Health blog Category: physical therapy
A Leading Cause People Miss Work
Back pain is one of the leading reasons people go to the doctor and a leading reason employees miss work so it’s a very important topic to understand.
There are four main reason our back pain could have started:
- Muscle strains due to heavy lifting or repetitive movements
- Pain that you can pinpoint on the muscle and does NOT radiate down the legs
- Arthritis: Narrowing of the space in the spine where nerves pass; excess bone that forms on the vertebrae; thinning of the discs between the vertebrae
- Structural: Scoliosis is an example of a structural issue that involves the curvature of the spine which can gradually get worse and become painful
- Bulging and herniated discs:
- Pain that is felt in the legs and not necessarily in the back itself
- As disc issues gets more severe symptoms can progress to numbness, tingling, and weakness
- Bulging discs involve the outer layer of the disc protruding out in the space where the spinal cord is
- Herniated discs involve the middle portion of the disc coming out into the space where the nerves are and causes compression.
How we sit at our desk matters
By Angie Austin, LPTA
Understanding ergonomics will help you better apply it to your daily life and well being. Ergonomics is defined by the dictionary as an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so the people and thinks interact efficiently and safely.
Everything you sit in or lie down on refers to how your body is positioned or your posture. They can include everything from the desk you use, the chair you sit on at work, your car seat, your home sofa or your bed.
Why Pre- and Post-op Physical Therapy is Important
Is surgery in the future for you to address your musculoskeletal issue? Has your doctor mentioned the need for physical therapy afterwards? Or even the benefit of physical therapy to prepare you for the surgery beforehand? Some people think that the surgery is going to be the quick fix of their knee pain or of their rotator cuff tear or of their bulging disc, to name a few examples. However, often times the recovery from the surgery is not as quick of a fix as hoped for and the surgery alone does not help one regain the function of their leg, arm or core.
Read full blogThe IT Band’s role and Preventing IT Band Syndrome
By: Alyssa Burke, PTA
The IT Band is a part of body that is somewhat of a mystery to many. You’ve probably heard of the IT band. But are you confident about where it is or what it does? We’ll answer these questions today. The IT band is the abbreviation for the iliotibial band. This band is an extension of your hip muscles. It is a long band of connective tissue or fascia that runs down the outside of your thigh from your hip to just below your knee.
The Connection Between Core Strength and Better Balance
Physical therapy as an industry has been talking about the link between core strength and better balance for years. When the “core” muscles around our trunk are strong, they prevent chronic lower back pain and many other injuries, but they also keep us from losing our balance and falling down. A stronger core will help to keep you upright — especially as you age and start to become more at risk of falling. If you’d like to get started on a core routine to improve your balance, contact Loudoun Sports Therapy today to speak with a physical therapist!
Read full blogTrouble Bending to Tie Your Shoes?
By: C. Ashley Border, DPT
Curious about why you can’t touch your toes or why the muscle in the back of your thigh keeps cramping or straining? Let’s direct our attention to the hamstring muscle! So, what in the world is a “hamstring”? This 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.
How to Take Control of Arthritis and Keep it From Progressing
By: Devin Wurman, DPT
You’ve probably been out somewhere and had a friend or family member say that they were stiff, or even heard them predict the weather because of how they were feeling. It’s pretty common from middle age and on to have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis involves the degeneration of the joints, more specifically the cartilage that lines a joint. When this smooth material is worn down, the joint no longer will move like it’s supposed to. This occurs because the bones that are a part of the joint are rubbing together.
5 Ways to Relieve Back and Neck Pain
There are common causes of both back pain and neck pain. Changes in the spine’s anatomy often cause back pain. There may be lumbar disc herniation, lumbar degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis or sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Disc herniation occurs when the gel-like interior of the disc leaks outward and irritates the nerve roots. It typically causes a stabbing pain in the back of the legs and back pain. Wear and tear on the spinal discs can lead to lumbar degenerative disc disease.
Read full blogDull ache or burning when you start running?
What is your plantar fascia?
Plantar Fascia is a thick, fibrous connective tissue that covers the bottom of the foot from the heel to the base of the metatarsals. The bottom of the foot is termed the “plantar” side, hence plantar fascia. Whenever the body has inflammation somewhere, the subfix “itis” is added to the end of the body part. Plantar Fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia of the foot.
What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?
The Key Treatment Techniques to Permanent Lower Back Pain Relief
Back pain is a debilitating condition that will affect the majority of Americans at some point during their life. In fact, the most recent estimates range from 60% to 80% (depending on the source), regarding the number of Americans that will experience back pain at one or more occurrences during their life span. It can be disruptive to both work and daily life, extremely debilitating and can progress to larger issues if not treated quickly and effectively.
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