The Pittman Connection by Pittman Physical Therapy
The Pittman CONNECTION The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body
DON’T LET SCIATICA Distract You From Accomplishing Your Life Staff Spotlight
INSIDE:
Jeff, PT
Discussionof Sciatica andBack Pain HowTo Take Care Your SciaticaPain... Helpful Exercises ToHelp Reduce Pain
Jeff was born in Memphis, but he grew up in Ripley, TN. He received a BS in Psychology from Union University in 2013. While completing his undergraduate degree, Jeff was the assistant baseball coach at Haywood County High School. He then attended the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis and received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2016. Jeff is married to Allison and they currently have no children. They have recently purchased a home in Collierville and are very excited to start a family and become active in the community.
The Pittman CONNECTION The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body
“I Am Not Going To Allow Sciatic Pain To Control My Life!” DISCUSSING SCIATICA & BACK PAIN
Do you experience pain in the buttock, leg, or even your foot? If so, you may be experiencing sciatica. Sciatica is a common form of back and leg pain that is often misunderstood by sufferers. People frequently have questions about what sciatica is, why it occurs and how to find relief from the intense pain it can cause from the low back down to the feet. If you are suffering from sciatica, it is important to find its root cause. Many people often think an x-ray or expensive MRI is first needed to figure out what is causing pain. Having a lot of tests doesn’t mean you will find its root cause. Recent studies show that nearly 1 million of MRIs done for sciatica fail to find a treatable cause. With a new imaging technique called magnetic resonance neurography, 69% of the patients were found to have a trapped sciatic nerve deep in the buttock by a muscle called the piriformis. It is known that in about 25% of the general population, the sciatic nerve pierces through the piriformis muscle and can be susceptible to abnormal pressure and irritation. WHY DOES SCIATICA OCCUR? If there are changes in posture, muscle strength or pelvic alignment, the nerve can be compressed which leads to the quite common low back and sciatic nerve pains. The sciatic nerve is the longest and largest nurve in your body. It even reaches down to the foot and therefore, can be irritated anywhere along its path. With sciatica, the consequent ache can be felt anywhere from the base of the spine, the buttocks or the back of the thigh and legs. Even tingling sensations in the toes can be attributed at times to the impingement of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica is often characterized by one or more of the following symptoms: • Constant pain in only one side of the buttock or leg (rarely in both legs) • Pain that is worse when sitting • Leg pain that is often described as burning, tingling, or searing (versus a dull ache) • Weakness, numbness, or difficulty moving the leg, foot, and/or toes • A sharp pain that may make it difficult to stand up or walk • Pain that radiates down the leg and possibly into the foot and toes (it rarely occurs only in the foot) Sciatic pain can vary from infrequent and irritating to constant and incapacitating. Symptoms are usually based on the location of the pinched nerve. While symptoms can be painful and potentially debilitating, it is rare that permanent sciatic nerve damage (tissue damage) will result, and spinal cord involvement is possible but rare.
pittmanpt.com
Patient Success Spotlight
“I can sleep again!”
“Before PT, pain was disrupting sleep and getting out of bed was very painful until I could begin moving around. Now sleep is much less disruptive and at times pain is not experienced at all. A lower level of pain is experienced when getting out of bed, but it subsides more quickly, but exercises seem to be addressing this.” – Bill B.
“HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR SCIATICA PAIN.”
Bad Habits Can Increase Your Pain Some seemingly harmless habits can also contribute to the irritation of the sciatic nerve. A frequent bad habit is crossing of the legs for extended periods, which puts pressure on the nerve. In addition, sitting for long periods is bad for your spine. It is possible for you to prevent or relieve sciatica simply by improving your posture. Physical Therapy Relieves Sciatica The specialists at Pittman Physical Therapy play a crucial role in evaluating and treating sciatica, as well as other common back problems. Our physical therapists are medical experts with years of training to evaluate your back problem, finding the root cause of your sciatica. An individualized treatment plan is created to guide you through the recovery process and maximize your success.
When coming to Pittman Physical Therapy, our friendly and knowledgeable therapists spend time with you. We train you on specific and easy exercises that will relieve the pain in your back and legs. In addition, our specialized hands-on therapy helps to gently loosen tight muscles and joints in your spine and legs. Your pain is quickly relieved and your flexibility restored, so you can feel like yourself again. Our cutting-edge treatments are doctor recommended and are specifically designed for you to reach your healthcare goals. Knowing all this should give you a headstart in warding off painful sciatica. After all, it may be as simple as learning to stand tall. Journal of neurosurgery: Spine Feb, 2005 Volume 2, Number 2. Aaron G. Filler, M.D., Ph.D., Jodean Haynes, B.A., Sheldon E. Jordan, M.D., Joshua Prager, M.D., J. Pablo Villablanca, M.D., Keyvan Farahani, Ph.D., Duncan Q. Mcbride, M.D., Jay S. Tsuruda, M.D., Brannon Morisoli, B.A., Ulrich Batzdorf, M.D., and J. Patrick Johnson, M.D.
DECREASE COSTS WITH DIRECT ACCESS Research shows Direct Access patients had 86% fewer visits on average than referred patients, decreasing costs tremendously.
• Physical Therapy • Wellness and Prevention • Dry Needling • Manual Therapy • Joint Pain Treatment Our Services
CALL TODAY
Phone: 901-850-5246 • Fax: 901-850-5226
A 30 Second Self-Test For Sciatica • Do you have back pain or leg pain with standing or walking? • Do you have a shooting pain in your leg when you stand up? • Do you need to sit down for a minute for the pain to go away? 30 SECOND SELF-TEST FOR SCIATICA 1. Sitting on a chair, look down. 2. Straighten one leg, with toes in the air. 3. Repeat for the other side.
