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Suffering From Pain & Inflammation? The Villain Could Be Your Diet!

If you’re suffering from chronic pain or inflammation, good nutrition can help you find relief. Eating the appropriate foods can help your body recover from a variety of ailments! Maintaining a healthy and nutritious diet is an important aspect of any physical therapy routine.

Inflammation and chronic pain can be minimized by eating well, reducing stress, and exercising regularly. Contact our office now to schedule a consultation with one of our physical therapists to learn more about how our nutritional services might help you!

What causes inflammation?

As an immunological response to trauma or sickness, inflammation is a normal aspect of the body’s healing process. Inflammation and pain generally go hand-in-hand, so if you’re in pain, something in your body is definitely inflamed. The immune response is initiated in order to start the healing process when you have an infection, a wound, tissue damage, or an accumulation of toxins in your body.

Without inflammation, injuries would not be able to heal completely; however, if the inflammatory response goes on too long, it can cause chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation is a cause for worry, and your physical therapist will want to help you get it under control. Without treatment, chronic inflammation can lead to much worse outcomes, such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and even some cancers.

Rest and medicine are two of the most common treatments for persistent inflammation. Traditionally, primary care physicians would advise you to reduce your physical activity. A lack of exercise, on the other hand, can make you worse off in the long term than learning simple stretches and exercises from a physical therapist.

Additionally, drugs can have a variety of negative side effects and may be habit-forming. The good news is that dietary treatment for pain and inflammation is completely natural!

The importance of an anti-inflammatory diet

Many individuals who follow an anti-inflammatory diet report fewer pain and inflammation symptoms. Switching to a diet that compliments the removal of pollutants can assist speed up the healing process as the body purifies itself during the inflammation phase. An anti-inflammatory diet has three basic components:

  • Cook less red meat. It is best to avoid red meat altogether in an anti-inflammatory diet, but if you must add some in there, it should be very scarce. One small piece of steak, one time per week, should be your maximum limit. The proteins in red meat require extra work from your kidneys to process; therefore, eating a lot of it will slow down your healing process. The good news is that chicken and fish are just fine for an anti-inflammatory diet. Enjoy them with all of those servings of vegetables!
  • Eat more whole grains. In order to strengthen your body’s immune response as much as possible, you’ll want to try and avoid simple carbs and sugars completely. That means no pastries, no donuts, and no white bread.
  • Consume less dairy. Dairy products should also be extremely limited, so be mindful of serving very little cheese or milk with anything. Whole grains such as barley, oats, brown rice, and wheat are best when practicing an anti-inflammatory diet.
  • Include more vegetables. One of the best ways to reduce inflammation is to increase your veggie intake. This diet is most successful if you eat up to nine servings a day, with the vegetables preferably served raw. Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli are some of the best options. It is okay to substitute fruits for a couple of your servings, in order to break it up, but vegetables should be your main ingredient for the most part.

Call our clinic for an appointment

If you stick to the diet listed above, you should see your pain and inflammation symptoms start to significantly reduce@ You can also combat chronic inflammation by maintaining a healthy body weight, getting daily exercise, and learning how to manage your stress.

To learn more about how we can help you abide by a strict nutrition plan to decrease inflammation and boost overall wellness, contact our office today. One of our physical therapists would be happy to set up a consultation and speak with you!

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Physical Therapy Can Help You Reduce Joint Pain and Improve Mobility

As we grow older, we may find ourselves thinking the same thing: our joints aren’t what they once were. Perhaps you’re dealing with an injury that makes movement difficult, or you’ve developed osteoarthritis as a result of age-related “wear and tear.” Whatever the case may be, one thing is certain: without aches and pains, you can’t get around as well. Taking painkillers or living a sedentary lifestyle to compensate for daily aches and pains, on the other hand, is not a healthy method to deal with your disease. If you want to live your life to the fullest without being hampered by joint aches and stiffness, consider an all-natural solution: physical therapy.

