Category: Health and Wellness

Physical Therapy Clinic in West BloomfieldBlogHealth and Wellness
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By manish 0 Comments Health and Wellness

5 Tips To Get More Physical Activity In Your Routine

It may feel like you’re on a never-ending hamster wheel in your hectic life, requiring you to accomplish as much as possible. It is critical, however, for everyone to realize what is and is not attainable through simple effort. It’s critical to recognize that your willpower has limits.

It’s difficult enough to get through your to-do list in the limited hours you have in the day without being exhausted. Instead, you’ll need to use methods and tips to stay interested, motivated, and active in your quest to complete everything – since no one can do it all alone!

Below we’ve listed out five simple ways to stay active and involved throughout the day as you’re juggling your various tasks and responsibilities! After you read through these, give Premier Therapy Center call to learn more about physical therapy and how it can help you achieve your goals and feel your best.

Tip #1: Address your pain issues first.

Pain is one of the most prevalent reasons why individuals stop being active. Whether it’s a long-standing ache or the mere fear of pain, it’s enough to cause folks to slow down or sit out of their favorite activities entirely.

Nearly 40 million Americans admit to experiencing acute pain, which is linked to a variety of other health issues. Physical therapy treatments, fortunately, are a straightforward approach to manage or perhaps entirely eradicate discomfort. Hands-on therapy from a physical therapist, as well as more specialist therapies like ultrasound and electrical stimulation, can all aid with pain relief.

Physical therapy treatments have also been shown to help you lead a more active lifestyle by restoring muscle and joint function.

Tip #2: Get enough sleep!

“In order to function at your best, you need a good night’s sleep!” We’ve all heard this. Do we, on the other hand, always listen to this piece of advice? The majority of us don’t!

Despite the fact that sleep is clearly crucial for the body’s normal functioning, around one-third of the US population has sleep disorders.

Physical therapy can assist you in getting better sleep, which will allow you to be more active throughout your waking hours.

Physical therapists are trained in areas that are critical to sleep, such as pain modulation, tissue healing, cognitive functioning, and cardiovascular health. A physical therapist�can also provide suggestions for how you can integrate sleep health with overall wellbeing.

Tip #3: Find ways to encourage yourself to meet your goals!

There are a variety of products on the market that will encourage, inspire, and track your physical activity. Research shows that utilizing such products may have a favorable impact on your levels of activity. The key to success is to establish daily, weekly, or monthly goals that are easily tracked within the tool and to follow consistent strategies, such as:

  • Writing down your goals. A common goal that people set for themselves is 10,000 steps per day. However, it is worthwhile to check with a medical professional, in order to avoid overextending yourself.
  • Using the tool every single day. Consistency creates habits, which by nature are notoriously difficult to break.
  • Engaging in activities that you enjoy. While tools come with limitations — namely the activities that it measures — it is extremely helpful to choose a tracker based on the activities you enjoy. If you are doing something that interests you, it will be easier to maintain over time.
  • Encouraging your friends and family to use the tool with you. Many trackers have interactive features that let you compare your progress to that of others. Because most of us benefit from having a workout partner, this type of informal comparison can be a powerful motivation. You’ll also have someone to hold you accountable for achieving your objectives.

Tip #4: Take Fido for a walk.

It is true that a dog is a man’s best friend – and your dog likely won’t back down from the opportunity to be your exercise companion. The arrival of a new pet, particularly a dog, is an effective way to get owners moving. Physical activity is necessary for a dog, even if it is simply a short walk every day. This can help owners remain accountable for getting their daily exercise in, as well.

Tip #5: Cleaning your house up!

Cleaning your house employs a variety of muscle groups, in addition to keeping you active. Every step you take and inch you vacuum contributes to your fitness. Squeeze your glutes and abdominal muscles as you trail from room to room for increased effect.

Call our clinic for an appointment

Contact our office now to learn more about how physical therapy can help you keep fit and healthy, or simply wish to enjoy life more. We’ll be more than pleased to help you get started on the path to better health and fitness!

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By manish 0 Comments Health and Wellness, Natural Pain Relief

Feeling Off-Balance? A Stronger Core Can Help Steady You

Do you sometimes feel weak, or like you just can’t get your footing under you? There are several reasons why this might be happening, and a weak core is one of them. A weak core might make you feel unbalanced and shaky. Physical therapy can help you strengthen your core and improve your balance as a result.

Physical therapy should include core strength training. Your core muscles play an essential part in keeping you balanced whether you’re sitting, standing, or sprinting. The muscles in your core assist in anchoring your center of gravity, allowing you to maintain balance.

Are you trying to find a way to improve your balance? If that’s the case, get in touch with us right away to learn more about how our core strengthening services might help you.

How are balance and core strength related?

It’s crucial to know where your core muscles are before you can focus on strengthening them. Many folks mistakenly believe they are working their core muscles when working their upper abdominal muscles. These muscles are vital for core strength, but they’re not the ones you’re after!

Your exclusive core muscles are in your pelvis, hips, and lower back, along with the transversus abdominis muscles that make up the “pelvic corset.” These core muscles serve as your body’s natural stabilizers, making constant adjustments in response to nerve cells called “proprioceptors,” which give you your sense of spatial awareness.

As your core becomes stronger, you will be able to steady your balance much easier. When muscles are weak, it is more difficult to balance yourself from your center of gravity. This increases your risk for falls, and it can affect your arm and upper body movements. Back pain, difficulty standing up from a seated position, and incontinence may also indicate an unstable core.

How can my balance benefit from physical therapy treatments?

Our physical therapists are highly skilled and dedicated to helping you improve your balance through core strengthening. When you arrive for your first appointment, your physical therapist will conduct a comprehensive exam to assess your stance, gait, balance, and core muscles.

This will help determine the origin of the weakness and will be the foundation of your treatment plan. Treatment plans will be designed specifically for you and your individual needs. These plans for balance improvement typically include:

  • Tai chi. Tai chi is a slow-motion form of Chinese martial art. The poses and transitions done within this type of treatment can help your body develop the core muscles it needs in order to retain the necessary stability from one move to the next.
  • Gentle exercises. Depending on the severity of your balance impairment, it may be best to start off slow. Your physical therapist may suggest beginning with gentle and safe exercises, such as leg lifts or pelvic tilts. These types of exercises can help strengthen your back, pelvic, and abdominal core muscles.
  • Stability boards. Various types of physical therapy balance boards have a flat surface and a curved underside. Standing on these devices and working to maintain your stability can greatly improve your core balance.
  • Abdominal exercises. These may include sit-ups, pushups, and crunches. Abdominal exercises help strengthen the abdominal muscles that work with your core.

Sometimes, when your core is weak, it can cause you to experience added pressure on areas like your neck and back. When you improve your core strength, you are likely to also improve your posture and thereby reduce your risk of developing neck or back pain in the future. Furthermore, the exercises that help to improve core strength are often helpful in promoting weight loss, and for those who are overweight, this could also help reduce pain in your neck and the back.

Let us help you strengthen your core today

Are issues with your balance hindering your daily life? If so, don’t hesitate to contact us�as soon as possible. If the problem is a weak core, a physical therapist can help you to improve your strength in no time at all! We’ll provide you with the core strengthening exercises you need to get back on your feet!

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By manish 0 Comments Headaches, Health and Wellness, Physical Therapy

Trouble With Chronic Headaches? Here’s How Physical Therapy Can Help.

Do you find yourself plagued by headaches in the morning, at noon, and at night? Have you noticed that emotional or physical stress seems to trigger your chronic headaches? If you’re nodding yes, know that you’re not alone. You’re one of the many Americans suffering from stress-related or chronic headaches. Headaches affect 47% of the global population and are described by the type and location of pain in the head.

So, what’s different about these kinds of headaches? Tension headaches have their own distinctive traits, and some of their underlying causes may surprise you. If you’re ready to stop dealing with chronic tension headaches and drugs just aren’t an option for you, there’s good news. Physical therapy may provide relief. Contact our office today or visit us in West Bloomfield Township, MI to learn more.

What are Tension or Chronic Headaches?

For some people, stress serves as a trigger for intense migraine attacks. This can cause blinding headaches and issues such as vision problems, vomiting, dizziness, and faintness. But for the majority of us, the word “headache” refers to a tension headache. The emotional and physical stresses of modern everyday life seem to go hand-in-hand with headache pain.

Tension headaches definitely live up to their name, but they don’t always occur for the reasons you might think. Tension headaches don’t actually begin in your head. They start in the muscles of the neck or shoulders. If these muscles become chronically tense and tight, they tend to go into spasm. This is bad news for the dura mater, a pain-sensitive membrane attached to certain small muscles near the base of the skull. These tense muscles pull on the dura mater, which causes it to refer pain signals up into the head, causing a tension headache to form.

Causes of Chronic Headaches

Chronic headaches are rarely as debilitating as migraines, however, they can vary widely in severity. They tend to cause a generalized ache over a broad region of the head, instead of causing localized pain to a specific area such as the eye (a symptom of a cluster headache).

If you experience emotional stress that creates chronic neck tightness, this could be the culprit behind your tension headaches. However, your headaches might also be caused by:

  • Repetitive motion or overuse from work or sports activities
  • “Text neck,” a strain disorder that occurs if you’re always leaning your head forward to look at your smartphone
  • Weak neck muscles that become fatigued easily
  • Secondary pain problems, such as arthritis in the cervical spine

It’s important to note that while headaches are usually nothing to worry about, tension headaches that bother you for more than 15 days out of the month for 3 months or more are considered a chronic pain condition, and it’s important to see a doctor about it. You may have an underlying condition that requires close attention and care.

