Dubuque Physical Therapy | Sports & Orthopedic PT

Menu
APPOINTMENTS
DIRECTIONS
FREE SCREEN
PAY CREDIT/CHECK
PAY ONLINE VENMO
CAREERS
Menu
Discover The True Culprit Behind Your Back Pain in lowa
Discover The True Culprit Behind Your Back Pain

Did you know the spine is made up of twenty-four bones? It’s true! Of these twenty-four bones, five 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 can sometimes be the result of an underlying problem, such as a herniated disc. A herniated disc can occur anywhere along the spine, although the lower back is the most specific location. This condition occurs when the jelly-like nucleus of an intervertebral disc protrudes. If the disc’s cell wall isn’t strong enough to keep the nucleus in place, it can push through the outer ring and bulge.

Lower back pain, ranging from moderate to severe, is one of the first symptoms of a herniated disc. In addition to this, you may also notice weakness, numbness in the legs, or sharp and shooting pains.

In some severe cases, patients have also reported losing their bladder control as a result of a herniated disc. All of these symptoms are worth paying attention to. If you are experiencing back pain and think it may be caused by a herniated disc, contact Dubuque Physical Therapy in Iowa today to schedule an appointment with us and assess your condition.

Causes of herniated discs

Although there are several reasons herniated discs can occur, including injuries, herniated discs are typically associated with aging. Our spine begins to wear down and become more brittle as we grow older. This is known as “disc degeneration.”

When we’re young, the water content of the discs in our spine is high, but as we become older, the water content declines. Our discs will shrink as a result of this.

Other variables that can increase your chance of a herniated disc include:

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

Signs you may have 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 and sensitivity, as well as 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 next devise a treatment plan for you, most likely including physical therapy for pain management.

Finding relief through physical therapy

Your physical therapist will design a treatment plan 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 they think may help you avoid future pain and injury.

Relief from physical therapy does not happen overnight like magic! Physical therapy requires you to do the work. If you want to see true results and experience the most benefit from your treatment, you must stick to your treatment program. Do your best to practice the exercises your therapist gives you to perform at home, and attend appointments regularly so that you do not lose progress!

Call our clinic today for an appointment

Look no further if you desire a natural, safe, and non-invasive way to treat your herniated discs. You can toss your medications into the trash and tell your doc to hold off on the expensive surgery because, with physical therapy, you may not need either of these any longer!

Our physical therapy office is equipped with the best resources and methods for helping you recover and get back to your life. Call us today to get started on the first steps toward relief!

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!

Sources:
Is A Painful Herniated Disc Throwing
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.

A 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!

Sources: