Total Performance | The Difference in Back Pain & Sciatica

HEALTH & WELLNESS NEWSLETTER

OUR NEW CLINIC! HORSHAM ALSO INSIDE: IS IT BACK PAIN OR SCIATICA?

EAST NORRITON

HARLEYSVILLE

HATFIELD

HORSHAM NORTH WALES

HEALTH & WELLNESS NEWSLETTER

Clinic Spotlight: Horsham Exciting news! Our new Horsham location is open and accepting new patients! Address: 401 Horsham Road, Ste. 201 (next to Liberty Urgent Care), Horsham, PA 19044 Dr. Steven Baron, PT, DPT, OCS Clinic Director, Horsham

4 GREAT THINGS About Our New Horsham Clinic

Steve joined the Total Performance team in 2024 as director of the new Horsham clinic. He is a 2011 graduate of the University of Chicago where he received a BS in Biology with a specialization in endocrinology as part of the pre-med track. While at Chicago, he was a three-year starting goalkeeper on the soccer team and received offers to play professionally in Germany and Poland. He also trialed with two professional teams in England growing up. After graduation, he attended two years of medical school before deciding to make the switch to physical therapy. He graduated from Arcadia University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program in 2019. Steve then completed a residency and obtained his Orthopedic Clinical Specialist certification in 2021. He has recently started to also specialize in chronic pain conditions and mental health in physical therapy, including collaborations with the World Psychiatric Association. He is a contributing author on the textbook, “A Proposed Novel Multidisciplinary Approach to the Care of Young Athletes” (2023) and was a virtual guest presenter as part of a course offered to Olympians, physicians and Olympic coaches on sports and mental health. Steve has worked with patients of all ages and backgrounds and enjoys creating custom programs with his patients, consisting of manual therapy, exercise, modalities and education. Steve continues to be active in soccer as a coach and player in the area and loves anything Philadelphia sports. He enjoys spending time with his wife and new son and going ‘down the shore!’

Accepts Medicare and Medicaid

Conveniently located close to route 611 (Easton Road) and Welsh Road

Accept workers’ comp patients

Offers FREE consultations

Learn more by visiting our website at TotalPerformancePT.com or schedule your consultation today by calling 215.201.4340 !

BACK PAIN AND SCIATICA — What’s the Difference?

Have you been told your persistent lower back pain is really sciatica? Did you know specific signs and symptoms can clarify what condition you’re dealing with? Far too often, these terms are used interchangeably or, worse yet, inaccurately. Fortunately, at Total Performance PT, our skilled physical therapists can clear it up for you and set you on the right path to relief! Back pain and sciatica can be confusing and even intimidating, especially when you’re not sure what’s causing your discomfort. Whether from a car accident, lifting something heavy, or seemingly out of nowhere, both back pain and sciatica seem to have similar causes and even share some symptoms. That’s where physical therapy comes in. Physical therapy is highly effective for both conditions. It helps reduce pain, improves mobility, and, most importantly, tackles the underlying issues to prevent future discomfort. With a tailored treatment plan, you can get back to doing what you love, pain-free. Understanding the Difference Between Back Pain and Sciatica Back pain and sciatica are sometimes used interchangeably, but they’re not the same. Lower back pain is generally localized, affecting the lumbar region of the spine. It can arise from muscle strains, herniated discs, or prolonged poor posture. Sciatica, on the other hand, is more specific and involves pain that travels along the sciatic nerve. This nerve starts in the lower back and runs through the hips and buttocks down to each leg. The pain you feel could be shooting, burning, or even tingling, and it usually affects just one side of your body. To

be a “true” sciatica,” nerve symptoms must be felt in the leg (specifically below the knee). Common Causes of Back Pain and Sciatica • Lower Back Pain: In most cases, lower back pain is caused by factors such as muscle strain, herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, arthritis, and other conditions. • Sciatica: Most commonly caused by a herniated disc, bone spur where the nerve exits the spine, or narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis) compressing part of the nerve. Classic Symptoms of Back Pain and Sciatica: • Lower Back Pain: May include stiffness, muscle spasms, and difficulty in moving. • Sciatica: Must consist of symptoms along the nerve root in the leg and typically include numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the affected leg or foot, in addition to pain.

It’s crucial to know the difference between the two because the treatment approaches differ. For example, sciatica might require attention to nerve compression issues, while lower back pain could be more muscle-related.

So, if you’re tired of enduring persistent pain, take action and call to schedule an appointment continues on next page

SENIOR EXPO PEAK SENIOR CENTER IN LANSDALE ON FEB. 7

OUR SPECIALTIES

Aqua Therapy Physical therapy that takes place in water, usually in a clinic pool, is known as aquatic therapy. This type of therapy is preferred if you want to reduce the amount of pressure on the joints, allowing you to move with less pain. It offers relaxing effects that can help with pain alleviation, relaxation, and improved mobility. Benefits differ from person to person based on what your end goal is for your therapeutic program, but overall you should expect to feel much better after each session with your therapist! Dizziness, Vertigo and Concussions Do you ever feel wobbly or off-balance? Dizziness, vertigo, and concussions can have a detrimental impact on your everyday life, making it difficult to do even the most simple tasks. Conditions that can cause vertigo or dizziness and balance, include vestibular neuritis, migraines, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), Meniere’s disease and stroke. Our physical therapists may be able to help you find a long-term solution to your problem through vestibular rehabilitation.

Dr. Caitlin Vasey at the East Norriton clinic at the free aqua therapy workshop.

Pelvic Health Pain and additional issues surrounding the pelvic floor can occur for a number of reasons. It can be limiting and even a bit embarrassing. It can hinder your daily life and prevent you from doing daily tasks or activities you love. If you are suffering from occasional or chronic pelvic pain, physical therapy can help. Pelvic pain can occur for a vast number of reasons. Pelvic floor rehabilitation can help reduce or eliminate the pain and symptoms you are experiencing so you can get back to living your life without pain!

Back Pain and Sciatica continued

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• Manual therapy: Manual therapies include a variety of methods, including joint mobilizations and manipulations that move one or more joints within normal ranges of motion to improve spinal joint motion or function. Our physical therapists may also use soft tissue techniques like myofascial release, trigger point releases, and other methods to help alleviate pain and allow for more mobility and improved function. • Targeted Exercises: Our exercise programs include mobility exercises, proper postural exercises, nerve mobilization, or strength exercises. Our physical therapists will tailor your workouts, monitor you, and progress based on your individual needs. Your well-being is our top priority. At Total Performance PT, we offer a proven approach to back pain and sciatica. Don’t let pain hold you back any longer. Call today and take the first step toward a pain-free life.

with our spine experts. Let us help you understand your condition and guide you toward effective relief. Our Approach to Assessment and Treatment at Total Performance PT If you are experiencing back pain or sciatica, it’s time to take action. Working with our experienced therapists can help you understand what you are dealing with and, most importantly, how to resolve it once and for all! Whether you come to our clinic with lower back pain or sciatica, we will perform a thorough physical examination and medical history to provide you with solutions that work based on the findings. • Education: Understanding what you are experiencing and how to manage it can help you be proactive and find a solution. Understanding what is going on and, more importantly, what you can do about it is one of the most effective solutions. Our physical therapists will make sure you have the information you need to be successful.

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY! SCAN THE QR CODE OR CALL US AT:

215.201.4340

Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32291226/; https://www.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5088108/; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ articles/PMC6251828/

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