Causes for joint pain and stiffness

To comprehend how physical therapy may assist you with your joint difficulties, you must first comprehend why they are occurring. Joint stiffness and discomfort can be caused by a variety of factors. Muscles, tendons, ligaments, or the joint may be damaged in an acute sprain or strain, for example. Inflammation can occur, which can be unpleasant and immobilizing.

Soft tissue injury, on the other hand, does not have to happen in a dramatic catastrophe; it can happen gradually over weeks, months, or even years. Chronic tendinitis or bursitis can develop if your chosen sport, career, or pastime leads you to repeatedly overstress certain joints.

Soft tissue discomfort can occur even if you don’t do anything. If you’ve had your arm in a sling for a long period, a condition called adhesive capsulitis, sometimes known as “frozen shoulder,” can cause your shoulder to become unusable.

Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of joint pain and stiffness. Age-related degeneration of the cartilage between the bones of a joint is the most common cause of this ailment. Rheumatoid arthritis, which is a painful and debilitating joint illness caused by autoimmune disorders, is another prevalent type of arthritis.

Different pain relieving methods used in physical therapy

As you can see, there are a variety of causes for joint discomfort. Fortunately, there are several types of physical therapy that can help you relieve your discomfort and increase your range of motion by addressing these symptoms.

One of our skilled physical therapists will begin by thoroughly assessing your issue. An investigation of your overall health, daily activities, and the nature of your symptoms will be conducted.

Evaluation of the joint itself and your ability to move it will also be a crucial part of your evaluation, as it can reveal exactly what the underlying problem is. This will lead toward the recommendation of specific types of therapy, such as:

  • Stretching exercises. Stretching exercises help injured muscles and connective tissues heal back to their former length and range of motion. These exercises are also good for keeping arthritic joints from becoming stiffer.
  • Joint mobilization techniques. Joint mobilization techniques can help improve your pain-free range of motion and increase your function. You may also benefit from techniques aimed at breaking up internal scar tissue, which can form over old injuries and cause chronic stiffness.
  • R.I.C.E. RICE stands for “Rest,” “Ice,” “Compression” and “Elevation.” If you are nursing an acute joint injury, your physical therapist will likely prescribe this protocol in order to reduce pain and swelling.

Set up an appointment with a skilled PT today

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Do You Have Back Pain Surgery On The Calendar? Try Physical Therapy First

Back pain is one of the most disabling disorders. Back discomfort, which can range from a mild ache to agonizing, can prevent you from performing ordinary daily things that you used to love. While approximately 80% of persons will suffer from back pain at some point in their life, the methods utilized to relieve it are diverse. Despite this, many people believe that surgery is the best way to cure back pain. Back surgery is a major undertaking that has a significant amount of risk and necessitates months of rehabilitation. Fortunately, surgery isn’t the only way to get rid of back discomfort! Physical therapy can help you to feel better.

Premier Therapy Center wants to give you some things to think about before you go ahead with back surgery. Read this blog and then give our clinic a call to set up an appointment!

Why try PT before surgery?

Many people associate physical therapy with a post-surgical treatment plan. While it does play a vital role in helping patients recover once they have been under the knife, it is also an incredible tool for pain relief. A physical therapist can treat acute pain with manual therapies such as heat, ice, electrical stimulation, and massage.

However, what most people don’t realize is that pain relief often requires strengthening the structures around the injury, not just treating the injury itself. If you are experiencing back pain, you may need to strengthen your core muscles in your abdomen and legs to help your back find relief.

This process is not a fast one, but a physical therapist can show you exercises that are aimed at relieving your pain!

How can a physical therapist help you before surgery?

If you are already planning on surgery to help alleviate back pain, you may already have a recovery plan that includes physical therapy. What you may not know is that physical therapy is a great way to prepare for surgery as well.

Not only can it improve your cardiovascular function, but physical therapy can also strengthen the muscles and muscle attachments in areas that will already be weakened by surgery. Even a few sessions with a physical therapist have been shown to reduce postoperative care by more than 25 percent. Since most back surgery procedures require long periods of recovery, the idea of cutting it down by a fourth is appealing.

