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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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How A Stronger Core Can Help With Balance Issues

Have you been feeling shaky and off balance lately? The culprit might be a weak core! Having a weak core might make you feel unbalanced, but the good news is that physical therapy can help you strengthen your core and improve your balance as well.

Physical therapy should include core strength training. Your core muscles play an important 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, call Dubuque Physical Therapy in Dubuque, IA to learn more about how our core strengthening services might help you.

What should I know about my core?

There are two types of core muscles: the inner core and the outer core. The inner core muscles are attached to the spine. These are the muscles that balance the core and hold it in the correct place. The outer core muscles work together with the inner core muscles when you need to rotate your body to perform much of everyday physical activities.

Core stability has to do with the inner core muscles. These muscles are stabilizing for the spine. Core strength relates to the outer core muscles, and when properly formed, works to help you move about with ease. It also helps you keep your balance!

Frequent visits with a licensed physical therapist may be able to help you train your inner and outer core muscles for improved balance and movement!

How are balance and core strength related?

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

Your unique core muscles, as well as the transversus abdominis muscles that make up the “pelvic corset,” are positioned in your pelvis, hips, and lower back.

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 in 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 therapy clinic 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:

  • Using 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.
  • Practicing 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.
  • Slow 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.

Ab workouts. These may include sit-ups, pushups, and crunches. Abdominal exercises help strengthen the abdominal muscles that work with your core.

Regain your balance and strengthen your core with physical therapy

Are issues with your balance hindering your daily life? If so, don’t hesitate to contact us as soon as possible. We’ll provide you with the core strengthening exercises you need to get back on your feet, feeling better than ever.

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5-Reasons-Physical-Therapy-May-Change-Your-Life
5 Reasons Physical Therapy May Change Your Life

According to the American Academy of Pain Medicine, almost 100 million people in the United States suffer from chronic pain. So, if you’ve been suffering from chronic pain for three months or longer, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, this means that people’s reliance on prescription pharmaceuticals is increasing all the time. In 2013, doctors in the United States prescribed about a quarter of a billion opioid prescriptions or roughly one bottle per person. The opioid crisis we’re all too aware of today results from this need for pain-management medicines. When taken in significant doses or for long periods, opioids are both hazardous and addicting. As a result, many people in the United States are looking for safer pain management options which can be physical therapy.

Physical therapy is a non-invasive, natural, and safe method of treating chronic pain. Contact us at Dubuque Physical Therapy in Dubuque, IA today to learn more about how physical therapy can help you find relief without using dangerous painkillers!

What benefits does PT offer?

Our physical therapists are mobility specialists who are ready to help you with your chronic pain symptoms. They will design a treatment plan that is tailored to your unique needs in order to give you the most effective passive and active physical therapy treatments for your ailment.

Physical therapy has numerous advantages; nevertheless, the following are the top five:

1. Relief that targets the source of the pain.

Physical therapy’s success is due in part to the fact that it goes to the root of the problem rather than simply hiding it. Pills may be simpler to swallow for pain relief, but their effectiveness is fleeting. With most drugs, the effects only last 12 to 24 hours, so you’ll have to keep popping tablets if you want to keep feeling better. It essentially hides the discomfort while failing to address the underlying issue.

Fortunately, physical therapy does. Your physical therapist will perform a thorough evaluation at your initial appointment to determine where the chronic pain is stemming from and what the best treatments for it will be. Physical therapy gets to the root of the problem to provide long-term relief, whereas medication only works in the short term.

2. It offers safe and non-invasive treatments.

Massage, ultrasound, joint mobilization, electrical nerve stimulation, and diathermy are popular therapies provided by physical therapists. These are all-natural remedies with a low chance of adverse effects, especially when compared to conventional pain-relieving options like surgery and drugs.

3. Better overall physical function.

Physical therapy can be a rather enjoyable experience that might motivate you to take a more active role in your pain treatment! Your therapy sessions can run anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, giving you the opportunity to work closely with your therapist to reach your goals. Physical therapy is the only natural, risk-free, and active approach to pain alleviation that has long-term results.

4. We’ll provide research-backed treatment methods.

Physical therapy’s effectiveness has been demonstrated in a variety of ways, including thorough research and rigorous investigation. These studies have offered solid data in support of physical therapy treatments, demonstrating how they can effectively treat a wide range of pain-related illnesses.

5. A personalized treatment plan.

In addition to your passive treatments, your physical therapist will create an active exercise plan for you that is specifically tailored to your recovery process. Physical activity can help in reducing your pain significantly, in addition to reducing swelling, improving range of motion, promoting healing, and increasing overall strength and endurance.

Are you interested in learning more about physical therapy? Call us!

If you’re tired of living with pain and discomfort, you’re not alone. By looking for a natural way to treat your pain, you’re already well on your way to finding the relief you deserve!

Call Dubuque Physical Therapy in Dubuque, IA today to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled therapists. We can help you get the treatment you need so you can live a pain-free life without the risks of opioids!

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