Physical Therapy Can Help Ease Pain From Chronic Headaches

One thing that many people do when experiencing a headache is grabbed an over-the-counter pain reliever. These may reduce the symptoms of stress-related headaches for a few hours, but they do nothing about the stresses and strains that are causing those headaches day after day. Not to mention, many people find themselves becoming reliant on the short-term effects of painkillers and medication, which is another issue on its own.

If you want a longer-lasting solution, physical therapy is a good place to start! Our physical therapists will conduct a thorough examination to see whether you’re dealing with chronic headaches or another kind of headache that requires a specialist’s attention.

Physical therapy strategies for treating chronic headaches include:

  • Strengthening exercises to improve for your neck muscles, to allow them to hold the weight of your head more evenly and with less strain
  • Flexibility exercises
  • Manual therapy
  • Heat or ice therapy
  • Postural and ergonomic advice to help you get rid of any bad habits that might be causing “text neck”
  • Stress reduction measures such as yoga, lifestyle changes
  • Advice on how to reduce common stress triggers in your life so that you experience less tension headaches

Get Pain Relief Today.

We understand that tension headaches can take the fun out of everyday life as well as keep you from getting your work done and going about your daily routine. The good news is that you don’t have to keep putting things on hold until your headache passes. Take action to stop those stress-related headaches from taking over your life. Contact our office today to learn about how physical therapy can offer much-needed pain relief from chronic tension headaches. We’re here help, contact us today!

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By manish 0 Comments Health and Wellness, Physical Therapy

Why You Should Choose Physical Therapy Over Prescription Medication

Medication Can Be Expensive….And Addicting.

Do you suffer from acute or chronic pain that makes it hard for you to get the things done every day that you need to do? Have you found yourself panicking when you run out of your prescription medication because otherwise, you have no way to manage your discomfort levels?

Many people struggling with pain make the mistake of leaning on prescription medication for relief, but drugs only mask the symptoms. They don’t target or correct the source of the pain. Thankfully, there is something that has been proven to work: physical therapy.

Physical therapy is a totally natural, effective, and safe treatment that works to relieve pain and restore mobility. You don’t have to say no to the things you love for fear you’ll injure yourself. If you’re struggling with acute or chronic pain, be sure to give our office a call today and learn how physical therapy can get you back on the path to a pain-free, drug-free lifestyle.

Over The Counter Meds Won’t Take The Pain Away Forever

A common option many people choose when suffering with pain symptoms is taking painkillers. It seems like a good solution in the short-term, but it really isn’t. These pills only bring relief in the short term and do nothing for reversing or fixing the true issues you’re having with your pain.

Over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin all come with various side effects. For instance, consistently taking aspirin and acetaminophen can cause internal bleeding, and in some cases even kidney damage. Ibuprofen can cause stomach and kidney issues as well.

…And Neither Will Opioids

Prescription opioids such as oxycodone, morphine, and codeine aren’t better options. According to the National Institute of Health, “Opioid pain relievers are generally safe when taken for a short time and as prescribed by a doctor, but because they produce euphoria in addition to pain relief, they can be misused (taken in a different way or in a larger quantity than prescribed, or taken without a doctor’s prescription). Regular use—even as prescribed by a doctor—can lead to dependence and, when misused, opioid pain relievers can lead to addiction, overdose incidents, and deaths.”

In addition, the side effects of opioids aren’t much better than those of over-the-counter medications. Respiratory issues, depression, anxiety, and nausea are just a handful of side effects one might experience when taking them. Relying on pain medication not only masks your pain and symptoms, but can also create new problems for you.

Here’s How Physical Therapy Can Help Instead

Exercising isn’t everyone’s favorite thing to do. Sometimes the mere thought of exercising stresses us out! Being active can be something you dread if all you want to do is lie around and watch TV all day, but in reality, getting daily exercise is one of the most effective ways to treat chronic pain.

By adopting a healthy physical therapy routine, you will quickly realize how great exercise can be for all kinds of chronic musculoskeletal and neurological conditions.

Physical therapy is a natural, non-invasive treatment option for a variety of root causes of chronic pain, including:

  • Neuropathic pain
  • Disc degeneration disease
  • Disc herniation
  • Chronic headaches
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Arthritis

Your physical therapist will be able to offer you a variation of treatment options to ease your pain. Massage therapy, manual therapy, movement therapy, cold laser therapy, and microcurrent stimulation are just a few. The manipulation of joints and bones is a common method that physical therapists often utilize, and all of these treatments aim to help reduce pain and inflammation, and speed up the healing process.