Back pain and physical therapy

If you are already planning on surgery to help alleviate back pain, you may already have a recovery plan that includes physical therapy. What you may not know is that physical therapy is a great way to prepare for surgery as well. Not only can it improve your cardiovascular function, physical therapy can strengthen the muscles and muscle attachments in areas that will already be weakened by surgery.

Even a few sessions with a physical therapist have been shown to reduce postoperative care by more than 25 percent. Since most back surgery procedures require long periods of recovery, the idea of cutting it down by a fourth is appealing.

Your current condition and level of pain will be assessed by a physical therapist. For more information and any imaging studies that are available, they will consult with your surgeon. After that, the physical therapist will devise a therapy plan targeted at providing immediate pain relief while also strengthening the body in preparation for surgery.

If you’ll need your arms for balance, the physical therapist will help you prepare by strengthening your upper body. If you need more core strength to keep your spine’s structures in place, the physical therapist will work with you to strengthen your muscles without causing further harm.

Less pain, better movement

It is important to remember that a physical therapist is an expert in the way the body moves. We have a natural tendency to rest when we are in pain, rather than move. In reality, many people who experience back pain need to learn how to move better.

Physical therapy can help you regain lost movement in your back and legs while decreasing your pain levels. A physical therapist can also show you how to prevent further injury in your daily life by teaching you how to bend, lift, stretch, sit, stand, or walk in ways that relieve your back pain.

Consult with a physical therapist today

A physical therapist will evaluate your current condition and pain level. They will consult with your surgeon for more information and any imaging studies that are available.

The physical therapist will then create a treatment plan aimed at immediate pain relief and strengthening the body in preparation for surgery. If you will need the use of your arms for balance, the physical therapist will help you strengthen your upper body in preparation.

If you need better core strength to hold the structures of your spine in place, the physical therapist will work on strengthening your muscles without causing additional damage!

Whether you are considering surgery or already have a surgical date, call our office to schedule a free physical therapy consultation and start experiencing relief.

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Is A Painful Herniated Disc Throwing Off Your Routine? PT Could Help

Did you know the spine is made up of 24 bones? Five of such bones are found in the lower back. The spine also contains nerves and intervertebral discs in addition to these bones. Because the spine is such a complicated component of the body, discomfort might arise from time to time.

Pain, on the other hand, can sometimes be the result of an underlying problem, such as a herniated disc. One of the earliest signs of a herniated disc is lower back discomfort, which can range from mild to severe.

You might also have weakness, numbness in the legs, or severe and shooting sensations. Patients have also reported losing bladder control as a result of a herniated disc in certain extreme situations.

Herniated discs occur when the jelly-like nucleus protrudes from an intervertebral disc. This happens when the cell wall of the disc is not strong enough to keep the nucleus secure, therefore allowing it to push through the outer ring and begin to bulge.

herniated disc can develop anywhere along the spine; however, they are most common in the lower back. If you are experiencing back pain and you think it may be caused by a herniated disc, contact our office today to find out how we can help.

Signs you may have a herniated disc

If you believe you may be suffering from a herniated disc, it is important to consult your primary care physician first. Your doctor will perform a physical exam to assess muscle strength and sensation to see if your disc is herniated, and he or she may also conduct a neurological exam.

If your doctor believes your disc is herniated, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan may be done to confirm the diagnosis. From this scan, your doctor will be able to clearly see if there is a herniated disc in the lower back region.

If the disc is putting pressure on the spine, it can be detected. Your doctor will then provide you with a treatment plan, and will likely recommend physical therapy for pain relief.

How does a herniated disc occur in the first place?

Herniated discs are typically associated with aging, as the spine begins to wear down and become more brittle. This is known as “disc degeneration.” The discs in the spine contain a high water content when we’re young, but as we age that water content gradually decreases. This causes the discs to shrink. Therefore, the older we get, the more prone we become to disc degeneration. Other risk factors that can make you more prone to herniated discs include:

  • Driving frequently.
  • Being overweight.
  • Being between the ages of 20-50.
  • Being male.
  • Engaging in improper lifting techniques.
  • Engaging in a sedentary lifestyle.

Physical therapy can provide much-needed relief

Your physical therapist will design a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs. This will begin with passive treatments such as manual therapy, traction, ice and heat therapies, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, or hydrotherapy to relieve pain and enhance function.

