Lewy PT: Herniated Discs

Lewy PT: Herniated Discs

Recover Quickly and Completely

Newsletter The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

RELIEVING PAIN FROM HERNIATED DISCS

Back pain can develop for all sorts of reasons. From a car accident to bad posture, to an uncomfortable seat for a prolonged period of time, back pain can come out of nowhere and cause no small amount of discomfort once it arrives.

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INSIDE: • Relieving Pain From Herniated Discs • Treatment for Herniated Discs • Exercise Essentials • Healthy Recipe

www.lewypt.com

Recover Quickly and Completely

Newsletter The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

RELIEVING PAIN FROM HERNIATED DISCS

INSIDE:

• Treatment for Herniated Discs • Healthy Recipe • Exercise Essentials • Ask About Our Payment Plans!

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There are some back injuries, however, that are even more painful than your run-of-the-mill back pain. A herniated disc is one of the most painful back injuries that you can experience, and it is far more common than you may be initially aware. What is a Herniated Disc? Your spine is made up of a series of interlocking bones with small cushions in-between each joint socket. The structure of your spine is what allows you to move freely from side to side. Every time you crunch your abdomen by bending forward, or lean to one side or another for a deep stretch, those little vertebral bodies move with you, keeping you comfortable and your back strong. Without cushioning in between each of those sockets, the bones would rub against one another with every movement, and this would be incredibly painful. When a disc becomes herniated, the cushioning in between the vertebrae will rupture, essentially deflating the cushioning in between the vertebrae and causing the bones to begin to rub against one another. This is painful enough as it is, but can become even more painful if the herniated disc actually begins to press on the adjacent spinal nerves, causing the pain to spread even further up the spine.

The most common placement for a herniated disc is at the lumbar vertebrae in the lower back. While it is not the only reason that pain can become severe in the lower back, it is definitely one of the most severe forms of back pain. If you suspect that you may have experienced a herniated disc it is important that you seek medical attention, such as from your physical therapist. A herniated disc will not heal on its own, and working with a physical therapist is one of the best ways to experience relief from the pain associated with this common concern. How does this happen? The vertebrae in the spine are stacked closely together, with only a small amount of space for the discs in between each bone. A disc can become herniated as a result of injury, car accident, or even simply from overuse. One of the most common causes of a herniated disc is heavy lifting. Weight lifters have to be especially wary not to suddenly lift something too heavy, otherwise risk experiencing a slipped disc. But experienced gym-goers are not the only ones at risk. Every time you attempt to move a piece of furniture, a heavy box, or even a big bag of books you need to be wary to lift correctly, otherwise face the risk of potentially herniating a disc in your back. Look inside to learn more about our programs and say good-bye to your aching back.

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PRAIRIEVILLE 225.825.7700

BATON ROUGE 225.767.8182

DENHAM SPRINGS 225.791.7114

TREATMENT FOR HERNIATED DISCS

Pain associated with a herniated disc often develops in the sciatica nerve, and doesn’t subside with simple rest and relaxation. While hot and cold therapy will help alleviate the pain associated with many different back issues, it won’t make the pain of a herniated disc go away. The pain is often frequently associated with numbness, weakness, and tingling in the legs. In many situations, the pain will feel more severe after initial movement, such as standing up or laying down. Many people mistakenly refer to having a herniated disc as having “pinched a nerve,” but that is not the case. Physical therapy is a great resource for attempting to overcome the pain associated with a herniated disc. A combination of passive and active techniques is typically employed, including deep tissue massage, hot and cold therapy, electrical stimulation, and hydrotherapy, as well as deep stretching and strength building. If you suspect that you may have a herniated disc, contact a physical therapist right away. Attempting to engage in therapy at home could lead to further injury. It is best to have an experienced therapist assess your injury before attempting any treatment options. Discover how our Spine Program transforms your back pain from a pressing problem, to a distant memory, allowing you to live a happy, active and pain-free life.

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Exercise Essentials Try this movement if you are experiencing back pain.

Berry-Almond Smoothie Bowl

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INGREDIENTS • ⅔ cup frozen raspberries • ½ cup frozen sliced banana • ½ cup plain unsweetened almond milk • 5 tbsp sliced almonds, divided • ¼ tsp ground cinnamon • ⅛ tsp ground cardamom • ⅛ tsp vanilla extract • ¼ cup blueberries • 1 tbsp unsweetened coconut flakes

Loosens Lower Back

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9 5 PRAYER STRETCH Start on your knees and bend forward, reaching arms out on floor in front of you as shown. Hold for 15 seconds, repeat 3 times.

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INSTRUCTIONS Blend raspberries, banana, almond milk, 3 tablespoons almonds, cinnamon, cardamom and vanilla in a blender until very smooth. Pour the smoothie into a bowl and top with blueberries, the remaining 2 tablespoons almonds and coconut.

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n° 315825 - Level Hard

www.lewypt.com

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BATON ROUGE 225.767.8182

DENHAM SPRINGS 225.791.7114

PRAIRIEVILLE 225.825.7700

You Can Start Feeling Better Now!