What Does A Physical Therapist Do?

Seeking treatment from a physical therapist can drastically reduce your recovery time after an injury. This is because physical therapists treat a person’s entire body by finding the true source of the pain. A physical therapist can perform an examination to decide where the pain is coming from, and from there, create a customized treatment plan designed to target and eliminate the pain source.

Different Kinds of Treatment For Different Conditions

Physical therapy includes both passive and active treatment. Passive physical therapy treatment may include massage therapy, ultrasound, heat therapy, electric stimulation and cold therapy. Active treatment might consist of exercises, motions, stretching and aquatic therapy. Your treatment plan will be catered to you and your specific needs. You can go into your initial consultation with a physical therapist feeling confident that they will be able to find the root of your pain, and get you set up for recovery.

Make An Appointment Today

If you’re in pain, there is an effective solution other than pain meds or surgery. Contact our office today to learn how our physical therapists can help you live a pain-free lifestyle. All of our physical therapists are seasoned and certified. Our goal is to get you back in the game, on the road to recovery and to help you live life to its fullest.

By manish 0 Comments Health and Wellness, Physical Therapy

5 Reasons Physical Therapy Is An Excellent Treatment Option

You Don’t Have To Live In Pain Forever!

Is your everyday life being affected by acute or chronic pain? Are you struggling to recover from back pain, joint pain, or an injury caused by a car accident? Whatever condition you might be facing, our clinic doors are open. We encourage you to contact us today and schedule an appointment with a physical therapist.

Our physical therapists specialize in improving human movement and flexibility. We offer many non-invasive, natural, safe modalities and techniques to help our patients. Our goal is not only to treat your pain symptoms but to find the source of your pain and eliminate the issue once and for all.

Read these five ways working with a physical therapist can help you get your active, normal lifestyle back!

1. Your Physical Therapy Treatment Is Customizable

Choosing the physical therapy route means your plan of care and recovery will be completely customized to fit your needs. The main objectives of any physical therapy care plan is to address a patient’s physical goals, pinpoint and treat the pain source, optimize the patient’s ability to function independently, and set him or her up for long-term success.

These outcomes can be achieved through the following kinds of physical therapy techniques:

  • Neuromuscular re-education, for example, balance training
  • Dry-needling, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, diathermy, orthotics and prosthetics, and kinesio taping
  • Therapeutic exercises
  • Manual therapy, such as joint mobilizations and massage therapy

Your physical therapist will conduct a thorough checkup and look at your medical history. Then you’ll receive an individualized treatment plan, and the healing can begin! Your plan is adapted to address your specific needs and ideal lifestyle. The success of the plan relies on your feedback throughout the treatment process, which gives you more control in your recovery.

2. You don’t have to worry about bad side effects with physical therapy.

Physical therapy techniques require less downtime, can be changed, and are safe for use on people of all ages. As opposed to solutions like medications and invasive procedures, physical therapy services have a very low risk of side effects while remaining highly effective for reducing soreness, inflammation, pain, and swelling. Physical therapy is also helpful with recovery in regards to injury, illness, and disease. Why opt for negative side effects of over-the-counter medications and opioid prescriptions when something much safer is available to you?

3. Physical therapy is a better option than opioids.

Did you know that the CDC actually recommends utilizing the benefits of physical therapy before even trying opioids for acute and chronic pain management? It’s a no brainer!

The current opioid abuse epidemic in our country suggests that these potentially harmful drugs are frequently overprescribed. According to the National Institute of Health, “Opioid pain relievers can be effective in treatment for relieving pain. However, regular use can lead to dependence, and misuse of opioid pain relievers can lead to addiction, overdose incidents and possibly, death.”

Treatment modalities used in physical therapy are also “evidence-based,” meaning they are tested in scientific research studies in order to ensure that they are effective and safe. Again, this just goes to show that there is little to no risk to start your physical therapy treatment.

4. A physical therapist can identify underlying problems contributing to your pain.

Your physical therapist’s ultimate goal is to identify and solve underlying issues contributing to your painful condition. These issues could very well be increasing your risk of chronic pain. A physical therapist won’t just mask your pain the way prescription medication will.

Common factors of underlying conditions include scar tissue, range of motion limitations, shortened muscles, impaired body mechanics and ergonomics, problems moving certain muscles, and improper posture.

If these kinds of issues go untreated, best case scenario, your pain relief will be short-term.

Through patient education services, exercise programs and other treatment techniques, your physical therapist can address the symptoms and causes of your condition, and get you back on track to leading a healthy, active lifestyle.

5 Your functional mobility, capacity and performance will improve with physical therapy.

Our physical therapy team can manage your injury and assess any underlying conditions now, as well as help prevent injury in the future.

