MuscleSpineRehabCenter_Understanding Sciatica Back Pain

MuscleSpineRehabCenter_Understanding Sciatica Back Pain

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

SCIATICA BACK PAIN MAKING MOVES TO UNDERSTAND

MUSCLEANDSPINEREHAB.COM

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

MUSCLEANDSPINEREHAB.COM 269-979-3000

INSIDE: A 30-Second Self-Test for Sciatica • My PT Success Story • FREE Golf Swing Analysis • Exercise Essentials • Staff Spotlight • Direct Access

SCIATICA BACK PAIN MAKING MOVES TO UNDERSTAND

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? 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.

weakness. Ifsciatica isn’t treated, itcanhinder mobility altogether. How Physical Therapy Can Help with Sciatica If you’re experiencing sciatica, contact a physician 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. Call our professionals at 269-979-3000, and ask about our physical therapy options. Your mobility is important, and your back can be healed. Sources: webmd.com/back-pain/what-is-sciatica#1 • medicinenet.com/sciatica/article.htm • mayoclinic. org/diseases-conditions/sciatica/symptoms-causes/syc- 20377435 • medicalnewstoday.com/articles/7619.php

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? Sciaticabackpain isnormallynoticedasapain 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

Do you have back pain or leg pain with standing or walking? A 30-SECOND SELF-TEST FOR SCIATICA 1. Sit on a chair and keep good posture. 2 . Straighten one of your legs out in front of you, while pointing your toes to the sky. Pay attention to how high your leg can go and if you have any pain, numbness, or tingling. 3. Place your leg back down to resting position, and repeat the same movement with the opposite leg. 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?

Take this 30-second self- test to see if you might have sciatica:

What Your Results Mean: If the leg with pain, numbness or tingling does not go up as high as the other leg, you likely have Sciatica. Give us a call today at 269-979-3000 and find out how we can help.

READY TO HAVE YOUR BEST GOLF SEASON EVER? Get Your FREE Golf Swing Analysis

MY PT SUCCESS STORY My experience at Muscle & Spine

Introducing The Body Swing Connection, training by the Titleist Performance Institute.®

Rehabilitation Center in Battle Creek was excellent. I came in a few weeks after running my first half marathon with some hamstring, neck, and lower back issues. At the end of my treatment, my pain was resolved and I learned daily exercises to maintain proper spinealignmentgoing forward. I not only recovered from my injuries, but also learned so much about them and how to prevent them from recurring. Thank you! ” – C. C.

• Drive the Ball Farther • Finish Each Round Strong

• No More Post-Round Aches & Pains • Lower Your Golf Fitness Handicap • Use the Same System the Pros Use Call 269-979-3000

Brace Marching While lying on your back with your knees bent, tighten your stomach by drawing in your belly button close to your spine. Slowly raise up one foot a few inches and then set it back down, and continue as if marching for two minutes. Try not to move your pelvis or back while moving your legs. Drawing in your stomach helps to keep your spine from moving. Next, perform the same exercise with your other leg. Repeat 10 times. EXERC I SE ESSENT I ALS USE THIS TECHNIQUE FOR CORE STRENGTH

TERI SEEDORFF, PTA STAFF SPOTLIGHT

MeetTeri,aPhysicalTherapistAssistant at Muscle and Spine for over 20 years! Teri attended Kellogg Community College’s Physical Therapist Assistant program. She is one of our ASTYM certifiedproviders.She’salsoacertified Barre and Pilates instructor. She is alwayscomingupwithnewandcreative

exercises to challenge her patients. Outside of work Teri enjoys shopping, especially at target. She loves going to the gym and spending time with her family and friends. They enjoy going to college football games, watching any sporting event and eating at any local Mexican Restaurant. Teri listens to country music and anything Bruce Springsteen.

Teri is a passionate provider that understands progression and exercise like no other. Patients are fortunatetoworkwithherandthey never forgettheirsessionwithTeri. She is a loyal and compassionate team member. We are so grateful to have her as a part of our organization. She is a true staple of the Muscle and Spine culture. To schedule an appointment with Teri, call Muscle & Spine today at 269-979-3000.

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

JOIN OUR HEALTH MENTOR ALL-STARS Do You Have Friends or Family Members That Have Trouble:

DIRECT ACCESS WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Physical Therapy is Easier to Get Than You Think! • A physician referral • Therapy may begin

� Moving without pain � Bending &moving freely � Balancing confidently & securely

� Sitting for long periods � Walking for long distances � Living active & healthy

with a full evaluation by a licenced physical therapist • Patients sent by their physician can choose where they want to receive therapy

no longer needed, whether you want a check-up, suffered a recent injury, or if you want to improve your overall health and wellness

Share the Benefits of Physical Therapy with a Friend! We appreciate the confidence you place in us and will do our best to help those you refer meet their health and rehab goals, and that they thank you for it! A huge thank you to all of our friends who refer others to us at Muscle & Spine Rehabilitation Center.

Don’t let your pain hold you back. Call us today at 269-979-3000 or visit our website at muscleandspinerehab.com.

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