Do you suffer from back or neck pain? At times this pain can radiate indicating a potential problem with the discs. The bones in your spine are called the vertebrae. The vertebrae are held together and in place by ligaments and small discs that act as shock absorbers. These control your spine’s range of movement, flexibility and keep the spinal cord safe from damage. However, when a disc is damaged, the inside can squeeze out of place and either bulge or herniate, leaving the spinal nerves susceptible to damage. When this occurs, the result is called a “herniated disc”, “slipped” or “ruptured disc.”
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Don’t Let A Herniated Disc Keep You Down Avoid Surgery and Get Moving Again With ACHIEVE as Your Guide
Performance For Life NEWSLETTER
GET MOVING AGAIN AFTER A HERNIATED DISC
Doyousufferfrombackorneckpain?Attimesthispaincanradiate indicating a potential problem with the discs. The bones in your spine are called the vertebrae. The vertebrae are held together and in place by ligaments and smalldiscs thatactasshockabsorbers.Thesecontrolyourspine’s rangeof movement, flexibility and keep the spinal cord safe from damage. However, when a disc is damaged, the inside can squeeze out of place and either bulge or herniate, leaving the spinal nerves susceptible to damage. When thisoccurs, the result iscalleda “herniateddisc”, “slipped”or “ruptureddisc.” A herniated disc can be incredibly painful and can cause a great deal of limitations on the body’s movement, thus hindering a person’s movement and overall ability to perform day-to-day tasks. A herniated disc can cause a variety of symptoms including radiating pain down the arm or leg, depending if the herniated disc is in your neck or low back. Bulging discs are the beginning phase of herniated discs. Very often people have a bulging disc and don’t even know it. Only when the outside of
a bulging disc becomes irritated and affects the surrounding tissue does it begin to cause back ache, generally in the same area and not down the leg. A herniated disc in the neck can be just as painful as a herniated disc in the back. Arm pain from a neck herniated disc is one of the more common neck conditions treated by our spine specialists. Although a neck herniated disc may start from injury to the spine, the symptoms, including arm pain, commonly start from poor posture or muscle strains. The arm pain from a neckherniateddiscoccursbecause theherniateddiscmaterial “pinches”or presses on a nerve, causing pain to radiate along the nerve down the arm. Our specialized physical therapists are trained to examine your spine and movement tofind therootcauseofyourproblem.Thenweworkwithyouand your doctor to put together a plan that helps you achieve optimum results Look inside to learn more about our programs and say good-bye to that aching joint pain!
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“Is That Thigh Pain Really Sciatica?”
PHYSICAL THERAPY HELPS RELIEVE SCIATICA PAIN One of the most common mistakes is to assume that all leg pain is sciatica, and must be due to a disc in the back pressing on a nerve. In fact, most leg pain is not pain from the nerve in your spine, and has nothing to do with a herniated disc. There is much confusion about the term sciatica. The term sciatica is defined as pain running down the leg in the path of the sciatic nerve. It is best to understand the difference between referred leg pain, which “refers” from another area and nerve root pain which begins in the spine. Irritation of any of the tissues of the back can cause pain down one or both legs. Seventy percent of patients with back pain have some radiating pain to their legs. This referred pain can come from the tissues, muscles, ligaments, joints, discs or other back structures. It is usually a dull ache that spreads into the buttocks and thighs. In addition, it may affect both legs, however, it usually does not go much below the knee. Referred pain is not due to anything pressing on a nerve. It is not sciatica. Irritation of the nerve root in the spine gives a quite different pain, which is sharp and specific to an area of your leg. Nerve root pain usually radiates to the foot or toes. Patients often describe the pain with sensations such as pins and needles or numbness. It usually affects one leg only and is greater than the pain one has in the back. Nerve root pain is much less
common than referred leg pain. Furthermore, if you have back pain alone and no leg pain or nerve symptoms, a nerve root problem is very unlikely. If you do have leg pain, then your legs should be examined by a physical therapist for signs of nerve irritation or nerve compression. Diagnosing nerve irritation depends on tests that stretch or press on an irritated nerve root to cause pain. Our physical therapists at AchieveTherapy and Fitness perform different tests for nerve irritation. A common test is raising the leg straight in the air and looking for radiating pain with limitation. Discover how our Spine Program transforms your back pain from a pressing problem, to a distant memory, allowing you to live a happy, active and pain-free life.
Healthy Recipe
Exercise Essential
Helps Low Back Pain
PRONE ON ELBOWS Lying face down, slowly raise up and prop yourself up on your elbows. Hold for 8 seconds. Repeat 8 times.
Exercisescopyrightof
LEMON ROSEMARY SALMON
INGREDIENTS • 1 lemon, thinly sliced • 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 2 salmon fillets • Salt to taste • 1 tablespoon olive oil
DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Arrange half the lemon slices in a single layer in a baking dish. Layer with 2 sprigs rosemary, and top with salmon fillets. Sprinkle salmon with salt, layer with remaining rosemary sprigs, and top with remaining lemon slices. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until fish is easily flaked with a fork.
Always consultyourphysical therapistorphysicianbefore starting exercisesyouareunsureofdoing.
AVOID ACHES & PAINS IN THE GARDEN THIS SPRING Commongardeningactivities,suchasdigging,planting, weeding, mulching, and raking can cause stress and strain on muscles and joints.This is especially true for seniorcitizensandpeoplewhoarenormallysedentary. Differentbodyareassuchas theshoulders,neck,back, andkneescanbevulnerable to injuryderinggardening. These tips can help prevent injuries: • If kneeling on both knees causes discomfort in your back, try kneeling on one and keep the other foot on the ground. Use knee pads or a gardening pad when kneeling. • If kneeling or leaning down to the ground causes significantpain inyourbackorknees,considerusing elevated planters to do your gardening.
•Avoidbendingyourwristupwardswhenpulling things or using gardening tools. Instead, keep your wrist straightanduseyourshouldermuscles topulland lift. • End your gardening session with some gentle backward bending of your low back, a short walk and lightstretching,similar tostretchesdonebefore starting.
• Warm up before you garden. A 10 minute brisk walk and stretches for the spine and limbs are good ways to warm up.
• Change positions frequently to avoid stiffness or cramping.
• Make use of a garden cart or wheelbarrow to move heavyplantingmaterialsor tools.Besure tokeepyour back straight while using a wheelbarrow.
Author: Andrea Avruskin PT, DPT
Youth Development Series Achieve Performance Center Youth Development Series Grand Forks ND 58201
Movement ABCs Come learn the ABC’s of better movement and increased athleticism: Agility - Balance - Coordination - Speed. Ages 9-12*
Youth TRX A safe & effective introduction to strength training using TRX & body weight exercises. Ages 10-14*
$50
Call (701)757-1322 for class times & details.
*S uggested ages for participation. Exceptions at discretion of instructor.
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