Physical therapy can also improve your core stability, endurance, coordination, agility, and other physical skills that can better your athletic performance. This is vital for young people who are very active or involved in athletics, as well as elderly people trying to avoid age-related health problems.

It’s time to stop living in pain…

Are you ready to find some long-lasting relief and stop settling for constant discomfort and pain? Contact our office in West Bloomfield Township, MI today to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist. You don’t have to keep dealing with your pain alone, and there are so many more options for pain management out there!

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By manish 0 Comments Health and Wellness, Hip and Knee Pain, Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy Can Bring Relief From Hip and Knee Pain

You Don’t Have To Continue Suffering.

Are you struggling with debilitating or uncomfortable pain in your knees or hips? You’re not the only one. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, knee pain is a common condition resulting in 19.4 million pain-related visits to a physician’s office each year!

The knees and hips are important, complex areas of the body. There are several tendons, joints, and muscles that are joined together in these parts of your body, and they help you to move in normal ways. However, if these areas are damaged at all, or if you’re feeling pain in them, it can become very difficult to do the things you normally do. Thankfully, physical therapy can help relieve knee and hip pain! Contact our office to learn more about how a trained physical therapist can help give you the long-lasting pain relief you deserve.

What Are Some Common Knee and Hip Conditions?

There are many kinds of conditions that can negatively affect the movement of your knees and hips. These issues occur because of traumatic injury, chronic disease, or repetitive motions you do with a job, sport, or hobby.

  • Tears in the meniscus – Unfortunately, meniscus tears are one of the more common knee injuries people experience. This injury causes swelling, stiffness, and varying degrees of pain. You’re also at a higher risk for receiving this energy if you’re engaging in aggressive pivoting and twisting of your legs. Athletes experience tears often because of this. A physical therapist can provide safe and effective treatment for a torn meniscus – without surgery!
  • Bursitis – Bursitis occurs when a small sac of fluid known as the “bursa” becomes painfully inflamed. This is brought on by overuse or repetitive injuries, similar to many other conditions. Bursitis can occur in a variety of locations in the body including the elbows, knees and hips. Physical therapy reduces pain with bursitis and helps with speedy recovery timelines.
  • Arthritis – Arthritis, or “osteoarthritis” is a condition where tissues around the joints become inflamed and irritated. i This condition can cause pain in a number of places all over your body, including your hands, knees, and hips. A physical therapist can teach you correct posture and proper movement techniques to protect your joints and prevent your arthritis from taking over your normal day to day activities.
  • Strains and sprains – Strains and sprains are common injuries, but come about in different ways. Strains happen when a muscle or tendon is overstretched or torn. A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament. Ligaments can even rupture, which results in bruising, limited mobility, and pain. A physical therapist can show you exercises to help you recover more quickly. They can also teach you ways to move in order to reduce further pain or injuries.

Physical Therapy Can Bring You Relief

Your pain might feel overwhelming, but no matter what condition you’re suffering from, a physical therapist can help relieve your pain. Your movement specialist will assess your condition, medical history, and pain levels to create a specialized program that meets your exact needs. Read on to learn more about treatment methods a physical therapist might use to reduce and relieve hip and knee pain.

  • Ice & Heat – A physical therapist may use ice packs to reduce swelling and inflammation. Heat is also commonly used during physical therapy to help increase mobility and reduce pain.
  • Manual Physical Therapy – Hands-on techniques are used often in physical therapy to reduce pain in your hips and knees. This could include stretching exercises or a variety of massage techniques.
  • Ultrasound Therapy – Ultrasound therapy can be used in physical therapy to provide soothing heat to deep tissues. A licensed physical therapist can also utilize ultrasound technology to easily identify specific areas of pain.
  • At-Home Exercises – Did you know you don’t always have to be in a clinical setting to do physical therapy exercises? It’s true! Physical therapy techniques can be incorporated into a home exercise program that can become part of your daily routine.
  • Laser Therapy – Laser therapy has become much more popular in physical therapy for pain management. It can help improve the growth and reproduction of cells, increase circulation, and also reduce inflammation.

Stop Living In Pain…Contact Us Today!

Your physical therapist can conduct a thorough examination of your body, pinpoint the areas in your hips and knees where you’re struggling with pain, and create a customized program to treat your particular condition.

Find out today how physical therapy can reduce or even eliminate your knee or hip pain. You deserve to get back to the activities you love without feeling as if your hips and knees will limit you. You can find relief with one of our highly experienced physical therapists, so what are you waiting for? Contact our office to schedule your one-on-one evaluation today, and get back on the road to recovery.

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By manish 0 Comments Back and Neck Pain, Health and Wellness, Physical Therapy

How Physical Therapy Can Relieve Herniated Disc Pain

Your Pain Ends Here.

