Health blog
Types of Arthritis and Managing Your Symptoms
One of the most common conditions a physical therapist treats on a daily basis is arthritis. It is normal as we age that the joints and muscles begin to wear down from everyday use, which can lead to the development of arthritis. There is no cure for arthritis but physical therapy can help you manage the symptoms. So what exactly do you need to know about how to manage arthritis? Well here are a few facts that you may find helpful.
Read full blogProtecting Your Back
Have you ever felt low back pain after doing too much the day before? One of the major causes of low back pain is repetitive injury to the spine. Repetitive injuries can be as simple as picking up boxes or having to bend down to scrub and clean the house. Understanding the causes of back injuries and the tools you can use to prevent them is the first step in protecting your back.
We often feel that we have done too much and then only later or the next day do we experience some aches or muscle soreness.
Tips for relieving sciatica pain
Do you have back pain or sciatica? In a study reported in the journal Orthopedics, 650 people were examined for low back pain or sciatica. About 25% had reported an episode of sciatica in the past 6 months of the study. This shows how common sciatica really is. Sciatica is a term used to describe pain in the buttock or radiating down the leg that is caused by irritation to the sciatic nerve. There are many causes of back pain that can radiate pain down the leg, such as a herniated disc.
Read full blogTips for relieving neck pain
Do you find yourself with a nagging neck or headache, especially after a long day or stressful event? The American Academy of Pain Medicine reports that neck pain and severe headaches or migraines make up about 30% of all commonly reported pain conditions. There are many reasons for neck pain, but the majority of episodes are caused by the following:
- Poor posture
- Weak shoulder and neck muscles
- Stress
- Injury
- Arthritis
While many of us will take over the counter medication, such as Advil, to numb the pain, the main source of the problem is still present.
Read full blogTips for relieving pain from herniated discs
Do you experience achy or sharp radiating pain to your shoulder, arm, buttock or leg? This may be an indicator of a bulging or herniated disc in the neck or back. Between each of the vertebrae that make up your spine are small cushions called discs.
Herniated discs are more common in the 30-50 age bracket. A herniated disc is when the material inside the disc pushes outwards, irritating the nerve exiting at that level.
Tips for avoiding back pain
Is your back pain interfering with your life?
If you answered yes, you are not alone! Nearly four out of five people experience back pain at some point in their lifetime and many have repeat incidents of back pain throughout their life. With proper care and education, you can learn to prevent bouts of back pain from occurring.
Back pain can vary, from a persistent dull ache to sudden sharp pain, and can have many causes.
Muscle Stretching for Relieving Neck and Back Pain
Being pain free allows us to be able to participate in our daily activities and enjoy our lives. But when we experience pain, both acutely and chronically, we have a limited desire to participate in the activities we normally enjoy. Understanding the causes of your aches and pains can help you prevent them and enjoy life more!
Most aches and pains in the neck stem from tight muscles and poor posture. Stretching the tight muscles along the back of your neck, strengthening the muscles in the front of your neck and upper body, and most importantly improving your overall posture, can help to relieve neck and back pain.
Preventing and Treating Sports Injuries
Sports injuries are typically defined as injuries to the musculoskeletal system, including muscles, bones, and tissues such as ligaments, tendons and cartilage.
For many young athletes, the most common injuries occur due to acute trauma or overuse of a joint. Acute trauma is an injury that occurs due to force from a fall or tackle and is usually more easily identified when the injury occurs. There is immediate sharp pain and swelling and it usually leads to a trip to the Emergency room.
Manual Therapy vs. Massage
Manual Therapy VS. Massage, What’s The Difference?
At first glance it is easy to mistake manual therapy for a massage. However, there are significant differences between these two treatment methods.
A massage is the use of rhythmically applied pressure to the skin and soft tissues of the body. Massage is used to reduce tension, anxiety, stress, and promote overall circulation, relaxation, and flexibility.
Manual therapy is the application of hands-on techniques to body tissues with intent to therapeutically asses and treat.
Steps to Less Pain and More Energy
Sep 5th 2014Do you sometimes feel sluggish, tired, achy, sore or have low energy? Most of these problems can be caused by lack of movement. If you sit still for long hours in your car, at your job, or at home watching TV, you are hurting your body over time. Without frequent movement, your muscles waste away, joints become stiff, and normal chemical processes in your body change. Your circulation and lymphatic systems slow down causing a backup of toxic wastes, such as cholesterol, that are normally produced and excreted by your body.
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