Oakland PT. Is It Back Pain Or Sciatica?

Does life ever feel like one large pain in the back? Back pain is difficult to deal with on a daily basis, yet for so many people, this is a total reality. By certain estimates, as many as 85 percent of adults in the United States struggle with back pain at some point in their lives. The most common type of back pain experienced is in the lower back, and it can happen for any variety of reasons. Being in a car accident can cause you to experience lingering back pain for years after the accident. Accidents at work can lead to similar consequences. But sometimes the cause of your back pain isn’t as straightforward. Back pain can also develop for any number of common reasons — things that you do every day without thinking twice. An old desk chair that doesn’t provide much lumbar support can take its toll over time, as can wearing shoes that don’t have much support, or even gaining weight, particularly around the stomach area.

NEWSLETTER Frank Kava DPT • Kristie Kava DScPT

Is It Back Pain Or Is It Sciatica?

N E W S L E T T E R

FrankKavaDPTandKristieKavaDScPT

Is It Back Pain Or Is It Sciatica?

Does lifeever feel likeone largepain in theback?Backpain is difficult to deal with on a daily basis, yet for so many people, this isa total reality.Bycertainestimates,asmany as 85 percent of adults in the United States struggle with back pain at some point in their lives. The most common typeofbackpainexperienced is in the lowerback,and itcan happen for any variety of reasons. Being in a car accident can cause you to experience lingering back pain for years after the accident. Accidents at work can lead to similar consequences.Butsometimes thecauseofyourbackpain isn’tasstraightforward.Backpaincanalsodevelop forany number of common reasons — things that you do every day without thinking twice. An old desk chair that doesn’t provide much lumbar support can take its toll over time, as can wearing shoes that don’t have much support, or evengainingweight,particularlyaround thestomacharea. Too many people consider back pain a normal experience of their livesanddon’t immediatelyseeksupport thatcould make thepainan issueof thepast.Workingwithaphysical therapist is,handsdown,thebestthingthatyoucandowhen youare looking toovercomebackpain.Aphysical therapist can identify thecauseof thebackpainandpresentyouwith helpfulstrategies thatcanstrengthenyourbackand reduce the severity of your pain. Physical therapy for back pain often includesacombinationof targetedmassage,flexibility and rangeofmotion training,musclebuilding,and targeted

stretchingtechniques.Usingthesestrategies incombination withanti-inflammatorymedication,asrecommendedbyyour physician, is often considered the most-efficient approach tohandlingbackpainand isrecommendedby theAmerican Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Understanding Back Pain Beingeducatedaboutyourbackpaincanhelpyoumake the right choices to overcome it as quickly as possible. One of the biggest problems with back pain is that it lingers. This leads many people to deal with back pain for years on end without seemingly any end in sight. While there isbackpain thatdevelopsasa resultofstrainor sprain, there isalsosomethingcalled lowbackdegenerative disc disease, which happens when the discs in your spine weaken. This frequently develops as a result of repetitive back injury and can also develop as a result of age. With degenerative disc disease, the space between the discs begins tocollapseandbecomeunstableandwillcauseback pain to develop. When you work with a physical therapist to overcome back pain as a result of degenerative disc disease,yourphysical therapistwillbeginbystrengthening core muscle groups, which includes the abdominal wall, and will provide you with targeted massage and stretching techniques to alleviate pain. (Continued Inside)

• Is It Back Pain or Sciatica? • Patient Success Spotlight • Complimentary Workshops INSIDE:

• Healthy Recipe

• Exercise Essentials

www.oaklandphysicaltherapy.com

Is It Back Pain Or Is It Sciatica? (Continued)

• The pain becomes worse when you are sitting • The legpaindevelopsmoreasaburning, tinglingorsearingsensation,and not as a plain ache • There is a sharp pain that occurs at times, making it sometimes difficult to stand or walk • The pain is radiating, shooting down the leg and sometimes even into the feet and toes Sciatica pain develops in the nerves that connect the lower back to the legs, and so while the pain itself is generated from the back, a lot of time, the experience of the pain is more largely associated with the upper legs. What’s more, sciatica paindoesn’talwaysdevelop likepain in the traditionalsense.Sciaticapain instead causes a buildup of tingling, numbness and weakness in the lower back and upper legs, and the pain isn’t consistent either. The sensation will typically run through the leg in waves, causing discomfort at seemingly unpredictable times. Ifyouareexperiencingbackpainandyouhaven’t talked toamedicalprofessional about the concern, then now is the time to take action. Working with a physical therapist can cut your time struggling with back pain literally in half. For more information about overcoming back pain, contact us.

