Heart Of Texas PT: I Think I May Have Sciatica

Heart Of Texas PT: I Think I May Have Sciatica

NEWSLETTER

OH, MY ACHING BACK!

FIND RELIEF FROM YOUR SCIATICA WITH PT!

INSIDE:

• Laughter is the Best Medicine

• Sudoku • Healthy Recipe

NEWSLETTER

OH, MY ACHING BACK! FIND RELIEF FROM SCIATICA WITH PT!

Have you been suffering from lower back pain that radiates into your buttocks and down your leg? You may be experiencing sciatica. At Heart of Texas Physical Therapy, our physical therapists are experts at treating sciatica and helping you find relief! Sciatica, also referred to as “lumbar radiculopathy,” is a pain, numbness, or tingling that radiates from the lower back. The sciatic nerve extends from the lumbar spine through the area of the buttocks and down the legs into the toes, making it the largest nerve in the human body. When this nerve becomes irritated, pain or paresthesias ensue. Typically the symptoms are felt in the lumbar area, down the leg behind the thigh and into the lower leg and foot. The pain can make it difficult to sleep, sit, bend or walk. The most common cause of sciatica is lumbar disc herniation, but it can be caused by an injury or severe disc degeneration, as well. Contact Heart of Texas Physical Therapy today to set up an

appointment with one of our experts. We’ll provide you with the relief you need to live life comfortably once again! Understanding How To Treat Sciatica Sciatica isdiagnosed throughaphysical therapyevaluation that includes a thorough history and physical examination. Sometimes a CT scan or MRI may be used to confirm the physical therapist’s conclusions. Once you are diagnosed with sciatica, a physical therapist will work with you to manage and relieve the condition. This includes: • Reducing sciatica pain

• Improving motion • Increasing strength • Improving flexibility • Educating you on how to sit, stand, bend, and twist • Returning to normal activities

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If you would like to find relief for your back pain call us today: 254-301-7374

www.hotpt .org

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Targeted stretching and strengthening exercises are vital to treating sciatica pain. Our physical therapists will teach you an exercise program you can do at home to manage your pain. Many exercises can help strengthen the muscles of the spinal column. Most of these exercises focus on improving your core. The core comprises muscles in the lower back, abdominals (stomach), gluteus (buttock), and hip muscles. Strong core muscles can provide pain relief because they support the spine, keeping it in alignment and facilitating movements that extend or twist the spine with less chance of injury or damage. Targeted stretches for sciatica are designed to target restrictions in the joints and muscles that contribute to your pain. The initial assessment will help your therapist establish what’s known as a “directional preference,” meaning what helps the patient feel and move better. Your home program will focus on improving your pain and restoring your motion so you can resume the activities you enjoy! How A Physical Therapist Can Help You! If you’re experiencing sciatica, contact one of our physical therapists immediately. Your physical therapist will perform a thorough physical examination and provide you with solutions that work based on their findings. Your therapist will identify the best way to resolve your sciatica pain using directional preference and strengthening exercises. They will examine how you respond to specific movements and positions. These particular movements and positions become the starting point for treatment.

Next, your therapist will focus on areas where you struggle with weakness or develop compensations due to sciatica pain. These exercises will be targeting your core strength. In addition, your therapist will guide you through the postures that help alleviate your pain and minimize the risks of it returning. As you progress and improve, your physical therapist will expand on your exercises and stretches by making themmore intensive over time. This will help increase your overall strength and range of motion. We will spend one-on-one time with you on each visit, using hands-on techniques that get the joints, muscles, and nerves moving again. We will also design a comprehensive exercise and education program to get you back to comfortably doing what you want to do. Physical therapy can provide you with the treatment you need to alleviate your sciatica. If you are ready to get rid of your sciatica symptoms and enjoy your daily life free of pain, contact Heart of Texas Physical Therapy for relief. We’ll provide you with an individualized treatment plan to help you get back to your everyday life as quickly as possible!

HEALTHY RECIPE SICILIAN EGGPLANT CAPONATA

Ingredients: • 3 tbsp golden raisins • 1 1/2 tbsp red wine vinegar

• 2 tbsp olive oil • 8 oz eggplant

INSTRUCTIONS: Combine golden raisins and red wine vinegar in a bowl. Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Cut 8 oz. eggplant into 3/4-inch cubes. Add chopped red bell pepper, chopped white onion, and eggplant cubes to skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in chopped tomato, chopped drained capers, crushed red pepper, and raisin mixture. Simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped fresh mint. Source: https://www.cookinglight.com/recipes/eggplant-caponata

• 1 cup chopped red bell pepper • 3/4 cup chopped white onion • 1 cup chopped tomato • 2 tbsp chopped drained capers • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper • 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint

Call today 254-301-7374

@HeartOfTexasPhysicalTherapy

Laughter

SUDOKU

Printing sudoku grids https://1sudoku.com/print-sudoku

IS THE BEST MEDICINE

The goal of Sudoku is to fill a 9×9 grid with numbers so that each row, column and 3×3 section contain all of the digits between 1 and 9.

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Did you know? …that laughter is good for your heart? It diminishes stress and boosts the immune 6 4 8

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system. Even the simple act of smiling has a positive effect on happiness and physical health, helping the heart recover more quickly after

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stressful events. Smiling and laughter reduce blood pressure and releases serotonin and other natural pain killers. Did you know? ...that laughter’s positive effects are instantaneous! Once you start laughing, you immediately feel better and pain is perceived as less 1sudoku.com

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intense. These effects can last as long as 24 hours so laugh at least once a day!

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COME BACK TO HEART OF TEXAS PT! Has a pain returned? Are you suffering with a new pain? Do you want to start 2022 healthier, stronger, and more active? If you answered yes to any of these questions you need to come back to Heart of Texas Physical Therapy. Call us today! Call for an appointment today and start your journey to a healthier, happier, pain-free 2022. Call today 254-301-7374 PT CONSULTATION 1 4 8 9 5 4 7 2 6 8 5 3 4 9 7 3 9 6 1sudoku.com

EXERCISE ESSENTIALS CLAMSHELLS Lie on your side with your hips at 45 degrees and your knees bent to 90 degrees. Your heels are in line with your head, torso, and hips. Rotate your hips and knees apart (like a clam opening) while remaining contact with your heels. Keep the top hip parallel with the ceiling. Lower your leg to the starting position and repeat on other side. You should feel a stretch in the outer hip of your top leg. This exercise helps relieve sciatica pain and strengthen your core. 1 8 6 4 6 3 7 5 3 4 9 4 2 9 7 5 1 6 9 3

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Contact us today and mention this newsletter to schedule your FREE PT Consultation! 5

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Offer expires 02/28/22

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