up: Repetitive movements and staying in one position can both lead to strain and injury. 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.
- 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. Our therapists can give you more personalized guidance.
The last thing you want is to injure yourself while working out in the garden. A little mindfulness can go a long way in preventing pain and injury.
Have questions? Our physical therapists can help! Call us to schedule an appointment today.
Winners of the Gingerbread House Contest! 🎄
2026 Bridgeport Chamber Annual Banquet
CAMP QYB 540 Shady Oaks Dr. Runaway Bay, 76426
Saturday, February 7 2026, at 5:30 pm
Galentine’s Painting Party at The Sweet Spot Salon on Halsell
916 Halsell St. Bridgeport, Texas, United States
Saturday, February 07 2026, at 06:00 pm
City Council Meeting
900 Thompson St. Bridgeport, TX 76426
Monday, February 23 2026, at 6:00 pm
Bronson Louis @ Reinas Bar & Lounge
1005 Halsell St. Bridgeport, TX 76426
Friday, March 13 2026, at 8:00 pm
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Our purpose at Foundation 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.
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Meet Our Team
Chris Hicks
Owner / PT
Kelli Smith
Supervising Clinician/PT
Ali Martinez
Office Manager
Sandra McDonald
Insurance Verification and Authorization Specialist