Do you ever find yourself complaining of lower back pain that just won’t quit? You might have a herniated disc. Herniated discs can occur anywhere along the spine, but the lower back area is the spot most commonly affected. Back pain can be caused by tons of different medical conditions, but in many cases, it is the result of a herniated disc.

According to The National Institute of Health, “The highest prevalence [of herniated disc cases] is among people aged 30-50 years, with a male to female ratio of 2:1. There is little evidence to suggest that drug treatments are effective in treating herniated discs.” This is especially important because so many people try to lean on medication for relief, creating other health problems for themselves.

It is estimated that 60% to 80% of people will experience some type of lower back pain during their lifetime. There are many other names used in reference to a herniated disc, such as a “bulging disc” and “ruptured disc.” Regardless of the name, the treatment for this painful condition is the same, and physical therapy can help. Patients of all ages can receive relief and learn pain management techniques with regular visits to a physical therapist!

Why Do Herniated Discs Develop?

Spinal discs are work kind of like shock absorbers. They are soft and rubbery pads located between the bony vertebrae that help make up the spine. Spinal discs are made of a thick outer ring of cartilage and an inner gel-like material. They work to allow our backs to easily bend.

The spinal column also helps to protect the fragile nerves and your spinal cord. If the cartilage in your spinal disc is damaged or develops a defect, the gel-like substance can break through. This herniation will result in added pressure on the nerves. The result is intense pain in your lower back. Even small amounts of pressure on your spinal nerves can cause numbness, weakness, and pain.

Herniated Discs and Your Sciatic Nerve

If you happen to have a herniated disk, you can develop a condition called sciatica. Herniated discs in the lower back become as painful as they do because of the added pressure they apply to the sciatic nerve.

The sciatic nerve is made up of multiple spinal nerve branches traveling from the spine, down into the leg. If the sciatic nerve becomes pinched because of extra pressure, you will feel intense, uncomfortable pain radiating from the buttocks area, down along the back of the leg, and into the shin and foot.

The good news is physical therapy can work to reduce the pain caused by the condition! When you’re younger, your spinal discs are made up of almost 80 percent water. As you get older though, the water content lowers. This causes the discs to become less flexible, and increases the risk of tears or other issues.

Some of the other common reasons for herniated discs include:

  • Heavy lifting, or lifting things incorrectly
  • Impact sports
  • Excessive body weight or obesity
  • Traumatic injuries
  • Repetitive twisting movements (workplace or sport injuries)

How Do I Know If I Have a Herniated Disc?

Symptoms associated with a herniated disc may vary depending on where the injured disc is located on your spine.

Some of the more common symptoms you may experience include:

  • Weakness in the legs
  • Pain when bending or twisting
  • Pain that intensifies when sitting, coughing, sneezing, or bending
  • Burning, numbness, or tingling in the back, buttock, legs, and/or feet.

There is a solution to your problem that doesn’t involve expensive surgeries or addictive medications. If you think you may have a herniated disc or other back pain issues, physical therapy can help! We recommend scheduling a consultation with our physical therapist as soon as possible.

How Can Physical Therapy Reduce Pain From Herniated Discs?

Physical therapy is a totally safe, effective, non-invasive pain treatment option. It is designed to help patients of all ages heal from their injuries or age-related ailments. Our skilled physical therapist will use targeted therapy treatments to reduce and relieve back pain and inflammation, improve blood flow, and restore your range of motion.

Physical therapists are professionally trained to evaluate your condition and provide the correct exercises to meet your needs. Most of the exercises they will teach you can be done on your own at home as well, so you can continue treatment outside of appointments.

Come In & See Us Today!

Living with back pain is no easy task, but you don’t have to manage it on your own. Be sure to contact our office today to learn more about how our knowledgeable physical therapists can assess your current condition, and create a customized treatment plan specific to your needs. We’ll have you doing the things you love again, pain-free, in no time at all!

By manish 0 Comments Back and Neck Pain, Back Pain, Health and Wellness, Physical Therapy

Do You Suffer From Lower Back Pain? Physical Therapy Can Help

3 Easy Ways To Start Managing Your Pain

Dealing with back pain can be extremely uncomfortable and inconvenient. Tons of people turn to prescription medication to manage their pain, but with opioid dependence on the rise, many of them are looking for a better option. According to a study in the BMC Health Services medical journal, physical therapy can decrease dependency on pain medication while also reducing the out-of-pocket costs for patients.

Your physical therapist can provide simple strategies and exercises to help relieve your back pain during your appointments. Below are three techniques that can dramatically decrease your discomfort from back pain, and the best part is that you can even do them at home!