After your passive treatments are finished, active treatments will commence. This could include back-strengthening core exercises, stretching, and flexibility activities to improve range of motion, and any other muscle-strengthening exercises recommended by your physical therapist. In addition to these exercises, your physical therapist will advise you on any lifestyle modifications that he or she thinks may help you avoid future pain and injury.

Call our clinic today for help

Our physical therapy office is equipped with the best resources and methods for helping you recover and get back to your life. If you are looking for a natural, safe, and non-invasive way to treat your herniated discs, look no further. Call us today�to get started on the first steps toward relief!

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Headaches can ruin your day, let alone, make it difficult to get anything done. PT can help!

Dealing with headaches around the clock is incredibly frustrating, and can quickly become debilitating. Whether they are tension headaches or more traditional migraine headaches, waking up with the pain already present in your head only to feel it grow more intense and painful as the day goes on can interfere with whatever you have planned for the day—whether that is a productive day at the office or a fun-filled day with family and friends.

Relying on medication for your migraine headaches can have drastic side effects, as well, that can cause you to feel tired, depressed, or otherwise unable to participate in the activities you love. What’s more, when you rely on medication to deal with the pain you are not actually helping your body overcome those headaches, but instead are setting yourself up for long-term dependency on those medications. Turning to physical therapy to help address the chronic pain associated with migraine and tension headaches can provide you with a healthy alternative, allowing you to break free from dependency on medications while experiencing actual relief from the regular pain of your chronic pain.

Physical therapy utilizes a series of physical, cognitive, emotional and social well-being strategies to improve quality of life with migraine and tension headaches. These strategies include:

  • Targeted massage: Your physical therapist may identify certain trigger points that could be associated with the pain of tension headaches, and targeted massage can help you to experience tension relief, and therefore headache relief.
  • Muscle training: Building strength in certain areas can help to further alleviate tension that may be built up in the neck and back, and this can help to reduce the pain of migraine headaches.
  • Exercise: Strategic exercises, especially when combined with particular attention to optimal hydration can help to reduce the severity and frequency of migraine headaches.

Plenty of people think of physical therapy as something to turn to following a severe injury or a car accident, and while there are plenty of times that physical therapy will be recommended in those situations, that is not the only use for this incredibly helpful therapy method. Physical therapy treatments are designed to help the body function optimally, and sometimes that means using the core PT strategies like exercise, muscle training and targeted massage, as well as adjustment and at times even acupuncture, to address whatever the primary cause of pain may be—including headaches.

Whether your headaches are bothering you every day, or just most days, the time to put an end to that pain is now. Chronic headaches can interfere with your ability to do just about anything, whether it is work related or a day at home with the family. Put the pain and frustration of chronic headaches in the past by working with a licensed and experienced physical therapist who can help you finally say goodbye to that head pain. The goal of physical therapy is to help you feel back to being your optimal self, free of the pain and frustrations of whatever it is that was holding you back, without a long-term dependence on pain medication.

For more information about how physical therapy may help you to overcome the chronic pain associated with your headaches, contact your physical therapy office today.

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If You’re Living With Chronic Back Pain, You Must Read This Now!

Do you feel as if you’ve been shut out of your own life because of your constant back pain? This nagging, excruciating symptom can be caused by a number of underlying causes and it can get worse with time, to the point that you can hardly move! Along with these horrible movement restrictions, you may be wary of putting your back through the risks of major surgery or putting your body through the threat of addiction with prescription medications.

The good news is that, thanks to physical therapy, you do not need to go to those lengths. A professional physical therapist can pinpoint the cause of the discomfort and build a tailored recovery plan that prevents the use of medication or surgery.

To learn more about how back pain can be remedied by the use of physical therapy, Feel free to contact our highly trained physical therapist at Premier Therapy Center.

How does chronic back pain develop?

