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Experiencing-Discomfort-In-Your-Neck-and-Back
Experiencing Discomfort In Your Neck and Back? PT Could Alleviate Your Pain!

Back and neck pain can occur for a variety of causes. Back and neck pain can be mild to severe, and it may be accompanied by other symptoms. Fortunately, physical therapy can help you get rid of back and neck discomfort and get back to enjoying a pain-free life.

Muscle strains, which can arise as a result of a cervical herniated disc, cervical degenerative disc disease, or cervical osteoarthritis, are the most common causes of neck pain. Back pain can be caused by anything that causes the structure of the spine to alter, such as lumbar disc herniation, lumbar degenerative disc disease, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, or osteoarthritis.

You don’t need to continue living in constant pain and discomfort, especially when there are resources available to you to help you feel better. Relieve your back and neck pain today by contacting Dubuque Physical Therapy office to schedule a consultation!

How pain in the spine is connected to your neck

We don’t typically think about it, but we use our spines for many of our daily activities. Even simple things, such as turning to grab something out of the cupboard or looking over your shoulder, requires the interaction of the entire spinal joints, muscles, and nerves.

Your spine is connected through a series of muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints where movement in one region influences movements in another. As with any type of interconnected system, breakdowns can happen at any time. This is why dysfunction in one area can lead to pain in the other.

Pain in your back and/or spine can range from a mild, dull, annoying ache to persistent, severe, and disabling pain. Often the pain in your back or neck restricts mobility and interferes with normal functioning and quality of life.

When you have limited motion in your neck, your body compensates by twisting more than it usually would allow you to complete the task. Our spine requires the coordination of the entire spine; otherwise, movements can cause pain or limitations that impair your ability to complete the activity.

If you are experiencing neck pain, back pain, or a combination of both, our physical therapists would be more than happy to meet with you for a consultation to discuss how they can help!

How is the cause of neck and back pain diagnosed?

Back pain and neck pain can lead to a loss of productivity, and it is a common cause for disability. Because of this, it is important to seek the assistance of a medical professional immediately if you are suffering from back or neck pain.

If you’re having back or neck pain, you should see your primary care physician immediately. They will almost certainly do a physical examination and may request x-rays or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test.

Your doctor will be able to examine your soft tissues, ligaments, tendons, and blood vessels clearly with an MRI, which can reveal the source of your back or neck pain. Once this has been determined, your doctor will recommend a treatment plan, which will almost certainly include physical therapy!

How will physical therapy help my back or neck pain?

Physical therapy is an effective treatment for both back and neck pain. The goals and expected outcomes of these treatments include:

  1. Prevention of further issues. By learning proper body mechanics, you can avoid future injuries and prevent pain from recurring.
  2. Decreased pain and stiffness. By using passive treatments such as manual therapy, your physical therapist will help alleviate pain in the affected area and accelerate the healing process.
  3. Increased range of motion. Your physical therapist will implement flexibility exercises into your treatment plan, which will help increase the range of motion in your back and neck.
  4. Improved quality of life. Physical therapy can help you return to your normal routine much quicker, allowing for an overall improvement in quality of life.
  5. Improved strength. Your physical therapist will create a specific exercise plan for your particular needs, which will aid in the strengthening of muscles in the affected area.

Treatment plans are made up of both passive and active methods. Passive treatments work to relieve pain, inflammation, and stiffness, while active treatments work to improve strength, flexibility, and function.

Common passive treatments for back and neck pain include ice and heat therapies, manual therapy, electrical stimulation, and ultrasound. Active treatments include targeted stretches and exercises that your physical therapist will prescribe. Your therapist will be the one to decide which kinds of therapies are right for your condition and your therapy treatment will be created that way.

Call our clinic to schedule your one-on-one evaluation

You deserve to live a life that is pain-free. Dealing with neck or back pain (or both!) on a daily basis shouldn’t be something that you’re forced to do. If this is your current reality, it’s time to say hello to a new one with the help of physical therapy.

Contact us today to confirm your appointment and get started on the first steps toward pain relief.

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Is Your Posture Suffering
Is Your Posture Suffering? Physical Therapy Can Provide Improvements!

If you find yourself struggling to sit up straight on a daily basis, you most likely have an ongoing posture issue. It is common for back pain to develop as the result of poor posture. If your posture is not correct, it can cause stress on other parts of your body, resulting in pain, inflammation, or dysfunction. Fortunately, posture can be improved with the help of physical therapy.

According to a study, approximately 3% of all emergency room visits tend to be the result of back pain or injury. Back pain is the most commonly reported area of pain, which can cause significant limits to one’s daily life.

To learn more about how we can help improve your posture and relieve your back pain, contact our office today.

How did I develop poor posture?

