Health blog Category: physical therapy
Sciatica and Its’ Solution
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is nerve pain affecting the lower extremity, caused by irritation or inflammation of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve provides motor and sensory feedback to and from the lower extremity. It is the largest nerve in the body, and begins from nerve roots in the lumbar spine and extends through the buttock region down into the lower leg just under the knee.
Symptoms of Sciatica
Sciatica can cause pain, burning, numbness, or tingling radiating from the lower back down through the back of the leg.
Read full blogSay ‘No’ to Knee Problems
Knee pain is a very common problem which can result in difficulty with many daily activities. It can greatly limit our functional mobility. Some people also experience stiffness in and around the knee causing difficulty moving the joint and generalized weakness in the affected leg.
How Can Knee Pain Affect Us?
Having pain or stiffness in our knee can cause:
- Difficulty walking
- Pain with going up or down the stairs
- Pain with squatting
- Difficulty standing up from a chair
- Inability to kneel
- Difficulty with lifting, pushing, or pulling objects.
- Difficulty moving after staying in a prolonged position
- Inability to sit for a period of time.
Avoid Back Pain When Shoveling this Winter
With winter here and the chance of snow right around the corner, it is important to know the proper way to shovel, in order to prevent back and shoulder injuries – ones we see frequently after a big snow. The good news though is that lower back and shoulder pain can be easily prevented by using correct body mechanics.
Try these tips to keep your back pain-free:
- Choose the Right Shovel
- An ergonomic snow shovel will help take the stress off your back and make your snow shoveling a much easier task.
The Effect of Concussions on Various Systems
Contrary to common belief, concussions can have an effect on multiple systems in the body. The diagram above breaks down the various systems that can be affected by a concussion. One system can drive the other and symptoms can present differently for each individual.
Here is how concussions can affect each system:
Vestibulo-ocular
- Vestibular- Common vestibular complaints include dizziness, nausea, and instability (walking or still).
Living Life to the Fullest with Physical Therapy Treatments
WebMD states, “Physical therapy is often one of the best choices you can make when you have long-term pain (also called chronic pain) or an injury. It can make you stronger and help you move and feel better.” The mission of any physical therapist is to relieve pain while also increasing function and mobility.
Physical therapy can be used for any physical goal you may have, whether it’s recovering from an injury, returning to work or a sport, or simply improving your body’s strength and function.
Read full blogStrengthen, Lengthen, and Reduce Pain in Our Joints
Joint health is something that ALL ages need to be concerned about, not just older populations. The more we educate ourselves, the less likely we are to develop joint conditions like arthritis or general joint pain and stiffness. Healthy joints are key to living a pain free life. Unfortunately, nearly half of Americans over the age of 65 are dealing with arthritis somewhere in their bodies, according to the CDC.
Arthritis is a condition in which inflammation has invaded the joint space and is causing joint stiffness and/or pain.
Rotator Cuff Tears: Rehabilitation vs. Surgery
In the physical therapy business, regardless of the time of year, we see plenty of patients complaining of shoulder pain. Most shoulder pain occurs following repetitive movements. These cause wear and tear that breaks down the rotator cuff tendons. Activities such as raking leaves and shoveling are common culprits that send people to seek medical attention for shoulder pain. In addition, injuries that involve lifting can also cause increased pain in the shoulders.
What Is The Rotator Cuff?
Read full blogPain When Touching Our Toes can Indicate a Hamstring Problem
Our Hamstring Muscles are the reason behind our ability or inability, to touch our toes. The hamstring, is the muscle that runs from deep in the buttock to the back of the knee. This muscle primarily bends the knee and extends the hip backwards, and is very important with walking and running.
Some common hamstring problems include:
- Lack of flexibility
- Lack of strength
- Poor endurance
When these muscles in the back of the thigh are neglected, these deficits can cause cramping when we roll in bed and get up in the morning, can contribute to lower back problems and stiffness, and can even cause a strain or tear when playing a pick-up basketball game.
Read full blogClosed for Thanksgiving – Thursday, November 28th
Just a reminder that we will be closed Thursday, November 28th, 2019!
We will be open our normal hours, 6:30am – 5pm on Friday, November 29th.
We hope you enjoy your time with your friends and family, and all your Thanksgiving traditions!
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Read full blogGet Rid of That Creeping Back Pain
Back pain can creep up on us after simply sitting too frequently and for long periods of time, after a bad night’s sleep, after strenuous activity such as repeated lifting, or after participating in leisurely sports. This could even prevent us from standing straight, and bending over to tie our shoes or do the laundry.
Signs and symptoms:
- Muscle ache
- Shooting or stabbing pain
- Pain that radiates down your leg
- Pain that worsens with bending, lifting, standing or walking
- Pain that improves with reclining
Some common causes:
- Muscle or Ligament Strain/Sprain
- Bulging or Ruptured Disc- (compression of the intervertebral discs resulting in bulge outward (herniation) or rupture
- Radiculopathy- compression, inflammation and/or injury to a spinal nerve root
- Arthritis
- Skeletal Injuries/Deformities
Why You Should Address Back Pain Right Away:
It is important to address the cause of your back pain when it starts.
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