While some back pain is easy to identify as pain, such as is the case with degenerative disc disease, there are other situations in which the pain may be a bit more complicated to understand. One of the most common back issues experienced in theUnitedStates issciaticapain,and thissortofpain isoftena lot moredifficult to identify—especiallyby thosewhoaren’tfamiliarwith theproblem. Howcanyou tell thedifferencebetweenbackpainandsciaticapain?Theanswer is that sciatica pain is characterized by the following factors: • Constant pain is only present in one side of the buttocks or leg

If you’re suffering from back pain or sciatica, call 248.380.3550 to talk to your physical therapist and schedule your appointment with Oakland Physical Therapy today!

Source https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/sciatica/what-you-need-know-about-sciatica

Healthy Recipe Quinoa & Lentil Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

For the Sauce: • 1 (28 oz) can tomato puree • 1 tbsp maple syrup, or sweetener of choice

• 1 cup vegetable broth • 1 small onion, diced • 1 tbsp vegetable oil • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar • 2 tbsp soy sauce • 1 tsp smoked paprika

Ingredients • 1 head of green cabbage For the Filling • 3/4 cup brown lentils • 3 cups water • 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa

• 1 1/2 tsp red wine vinegar • salt and pepper to taste

Begin boiling the cabbage in 3 in of water until the leaves peel off easily (about 20 min). When done, allow them to cool. While cabbage is simmering, bring lentils to a boil in a separate small saucepan. Lower heat and allow to simmer for 35 minutes, adding water to the pot as needed. Drain any excess liquid. While lentils simmer, place broth into another saucepan, add quinoa, and bring to a boil. Let simmer for 20 min until all of the water is absorbed (about 20 min). Cook onion with oil in a large skillet over medium heat until soft and translucent (about 5 min). Add 1 1/2 cups of the cooked lentils and 1 cup of the cooked quinoa, along with red wine vinegar, soy sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to taste. Make sure ingredients are mixed before removing from heat. Preheat the oven to 350°.Stir all sauce ingredients together in a small bowl, then distribute about 1/2 cup of the sauce into the bottom of 9 x 9 inch baking dish. After peeling leaves off of the cabbage head, roll about 3-4 tbsp of filling into the center of each leaf until all filling is used. Place each roll into the baking dish. Spoon remaining sauce over the rolls, cover and bake for 1 hour. Let the rolls cool before serving. www.connoisseurusveg.com/quinoa-lentil-stuffed-vegan-cabbage-rolls

If you, or a loved one, has pain, join us in a complimentary informative workshop on common causes, treatments, and prevention of your pain. LOW BACK PAIN & SCIATICA Tuesday, April 16, at 6:00 pm COMPLIMENTARY WORKSHOPS

Patient Success Spotlight

“After a few weeks of treatment, I was pain-free!”

“I would highly recommend Oakland Physical Therapy, P.C. The staff is friendly and professional. I like the private exam rooms, and the environment is relaxing and comfortable. I went to the office with extreme lower back pain. I am so grateful to Steven; he was very kind and knowledgeable. His treatment plan was spot-on. I started with a pain level of 8-9 and not being able to sleep through the night. Within just a few visits, I was able to sleep through the night and my pain level was reduced to a 4-6. After a few weeks of treatment I was pain-free. Over the years, I have received treatment from a few different PT offices, but Oakland Physical Therapy is the best. Thank you, Steve and Staff!!” - S.R.

Read more success stories like these by visiting www.oaklandphysicaltherapy.com

ROTATOR CUFF & SHOULDER PAIN Tuesday, May 7, at 6:00 pm Call (248) 380-3550 or email us at: mail@oaklandphysicaltherapy.com

Exercise Essentials

Supported Bridge Lie on your back with knees bent and feet hip distance apart. Place your feet close enough so they can be touched by the finger tips. Inhale and lift the hips, place a block under the sacrum. Keep the chest open. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat 10 times.

26850 Providence Parkway Suite 365 Novi, MI 48374 Frank Kava DPT and Kristie Kava DScPT

www.simpleset.net

www.oaklandphysicaltherapy.com

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