IS BACK PAIN RUINING YOUR GOLF GAME? You can get rid of back pain and improve your golf game with physical therapy! For an avid golfer, there is nothing more debilitating than back pain. From a minor tweak in the lower back on the tenth hole tee off to the persistent pain in the shoulders that keeps them from teeing off at all, once a golfer begins to feel discomfort they know they are headed toward hanging up the clubs permanently. Fortunately, this does not have to be the case. Targeted physical therapy can not only relieve pain, it can strengthen a golfer’s core and improve their flexibility, thus improving their overall game. 1. Physical therapy can get you back on the links If you have avoided a tee time because of back pain, or in anticipation of back pain, physical therapy can get you back on the course. For many people, back pain is not something that is isolated to muscle weakness in the back. Rather, back pain is a manifestation of overall core weakness. Physical therapy targets not only the injured area in the back, but the muscles that are causing improper posture, a poor swing, and resulting back pain. Once these areas are addressed, many golfers find that they are able to return to the green, pain free. 2. Physical therapy can get you through the back nine. Even if a back injury isn’t keeping you from golfing altogether, physical therapy can help you get through the back nine without pain. While many people only associate PT with injury, physical therapists are also trained to help patients avoid injury and address problem areas before an injury occurs. Targeted exercises on the back, core and legs can improve muscle endurance and lessen fatigue making it possible to improve your game on the back nine. 3. Physical therapy improves your flexibility and mobility. Why visit a physical therapist when you are stiff but not in pain? Because physical therapists are experts in improving flexibility and mobility. Imagine being able to drive farther and follow through better without any stiffness the next day. Mobility, range of motion, and strengthening exercises as prescribed by a physical therapist improve flexibility throughout the body, leaving you refreshed the day after 18 holes instead of regretting them.
What it means: If your leg with pain, numbness or tingling does not go up as high as the other leg, you likely have Sciatica. Your next step is to see what is causing the pressure on your sciatic nerve. Call us to schedule an appointment...we can help you with that. CALL TODAY! 901-850-5246
pittmanpt.com While physical therapy alone will not give you a spot on the PGA tour, it can certainly get you back on the links, improve your game, and help you do what you love, pain free.
Sciatica and Back Pain Workshop You are invited to our Do you (or someone you know) suffer from pain, numbness or tingling in your legs, feet, buttocks or lower back? Saturday, April 15 at 10 AM If You’re Confused About What to Do and Looking for Answers Here’s What You’ll Learn at This New Workshop: • The 7 urgent coping strategies every back pain sufferer must never forget when back pain strikes!! • The single biggest mistake that most back pain and sciatica sufferers make which actually stops them from healing • The 7 things you can do if you’re hoping to avoid surgery that’ll cost you nothing • The most successful treatments for lower back pain that doesn’t involve any medications, injections, or surgery • The 3 best exercises that will help you walk farther for longer • How to get a FREE back pain severity consultation and where to go for it
You Should Only Attend This Workshop If:
1.) You or a loved one suffer from back pain 2.) You are aged 40+ and have suffered with lower back pain for longer than you feel you should have 3.) You are currently seeing a doctor or thinking about it
How Do I Register For The Lower Back Pain and Sciatica Workshop? Call Pittman Physical Therapy at 901-850-5246 When you register, we will mail you The Lower Back Pain and Sciatica Worksheet which you will bring with you to the event. We only have 25 seats available for the event due to the interactive nature of this workshop. So if you would like to attend, be sure to register now Call 901-850-5246
How Much Is It To Attend The Workshop? Nothing... the event is absolutely FREE but call 901-850-5246 now to register as we are taking only 25 attendees As a special bonus, all 25 attendees for the Sciatica and Lower Back Pain Workshop will receive a Special Report: “The Top Ten Most Burning Questions For Sciatica.” CALL TODAY 901-850-5246
Exercise Essentials Try these exercises to help maintain a healthy back and spine
Loosens Low Back
Strengthens Core
FIGURE 4 STRETCH Lie partially on your stomach, bend one hip up with the knee bent. Hold for 10 seconds repeat 3 times.
HAMSTRING STRETCH While lying on your back, raise up your leg and hold the back of your knee until a stretch is felt.
Not all exercises are appropriate for every person. Please consult with a healthcare provider before starting.
www.simpleset.net
Who do you know that needs our help?
Refer a Friend Do You Have Friends or Family Unable to Do The Following? 9 Move without pain 9 Bend and move freely 9 Balance confidently and securely 9 Sit for long periods comfortably 9 Walk for long distances 9 Live an active and healthy lifestyle If you know someone suffering with aches and pains give the gift of health. Refer them to Pittman Physical Therapy today. Pass along this newsletter or have them call us directly to schedule an evaluation! You will get your name in our next newsletter and you could win a $20 gift card! WIN A $20 GIFT CARD
Referral Club: Thanks to our patients for referring a friend or family member! Dolores Jenkins, Beth Herlong, Adam Coats, Jill Edwards, Susan King, Agnes Hart, Kristin Bourdon, Chuck Gant, Rob Dittman, Chris Bodry, Nancy Drewry, Janice Lewis, Kelsey Miller, Victoria Reed and Chris Milligan.
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker