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Are You In Search of Safe
Are You In Search of Safe, Effective Pain Relief For Your Back and Neck Pain?

There are many reasons why one may develop back or neck pain. Back and neck pain may range from mild to severe, and you may experience accompanying symptoms.

Neck pain is most commonly caused by muscle strains, which can develop due to a cervical herniated disc, cervical degenerative disc disease, or cervical osteoarthritis. Anything that causes the spine’s anatomy to change can result in back pain, such as lumbar disc herniation, lumbar degenerative disc disease, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, or osteoarthritis!

Luckily, physical therapy can help relieve back and neck pain and help you get back to living your everyday, pain-free life. If you’re searching for pain relief from a chronic back or neck pain condition, give us a call today to schedule an appointment. We will help ease your symptoms and teach you how to manage your pain without using harmful medications.

Common causes of back pain

You don’t have to be lifting something heavy to sustain a back injury. Several factors can contribute to back pain.

The source of the pain comes from injury or irritation of the muscles, joints (including the intervertebral discs and facet joints), nerves or surrounding ligaments, and other soft tissue.

Some of the contributing factors are often associated with back pain are:

  • Improper posture or prolonged positions (i.e., prolonged sitting)
  • Spinal muscle and tissue damage (i.e., lifting strains or trauma from accidents)
  • Limited hip, spine, and pelvis mobility
  • Limited muscle flexibility
  • Spinal/pelvic muscle weaknesses (aka “core” weakness)
  • Poor abdominal, pelvic and back muscle coordination (i.e., compensations due to injury)

Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t seek treatment when back pain arises. They might assume nothing—except for medication and rest—can solve their back pain problem, and this simply is not the case!

Common causes of neck pain

Neck pain is most commonly caused by an injury to the tissues or bone structures in the neck; however, certain degenerative conditions can also lead to neck pain.

Some common conditions that give you a pain in your neck include:

  • Muscle strains –The muscles in your neck can become strained by overuse. Even something as simple as sitting at your desk all day with your neck craned toward the computer screen can lead to a strain on your neck muscles.
  • Illnesses – Certain diseases and ailments can result in neck pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis and meningitis.
  • Nerve compression – If you have a herniated disc in your neck or narrowing of the foramen (space where the nerves exit the spine), the nerves that branch out from your spinal cord can become compressed. In some cases, nerve pain can even extend from the neck all the way down to the hands and fingers — a condition known as “radiculopathy.”
  • Injuries – Whiplash is one of the most common injuries that result in neck pain, typically sustained by an automobile or high-impact sports collision. This is known as a “strain” injury, causing the head to whip back and forth rapidly, thus affecting the soft tissues in the back of the neck.

What should I do if I have back or neck pains?

If you’re experiencing back or neck pain, it is important to consult with your primary doctor right away. He or she will most likely perform a physical exam and may want to take some x-rays or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test.

With an MRI, your doctor will be able to see your soft tissues, ligaments, tendons, and blood vessels, which can provide evidence of where your back or neck pain is stemming from. Once this is determined, your doctor will suggest a course of treatment, which will likely include physical therapy.

Back pain and neck pain can lead to a loss of productivity, and it is a common cause of 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.

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. 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.
  2. Prevention of further issues. By learning proper body mechanics, you can avoid future injuries and prevent pain from recurring.
  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 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.
  5. 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.

Treatment plans are comprised 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 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.

Contact us today for relief!

Are you living with back or neck pain? If so, say goodbye today 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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Are You Curious How Physical Therapy
Are You Curious How Physical Therapy Can Improve Your Overall Wellness?

Everyone aspires to live a healthy, active, and powerful lifestyle – or they should, at least!

However, this type of lifestyle is not always simple to maintain, particularly for people who suffer from chronic pain. Physical therapy, fortunately, is an excellent resource for relieving pain and achieving fitness goals.

Give Dubuque Physical Therapy a call today if you want to start living a healthy lifestyle but aren’t sure where to begin. We’ll tailor a treatment plan to your specific needs so you can achieve your objectives using the most effective approaches.

The importance of leading a healthy lifestyle

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle takes effort, but it becomes a lot simpler once you get into the swing of things.

One of the simplest methods to boost your health is to eat nutritious foods (although we know those sweets are hard to kick.) Physical activity is the most difficult part to develop a habit of, especially if you are hampered by chronic pain.

Some people take anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving medicines to disguise their symptoms, while others give up on the idea of being active completely. Fortunately, with the help of a physical therapist, you may restore your pain-free, healthy lifestyle and resume your favorite hobbies!

Major benefits of seeing a physical therapist for improved health

Whatever your reason for obtaining physical therapy services, the goal remains the same. Perhaps you’re still dealing with the effects of an injury. You might be recovering from surgery and trying to regain your range of motion. Maybe your joints aren’t what they used to be, and you’re seeking a way to feel better. Whatever the case may be, physical therapists are committed to reducing your discomfort and restoring your physical health to its previous state.

A physical therapist is a movement specialist, educated in analyzing mobility issues with walking, running, jumping, bending, stretching, and almost every other form of physical activity. Your physical therapist can pinpoint problem areas and create a customized treatment plan aimed at improving those areas.

