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.
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Health & Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body
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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 somepoint in their lives.Themostcommon typeofbackpainexperienced is in the lowerback,and itcanhappenforanyvarietyofreasons.Being inacaraccidentcan causeyou toexperience lingeringbackpain foryearsafter theaccident.Accidents at work can lead to similar consequences. But sometimes the cause of your back pain isn’tasstraightforward.Backpaincanalsodevelopforanynumberofcommon reasons — things that you do every day without thinking twice. An old desk chair thatdoesn’tprovidemuch lumbarsupportcantake itstollovertime,ascanwearing shoes thatdon’thavemuchsupport,orevengainingweight,particularlyaround the stomach area. Too many people consider back pain a normal experience of their lives and don’t immediately seek support that could make the pain an issue of the past. Working with a physical therapist is, hands down, the best thing that you can do when you are looking to overcome back pain. A physical therapist can identify the cause of thebackpainandpresentyouwithhelpfulstrategies thatcanstrengthenyourback and reduce the severity of your pain. Physical therapy for back pain often includes acombinationof targetedmassage,flexibilityand rangeofmotion training,muscle building,and targetedstretching techniques.Using thesestrategies incombination
with anti-inflammatory medication, as recommended by your physician, is often consideredthemost-efficientapproachtohandlingbackpainand isrecommended by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. UNDERSTANDING BACK PAIN Being educated about your back pain can help you make the right choices to overcome it as quickly as possible. One of the biggest problems with back pain is that it lingers.This leadsmanypeopletodealwithbackpainforyearsonendwithout seemingly any end in sight. While there is back pain that develops as a result of strain or sprain, there is also somethingcalled lowbackdegenerativediscdisease,whichhappenswhenthediscs 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 betweenthediscsbeginstocollapseandbecomeunstableandwillcausebackpain to develop. When you work with a physical therapist to overcome back pain as a resultofdegenerativediscdisease,yourphysicaltherapistwillbeginbystrengthening core muscle groups, which includes the abdominal wall, and will provide you with targeted massage and stretching techniques to alleviate pain.
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Together we get better! | www.ptofmelissa.com
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• The leg pain develops more as a burning, tingling or searing sensation, 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 inthetraditionalsense.Sciaticapain instead causesabuildupoftingling,numbnessandweakness inthe lowerbackandupper 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’ttalkedtoamedicalprofessional 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 moredifficultto identify—especiallybythosewhoaren’tfamiliarwiththeproblem. Howcanyou tell thedifferencebetweenbackpainandsciaticapain?Theanswer is that sciatica pain is characterized by the following factors:
Sources https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/sciatica/what-you-need-know-about-sciatica
• Constant pain is only present in one side of the buttocks or leg
• The pain becomes worse when you are sitting
Healthy Recipe: Baked Brussels Sprouts
INGREDIENTS • 1 1/4 pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved • 2 tablespoons canola oil • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper • 3 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
• Seeds from 1 pomegranate • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped toasted hazelnuts • Finely grated zest of 1 lime • 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Put the Brussels sprouts in a medium roasting pan; toss with the canola oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven until light golden brown and a knife inserted into the centers goes in without any resistance, about 45 minutes.Transfer the sprouts to a large bowl and add the pomegranate molasses, pomegranate seeds, hazelnuts, and lime and orange zests. Season with salt as needed. Recipe courtesy of Bobby Flay
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PRACTICE NEWS
PATIENT SUCCESS SPOTLIGHT
We Accept & Provide Donated Assistive Devices!
Do you need or have crutches, a walker, a cane, or other assistive devices? Did you know we will loan these items to our patients as well as take your donations for our loaner program? We know many of our patients have devices they no longer need after their recovery, and we’re happy to accept them as donations to loan to other patients as needed. If we cannot use your item, we also have a network of facilities who may be able to use them as well. If you would like to donate or need a loan, please let the front office staff know and we’ll be happy to work with you on the process. #togetherwegetbetter
I travel and speak for my business, and I am often on stage for several hoursata time. Ineedflexibility,strength,andstamina.Thepainradiating from my lower back impeded my health and my work. I tried an orthopedist, and chiropractor, and even injections. Nothing worked. When I visited Physical Therapy ofMelissa I foundmyanswer.Nat,Pam,and theentirestaffhelpedmestop limping and hurting. In a matter of weeks, they helped me heal and feel like my old self. I can’t thank them enough for the “tough love,” the fun, and the therapy that actually worked!! I am now pain free and fully mobile. Thanks, PT of Melissa!” - Debbie S.
www.ptofmelissa.com @ptofmelissa
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Exercise Essentials
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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 fingertips. Inhale and lift the hips, place a block under the sacrum. Keep the chest open. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat 6-10 times.
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