Back pain seems to affect the majority of people. Low back pain, in particular, affects about one-fifth of adults at some stage in their lives. Many of these problems are linked to acute injuries, such as car crashes, sports injuries, or occupational injuries caused by poor lifting techniques. The pain from these injuries is meant to go away while they recover. Back pain disappears after the baby is born and the body returns to its usual weight and spinal alignment in some situations, such as pregnancy.

Back pain, on the other hand, may often turn into a chronic affliction. Spinal arthritis, spondylolisthesis, and spinal stenosis are examples of disorders that don’t heal on their own, leaving you in chronic or recurring pain.

Repetitive motion injuries and soft tissue strain are two other sources of chronic back pain. Bad workplace or sports ergonomics, poor back muscles that don’t maintain a natural stance, or musculoskeletal anomalies like fallen arches can cause chronic pain in your upper or lower back.

Have you been dreading your chronic back pain operation more than the pain itself? Many back pain sufferers are understandably worried about the possibility of taking a large number of painkillers, which can temporarily relieve their pain while also causing long-term complications.

They may be even more apprehensive about undergoing major spinal surgery, such as vertebral fusion, which may restrict the range of motion even more, prove unsuccessful in treating the pain, or even make it worse.

There is a safer, healthier alternative to these routes of treatment, however: physical therapy.

How physical therapy can help chronic back pain sufferers find relief

The most effective way to treat chronic back pain is to make your back function more naturally, which can be done through physical therapy. From a degenerative disease to sore muscles or an unbalanced body, our physical therapist will identify the source of your upper or lower back pain.
A physical therapy program that contains the following elements could be beneficial to you:

  • Flexibility exercises to gently and carefully extend your pain-free range of back motion
  • Stabilization exercises to help keep your spinal components in place as you perform everyday tasks (from sitting in a chair to getting out of bed)
  • Strengthening exercises to help you enjoy better spinal support and maintain a straighter posture
  • Alternating cryotherapy and heat therapy to relieve tissue pain and inflammation
  • Orthotics to compensate for foot or leg imbalances that are straining your muscles
  • Chiropractic adjustments to normalize your spinal alignment and improve spinal joint function
  • Lifestyle changes to prevent unnecessary strain due to awkward workplace or sports ergonomics
  • Cold laser therapy and/or massage therapy to soothe, warm and relax tight muscles and connective tissues

Are you ready to experience true pain relief?

We know just how debilitating chronic back pain can be. If you’re sick of dealing with this condition day in and day out, know that there are effective pain relief options available to you through physical therapy. Contact Premier Therapy Centers today to learn how you can gain control over your chronic back pain by making your back healthier!

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NO MORE OPIOIDS! Seek help from a physical therapist.

Are you taking opioids to relieve pain? The National Institutes of Health states that the number of adults in the United States suffering from pain related health conditions has dramatically increased in recent years. Pain can substantially affect your ability to engage in even basic daily activities. You may feel that taking opioids to relieve the pain is your only choice. There are other options available, including physical therapy, that can help you live a pain-free life. Call Premier Therapy Centers to learn more about how we can help you reduce or completely eliminate your opioid use.

What are Opioids?

Opioids are a group of pain medications that work by attaching to opioid receptors in the brain.

The perception of pain is then dulled or eliminated. They are also classified as narcotics.

Sometimes opioids are prescribed for pain when recovering from an injury or after a surgical procedure. There are several types of opioids that are often prescribed for pain.

  • Oxycodone
  • Codeine
  • Fentanyl
  • Morphine

These are also sometimes sold under brand names such as OxyContin, Vicodin, and Percocet.

They can be administered in a variety of ways. They are often taken in pill form but can also be taken by IV, an injection, nasal sprays, skin patches, or even as lozenges. It’s extremely important that opioids, no matter what type or brand, only be taken as directed under a doctor’s supervision. While they may temporarily eliminate physical pain, they aren’t ideal for long-term use.

Causes and Symptoms of Opioid Use

You may have been in an accident that left you experiencing chronic pain. Certain health conditions may also increase the likelihood of recurring pain. While opioids are effective for treating pain, they have the potential to be highly addictive. The longer these medications are used, the greater the tolerance an individual has for them. When an individual takes greater amounts of an opioid to receive the same effects, this can increase the risk of overdose.

