Health blog Category: back
Scoliosis
What is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis in layman’s terms is the abnormal sideways curvature or rotation of the spine. Any curve, lateral or rotational greater than 10 degrees is considered Scoliosis. As the curve progresses to 20 degrees or beyond, there is an increased chance that the person or an observer, such as a parent or teacher, might notice abnormalities such as clothes hanging unevenly or the body tilting to one side. For The anatomy of the spine has “normal” curves in different regions to allow for proper movement mechanics and the absorption of force, however once those curves become excessive and/or create pain in additional areas it becomes an anatomical concern.
Read full blogBack or Neck Pain?
When you have an ache or pain it can leave you scratching your head as to where the pain is truly coming from. Just because it hurts in that part of your leg or arm, doesn’t mean that is where the problem is coming from. Is it a bulging disc, muscle strain or did you just over do it?
Being a physical therapist is much like being a mechanic for the body. Where is that pain coming from, what type of pain is it, are you out of alignment, what are you not able to do that you want to get back to, how is your body moving incorrectly, etc.?
Tips to Avoid These Three Common Back Injuries
Take a look below to see some of the common injuries and some tips to avoid back pain.
Herniated/bulging disc:
This injury commonly occurs with an increased load from bending forward such as lifting or pushing a heavy object, falling, or sitting for a long period of time. The best way to avoid a herniated disc is:
- To follow proper lifting mechanics
- Build up good core strength
Core strength is associated with the deep abdominal muscles and muscles surrounding the hip or glutes.
Read full blogHere’s What to Do If Surgery Is Coming Up!
Pre-op physical therapy can help prepare you for what is going to happen. It will help you establish your goals before and after surgery as well as determine what your expectations are.
What to expect?
- Examination to set a plan of care and determine a baseline
- Set goals for before and after surgery
- Plan and education of post op and recovery
- Progression of range of motion and strength to improve overall function
- Use of any assistive device currently using or that may be needed after surgery
- How to perform transfers and get around if weight bearing status will be different after surgery
The importance of exercises prior to surgery:
- Being able to set and target muscles around the surgical site before surgery will improve ability to perform after surgery
- Strengthen above and below the surgical area
- Range of motion of the area to enhance mobility
Why should you come to physical therapy before surgery?
Read full blogSolution to that Back Strain
Are you feeling:
- Pain across the low back into the buttock and hip area
- Stiffness and limit motion
- Swelling
- Inability to maintain positions
- Muscle spasms
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you may be dealing with a lumbar strain. A lumbar strain is when the muscles or tendons in the back get overstretched or tear. Microscopic tearing can occur suddenly due to injury or develop overtime. Strains are classified into varying degrees based on the severity of the injury.
Read full blogThe Chain to Low Back Pain
How Much Does Back Pain Impact Us?
Chronic back pain and discomfort is a debilitating condition that will affect the majority of Americans at some point during their life. In fact, chronic back pain is one of the leading reasons people go to the doctor and employees miss work. Chronic back pain can make it difficult to walk, sit, drive, and perform routine activities such as laundry, and dishes; to name a few.
What are the symptoms of chronic back pain?
Read full blogTried and True Solution to Back Issues
Back issues often start when we feel that we have done too much, then later on or the next day we experience some aches or muscle soreness. While the discomfort usually goes away in a day or two, your body is telling you that there was straining and microscopic tearing of muscle tissue, causing inflammation. Microscopic tears and inflammation if allowed to occur repetitively can result in the potential for long term problems in the future.
Read full blogThe Importance of the Discs in Our Spines
What are They and Why do we Need Them?
You may have heard the analogy that the discs in your back are like a jelly doughnut. The outer lining of the disc is made of up rings and then in the center, there is a jelly-like fluid. When a disc is healthy, it is somewhat oval-shaped, the fluid is in the center of the disc and the rings are strong and thick.
Read full blogOur Spines and Scoliosis
Here’s a riddle for you: What holds your body upright, is made up of a series of irregularly shaped bones, appears to be in a straight line but is also curved when you look at it from the side?
The answer: YOUR SPINE!
When the curves in your spine appear more exaggerated, it’s likely you’re looking at a spinal deformity. There are three ways that the spine can be categorized when it strays from the normal shape:
- Kyphosis
- Lordosis
- Scoliosis
Kyphosis and lordosis both refer to the excessive curvature where there is already a gentle curve in the spine.
Read full blogHow Your Desk is Set Up, Could be the Reason For Your Discomfort
Do you ever experience pain or discomfort while working at your desk? Do you experience headaches, eye strain, shoulder, neck or back pain while sitting at your workstation? If you answered yes, then your office may have some shaping up to do.
So what exactly is ergonomics?
Ergonomics is defined as “an applied science concerned with designing and arranging items people use so that people and things interact most efficiently.” So, how do we apply ergonomics to our everyday workplace settings?