We commonly think of injuries to legs, hips, knees, and feet as “running injuries” and consider back pain, not a running injury, per se, but a nuisance that interferes with our running. However, back pain can often come quickly after bending or lifting the wrong way or running too far before warming up. For instance,…
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What Are the Potential Symptoms of Disc Degeneration?
Disc degeneration is one of the painful realities that come with age. It occurs when our discs—the gel-filled pads between the vertebrae that act as shock absorbers—desiccate or lose their natural hydration and start to break down, thus the term “degeneration.” If you’ve entered middle age and wondering if the back pain you’re wincing at…
Can You Damage a Spinal Fusion?
The results of any type of surgery can be undone if you don’t take care of yourself in the proper ways. If you follow your spine surgeon’s recommendations and your physical therapist’s protocol of continued exercises and stretches, your spinal fusion results should actually improve over the years. Generally, the more closely you follow your…
I Am Dealing with Spinal Disc Pain. What Could This Mean?
Experts estimate that up to 80 percent of adults in the United States have experienced back pain. Your spinal discs are between vertebrae. These spinal discs are rubbery pads, acting as a cushion between the bones of your spinal column. Over the course of regular activity — office work, sports, or even inactivity — the…
Lumbar Herniated Disc: When Should You See an Orthopedic Doctor?
The lumbar region of your spine, commonly known as your lower back, has five rubbery pads between the vertebrae known as discs. They play three crucial functions: they cushion your vertebrae; support your upper body; and allow your back to do a range of movements, such as bending, flexing, and twisting. As you age, your…
What Is a Common Problem for Patients with Spinal Stenosis and How Can Treatment Help?
Spinal stenosis is when the open areas of the vertebrae (spinal bones), which together house the spinal cord, become narrow. This narrowing naturally causes inward pressure on the spinal cord, which comprises nerves – and this nerve impingement can cause pain and other uncomfortable symptoms. Anyone can develop spinal stenosis. In fact, young children can…
Nonsurgical Treatment Options for Herniated Discs
A herniated disc is one of the most common culprits of pain in your neck and back. This is also known as a slipped disc or ruptured disc. Spinal discs are the relatively soft, rubbery pads between the bones (vertebrae) of your spine. These discs contain a gel-like substance in the center that gives the…
Causes and Symptoms of Sciatica
Sciatica affects as much as 40% of the American population at some point during their lifetime. This is a compression injury to the sciatic nerve, which is the body’s longest and largest nerve – running from the bottom of the spine down the buttocks and along the backs of both legs and to the toes….
Physical Therapy’s Role in Injury Prevention
Injuries can happen due to accidents in sports, your workplace, or even just in your everyday life. Various factors contribute to injuries, and unfortunately, they’re not always avoidable. However, undergoing physical therapy can help lessen your risk of sustaining an injury. Here are the contributions of physical therapy to injury prevention: Builds Your Strength, Balance,…
Physical Therapy as a Treatment Option for Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is an increasingly common complaint. After all, the lower part of the back only has five vertebrae – fewer than the neck and mid-back region – to carry the weight of your upper body. Over time, the repeated movement and stress can cause the inner structures to wear down, making them vulnerable…