Determining The Origins Of Pain

Health & Wellness

“ Imagine All The Goals You Could Accomplish Without Pain!” Determining The Origins Of Pain

When you have an ache or pain, it can leave you scratching your head as to where the pain is truly coming from. Just because it hurts in that part of your leg or arm, doesn’t mean that is where the problem is coming from. Is it a disc, muscle strain, or did you just plain overdo it? We know it is important to gather all the right information first to make the correct diagnosis. That is why we thoroughly evaluate you first and work with your doctor closely. Being a physical therapist is much like being a detective of the body. Where did that pain come from, what type of pain is it, what are you not able to do that you want to get back to, how is your body moving incorrectly, etc.?

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INSIDE • Determining The Origins Of Pain

• Exercise Essentials • Patient Spotlights • Free Analysis • Staff Spotlights

Meet Tashan & Arlene! Read more about them in their staff spotlights inside!

Health &Wellness

Determining The Origins Of Pain | Relieve Joint Pain In Minutes | Patient Spotlights | Free Analysis | Staff Spotlights

“Spring Is In The Air, So Treat Your Pain With Care! ” Determining The Origins Of Pain

“Getting an MRI before physical therapy can cost $4,793 more than getting PT first. ” DID YOU KNOW?... - buildpt.com If you are suffering from back pain or neck pain, here are some questions that are important for us to know, to determine the origins of your pain: How long have you had your pain? For example, acute low back (lumbar) pain may be because of a muscle strain. Chronic low back pain is typical of restricted joints, tight muscle tissue, and weakened muscle strength. What type of pain? Achy, sharp, tingling? Achy pain is typically a problem with movement due to poor functioning of muscles and joints. Sharp pain can be a muscle spasm, or even an impingement of a joint. Tingling sensations and pain can be irritation to a nerve either from compression or inflammation of that area.

“Why Am I Suffering From Aches & Pains? ” Your Body May Be Trying To Tell You Something

Does the pain travel to a specific part of the leg or arm, or does it spread over a wide area to the buttock, back of the leg, or arm? Wide-spread pain is typical of muscle strain, inflammation, and weakness. Patients will typically relate this pain with prolonged standing, walking, and other physical activities. This is due to the fact that the muscles cannot support the spine or hips, and thus become strained. Specific pain in a part of the leg or arm can possibly be nerve related. In either of these cases, it is important for you to seek out the right professional help. Is the pain worse at a specific time of day? Achy, stiff pain in the morning can be due to muscle and tissue stiffness. Severe radiating pain to the lower back, buttock, and leg with bending in the morning is an indicator of a potential herniated disc. Wide-spread pain is typically related to the lack of flexibility and guarding in the spine; whereas pain towards the end of the day after moving and activity, is an indicator of spinal muscle weakness as the muscles fatigue during the day. Pain with prolonged standing and walking is typical of muscle fatigue of the spine as well as the hip muscles. It is typical to complain of pain to the low back and buttocks as your muscles cannot tolerate the activity. An easy test to check your hip strength is to lie on your side and lift your leg up 10 times. If you struggle with this, you most likely have hip muscle weakness, which will cause a lot of strain to your spine. Most people with back pain have a lot of weakness with these muscles and many others. The good news is that with the right physical therapy treatment plan, you can treat these problem areas and prevent Do you have difficulty with prolonged sitting, standing, or walking?

the pain from returning.

There is a lot that can be done to help pain, and the fastest way to relieve pain is to find out the true source and treat it. At Centra Rehabilitation, our SPINE Program determines where your pain is coming from and then quickly relieves it. Furthermore, you will get stronger and be on the right path to return to the activities you love to do, without pain. Call us today to find out more.

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DIRECTIONS Bring the water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the quinoa, stir once, and return to a boil. Cook uncovered, over medium heat for 12 minutes. Strain and rinse well with cold water, shaking the sieve well to remove all moisture. When dry, transfer the quinoa to a large bowl. Add the cucumbers, onion, tomato, parsley, mint, olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper and toss well. Spoon onto endive spears, top with avocado, and serve.