Ask About Our Payment Plans!

Our Philosophy: Apply the latest evidence-based therapy best suited to the patient for quickest and most complete recovery. When patients have a difficult time getting started with traditional exercises, patients receive customized aquatic to land-based programs. Every plan of care is designed with the goal of getting patients back to their normal daily routine, pain-free. Our Promise: We promise to provide the best patient experience possible in a highly professional, friendly, and caring environment. Payments: We accept CareCredit, credit card, check, and debit card. We are happy to discuss payment plan options as well. It is our policy that payment is made at the time of service. Your insurance benefits will be determined before your second visit, and you will be informed of what, if any, payment is necessary on that date.

Our knowledgeable and caring staff uses the latest tools and techniques to get you back on your feet as soon as possible. The new facilities at Lewy Physical Therapy allow us to offer diverse treatment regimens including aquatic therapy, sports physical therapy, and general physiotherapy. Our outpatient rehabilitation facilities are conveniently located near you in Baton Rouge and Denham Springs. Our Mission: Provide the highest quality of physical therapy for those in the Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, and surrounding areas.

Schedule your appointment at Lewy Physical Therapy today by calling 225.767.8182 (Baton Rouge), 225.791.7114 (Denham Springs), or 225.825.7700 (Prairieville).

Print sudoku http://1sudoku.com

Mind Exercise: Sudoku

Has Your Pain Come Back?

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1. Feel free to call us and ask to speak to your therapist . 2. Your therapist can discuss with you why your pain is bothering you again and what you might do about it at home. 3. If further assessment is warranted, your therapist might recommend you come in for an appointment.

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Call To Talk to Your Therapist Today

http://1sudoku.com

n° 329837 - Level Hard

The rules of the game are simple: each of the nine blocks has to contain all the numbers 1-9 within its squares. Each number can only appear once in a row, column or box.

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BATON ROUGE 225.767.8182

PRAIRIEVILLE 225.825.7700

DENHAM SPRINGS 225.791.7114

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See What’s New! See what’s newwith us at Lewy Physical Therapy!

Find Us At These Locations!

“The patients and the staff at Lewy have a special relationship. I’ve seen the company host patient appreciation events, during business hours, so that everyone could participate. On the other hand I have also seen patients bringing the staff treats to show appreciation. The entire atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and feels like hanging out with family. The receptionists know you by name and really go out of their way to accommodate everyone to the best of their abilities.” - A.H. “The entire atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and feels like hanging out with family.”

BATON ROUGE 8448 Siegen Lane Baton Rouge, LA 70810

P: 225.767.8182 F: 225.767.8757

DENHAM SPRINGS 31985 LA Hwy 16. Ste C Denham Springs, LA 70726 P: 225.791.7114

PRAIRIEVILLE 38538 Duplessis Rd Prairieville, LA 70769

P: 225.825.7700 F: 225.825.7100

If you are suffering from any pain, seeing a physical therapist at Lewy Physical Therapy can help you return to a more active and pain-free life. Give us a call today!

www.lewypt.com

BY EATING BETTER

There’s no question that what you eat affects how you feel, and a healthy diet helps you feel better. The healthiest diet is one that emphasizes whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables and that includes lean protein and low-fat or no-fat dairy products. Combine a healthy diet with regular exercise, and you will find it helps your mood as well as your body. Here are some tips to help improve your mood and activity with the right nutrition. Mix in Protein to Boost Mood: Like fiber, protein can help you to avoid blood sugar crashes. Some good sources of protein are chicken, fish, eggs, seeds and nuts, low-fat yogurt, low-fat cheese and milk, tofu, and peanut butter. Don’t Worry, “B” Happy: The B vitamins, including B6, B12, and folic acid, play a role in the production of brain chemicals that regulate mood. Especially if you have depression, be sure to consume foods

rich in these vitamins. Good food sources for many B vitamins include shellfish, poultry, eggs, low-fat yogurt, and fortified breakfast cereals. Folic acid in particular is found mostly in leafy greens. Drink water: Sip water or other drinks with few or no calories to help maintain a healthy weight. Keep a water bottle in your bag or at your desk to satisfy your thirst throughout the day. Be active whenever you can: Set a goal to fit in at least 2½ hours of moderate physical activity in your week. Being active 10 minutes at a time also adds to your weekly total. Ask your friends or family to keep you company as you bike, jog, walk, or dance. Don’t forget to do some muscle strengthening activities twice a week. Enjoy your food but eat less. Use a smaller plate for meals to help control the amount of food and calories you eat.

www.lewypt.com

DENHAM SPRINGS 31985 La Hwy 16. Ste C Denham Springs, LA 70726

PRAIRIEVILLE 38538 Duplessis Rd Prairieville, LA 70769

BATON ROUGE 8448 Siegen Lane Baton Rouge, LA 70810

P: 225.791.7114 F: 225.791.7118

P: 225.825.7700 F: 225.825.7100

P: 225.767.8182 F: 225.767.8757