1. Work Your Hamstrings

A physical therapy session can get you on the right track to targeting specific hamstring muscles. When the backs of your upper thighs become too tight, your lower back has to do lots of hard work to compensate.

Your hamstring muscles are a deciding factor in whether or not your lower back joints become over-stressed. Stretching your hamstrings helps lengthen and loosen those muscles. It also may soothe your lower back — especially if you experience spasms.

At home, try bending over to reach down to your toes two times a day. Don’t strain as you reach down, and try not to let your knees lock up either. If you feel any pain, stop the exercise and talk to your physical therapist about alternative ways to lengthen your hamstrings. You don’t want to put any unnecessary stress or strain on your hammies, but this is a great way to stretch if you are able.

2. Be Active, But Take It Easy!

Sometimes taking it easy and resting up is the best way to relieve lower back pain. This is especially true if your pain stems from an injury or a re-injury to a specific spot. Resting and applying ice to the affected area is a good way to reduce swelling at home.

When it comes to chronic lower back pain though, getting up and moving around is much better and more effective at relieving pain than resting or lying around all day. Physical activity releases endorphins, which have natural pain-killing properties. They also improve your mood, which is an added bonus!

It’s important to work out and have a daily exercise routine, but make sure you don’t overdo it before consulting with a licensed physical therapist. Taking a walk every day is an easy way to make sure you’re staying limber and releasing those natural endorphins. Wearing a back brace can also be helpful, as it will support your lower back as you move around.

Physical therapy is a wonderful option as it delivers exercise benefits in a safe way – under the care of a professional. Your physical therapist will monitor your activity and make sure you’re aware of particular movements that might result in injury. They can also help you with flexibility and teach you exercises and stretches to help build up the muscles around your spine, which will in turn increase strength in your lower back. Having a greater range of motion will decrease the amount of stiffness you feel as well!

3. For Once, It’s O.K. To Go To Extremes

Alternating hot and cold packs on the lower back is a common option for relieving back pain, however, you don’t need to alternate if you prefer one temperature over the other! Using both hot and cold packs is not a must, but switching between the two extremes can provide a fuller range of benefits with relieving back pain.

There are many benefits to heated compresses. Hot compresses ease pain by blocking the “signals” that come from the nerves in your lower back toward your brain. Heat also increases circulation. This extra blood flow helps facilitate the healing properties found in your bloodstream. Cold compresses and packs come to the rescue with their ability to halt spasms, numb pain, and reduce swelling in the affected areas. Some people prefer one temperature over the other.

During physical therapy, your therapist will most likely apply one or both of these packs to the affected areas. It’s a good idea to ask your physical therapist about what kind of compress would be the best option for your at-home treatment. Both heating pads and ice packs are inexpensive and accessible options.

Call Our Office To Get Started

If you aren’t sure where to start with treatment of your lower back pain, have no fear! You don’t have to continue struggling with your pain. Contact Premier Therapy Center to arrange an evaluation with one of our licensed physical therapists. During your appointment, your therapist will teach you how to make simple and natural lifestyle changes that can decrease your back pain.

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By manish 0 Comments Arthritis, Health and Wellness, Physical Therapy

Get Back to the Activities You Once Loved With Physical Therapy!

Can’t Live Life on Your Own Terms? Turn to Physical Therapy for Help

That oil painting you started way back when still awaits the finishing touches. You bought a guitar last year, but you can’t stand the thought of trying to play it. Your golf friends wonder if you’re ever going to join them for another nine holes. Your tennis game got rusty shortly after your elbow did the same.

Do these scenarios, or similar ones, strike a little close to home? Chronic pain, stiffness and injuries can draw strict lines governing what you can and can’t do. Taking painkillers offers little more than a stopgap solution, while major surgery could actually set you back further instead of letting you get past your problem. Fortunately, you have another option for returning to the activities you love: physical therapy.

How Painful Problems Limit Your Lifestyle

The human body is capable of an extraordinary range of physical actions, thanks to the muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints that make motion possible. Unfortunately, this amazing structure can run into problems — problems that restrict your range of motion, making even small actions too painful to contemplate. Let’s look at how issues affecting different body parts can limit your lifestyle.

  • Hands�– It’s hard to think of any artistic endeavor that doesn’t require limber hands and fingers. Arthritis can stiffen your digits until you can’t play an instrument, draw, or create handicrafts. Carpal tunnel syndrome makes even holding a pen an agonizing experience.
  • Elbows and shoulders�– Athletes regularly struggle with repetitive motion injuries, bursitis, or tendinitis in the elbows or shoulders. Two classic examples include golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow, two similar forms of chronic tendon damage and inflammation.
  • Neck and back�– Does your favorite activity require you to crane your neck or twist your back constantly? You may not be able to do either if you’re suffering from a herniated disc, a strained back, overstressed neck muscles, or degenerative spinal joint issues.
  • Lower extremities�– Any physical activity that involves running, jumping, or even standing still can become impossible if your hips, knees, or feet hurt. Osteoarthritis commonly afflicts weight-bearing joints. You could also be struggling with runner’s knee, sciatica, or plantar fasciitis.

