Gaining Pain Relief Naturally

Physical Therapy Newsletter by Kerrville Physical Therapy Center

Health &Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

“Is Your Neck Or Back Pain Caused By A Herniated Disc? ” Gaining Pain Relief Naturally

The bones in your spine are called the vertebrae. The vertebrae are held together and in place by ligaments and small discs that act as shock absorbers. These control the spine’s range of motion, flexibility and keep the bones and spinal cord safe from damage. However, when a disc is damaged, the inside of the disc can slip out of its place and either bulge or herniate, leaving the spinal joints susceptible to damage. When this occurs, the result is called a “herniated disc”, as well as a “slipped” or “ruptured disc.” Bulging discs are the beginning phase of herniated discs. Very often people have a bulging disc and don’t even know it. Only when the outside of a bulging disc becomes irritated and affects the surrounding tissue does it begin to cause localized pain. With the passage of time, a disc problem can advance and contribute to arm or leg pain depending if the problem is in the neck or back. A herniated disc can be incredibly painful thus hindering a person’s mobility and overall ability to perform day-to-day tasks. Often there is a local mechanical problem in the spine contributing to disc and joint strain, or the body may be compensating, sometimes long term, with faulty movement strategies as we attempt to accomplish our daily routines. These underlying problems persist until appropriate intervention can correct these ingrained patterns.

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“What Pain Is Included In A Herniated Disc?” How Physical Therapy Can Help

A herniated disc in the neck can be just as painful as a herniated disc in the back. Armpain from a cervical herniated disc is one of the more common cervical spine conditions treated by spine specialists. A cervical herniated disc usually develops in the 30 - 50 year old age group. Although a cervical herniated disc may originate from some sort of trauma or injury to the cervical spine, the symptoms, including arm pain, commonly start from poor posture or muscle strains. SYMPTOMS OF A HERNIATED DISC Symptoms of a herniated disc vary greatly depending on the position of the herniated disc and the size of the herniation. Symptoms include: Ache in the low back or neck. With herniation in the lower back, radiating pain may develop. This pain may travel through the buttocks and down a leg to the ankle or foot. With herniation in the upper part of the lumbar spine, near the ends of the lowest ribs, you may have pain in the groin or the front of the thigh. With herniation in the neck, you may have pain or numbness in the shoulder blade, chest, arm or hand. Pain, tingling, numbness or weakness. Severe, deep muscle pain and/or muscle spasms.

At Kerrville Physical Therapy Center, we help people with disc problems everyday. We have successfully treated thousands of people with disc injuries and helped them get back to the activities they love. Our physical therapists are trained to examine your spine and movement to find the root cause of your problem. Then we work with you and your doctor to put together a plan that helps you achieve optimum results.

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Patient Success Spotlight

Everyone worked hard!

“Thank you so much for the excellent physical therapy given to me for my shoulder and hand. Everyone worked hard, showed kindness and compassion to make sure my goals were met.” DO YOU HAVE BACK PAIN?

• Pain while bending or reaching? • Stiffness or swelling? • Difficulty standing for > 20 mins?

• Pain when trying to sleep? • Pain when driving > 30 mins? • Radiating pain to the back?

Be In A Better Mood • Have More Energy Enjoy Activities Pain Free • Be Headache Free

Talk to One Of Our Physical Therapy Specialists

FREE BACK PAIN ANALYSIS

Call To Schedule Today (830) 896-7377

Offer valid for the first 25 people to schedule. Expires 05-28-17.

THINK KERRVILLE PHYSICAL THERAPY CENTER FIRST

Why You Need To Come In For Another Appointment: • Move without pain • Bend and move freely • Balance confidently and securely • Walk for long distances • Live an active and healthy lifestyle

CALL TODAY (830) 896-7377 kerrvillephysicaltherapy.com

Take Care of Your Aches & Pains Before It’s Too Late!

Healthy Recipe: Brunch Parfait

17 INGREDIENTS • 1/3 cup apricot preserves • 3 cups sliced strawberries • 2 cups greek yogurt • 1/2 cup low-fat granola without raisins • 2 tablespoons slivered almonds, toasted DIRECTIONS

Place apricot preserves in a medium microwave-safe bowl, and microwave at high for 10 to 15 seconds or until preserves melt. Add strawberries, and toss gently to coat. Spoon 1/4 cup yogurt into each of 4 parfait glasses; top each serving with 1/3 cup strawberry mixture. Repeat the layers with the remaining yogurt and strawberry mixture. Top each serving with 2 tablespoons granola and 1 1/2 teaspoons almonds. Serve immediately.

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Exercise Essentials Try this exercise to keep you moving...

PRONE ON ELBOWS Lying face down, slowly raise up and prop yourself up on your elbows. Hold this position for 10 seconds then return to floor. Repeat at least 6 times. A pillow under your belly may help. Helps back pain

Exercises copyright of

www.simpleset.net

The above exercise is designed to be performed under the instruction of a licensed physical therapist. Service Spotlight

In the physical therapy setting, some procedures include the use of electrical current to stimulate a therapeutic effect on the body. When applied to tissue, electric currents create thermal, physiologic, and chemical responses. The currents also alter pain impulses. Interferential stimulation is the most commonly used form of electrical stimulation used in the physical therapy setting. Two channels of electrical stimulation create a third current that penetrates the affected tissues with little resistance. This stimulation helps control pain and muscle contractions. Interferential stimulation also reduces edema, swelling caused by fluid in the body’s tissues.

ELECTRICAL STIMULATION

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