Pittman_ Is it back pain or sciatica?

Pittman_ Is it back pain or sciatica?

The Pittman CONNECTION The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

I don’t know about a lot of you, but this summer has had me in the car way too much. I have been driving all over the south for sports, conventions, conferences and vacations. I have driven for up to 8 straight hours in the car. I am like many of you with regards to the effects of those long car rides. (I am almost 45). My back hurts. My left butt cheek aches and the pain goes down to my knee. Heck evenmy right toes go numb on occasion. Unlike many of you, though, I know what these symptoms mean and what I need to do about it. The internet is filled with all kinds of misinformation and doctorisms that tell you what to do about that ache and pain. Unfortunately, one size doesn’t fit all. We are all unique. I have seen a lot of people get worse from doing internet/web MD medicine without an assessment of their individual condition. Last year, my daughter Sophie, who many of you know that she is a dancer, had an injury to her right hip that put her on the injured reserve. We did all of the traditional treatments with no luck. Fortunately, her daddy doesn’t like to lose. We tried a few, what I would call, crazy techniques that got her back on the floor. This taught me an invaluable lesson. Just because it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it might be rabbit season. Happy Fall! Pittman Update

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The Pittman CONNECTION The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

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If you suffer with back pain or sciatica, know that low cost results are closer than you think. Recent studies show that patientswith low back pain should consider physical therapy first for their back pain, according to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Another recent study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, recommends that inmost cases of lowback degenerative disc disease (a common cause of lowback pain), themost effective treatment is physical therapy combinedwith anti-inflammatory medications. It concludes that physical therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs are the best options of non-surgical treatment of low back pain. Lowback degenerative disc disease developswhen the discs between your spineweaken (often due to repetitive strain), are injured or shrink from aging. As a result, the discs are unable to hold normal spacing and therefore, collapse increasing instability, causing back pain. Physical therapist intervention includes strengthening of coremuscle groups, including the abdominal wall, which has positive effects on people with this condition. Exercise and hands on therapy have been shown to alleviate pain in many people. In addition, educationon how toprotect your spine and remain active is beneficial. Our physical therapists are trained to identify your problem and plan out the most effective treatment for you. Along with building your core muscle groups, hands-on physical therapy to move your spine has shown to be very effective. Our physical therapists develop a safe and effective treatment program that is tailored to your specific needs and goals. Surgery should always be the last option, but too often people think of surgery as a cure all and are eager to embark on it without knowing the long term risks. Receiving care from our knowledgeable and licensed physical therapists first, can improve your odds that you can quickly reduce your pain andmaintain your quality of life. Call us today to learnmore! Are you one of the approximately 85 percent of adults that are affected by low back pain during their lifetime? Is That Nagging Pain Just Back Pain Or Could It Be Sciatica?

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Exercise Essentials Try these exercises to help maintain a healthy body

Helps Low Back Pain Helps With Back Pain

BILATERAL BENT KNEE While lying on your back with your knees bent, raise up both feet. Use your stomach muscles to keep your spine from moving. Hold for 30 seconds. Repeat 10 times.

PIRIFORMIS STRETCH While lying on your back, hold your knee with your opposite hand and draw your knee up and over towards your opposite shoulder. Hold for 30 seconds. Repeat 5 times.

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www.simpleset.net

Exercises copyright of

Not all exercises are appropriate for every person. Please consult with a healthcare provider before starting.

www.simpleset.net

Who do you know that needs our help?

Refer a Friend Do You Have Friends or Family Unable to Do The Following? 9 Move without pain 9 Bend and move freely 9 Balance confidently and securely 9 Sit for long periods comfortably 9 Walk for long distances 9 Live an active and healthy lifestyle WIN A $20 GIFT CARD If you know someone suffering with aches and pains give the gift of health. Refer them to Pittman Physical Therapy today. Pass along this newsletter or have them call us directly to schedule an evaluation! You will get your name in our next newsletter and you could win a $20 gift card!

Referral Club: Thanks to our patients for referring a friend or family member!

