If you’ve experienced back or neck pain and stiffness and/or altered sensations in your arms or legs, you know how troublesome it can be. You may also have difficulty lifting things, sitting or standing for prolonged periods and we’ll bet you’re probably not getting a very good night’s sleep, either. At the Human Performance Center, we know you’d like quick relief from your pain so you can get moving again and get back to your healthy, active life. If you’d like to take ontrol of your pain and keep it from returning in the future, you’re a perfect candidate for this program.

• Back pain is usually caused by a combination of poor posture, faulty body mechanics, stressful living/work habits, a loss of strength and flexibility and a general decline in physical fitness. Your pain may also be the result of an injury.

• Because it often hurts to move, a vicious cycle of stiffness, inactivity, weakness and increased pain often results.

• By reducing your pain as quickly as possible and regaining movement using proper body mechanics and postural awareness, you can regain and maintain a more active lifestyle.

• All treatment is meant to prevent future back or neck problems so you’ll learn how to take charge of your back or neck pain, rather than being at its mercy.

• Following a thorough exam, a Physical Therapist creates an individualized treatment plan and carefully discusses it with you.

• Treatment usually involves special techniques to reduce pain and improve mobility using manual therapy, the application of heat,cold or other special techniques, massage and/or mild traction.

• You become an active partner in your own care by learning how to incorporate proper posture, exercise and body mechanics into your daily life.

• Because our goal is to help you regain your active lifestyle, home exercise and fitness programs are an integral part of all treatment programs.

• Our popular “Back School” involves two hour-long classes led by a physical therapist featuring discussion, demonstrations and slides. You’ll receive a “Back Owner’s Manual” that will reinforce what you learned and serve as a reference point to help keep you active and pain-free in the future.

Individuals come to the Human Performance Center in a variety of ways. You or a family member can contact us and set up an appointment. Or your physician or other health care provider can refer you. In either case, we coordinate our care with your personal physician or other care provider. In order to bill your insurance company, we’ll need a medical diagnosis. Please contact us by phone at: (805) 687-8553. Or e-mail us at: info@hpcsb.com.