A COMMON CAUSE OF BACK PAIN E verything Y ou N eed T o K now about D isc H erniation
Back pain often sneaks up on you when you least expect it. One minute you’re sitting comfortably at your desk, and the next minute you feel shooting pain in your lower back. Back issues can stem from a number of conditions, but one of the most common injuries, which plagues nearly 33 percent of the adult population, is disc herniation. WHAT CAUSES A DISC TO HERNIATE? Your spine is made up of 33 bones, referred to as vertebrae. Some of the vertebrae are cushioned by discs, which resemble a small jelly donut with a soft center, encased within a tough exterior. A herniation occurs when some of the softer jelly-like substances push out through a tear in the exterior part of the disc. This injury is most often the result of gradual wear-and-tear. As patients age, their spinal discs lose some of their water content, which makes them less flexeble and more prone to rupturing even with small movements. WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF A HERNIATED DISC? Most herniated discs occur in the lower back or the lumbar spine. There are, however, many recorded cases of the herniation occurring in the neck area or the cervical spine. Regardless of its location, this injury can irritate nearby nerves and result in pain, numbness, or weakness in the arms or legs. If the herniation resides in the lumbar spine, patients typically feel the most intense pain in their buttocks, thigh, and calf. If it resides in the neck, the pain will be most intense in the shoulder or arm. That being said, there are many people with herniated discs who report experiencing no symptoms at all. HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP? Contrary to popular opinion, a small number of people with herniated discs eventually need surgery. In most cases, prevention practices coupled with exercise regimens and over-the-counter medication are enough to minimize the pain. Here at Vital Care Rehabilitation, we offer therapy-based treatments that not only provide immediate pain relief, but also teach patients how to condition their body to prevent further injury. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office for more information.
V alentine ’ s D ay C ookie C ards
INGREDIENTS
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour • 3/4 cup sugar • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 2 sticks unsalted butter, cold and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 2 large egg yolks • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract • Royal icing, sprinkles, and edible markers, for decorating
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 375 F. 2. In a mixing bowl, combine flour with sugar and salt. Add butter and combine using a mixer at low speed, until butter breaks down into small, crumbly pieces. Increase mixing speed to medium and mix until butter and flour clump. 3. Add egg yolks and vanilla extract to bowl, return mixer to low, and mix until dough congeals. 4. Carefully roll dough into a sheet 1/16-inch thick and cut into 4x6-inch cards. 5. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, bake cookie cards for 6 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. 6. Let cookies cool completely, decorate, and distribute.
Inspired by Food & Wine magazine.
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