ElliottPT: Sciatica & Back Pain

ElliottPT: Sciatica & Back Pain

HEALTH & WELLNESS The Newsletter About Your Health and Caring for Your Body

STRUGGLING WITH SCIATICA PAIN? FEEL BETTER WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY

WWW.ELLIOTTPHYSICALTHERAPY.COM

HEALTH & WELLNESS The Newsletter About Your Health and Caring for Your Body

INSIDE: Struggling with Sciatica Pain? • Healthy Recipe • Exercise Essentials February Is Heart Health Month • What Patients Are Saying

STRUGGLING WITH SCIATICA PAIN? FEEL BETTER WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY

If you’ve experienced back pain, and even leg pain, you might have a deeper issue. Your minor aches and pinched nerves could be symptomatic of sciatica. While “sciatica” may sound serious, it’s entirely curable. What Is Sciatica? A Sciatica is pain that radiates alongside the sciatic nerve. This nerve, which branches from your lower back — spanning across your hips, buttocks and legs — can be injured or stressed in several ways. The most common cause of sciatica-related pain is inflammation along the spine, where compressed nerves are aggravated. While sciatica pain can be intense, it is treatable. A lot of sciatica cases, in fact, can be resolved without operation — and within just a few weeks. Even if you’ve suffered severe sciatica spawned from leg weakness, bladder changes or nerve issues, there’s still hope. What Causes Sciatica? In most cases, sciatica occurs when one of the back’s discs are herniated. It can also happen if the spine narrows — an effect called spinal stenosis. As we age, our backs undergo a lot of stress. This stress takes a toll, causing inflammation in several areas. If this inflammation reaches a certain point, it may compress these nerves — resulting in pain.

What Are the Symptoms of Sciatica? Sciatica back pain is normally noticed as a pain radiating from the lower back. Often, this pain extends to the buttock, spiraling down the leg and extending to the calf. If you’re suffering from sciatica, you might feel the discomfort anywhere along this nerve pathway. The pain itself can be dull, aching or even sharp. In some cases, the compressed nerve may feel like it burns. In other cases, the compressed nerve may simply issue a sharp jolt of pain. Some people experiencing sciatica may experience leg numbness, tingling or weakness. If sciatica isn’t treated, it can hinder mobility altogether. How Physical Therapy Can Help with Sciatica Ifyou’reexperiencingsciatica,contactaphysician immediately.Medical News Today asserts that over-the-counter painkillers may alleviate pain, but in-depth physical therapy is often needed. Physical therapy can reduce sciatica compression by carefully introducing exercises and relaxing treatments. These treatments, hand-picked by professionals, can completely eliminate sciatica over time. If you’re experiencing back pain, don’t wait.Calloneofourprofessionals today,andaskaboutphysical therapy options. Your mobility is important, and your back can be healed.

SELF EVALUATION A 3 0 S E C OND S E L F -T E S T F O R S C I AT I CA

• Do you have back pain or leg pain with standing or walking? • Do you have a shooting pain in your leg when you stand up? • Do you need to sit down for a minute for the pain to go away?

30 Second Self-Test for Sciatica 1. Sitting on a chair, look down. 2. Straighten one leg, with toes in the air. 3. Repeat for the other side.

What It Means: If the leg with pain, numbness or tingling does not go up as high as the other leg, you likely have Sciatica. Your next step is to see what is causing the pressure on your sciatic nerve. Call us to schedule an appointment Elliott PT can help you relieve your Sciatica pain. Sources: https://www.webmd.com/back-pain/what-is-sciatica#1 https://www. medicinenet.com/sciatica/article.htm https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases- conditions/sciatica/symptoms-causes/syc-20377435 Take charge of your Sciatica pain by calling us or by visiting our website at www.elliottphysicaltherapy.com. We can help get your life back.

9 WAYS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR BODY AGAINST VIRUSES LIKE COVID-19

The best way to keep your body healthy during this time is to stay moving and reduce inflammation. Being sedentary and making poor diet choices has the potential to hurt your immune system and make you a target for sickness and disease.

8. Take frequent breaks for breathing exercises. Inhale and exhale deeply. 9. Continue your home exercise program 2-3 times per week. In order to be healthy, there needs to be a large emphasis on movement. When your body is flexible, strong, well- balanced, and fueled by a nutritious diet, it is able to fight infection and reduce the impact of viruses. We are dedicated to helping you live the best life you can. During this time, if you cannot make it to your physical therapy appointments, continue your exercises at home. We care for you and remember you are part of our physical therapy family.

9 ways to strengthen your body against viruses like COVID-19:

1. Wash your hands. 2. Decide to get up and get moving.

3. Eat nutrition rich food. 4. Drink plenty of water. 5. Don’t smoke. 6. Get a good amount of rest. 7. Stretch.

Please stay healthy and safe.

YOU CAN BE FREE OF YOUR BACK PAIN! CALL TODAY OR VISIT US AT WWW.ELLIOTTPHYSICALTHERAPY.COM

WE CAN HELP YOU WITH: • Nagging Pain! • Balance and Fall Prevention • Sports Related Injuries •

TELEHEALTH: SERVING PATIENTS IN THESE TROUBLING TIMES

Pre and Post Surgical Conditions Overuse and Repetitive Stress Injuries

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Work Related Injuries

Strengthening for the Industrial Athlete and more!

FREE THERAPY CONSULTATION!

WHAT IS TELEHEALTH? Telehealth is the remote delivery of health care services and clinical information using communications technology, including the internet, wireless, satellite and phone. What are the benefits of physical therapy via Telehealth or e-visit (Medicare)? It’s convenient – receive physical therapy care from the comfort and privacy of your home or anywhere with connection to communications technology It’s secure – our technology platform used for telehealth is HIPAA compliant, ensuring your private health information is protected It’s simple – all you need is a computer or any device with a camera and high-speed internet. We can also teleconference by phone if there is no access to a camera. TELEHEALTH DURING COVID-19 With intensifying concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, Telehealth has become of paramount importance to ensure the safety of patients and health care providers. It allows patients the opportunity to seamlessly continue their care while practicing social distancing, remaining in their home, and minimizing their exposure to the virus. IS TELEHEALTH COVERED BY INSURANCE? On March 15, 2020, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued the following guidance: All commercial insurers and the Group Insurance Commission are required to cover medically necessary telehealth services, in the same manner, they cover in-person services. You can make a Telehealth Appointment with your physical therapist by call our offices or clicking here. A member of our team will get back to you with instructions on how to connect with your physical therapist or schedule an initial evaluation. Elliott Physical Therapy is dedicated to helping you achieve your goals and get back to the activities you love.

Schedule your FREE consultation with a physical therapist by calling us and mentioning this coupon! • Move without pain • Bend and move freely • Balance confidently and securely • Sit for long periods comfortably • Walk for long distances • Live an active & healthy life

EXERC I SE ESSENT I AL S USE THIS EXERCISE TO HELP SCIATICA PAIN BRACE MARCHING

While lying on your back with your knees bent, slowly raise up one foot a few inches and then set it back down. Next, perform on your other leg. Use your stomach muscles to keep your spine from moving. Repeat 10 times.

Call us or visit www.elliottphysicaltherapy.com