PTRC. Is It Back Pain Or Sciatica?

Physical Therapy N E W S L E T T E R

IS IT BACK PAIN OR SCIATICA? ALSO INSIDE

How Physical Therapy Can Help With Sciatica • Exercise Essentials What Our Patients Are Saying • Seasonal Recipe

IS IT BACK PAIN OR SCIATICA? Physical Therapy Newsletter

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. Whilesciaticapaincanbe intense, it istreatable.A lotofsciaticacases, 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? Inmostcases,sciaticaoccurswhenoneoftheback’sdiscsareherniated. Itcanalsohappen ifthespinenarrows—aneffectcalledspinalstenosis. 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 isnormallynoticedasapainradiating fromthe 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 compressednervemay feel like itburns. Inothercases,thecompressed 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. If you’re suffering fromback pain or sciatica, call your physical therapist at PTRC to schedule your appointment today!

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

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HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP WITH SCIATICA

1. Sitting on a chair, look down. 2. Straighten one leg, with toes in the air. 3. Repeat for the other side. Follow these steps: SELF-TEST FOR 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 one of our professionals today, and ask about physical therapy options. Your mobility is important, and your back can be healed.

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.

Visit www.PTRC-TX.com for more information, or call 512.353.4575 (San Marcos) or 512.847.9057 (Wimberley) your physical therapist at PTRC to schedule your appointment today!

DIRECT ACCESS IS NOW IN TEXAS! DIDYOUKNOWDIRECTACCESSISNOWAVAILABLEINTEXAS? For those who are unaware a bill was recently signed by the Governor of Texas that will change the course of physical therapy forever! Before this, Texas was one of only two states in the U.S. that still required physician referrals from their primary doctors in order to gain the benefits that physical therapy offers. It is no secret that this was an issue – for many reasons. hoops to receive the care they need. The process of getting a physician referral can be time-consuming and at times, difficult. In many cases, a physician visit for minor aches and pains may not even be necessary.

At Physical Therapy and Rehab Concepts, we are so happy that this is no longer the case! With the signing of House Bill 29, patients now have direct access to physical therapy whenever they need it – all without the hassle of making a trip to your physician’s office! With this bill, you will be able to walk into any physical therapy office to receive the necessary care for your condition. This, inevitably, will lead to:

Physical therapists and primary physicians are trained in different areas. In fact, a physicianmay even opt not to recommend physical therapy to their patients, solely because they do not know how much of a benefit it truly can be for a patient. Physical therapy is one of the most effective modes of pain relief, and without direct access to PT services, many patients live with their painful conditions for far too long – in many cases, until the pain becomes too much to handle. As physical therapists, we are experts in the world of movement, having gone through rigorous training to learn the very best treatment methods of pain relief, prevention, and functional improvement.

• Improved Access to Care • Better Health Outcomes • Lower Health Care Costs

Pleasenote,Medicarepatientswillstillrequireaphysician’ssignature for billing purposes. PTRC will also review benefits information with direct access patients. So, are you living with pain or discomfort? Call or stop by one of our locations today! We’ll help you find relief ASAP.

It also goes without saying that no patient wants to jump through

Visit us online at www.PTRC-TX.com for more information.

Have You Met Your Deductible?

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Kirk G. Painter, PT, DPT, Cert. MDT

Dr. Kirk Painter is credentialed in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy as a McKenzie Practitioner. There are only a few, in this IH35 corridor that holdthisdesignation.Kirkhasandcontinuestoworkasanadjunct faculty member and professor in the Human Health and Performance Dept. at Texas State University. Kirk is a certified Graston IASTM provider as well. Kirk has been a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the Texas Physical Therapy Association since 1994. His hobbies include mountain biking, hunting, fishing. He has raised three great kids, two in college, and the other graduated and working as a teacher. Kirk’s personal belief is that a person that comes in for treatment is not just another patient but someone who has pain or a problemwho has entrusted him to address it. It is imperative that he do all he can to treat each person equally and efficiently in a way that is enjoyable for the patient and himself. Kirk feels he can have fun while working on your problem with the utmost thought and care.

An insurance deductible is the amount of money that you pay before your insurance company pays for your medical services. Patients with family plans or those who have had major surgeries or chronic illness are more likely to have a $0 balance remaining on their deductible. If your deductible is met, your Physical Therapy cost may be significantly reduced. If you are close to or have met your insurance deductible for the year, then now is the time for Physical Therapy! Call 512.353.4575 (San Marcos) or 512.847.9057 (Wimberley) today!

WHAT OUR PATIENTS ARE SAYING:

“The best place I have ever gone to for physical therapy!” “This was my third trip to PTRC. Before long I will be going again. Why? It is the best place I have ever gone to for physical therapy. I have been to places in San Marcos and San Antonio. The therapy that Dr. Kirk Painter gave me was the best. All the staff in their building are professional and know what they are doing. Everything is explained to you so you do everything correctly. Thanks to all at PTRC, you are the greatest!” - Ted L.

Seasonal Recipe Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti

• 1 1/3 cups all- purpose flour • 1/2 tsp baking powder Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sugar • 1/2 cup brown sugar • 1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread • 1 egg • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 3/4 cup chopped toasted hazelnuts

• 1/2 tsp baking soda • 1/4 tsp kosher salt • 1/2 cup butter, softened

EXERCISE ESSENTIALS Try these exercises to relieve sciatica pain.

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Directions Preheat oven to 375˚F. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Set aside. In another bowl, combine butter, chocolate hazelnut spread, sugar, and brown sugar. Using an electric mixer, cream ingredients together, about 4 min. Add egg and vanilla and beat until smooth, about 1 min. Using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, stir in flour mixture until mixed. Add hazelnuts and stir until mixed. Spoon out the cookie dough onto a cookie sheet, spacing the mounds about 4” apart. Use the tines of a fork to flatten the cookie dough. Bake until lightly golden around the edges, about 10-12 min. Use a metal spatula to transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let cool.

Alwaysconsultyourphysical therapistorphysicianbeforestartingexercises you areunsure ofdoing. PRONE PRESS UP Lie on your stomach with hands beside your shoulders. Pushing with your arms, arch your upper back and hold. Repeat 6-10 times

SINGLE KNEE TO CHEST STRETCH Lie on your back and bring one knee to your chest, keeping the other foot flat on the floor. Keep your lower back pressed to the floor. Hold for at least 15-30 seconds. Repeat 2-4 times with each leg.