Health & Fitness Newsletter by Worcester Physical Therapy Services
Health &Fitness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body
“Could Your Back Pain Be A Herniated Disc?” TREATING HERNIATED DISCS
Do you suffer from back or neck pain? At times this pain can radiate indicating a potential problemwith the discs. 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 your spine’s range of movement, flexibility and keep the spinal cord safe fromdamage. However, when a disc is damaged, the inside can squeeze out of place and either bulge or herniate, leaving the spinal nerves susceptible to damage. When this occurs, the result is called a “herniated disc”, “slipped” or “ruptured disc.” (continued inside)
Inside: • Treating Herniated Discs
• Is That Thigh Pain Really Sciatica?
• Relieve Back Pain In Minutes
• Patient Success Spotlight
“Herniated Disc Is Not A Condition You Can Ignore!” Health & Fitness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body TREATING HERNIATED DISCS
A herniated disc can be incredibly painful and can cause a great deal of limitations on the body’s movement, thus hindering a person’s movement and overall ability to perform day-to-day tasks. A herniated disc can cause a variety of symptoms including radiating pain down the arm or leg, depending if the herniated disc is in your neck or low back. Bulging discs are the beginning phase of herniated discs. Very often peoplehaveabulgingdiscanddon’tevenknow it.Onlywhentheoutsideof abulgingdiscbecomes irritatedandaffects thesurrounding tissuedoes it begintocausebackache,generally inthesameareaandnotdownthe leg. A herniated disc in the neck can be just as painful as a herniated disc in the back. Arm pain from a neck herniated disc is one of the more common neckconditionstreatedbyourspinespecialists.Althoughaneckherniated disc may start from injury to the spine, the symptoms, including arm pain, commonly start from poor posture or muscle strains. The arm pain from a neckherniateddiscoccursbecausetheherniateddiscmaterial“pinches”or presses on a nerve, causing pain to radiate along the nerve down the arm. Our specialized physical therapists are trained to examine your spine and movementtofindtherootcauseofyourproblem.Thenweworkwithyouand your doctor to put together a plan that helps you achieve optimum results.
“ DON’T WAIT FOR YOUR CO-PAY TO KICK IN, START YOUR PHYSICAL THERAPY TODAY! ” Worcester Physical Therapy offers Direct Access for physical therapy and rehab programs. In accordance with Massachusetts State Law, Direct Access means an individual can be seen directly by a Physical Therapist, without a prescription or referral from their doctor. YOU CAN START NOW CALL TODAY! 508-791-8740
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“Is That Thigh Pain Really Sciatica?” PHYSICAL THERAPY HELPS SCIATICA PAIN
One of the most common mistakes is to assume that all leg pain is sciatica, and must be due to a disc in the back pressing on a nerve. In fact, most leg pain is not pain from the nerve in your spine, and has nothing to do with a herniated disc. There is much confusion about the term sciatica. The term sciatica is defined as pain running down the leg in the path of the sciatic nerve. It isbest tounderstand thedifferencebetween referred legpain,which “refers” from another area and nerve root pain which begins in the spine. Irritation of any of the tissues of the back can cause pain down one or both legs. Seventy percent of patients with back pain have some radiating pain to their legs. This referred pain can come from the tissues, muscles, ligaments, joints, discs or other back structures. It is usually a dull ache that spreads into the buttocks and thighs. In addition, it may affect both legs, however, it usually does not go much below the knee. Referred pain is not due to anything pressing on a nerve. It is not sciatica. Irritation of the nerve root in the spine gives a quite different pain, which is sharp and specific to an area of your leg. Nerve root pain usually radiates
PRONE ON ELBOWS Lying face down, slowly raise up and prop yourself up on your elbows. Hold for 8 seconds. Repeat 8 times. Helps With Low Back Pain Relieve Back Pain In Minutes Try this movement if you are experiencing back pain. to the foot or toes. Patients often describe the pain with sensations such as pins and needles or numbness. It usually affects one leg only and is greater than the pain one has in the back. Nerve root pain is much less common than referred leg pain. Furthermore, if you have back pain alone and no leg pain or nerve symptoms, a nerve root problem is very unlikely. If you do have leg pain, then your legs should be examined by a physical therapist for signs of nerve irritation or nerve compression. Diagnosing nerve irritation depends on tests that stretch or press on an irritated nerve root to cause pain. Our physical therapists at Worcester Physical Therapy Services perform different tests for nerve irritation. A common test is raising the leg straight in the air and looking for radiating pain with limitation. DiscoverhowourSpineProgram transformsyourbackpain fromapressing problem, to a distant memory, allowing you to live a happy, active and pain-free life. worcpt.com
CHARITY SOCCER TOURNAMENT
SEPTEMBER 17TH AT 9AM-4PM
www.simpleset.net
Soccer for Sherry’s is a 3v3 soccer tournament for all ages, which provides support to childhood cancer patients and their families at Why Me & Sherry’s House, a nonprofit organization created to help Central New England families cope with childhood cancer. Use the following link todonateorparticipateat thisbeneficialtournament: http://soccerforsherrys.weebly.com/. Cancer patients and families will appreciate your generous support!
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Patient Success Spotlight
Think Worcester PT & Services First
Why You Need To Come Back In For Another Check Up: • Move without pain • Bend and move freely • Balance confidently and securely • Sit for long periods comfortably • Walk for long distances • Live an active and healthy lifestyle
I was able to build my core strength!
“Before working with Worcester Physical Therapy I was only able to stand for about 30 minutes and sit for about 30 minutes before my back would start really hurting. With the help of Nash and Lisa, I was able to build my core strength to the point that I was able to do my 3 day photography event, (on my feet most of the time), and still be able to walk to my room when finished for the day. Thank you, thank you, thank you Lisa, for all your help. I could not have completed this assignment without you. Also thanks to Nash, Matt, Chad, Debbie, Patty and every other Therapist that has helped me to better health.” – Rick E.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR ACHES & PAINS BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!
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• Move Freely • Alleviate Pain Naturally • Have More Energy • Enjoy Activities Pain Free • Be Stronger
Do you suffer with any of the following symptoms?
4 Stiffness or swelling 4 Aches at the end of the day 4 Pain from an old injury
4 Pain when trying to sleep 4 Pain when driving > 30 mins 4 Trouble bending and reaching
Don’t let spinal pain become a way of life Pinpoint the exact cause of your back pain! FREE BACK PAIN ANALYSIS Offer valid for the first 25 people to schedule. Expires 08-28-17.
Call Today! 508-791-8740
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