Newsletter for Garber Physical Therapy
NEWS L E T T ER
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We are a VA Participating Provider
MAKINGMOVES TO UNDERSTAND SCIATICA AND BACK PAIN
INSIDE: • A 30-Second Self-Test For Sciatica • Immunity Boosting Tips • Avoid Aches & Pains In The Garden • Patient Review
HEALTH & WELLNESS The Newsletter About Your Health & Caring for Your Body
MAKING MOVES TO UNDERSTAND SCIATICA AND BACK PAIN
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 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 one of our professionals today, and ask about physical therapy options. Your mobility is important, and your back can be healed. Sources https://www.webmd.com/back-pain/what-is-sciatica#1 https://www.medicinenet.com/sciatica/article.htm https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sciatica/symptoms-causes/syc-20377435 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/7619.php
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. 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.
Have back pain that won’t go away? We want to help you! Call us at 864-583-6420 (Spartanburg) or 864-469-9936 (Greer)
Call Garber Physical Therapy to talk with your physical therapist today!
3. If further assessment is
1. Feel free to call us and ask to speak to your therapist.
2. Your therapist will tell you the possible causes of your pain as well as precautions you can take at home.
warranted, your therapist might recommend you come in for an appointment.
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 • Sitting on a chair, look down. • Straighten one leg, with toes in the air. • Repeat for the other side. What it means: If the 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. Garber Physical Therapy can help you relieve your Sciatica pain.
Healthy Recipe Vitamin Burst Smoothie INGREDIENTS • 1 cup fresh orange juice • 1/2 cup milk (coconut, almond, or substitute plain or vanilla yogurt) • 1/2 cup frozen strawberries • 1/2 cup mango • 1/2 cup pineapple
• 1 tsp freshly minced ginger (or more to taste) • Optional: 1-2 tsp raw honey; a handful of fresh baby spinach; 1-2 tbsp almond butter
DIRECTIONS
Add the ingredients to a blender and blend on high speed until completely smooth, scraping down the blender as needed. Add a drizzle of honey or extra ginger to taste, pour into glasses, and enjoy.
Immunity Boosting Tips
Staff Spotlight
Dr. Ryan Marx, DPT
Dr. Ryan Marx is a staff physical therapist of Garber Physical Therapy located in Greer. He earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy at University of Tennessee-Health Science Center. He is originally from Memphis, TN. Ryan has experience in in-patient rehab setting, physician owned setting, and private out-patient practice setting. Ryan has
Flu Season & COVID-19 Got You Worried? Give Yourself an Immunity Boost! These three tips can help you stay healthy and strengthen your immune system: 1. Aim for 8-9 hours of sleep each night. 2. Make a habit of 20-30 minutes of physical activity a day. 3. Maintain a nutritious diet heavy on fruits and vegetables. The essential vitamins are key to making sure your immune system is as healthy as possible.
been practicing physical therapy for 7 years and has been with Garber Physical Therapy for 2 years. Ryan is very motivated, energetic, and loves working with patients. He enjoys reading the Bible, spending time with his family, and watching sports.
Avoid Aches & Pains In The Garden
Patient Review
Common gardening activities, such as digging, planting, weeding, mulching, and raking can cause stress and strain on muscles and joints. This is especially true for senior citizens and people who are normally sedentary. Different body areas such as the shoulders, neck, back, and knees can be vulnerable to injury during gardening. These tips can help prevent injuries: • 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 heavy planting materials or tools. Be sure to keep your back straight while using a wheelbarrow. • 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 significant pain in your back or knees, consider using elevated planters to do your gardening. • Avoid bending your wrist upwards when
The entire staff was extremely knowledgeable, caring, and friendly. “My treatment at Garber Physical Therapy was exceptional. The entire staff was extremely knowledgeable, caring, and friendly. Throughout my physical therapy, I received my treatment plan in detail, monitored my pain levels, and worked to make sure my treatment goals were being met for my best recovery. I will forever be thankful for the treatment they provided me over the last 10 months.” - S.C.
pulling things or using gardening tools. Instead, keep your wrist straight and use your shoulder muscles to pull and lift. • End your gardening session with some gentle backward bending of your low back, a short walk and light stretching, similar to stretches done before starting. Author: Andrea Avruskin PT, DPT
Did You Know?
We Can Also Treat:
• Arthritis • Auto Accidents • Back Pain • Chronic Pain
• Personnel Injuries • Post-Surgical Rehab • Sports Injuries • Vestibular Pain • Work Injuries
• Hand Pain • Headaches • Neck Pain
Garber Physical Therapy Is Still Serving You
To do your part to prevent the spread of this contagious disease, we ask patients that if you or your family are demonstrating symptoms of coronavirus— coughing, sneezing or fever—please stay home. Additionally, if you or your family has been exposed to someone who has a confirmed case of the virus, please notify us immediately, so we can take necessary steps. Your cooperation in this tough time is what makes us able to continue to provide valuable services to you and your family. We appreciate your ongoing support.
physical therapists as “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of this, Garber Physical Therapy will remain open and seeing patients during this time, while taking the necessary precautions to make sure everything is sanitary, and everyone is safe. Before and after every session, we are asking our clients and staff to wash or sanitize their hands. Additionally, we have increased the number of times per day that we sanitize our equipment and facility.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic that has been causing numerous health care facilities to shut down, we as medical professionals are diligently trying to serve our patients in the best ways possible without risking the spread of this disease. The sedentary lifestyle that I’m sure many people have experienced since being quarantined to their homes can actually lead to more aches, pains, and discomfort than one may think. Fortunately, we have you covered. As some may know, the Department of Homeland Security has deemed
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