Through in-office sessions and at-home exercises, patients strengthen their muscles and joints, improve their balance, build endurance, and experience pain relief, all without the unwanted harmful risks of drugs or surgery.

What should I expect with physical therapy?

Pain alleviation, strengthening, and functional integration are the three main components of physical therapy. Some people fear physical therapy because they assume it may cause pain and be hard to take part in, however, this is usually not the case!

Physical therapy aims to relieve pain and build muscles, and your physical therapist will ensure that your treatment plan does not cause you any discomfort. This is accomplished using a variety of therapeutic options, including ice and heat therapy, stretching, bracing, and ultrasound.

Movement is also necessary for an active lifestyle. Your physical therapist will build a treatment plan for you based on particular movements that will improve your strength, flexibility, balance, and overall mobility. Many of these exercises will be assisted by him or her, but he or she will also supply some basic ones that you can do at home.

Physical therapy allows you to live the life you want, free of severe limits. This can only happen if you apply what you’ve learned in your therapy to the real world. Your physical therapist is just as committed as you are, and he or she will push you to achieve all of the goals you set out for yourself at the start.

Call our clinic today for help

Every patient is unique, and we recognize that at our clinic. That’s why we tailor each treatment plan to the individual needs of each patient. When you come in for your first visit, you’ll have some diagnostic tests done to help your physical therapist figure out where to start with treatments.

Your pain levels, balance, range of motion, and overall function will all be assessed throughout these examinations. In addition, your physical therapist will inquire about your medical history. Following the collection of all of this information, your physical therapist will develop a specific treatment plan to assist you in achieving your health goals.

If you are looking to improve your health, strength, and physical activity, look no further. We can help you get there – even if you’re dealing with pain. To get started on the path toward a healthier and happier lifestyle, call our office today to schedule your consultation!

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End The Search For Relief
End The Search For Relief From Knee and Hip Pain

As the cartilage in one’s joints begins to break down with age, the risk of experiencing chronic hip or knee discomfort rises. Anyone can acquire hip or knee pain as a result of excessive overuse, unanticipated traumas, or underlying disorders.

While surgery may be required to repair specific disorders of the hip or knee, physical therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing discomfort and increasing function. In many circumstances, physical therapy can completely get rid of the need for surgery.

Your hips and knees are important joints that work hard to provide you with optimum function throughout the day. Because of their complexities and constant use, they are common areas of pain and discomfort.

If you are living with hip and/or knee pain and you are looking for relief, contact Dubuque Physical Therapy in Dubuque, IA today for a consultation. Our therapists are skilled and able individuals who would be more than happy to help you feel your best.

Common causes of hip and knee pain

When you make an appointment with a physical therapist, you can expect a comprehensive examination as the first step. Your physical therapist will assess you to determine the location of the sore area as well as the source of the discomfort.

For example, discomfort in the hips can occasionally be felt in the lower back, buttocks, groin, or the front or side of the hips. Knee pain can also be felt on the front or rear of the knee joint. If there has been a trauma to the knee, it can also be felt on the inside of the knee, or on the outside of the knee if you have iliotibial band tension.

Hip pain is typically reported as a constant dull ache that doesn’t seem to go away. However, knee pain is a bit different, and is often assessed as one of several different types of pain:

  • Acute – Acute pain is the most intense type of knee pain. It typically occurs after an injury and will last for about a week. The treatment for acute pain is generally just to simply rest and isolate the affected area, as your body is working hard to heal it.
  • Subacute – Subacute pain is typically felt two to six weeks after an injury. Tone’sfected area will still be painful, but it will not be nearly as severe as the acute pain of the first week. The treatment for subacute knee pain generally consists of gentle motions meant to increase your range of motion and facilitate healing.
  • Chronic – Chronic pain can be defined as any pain that lasts longer than two or three months. If you’ve been living with serious knee pain for that long, you should consult with your doctor. They will most likely suggest performing another full physical exam, in addition to x-rays.

Find true, long-lasting pain relief with PT

When you arrive for your initial consultation, your physical therapist will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine the nature of your condition and the best steps for relief. This evaluation will include:

  • Strength tests. Testing the strength of your knee and hip structures will give your physical therapist a better idea of whether your pain is due to an injury or a physical imbalance.
  • Range of motion tests. Your physical therapist will test the limits of your knee or hip, to see how far it will bend. This helps in determining the severity of the trauma and will give your physical therapist insight into what the course of treatment should be.
  • Palpation. Your physical therapist will provide gentle palpation of the knee or hip to figure out where the pain is originating.
  • Gait analysis. Your physical therapist will assess how you walk to determine if anything is out of the ordinary with your gait.

Targeted stretches and exercises will be included in treatment regimens to relieve discomfort and improve function in the problematic hips or knees. As your physical therapist sees fit, other methods or modalities may be applied. Your progress will be continuously monitored to ensure that you meet your objectives as quickly as possible.

Depending on your symptoms, your physical therapist may also perform balance tests to see if your balance has been affected. If any areas are inflamed, your physical therapist will focus closely on those areas.

Call us for an appointment today!

At our clinic, we’ll provide you with the treatment you need so you can get back on your feet If you are looking to relieve your hip and knee pains the natural way, contact our office today.

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