Side-effects and symptoms of opioid use include nausea, constipation, and sleepiness.

Long-term symptoms related to excessive opioid use could include impaired memory, inability to concentrate, or increased drowsiness. Individuals may experience increased cravings for the medication when they stop taking it. Life-threatening symptoms associated with an overdose may include slowed heart rate, shallow breathing, and unconsciousness.

How Physical Therapy Helps

It’s always better to treat the source of pain than to mask it or simply treat symptoms. A physical therapist may be able to help you reduce or even eliminate the amount of pain you’re experiencing. This can help you reduce your reliance on opioids. Whether your pain is the result of an injury or a medical condition, a physical therapy treatment program may be able to help. A therapist can evaluate your individual condition and create a program designed to treat your specific needs.

According to Move Forward, there are several specific ways physical therapy can reduce pain. A therapist can prescribe exercises to improve muscle tone, increase flexibility, and help you move more effectively, which can all help reduce pain. Manual therapy and dry needling may be able to ease pain in your joints and soft tissues. Physical therapy can also be used before and after a surgical procedure to eliminate any potential pain. Contact Premier Therapy Centers to learn more about how physical therapy can reduce your pain and eliminate your need for opioid medication.

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The Role of Physical Therapy in Relieving Chronic Pain

Chronic pain affects more than 100 million people in the U.S. and 20-30% of the global population, reports the National Institutes of Health Office of Disease Prevention. Moreover, experts predict chronic pain will increase in prevalence as people age into later adulthood. Finding relief for pain also continues to evolve, especially as health providers become more concerned over the use of narcotics and opioids to treat chronic pain. However, understanding more about chronic pain and obtaining physical therapy may alleviate your pain.

What Is Chronic Pain?

Although pain is a natural way for the body to alert a person of a problem, it can rise to a heightened level. Chronic pain persists for weeks, months or even years, explains the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. When pain is unrelenting, it results in severe impacts on daily life. Chronic pain may include pain associated with arthritis, cancers, infection and even when no past injury or health problem exists. Furthermore, chronic pain generally affects the back or a specific muscle group.

Causes of Chronic Pain?

Treating chronic pain means managing the original cause. For example, someone living with tissue damage from a past fall or accident needs to address the actual issue. It could be a herniated disk, poor posture, obesity, arthritis, past fractures or nerve damage. The list seems endless. Of course, another cause includes damage to the muscle or a ligament, also known as strains and sprains respectively, reports the Mayo Clinic. Moreover, certain health problems may increase the risk for damage to joints and muscles as well, contributing to a loss of motion and the buildup of tension. For those without a root problem, turning to medications can feel like the only solution. However, a quick scan of recent news reports reveals many dangers exist in medication treatment for chronic pain, especially opioids.

Ways Physical Therapy Reduces Chronic Pain.

As opioid overuse became a public health crisis, health providers started to think about other ways to manage chronic pain. According to Move Forward PT, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends the use of non-drug approaches overuse of prescription painkillers.

Unlike medications, which simply place a proverbial bandage over the issue, physical therapy works to address the root problem. Since causes of chronic are often associated with damage to a joint or muscle group, improving the range of motion of joints may improve symptoms. In this case, more movement of joints encourages the body’s natural response to improve mobility and muscle tone, endurance and strength. As a result, pain decreases.

For people with known injuries, treating injuries with physical therapy serves additional purposes. These include improving circulation to the joint and tissues to promote healing, as well as helping a person learn to move the joint without risking additional damage. The long car-ride is an example of how failure to move frequently contributes to soreness. Over time, the limited motion will cause pain during movement. So, routine treatment with a physical therapist may reduce the risk of chronic pain, as well as improve symptoms for those living with it today.

Stop Living in Pain With Physical Therapy Treatment for Chronic Pain Now.

Chronic pain does not always require advanced medication treatment. Instead, physical therapy and understanding more about the causes of chronic pain may be the best solution, and in fact, they carry less risk for injury, result in fewer side effects and elimination of the risk for addiction. To learn more about how therapy could help with your chronic pain, schedule your consultation online today.