Stacey Bonasso Stephanie Andre

Katrina Baird Amanda Gossett Hannah Benson

Lynn Caller Susan King Sheri Buse

Melvin Jones Helen Gulati

BACK PAIN CONSULT EVENT • AUG. 14TH For past pat ients. 30 minute screenings for our VIPs. Limi ted to 15 spots. Back Pain Workshop - Saturday, August 18, 2018 @ 10 am Heel Pain and Sciatica Workshop - Thursday, September 6th @ 6 pm You Should Only Attend These Workshops If: 1.) You or a loved one suffer from pain. 2.) You are aged 40+ and have suffered with pain for longer than you feel you should have 3.) You are currently seeing a doctor or thinking about it How Do I Register For These Workshops? Call Pittman Physical Therapy at 901-850-5246 We only have 25 seats available for each event due to the interactive nature of this workshop. So if you would like to attend, be sure to register now Call 901-850-5246 How Much Is It To Attend The Workshop? Nothing... the event is absolutely FREE but call 901-850-5246 now to register as we are taking only 25 attendees. COMPLIMENTARY WORKSHOPS You are invited to our

Recover FasterWith Laser Therapy

Laser therapy allows your body to utilize its own healing powers by inducing a series of healing responses in your body. During treatment you will feel soothing warmth that identifies the beginning of an 18-24 hour process of modulated cellular activity leading to decreased pain and inflammation. Call today if you would like more information: 901-850-5246. • Foot and Ankle Conditions • And Much More! Laser Therapy Relieves Pain and Inflammation Associated With • Strains and Sprains • Soft Tissue Injury • Post Surgical Rehabilitation • Sports Injuries • Tendonitis & Tendonosis • Shoulder and Knee Pain • Hand and Wrist Injuries

Patient Success Spotlights

“Straight and to the point!” Very professional. Mitch and Brad are very caring and attentive. Very good success on helping pain. Clean facility. Attention to detail is very good. - Joseph Paul

“Now the pain has significantly improved!”

“Before I came to PT I had back pain that made it difficult to keep up with and care for my active toddler. The pain also limited the activities I could do at the gym. Now the pain has significantly improved and I have the knowledge and tools to prevent future back pain and manage any flare ups.” - Jami Finchman The Everyday Exercise That Can Strengthen Your Core Quickly, and Ease Back Pain. Have you ever wondered how to do a plank the right way? Doing exercises improperly can lead to injury. See below for the right way to plank. HOW TO DO A PLANK 1. Start by getting into a press up position. 2. Bend your elbows and rest your weight on your forearms and not on your hands. 3. Your body should form a straight line from shoulders to ankles. 4. Engage your core by sucking your belly button into your spine. 5. Hold this position for the prescribed time.

We Get You The Results You Deserve Get Back Pain Treatment That Works

Back pain is the second most common diagnosis seen by physicians in their offices. 85% of the US population will suffer an episode of back pain sometime in their life. Why is this? A lot has to do with the design of our body. It is the price we pay for walking upright on two legs. In humans, the force of gravity pulls directly down through the vertical spine compressing it together over the years. In other mammals such as horses, apes and cows, the spine is horizontal and the pull of gravity does not compress the spine together. Most back pain falls under the category of mechanical back pain, meaning the mechanics of day. However, the unfortunate reality is that unless treated properly, 75% of people with back problems will have another episode of their back pain. This is because the cause of the problem, the mechanical movement, is not addressed by treating it with drugs or a hot pack. More andmore people with back pain are realizing the full benefits of our specialized hands on physical therapy to address the cause of their back pain and understand what they can do to have lasting relief. Call us today to learn more how we can help quickly relieve your back pain! THE CHALLENGE OF TREATING BACK PAIN the movement are not correct. The spine has tomove in intricate ways tomake wholemovements of bending, extending and twisting. Therefore, the “mechanics” of the spine are important in order for all the vertebrae (the bones) to be able to move. Mechanical back pain means that the joints, muscles and ligaments of the spine are not moving correctly at the right time. This can cause increased strain on certain parts of your back, especially the very lower back. Why does how the spine moves change and cause pain? This is due to a variety of reasons including small injuries from lifting heavy objects, bending, twisting, repetitive strain, accidents, weakness from prolonged sitting and changes in your core strength. In today’s world, most of our daily activities involve sitting which causes the abdominal and back muscles to weeken. This in turn lessens the necessary support to the spine, causing strain. The strain causes inflammation, which leads to pain. Back pain can be localized to the back area or even radiate into the buttocks or backs of the legs. Millions of people a year rely on over the counter medication and back braces to get through their

Call Pittman Physical Therapy if: You have back pain at the end of the day You have trouble enjoying time with family due to pain You have limited mobility at work

Get Answers For Back Pain. Call: 901-850-5246