When you hear the term “poor posture,” you might think of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, but not every case is this severe! In fact, poor posture isn’t something to be ashamed of. Few people have ideal posture, and the majority of people engage in terrible posture behaviors in some form. We get so caught up in whatever task we’re working on that we neglect to pay attention to how our bodies are positioned.

Perhaps you’re working on a project at work, it’s late at night, you’re exhausted, and you’re slouched sideways in your desk chair, one eye on the computer and the other on the clock. This isn’t your regular position, but you’re getting into the most efficient position for typing up the rest of that file and then zooming out the door.

Poor posture isn’t due to laziness or apathy; rather, it generally has something to do with a physical weakness within our bodies. We slouch, slump, hunch, and droop over when we get feel drained because our bodies literally get tired of holding us up.

Even if you exercise regularly, you may have a few weak muscles that are contributing to poor posture that you are unaware of. Your posture is influenced by the muscles in your shoulders, back, belly, buttocks, and pelvic floor. Your core will be affected if even one of these is weak, and your posture may suffer as a result.

Why does my posture affect my back?

If you are suffering from persistent back pain, there is a good chance it is due to your posture. Poor posture is one of the most common causes of back pain. Do you slouch at your desk? Do you lean forward when you’re reading your emails? Do you hunch over your keyboard? These are all things that people do subconsciously, without even realizing the toll it takes on the body.

Your posture affects how your body moves throughout the day, whether you’re sitting, standing, walking, jogging or jumping. Your posture may change depending on what you’re doing; for example, your posture may be great when you’re standing, but when you sit at a desk or lie down, your body begins to hunch and fold in ways it’s not supposed to.

Physical therapy can help you sit up straight!

Your physical therapy clinic will create a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs. This will concentrate on reducing discomfort, increasing strength, and improving posture as rapidly as feasible. Treatment strategies may include focusing on mobility, balance, flexibility, or stability, depending on the type of your problem.

Our physical therapists are highly experienced and dedicated to helping patients relieve pain and improve their posture. When you arrive for your first appointment, your physical therapist will conduct a comprehensive exam to find out where your pain is originating and what the best treatments will be for relieving it.

Call us today for more information

Is your posture causing your back pain? Contact us today to find out. We’ll provide you with the treatment you need so you can get back to your pain-free life. Getting better doesn’t have to take years or even months, and fixing your posture can be quite easy when you’re guided by a skilled physical therapist. What are you waiting for? Schedule an appointment today!

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Ouch-Herniated-Discs-Could-Be-Causing-Your-Back-Pain
Ouch! Herniated Discs Could Be Causing Your Back Pain!

The spine is such a complex part of the body that it is not uncommon for pain to occur from time to time. The spine contains 24 bones. Of those bones, 5 of them are located in the lower back. In addition to these bones, the spine also contains several nerves and intervertebral discs. Back Pain 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.

When the jelly-like nucleus of an intervertebral disc protrudes, it is called a herniated disc. This occurs when the disc’s cell wall isn’t strong enough to keep the nucleus in place, allowing it to push through the outer ring and bulge. A herniated disc can occur anywhere along the spine, although the lower back is the most typical location. If you’re having back pain and suspect it might be due to a herniated disc, call our office right away to see how we can assist.

How does a herniated disc form?

Herniated discs are most commonly associated with aging, as the spine wears down and becomes more brittle. “Disc degeneration” is the term for this condition. When we’re young, the water content of the discs in our spine is high, but as we become older, the water content declines. The CDs will shrink as a result of this.

As a result, the older we get, the more likely we are to get disc degeneration. Other variables that can increase your chance of a herniated disc include:

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

Signs and symptoms of a herniated disc

If you suspect you have a herniated disc, make an appointment with your primary care physician. Your doctor will do a physical exam to check muscle strength, as well as perform a neurological exam, to determine if your disc is herniated.

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan may be used to confirm the diagnosis if your doctor suspects your disc is herniated. Your doctor will be able to tell if you have a herniated disc in your lower back thanks to this scan.

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 physical therapist help relieve herniated disc pain?

Your physical therapist will create a treatment plan that specifically targets your individual needs. This will begin with passive treatments to ease your pain and improve your function, including manual therapy, traction, ice and heat therapies, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, or hydrotherapy.

Active treatments will begin once your passive treatments are complete. This may include core exercises to strengthen your back, stretching and flexibility exercises to increase range of motion, and any additional muscle strengthening exercises that your physical therapist deems fit. In addition to these exercises, your physical therapist will advise you on any lifestyle changes he or she may recommend, in order to decrease your risk of future pain and injury.

You don’t have to struggle alone anymore

Our physical therapy office has the best resources and procedures for assisting you in recovering and resuming your life. Look no further if you’re looking for a natural, safe, and non-invasive solution to treat your herniated discs. Call us right now to get started on the road to recovery!

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