QUINOA SALAD 14 INGREDIENTS • 12 cups water • 1 1/2 cups quinoa • 5 pickling cucumbers, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch cubes • 1 small red onion, cut into 1/4-inch cubes • 1 large tomato, seeded and diced • 1 bunch Italian parsley leaves • 2 bunches mint leaves • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar • 1 lemon • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt • 3/4 teaspoon black pepper • 4 heads endive • 1 avocado

Healthy Recipe

Copyright (c) 2006, Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger

Patient Spotlights

Significant progress! “I cannot thank Centra Rehab enough! What was, at first, a very scary experience, resulted in significant progress with the help and guidance of their dedicated staff!” - Brigid K., Lynchburg, VA Top notch! “The therapists at the new Atherholt Road location are top notch!” - Amy D., Lynchburg, VA

Staff Spotlights

Tashan Duff, PT, DPT Clinic: Gretna

Arlene Blackford, OTR/L Clinic: Bedford

Arlene has practiced as an Occupational Therapist for 10 years since graduating from Jefferson College of Health Sciences with degree inOccupational Therapy. Her clinical experience includes acute rehabilitation, inpatient rehab, skillednursing rehabilitation, and outpatient therapy for adults and pediatrics. She enjoys treating orthopaedic & neurological conditions, as well as survivors of cancer through our RENEW program.

Tashan graduated fromLiberty University in 2012 with a B.S. Exercise Science and Health Fitness Specialist Certification with the American College of Sports Medicine. In 2016 Tashan received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Lynchburg College where he developed a niche for orthopaedic practice. Tashan enjoys treating patients with neck and back dysfunction as well as rehabilitation from joint replacement surgeries.

Do you want a natural solution to your pain? Gain your freedom from pain medication and avoid costly surgery with physical therapy!

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People who go to physical therapy experience: Natural relief for aches and pains Less difficulty in reaching or bending More social activity More energy More strength Better days at work

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Understanding Pain & How Physical Therapists Can Help By Pradeep Bansal, PT, DPT, OCS

function for patients.

a result of the body’s response to a tissue injury. Pain lasting for over 3 months is generally considered to be chronic pain. Chronic pain, however, is not proportional to the level of tissue injury or damage and can lead to central sensitization of pain. Central sensitization of pain is when the central nervous system (brain) becomes more sensitive to pain pathways. In the presence of central sensitization, or this heightened sensitivity, pain is not proportional to the amount of tissue trauma and patients experience an amplification of pain sensation. Factors that can contribute to increase in pain sensitization are stress, anxiety, depression, social isolation associated with injury, which in turn lead to an increase in sensitization of pain pathways. How Physical Therapists Treat Central Sensitization to Pain Treatment of chronic pain in the presence of central sensitization to pain needs a multidimensional approach. The strategies used are including but not limited to manual therapy, therapeutic exercises and cognitive behavioral approaches. Research on pain education shows that explanation, or education of pain pathways, and altering the threat value of pain, improves outcomes and overall

Graded exposure to activities helps to slowly remove threats without creating a painful response. Physical therapists can assist patients in identifying and limiting contributing factors such as stress, anxiety, depression. Physical therapists can identify signs of central sensitization to Chronic pain using tests and measures and objective questionnaires. Once signs of central sensitization to chronic pain are identified, physical therapists utilize manual therapy techniques to correct musculoskeletal dysfunctions, physical modalities to alter pain, and exercises to improve strength, and flexibility. They work with patients to set up realistic goals and design treatment programs with gradual and incremental intensity to prevent flare ups of pain. Additionally, patients are an active participant in managing their pain. In the end, you must remember that flare ups during return to activity is common. But a careful, strategic plan can help to reduce the stress associated with the pain.

Pain is your body’s natural response to injury. It is a protective system that arises in the brain as a result of a dangerous input (threat) from the environment. Pain is felt at a specific location as a result of a pain pathway that brings the signal from site of injury to the brain via the spinal cord. Pain can be acute pain or chronic pain, depending on how long the symptoms of pain last. Acute pain develops directly as

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Do you have pain while reaching or bending? If you are not moving like you once were. Please don’t hesitate to come in for a check up and get back on track to feeling great again. Call the clinic nearest you today!

Relieve Joint Pain In Minutes Without Pain Medication! Try these movements if you are experiencing pain.

KNEE SQUEEZE Stand with good posture, and a foam roll or pillow between knees. Reach overhead, engage core, squeeze foam roll or pillow. Bend forward at the hips, reaching toward toes.

SUPERMAN Lie on your stomach as

Helps With Pain In The Core

Helps With Knee Pain

shown. Lift your arms and legs off the floor slightly at the same time. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat 5 times.

Exercisescopyrightof

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Always consult your physical therapist or physician before starting exercises you are unsure of doing.

WELLNESS TIPS:

How Many Days Per Week Should You Walk For Exercise?

Aim for a minimum of 3 walking days per week, and gradually work your way up to 5 or 6 days per week as you become more fit. For most people, walking can be done almost every day of the week because it’s low-impact and not as intense as other fitness programs. But don’t forget the importance of rest and recovery. Give yourself at least 1-2 days off each week.

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