PTIS_Making Moves to Understand Sciatica Back Pain

If you’ve experienced back pain, and even leg pain, you might have a deeper issue. Your minor aches and pinched nerves could be symptomatic of sciatica. While “sciatica” may sound serious, it’s entirely curable.

SCIATICA BACK PAIN MAKING MOVES TO UNDERSTAND

ALSO INSIDE:

• Making Moves to Understand Sciatica Back Pain • What Patients Are Saying • Exercise of the Month • Staff Spotlight • Phit in the Kitchen • 5-Week Tai Chi for Balance Class • Phitness Humor

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ISSUE: SEPTEMBER 2019

MAKING MOVES TO UNDERSTAND SCIATICA BACK PAIN

If you’ve experienced back pain, and even leg pain, you might have a deeper issue. Your minor aches and pinched nerves could be symptomatic of sciatica. While “sciatica” may sound serious, it’s entirely curable. What Is Sciatica? Sciatica is pain that radiates alongside the sciaticnerve.Thisnerve,whichbranches from your lower back— spanning across your hips, buttocksand legs—canbe injuredorstressed in several ways. The most common cause of sciatica-related pain is inflammation along the spine, where compressed nerves are aggravated.

While sciatica pain can be intense, it is treatable. A lot of sciatica cases, in fact, can be resolved without operation — and within justa fewweeks.Even ifyou’vesufferedsevere sciatica spawned from leg weakness, bladder changes or nerve issues, there’s still hope. What Causes Sciatica? In most cases, sciatica occurs when one of the back’s discs are herniated. It can also happen if the spine narrows — an effect called spinal stenosis. As we age, our backs undergoa lotofstress.Thisstress takesa toll, causing inflammation in several areas. If this inflammation reaches a certain point, it may compress these nerves — resulting in pain.

What Are the Symptoms of Sciatica? Sciaticabackpain isnormallynoticedasapain radiating from the lower back. Often, this pain extends to the buttock, spiraling down the leg and extending to the calf. If you’re suffering from sciatica, you might feel the discomfort anywhere along this nerve pathway. The pain itself can be dull, aching or even sharp. In some cases, the compressed nerve may feel like it burns. In other cases, the compressed nerve may simply issue a sharp joltofpain.Somepeopleexperiencingsciatica may experience leg numbness, tingling or weakness. Ifsciatica isn’ttreated, itcanhinder mobility altogether.

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SOMETHING GOOD IN DENVER

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR STAFF!

Wendy Hildreth, Sept 16 Brenda de St. Simon, Sept 28 Madi Mills, Sept 29

Trevor Hahn & Melanie KnechtofFortCollinsare a hiking duo inspiration. As Melanie suffers with spina bifida and Trevor recently became blind, they work together as a team to hike the mountains of Colorado,

You know you’ve grown up when a nap no longer feels like a punishment but a reward.” - Unknown QUOTE OF THE MONTH

with Melanie the eyes and Trevor the hands and feet. Follow on Instagram@hiking_with_sight to find outwhich14,000ftmountain theyhiked inAugust.

SCIATICA BACK PAIN (Continued from outside)

WHAT OUR PT I S PAT I ENTS ARE SAY I NG

If you’re experiencing sciatica, contact Physical Therapy & Injury Specialists immediately. Medical News Today asserts that over-the- counter painkillers may alleviate pain, but in-depth physical therapy is often needed. Physical therapy can reduce sciatica compression by carefully introducing exercises and relaxing treatments. These treatments, hand-picked by professionals, can completely eliminate sciatica over time. 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? Take this 30-second self-test to see if you might have sciatica: 1. Sit on a chair and keep good posture. 2. Straighten one

“Chronic pain affects my energy and ability to maintain an active lifestyle. PTIS associates have dealt with my ongoing and changing musculoskeletal problems in a variety of successful ways so that I can maintain a good quality of life.” - B. B. PTIS associates have dealt with my ongoing and changing musculoskeletal problems... so that I can maintain a good quality of life.”

of your legs out in front of you, while pointing your toes to the sky. Pay attention to how high your leg can go and if you have any pain, numbness, or tingling. 3. Place your leg back down to resting position, and repeat the same movement with the opposite leg. What Your Results Mean: If the leg with pain, numbness or tingling does not go up as high as the other leg, you likely have Sciatica. Give us a call today at (303) 757-1554 and find out how we can help. Sources: webmd.com/back-pain/what-is-sciatica#1•medicinenet.com/sciatica/article. htm•mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sciatica/symptoms-causes/syc-20377435• medicalnewstoday.com/articles/7619.php

