Achieve Therapy: Is It Back Pain Or Sciatica?

Achieve Therapy: Is It Back Pain Or Sciatica?

Performance For Life N E W S L E T T E R

Is It Back Pain or Sciatica?

See Inside • Is it Back Pain or Sciatica?

• The Challenge of Treating Back Pain • A Stretch for Relieving Back Pain • Healthy Recipe

www.achieve-therapy.com

Performance For Life N E W S L E T T E R Is It Back Pain or Sciatica? Recentstudiesshow thatpatientswith lowbackpainshouldconsider physical therapy first for their back pain, according to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Another recent study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, recommends that in most cases of low back degenerative disc disease (a common cause of low back pain), the most effective treatment is physical therapy combined with anti-inflammatory medications. It concludes that physical therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs are the best options of non-surgical treatment of low back pain. Lowbackdegenerativediscdiseasedevelopswhen thediscsbetween your spine weaken (often due to repetitive strain), are injured or shrink from aging. As a result, the discs are unable to hold normal spacing and therefore, collapse increasing instability, causing back pain. Are you one of the approximately 85 percent of adults that are affected by lowback pain during their lifetime? If you suffer with back pain or sciatica, know that low cost results are closer than you think.

groups, including the abdominal wall, which has positive effects on people with this condition. Exercise and hands on therapy have been shown to alleviate pain in many people. In addition, education on how to protect your spine and remain active is beneficial. Our physical therapists are trained to identify your problem and plan out the most effective treatment for you. Along with building your core muscle groups, hands-on physical therapy to move your spine has shown to be very effective. Our physical therapists develop a safe and effective treatment program that is tailored to your specific needs and goals. Surgery should always be the last option, but too often people think of surgery as a cure all and are eager to embark on it without knowing the long term risks. Receiving care from our knowledgeable and licensed physical therapists first, can improve your odds that you can quickly reduce your pain and maintain your quality of life. Call us today for more information!

If you’re suffering from back pain or sciatica, call us at (701) 858-0302 or visit achieve-therapy.com today!

Physical therapist intervention includes strengthening of core muscle

www.achieve-therapy.com

of Treating Back Pain

Back pain is the second most common diagnosis seen by physicians in their offices. 85% of the US population will suffer an episode of back pain sometime in their life. Why isthis?A lothastodowiththedesignofourbody. It isthepricewe payforwalkinguprightontwo legs. Inhumans,theforceofgravitypulls directlydownthroughtheverticalspinecompressing ittogetheroverthe years. In other mammals such as horses, apes and cows, the spine is horizontalandthepullofgravitydoesnotcompressthespinetogether. Mostbackpainfallsunderthecategoryofmechanicalbackpain,meaning themechanicsofthemovementarenotcorrect.Thespinehastomove in intricateways tomakewholemovementsofbending,extendingand twisting.Therefore, the “mechanics”of thespineare important inorder for all the vertebrae (the bones) to be able to move. Mechanical back pain means that the joints, muscles and ligaments of the spine are not moving correctly at the right time. This can cause increased strain on certain parts of your back, especially the very lower back.

Whydothemechanicsofthespinechangeandcausepain?This isdue toavarietyofreasons includingsmall injuriesfrom liftingheavyobjects, bending,twisting,repetitivestrain,accidents,weaknessfromprolonged sitting and changes in your core strength. Intoday’sworld,mostofourdailyactivities involvesittingwhichcauses the abdominal and back muscles to weaken. This in turn lessens the necessary support to the spine, causing strain. The strain causes inflammation, which leads to pain. Back pain can be localized to the back area or even radiate into the buttocks or backs of the legs. Millions of people a year rely on over the counter medication and back braces to get through their day. However, the unfortunate reality is that unless treated properly, 75% of people with back problems will have another episode of their back pain. This is because the cause of the problem, the mechanical movement, is not addressed by treating it with drugs or a hot pack. More and more people with back pain are realizing the full benefits of our specialized hands on physical therapy to address the cause of their back pain and understand what they can do to have lasting relief. Call us today to learn more how we can help quickly relieve your back pain!

Special Offer

Relieve Back Pain Trunk Stretch

Exercisescopyrightof

This coupon good for

While on your hands and knees in a crawl position, side bend your trunk and head to one side until a stretch is felt. Repeat 6 times on both sides. *Always consult your physical therapist or physician before starting exercises youareunsureofdoing.

