PelhamPhysicalMed_Understanding 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.

HEALTH & WELLNESS The Newsletter About Your Health and Caring for Your Body

SCIATICA BACK PAIN MAKING MOVES TO UNDERSTAND

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HEALTH & WELLNESS The Newsletter About Your Health and Caring for Your Body

WWW.PELHAMREHAB.COM (718) 823-3900

INSIDE: A 30-Second Self-Test for Sciatica • Success Stories • Healthy Recipe • Exercise Essentials • Staff Spotlight • Share the Path to Better Health

SCIATICA BACK PAIN MAKING MOVES TO UNDERSTAND

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 sciatic nerve. This nerve, which branches from your lower back — spanning across your hips, buttocks and legs — can be injured or stressed 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 just a few weeks. Even if you’ve suffered severe sciatica spawned from leg weakness, bladder changes or nerve issues, there’s still hope.

weakness. If sciatica isn’t treated, it can hinder mobility altogether. How Physical Therapy Can Help with Sciatica If you’re experiencing sciatica, contact a physician 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. If you’re experiencing back pain, don’t wait. Call our professionals at (718) 823-3900, and ask about our physical therapy options. Your mobility is important, and your back can be healed. 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

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 undergo a lot of stress. This stress takes a 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? Sciatica back pain is normally noticed as a pain 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 jolt of pain. Some people experiencing sciatica may experience leg numbness, tingling or

Do you have back pain or leg pain with standing or walking? A 30-SECOND SELF-TEST FOR SCIATICA 1. Sit on a chair and keep good posture. 2 . Straighten one 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. 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:

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 (718) 823-3900 and find out how we can help.

SUCCESS STORIES

HEALTHY RECIPE MIRACLE RED JUICE: MAKES 2 SERVINGS Ingredients

Excellent PT. Understood my

needs and explained the therapy process to me thoroughly. Wonderful, friendly personality. I look forward to my future visits!” – G. S.

• 6 celery stalks • 2 limes or lemons • 2 inches of Ginger

• 2 large beets • 4 long carrots • 2 apples

Directions Prepare fruits and vegitables by chopping into pieces before placing into a juicer. As beet skin has antioxidants and nutrients, it’s recommended to keep the skin. Beet skin and lemon peel (if using) have strong flavors, so you could also prepare half with and without to adjust the flavor, or simply peel all if preferred. Add ginger (unpeeled) to taste. Blend all ingredients until juiced and smooth. Drink juice as soon as possible to obtain all benefits of the antioxidants and nutrients. Miracle Red Juice can be absorbed more easily on an empty stomach. Drink one glass every other day or as needed.

Staff is very friendly, they

make you feel like one of the family. You walk in with pain and leave feeling great.” – C. W.

EXERC I SE ESSENT I ALS USE THIS TECHNIQUE FOR CORE STRENGTH

STAFF SPOTL I GHT KRISTOFFER LEONARD CASTRO, PT, DPT

Brace Marching

Meet Doctor Kristoffer Castro, Physical Therapist at Pelham Physical Medicine. Anexperiencedphysicaltherapist dedicated to looking after the people of The Bronx, Dr. Castro focusesoneachclient individually by performing thorough physical examinationsanddiagnosiswhile aimingtowardstreatmentsusing

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. Next, perform the same exercise with your other leg. Repeat 10 times.

non-surgical methods. Dr. Castro obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy from Angeles University Foundation in the Philippines, and completed his Doctoral Degree of Physical Therapy at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN. Constantly staying up-to-date on the most progressive techniques available, he strives to get his patients feeling their best. Dr. Castro understands that speedy relief is a highly valuable aspect of pain and mobility management and ensures that recuperation can be brought about quickly through his skilled therapeutic techniques. His patients find comfort in knowing that his primary goal is to help them regain control so that they may live their life pain-free. In his free time, Dr. Castro loves playing basketball. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Castro, call Pelham Physical Therapy today at (718) 823-3900.

Exercisescopyrightof

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

SHARE THE PATH TO BETTER HEALTH Do You Have Friends or Family Members That Have Trouble:

DIRECT ACCESS WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Physical Therapy is Easier to Get Than You Think! • A physician referral

� Sitting for long periods � Walking for long distances � Living active & healthy

� Moving without pain � Bending &moving freely � Balancing confidently & securely

Share the Benefits of Physical Therapy with a Friend! We appreciate your confidence and will do our best to help those you refer meet their health and rehab goals. Thank you to all of our friends who refer others to us!

• Therapy may begin with a full evaluation by a licenced physical therapist • In New York, up to 10 visits within 30 days is allowed, with some exceptions

no longer needed, whether you want a check-up, suffered a recent injury, or if you want to improve your overall health and wellness

Don’t let your pain hold you back. Call us today at (718) 823-3900 or visit our website at www.pelhamrehab.com.

(718) 823-3900 | WWW.PELHAMREHAB.COM

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