Our Physical Therapist Can Help Restore Pain-Free Function

Physical therapy makes a natural first line of care for anyone looking to regain lost strength, dexterity, or range of motion. Many people turn to physical therapy to take away the limits imposed by chronic pain or injuries so that they can return to their favorite activities. Our physical therapist makes a point of going beyond physical exams and symptom evaluations to speak with you about your specific frustrations, limitations, goals, and hopes for relief. We can then arrange a detailed, personalized physical therapy plan that targets those ailments and objectives.

Physical therapy uses a variety of tools and strategies that work together to achieve a desired result. For example:

  • A combination of massage therapy, stretches, heat therapy and cold therapy can ease pain in your hands and wrists.
  • Strength training, chiropractic treatment, and corrective exercises may be recommended to soothe pain and prevent further injury in the neck or back.
  • Walking, cycling or swimming can improve the pain-free range of motion in your weight-bearing joints.
  • Orthotic shoe inserts can help you come back from plantar fasciitis.

Ready to Enjoy Your Favorite Activities Again?

Don’t settle for being a spectator where your favorite activities are concerned. Jump back into the fun by contacting Premier Therapy Centers for treatment!

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By manish 0 Comments Back and Neck Pain, Health and Wellness, Physical Therapy

Get Rid of Your Chronic Back Pain! 5 Ways a Physical Therapist Can Help Relieve Your Pain

How Physical Therapy Helps You Triumph Over Chronic Back Pain

Does chronic back pain keep you from living the life you want? This debilitating symptom, which may be caused by a variety of underlying issues, may make you wish you could just spend the rest of your life in your recliner. Actually, however, you can conquer your chronic back pain by getting out of that recliner and scheduling a course of physical therapy. Here are five ways that our physical therapist at Premier Therapy Centers can use this healing modality to help you put chronic back pain behind you for good.

1. Physical Therapy Strengthens Back Support and Resistance

A weak back is more likely to be a painful back. Muscles that don’t adequately support the back and spinal column leave you with postural problems that lead to pinched nerves, chronic musculoskeletal strain, and an increased vulnerability to acute injuries. Weak back muscles also tend to become easily stressed and strained, becoming inflamed, stiff and painful as their default state. Physical therapy exercises designed to beef up the strength of these muscles can provide the back with the support it needs. You’ll stand with a straighter posture, experience less day-to-day discomfort, and resist future injuries more easily.

2. Physical Therapy Increases Flexibility

Pain and stiffness go hand in hand where the human back is concerned. Osteoarthritis of the spinal joints, hips or pelvis can cause chronic pain. Muscles and connective tissues in the back reflexively tighten up in the presence of pain, which only makes you stiffer. Stretches and other physical therapy exercises can lengthen those muscles, loosening them up and increasing your pain-free back motion.

3. Physical Therapy Can Ease Inflammation

Chronic inflammation often means chronic back pain. Arthritis, autoimmune disorders, facet joint strain, tendinitis, and other such problems can leave you in constant discomfort. A physical therapist can figure out what kinds of exercises can help to increase circulation and reduce inflammation gently and naturally. Other options may include inflammation-busting techniques such as massage therapy, cold laser therapy, heat applications, cold applications, and ultrasound therapy to boost blood flow and help the tissues expel inflammatory substances.

4. Physical Therapy Guides You Toward a Less Painful Lifestyle

You might be your back’s worst enemy without even realizing it. Chronic back pain can be related to numerous lifestyle choices. Sleeping on the wrong kind of mattress, carrying too much weight, doing too much awkward bending or twisting in your workplace — these and other innocent errors can spell ongoing problems for your back. A physical therapist can point out these problems and suggest some healthy changes.

5. Physical Therapy Can Remap Your Brain’s Pain Response

Physical therapy may do plenty of good for diagnosed conditions, but what do you do if your chronic pain is idiopathic — stemming from no obvious source? Even in this situation, a physical therapist can help you. Physical therapists can employ “brain rewiring” through mindful awareness techniques that enable chronic pain sufferers to stay calm in the face of their symptoms. Since pain is greatly worsened by accompanying anxiety, you can learn how to minimize the pain signals’ effects on your psyche, thus allowing them to fade into the background.

Are You Ready to Talk to a Physical Therapist?

Physical therapy could do wonders for your aching back, but only if you’re willing to take that first essential step. Contact Premier Therapy Centers today and schedule an initial appointment!

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