FREE Physical Therapy Consultation For A Friend

Mention or bring in this coupon for a FREE Consultation with one of our physical therapy specialists!

CONCUSSION in SPORTS

Concussion Screening

Pro-actively Treating Concussions

Over the past decade, concussion treatment has evolved from “cocoon therapy”, in which an athlete is isolated fromall brain stimuli such asTV, school, music and lights, to a more active rehabilitation process that incorporates monitored sub-symptom threshold activities. The brain is just like any other tissue in the body and will heal if allowed to do so properly. Providing education, baseline screening and proper return to play criteria, allows for this healing to occur. Achieve Therapy is now offering this baseline screening for concussions to determine where you child stands in regards to balance, mobility, and strength. How can we know if your child is ready to return if we don’t know what they are capable of before the injury? AchieveTherapywillbeginperformingconcussionscreeningforchildren onSeptember17th,2018.ThesescreenswillbeprovidedbyJamieArola DPT, Shayna Ruzicka L/ATand Heather Walsh DPT, L/AT.There are two goals in offering these screens: Preventative, to determine baseline values for the various systems (balance,mobility,strength)affectedbyaconcussion.Shouldaconcussion occur,thiswillallowthehealthcareprovidertodeterminewhensomeone is ready to safely return to activity. Identify limitations that could contribute to a concussion including weakness, lack of mobility, and balance deficits. If any red flags are noted during the screen, the clinician will outline possible treatment options to help keep your child safe. Pleasecall218-773-3388tosetupascreenor ifyouhaveanyquestions. Youmayalsoemailyourquestionstoeither [email protected] or [email protected] . STATISTICS In 2009, NEARLY 250,000 KIDS AND TEENS were treated in emergency departments for sports a d recreation-related TBI, including concussion.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics the number of concussionsamongteens,ages14-19,hasrisen200%whileemergency roomvisitsforconcussionshavedoubled inkidsages8-13.Aconcussion is defined as a brain injury caused by a blow to the head, neck or face that can cause physical, mental or emotional issues. The bottom line is that concussions are occurring at an increasing rate in all sports, at all ages and with no regard to gender. WHY isthishappening?Ourchildrenarespecializing insportsatayounger age….SOWHAT?Whatcan this lead to– longersportsseasons, limited variety of sports, limited change in stress to the body, decreased rest and risk of chronic inflammation. Science continues to circle around these ideas as contributing factors to injuries including concussions. Children are growing and their bodies are changing each and every day. Continuoushigh intensitysportstrainingcan interferewithnormalmuscle development, decreasing their overall stability. So without muscular stability, are their bodies, and brains, prepared to take that blow or hit? Heather Walsh, DPT at Achieve states, “I am a mother of two active children along with being a physical therapist and athletic trainer. Sadly, the trend we are seeing in our clinic is that concussions are happening more often, at younger ages, and are requiring more time to heal. We havehadseveralathletesseek treatmentdue toconcussionsymptoms that have lasted for months. These symptoms include light sensitivity, intolerance to physical activity, missing school, and social limitations. As a parent and provider, this growing trend has been difficult to watch.” So,whatcanbedoneto insurethatreturningourchildrentotheirnormal lives and activities is safe? WHEN IN DOUBT, SIT THEM OUT! WHEN APPROPRIATE MAKE SURE AN ATHLETE USES THE CORRECT HELMET FOR THEIR ACTIVITY.

LEARN CONCUSSION SIGNS SYMPTOMS

SEE FULL LIST OF SYMPTOMS @ www.cdc.gov/Concussion

Healthy Recipe Zucchini Linguine if YOU THINK AN ATHLETE HAS A CONCUSSION USE THE HEADS UP ACTION PLAN 1 Remove the athlete from play. 2 Keep the athl te out of play the day of the injury. • 1 lb tomatoes, finely chopped • 1 tbsp chopped basil • 1 tbsp chopped parsley • 2 garlic cloves, minced • 2 tsp kosher salt • 1 small red chile, seeded & minced • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil • 12 oz linguine Ingredients

• 3 baby zucchini, thinly sliced • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, (plus more for serving)

Wearing a helmet can help protect athletes from serious brain or head injuries.

Directions In a large bowl, toss the tomatoes with the basil, parsley, garlic, salt, chile and olive oil. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the linguine; drain well. Add the linguine to the bowl along with the sliced zucchini and toss. Add the 1/4 cup of grated cheese, toss again and serve in bowls, passing more cheese at the table.