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PHIT IN THE KITCHEN

Exercisescopyrightof Brace Marching While lying on your back with your knees bent, tighten your stomach by drawing in your belly button close to your spine. Slowly raise up one foot a few inches and then set it back down, and continue as if marching for two minutes. Try not to move your pelvis or back while moving your legs. Drawing in your stomach helps to keep your spine from moving. Repeat with your other leg. Repeat 10 times. EXERCISE OF THE MONTH USE THIS EXERCISE FOR CORE STRENGTH

BROCCOLI SAL AD

• 1/2 cup buttermilk • 1/3 cup reduced-fat sour cream • 1/4 tsp finely grated lemon zest • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice • 3/4 tsp Kosher salt & black pepper • 6 1/2 cups broccoli florets • 1/3cupraisins (golden isour favorite) • 2 tbsp roasted sunflower seeds

• 2 strips low-sodium bacon • 1/2 cup ice cubes • 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced

Always consult your therapist or physician before starting exercises you are unsure of.

Soak onions, water, and ice cubes in a small bowl for 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry. Cook the bacon in a small nonstick skillet over medium-low heat until crispy, about 8 minutes. Reserving 1 teaspoon drippings for the dressing. Finely chop the bacon strips and reserve. Whisk the buttermilk, sour cream, lemon zest and juice, reserved bacon drippings, salt and pepper to taste in a large bowl. Add the broccoli, onions and golden raisins to the dressing, toss well, and cover and chill for at least 1 – 4 hours. Top with the chopped bacon and sunflower seeds. Recipe Courtesy: Television Food Network, G.P.

Exercisescopyrightof

FUNCTIONAL FITNESS FEATURED SERVICE

WELLNESS & FITNESS PROGRAMS PTIS offers the following programs to help you reach your optimal level of wellness and fitness:

Functional Fitness is a type of exercise program that shifts the focus to endurance, balance, core strength, and joint flexibility; not losing weight and packing on muscles. Functional fitness mimics the activities of daily life. For instance, lifting grocery bags out of the car requires forearm strength and balance. Putting those groceries away on high kitchen shelves could require shoulder flexibility and calf muscle stability. Functional Fitness increases independence, relieves arthritis pain, reduces the risk of falling, and lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes. A custom exercise program is developed for you to address any weak areas. Call 303-757-1554 to try our 30-Day Functional Fitness Challenge for October! 5-WEEK TAI CHI FOR BALANCE CLASS MONDAYS, STARTING SEPT 30TH | 11AM-12PM

• Sports Fitness • Annual PT Checkup • Functional

• Massage • Pilates • Tai Chi • TRX Training • Balance Classes

Fitness Program

Call today to learn how one of these programs can change your life.

PHITNESS HUMOR FROM PHIT PICKLE

TaiChi isagentleandslow-moving exercise thatpromoteshealthand mental relaxation. The rhythmic movements of the muscle, spine and jointspumpenergythroughout the whole body. Physical Therapy & Injury Specialists (PTIS) will offer a 5 week Tai Chi for Balance class starting Sept 30th from 11am-12pm, $75.

“Don’t make me use my physical therapist voice!”

Make sure to keep up with your physical therapy exercises to relieve pain and prevent further injuries!

To register, visit our website at denverptis.com/tai-chi/.

Make an Appointment Today to Start Living Your Life Again, Pain-Free! GET YOUR LIFE BACK WITH PTIS

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: JORDAN COUCHON, DPT, COMT, DIP. MT, FAAOMPT

P: (303) 757-1554 F: (303) 757-3104

JORDAN COUCHON earnedhisdoctorateofphysical therapy fromDaemen College, of Buffalo, New York. Hispassion lies ingrowingandevolvingasaphysical therapist, specifically in the practice of manual physical therapy and vestibular rehabilitation.

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Jordanenjoysplayingandwatchingmanysports includingfootball,basketball,baseball, and golf. He also likes to bike, and hike in his spare time. Born and raised in upstate New York, Jordan has chosen to relocate to the beautiful state of Colorado.

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