CO Injury Treatment: Herniated Discs

CO Injury Treatment: Herniated Discs

N E W S L E T T E R

Give Your Herniated Discs Some Extra Support!

See Inside • Give Your Herniated Discs Some Extra Support! • Treatment For Your Herniated Discs • Exercise Essentials • Refer A Friend!

All New Yoga And Wellness Programs COMING SOON! (Jan. 2020)

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N E W S L E T T E R

Give Your Herniated Discs Some Extra Support!

Back pain can develop for all sorts of reasons. From a car accident to bad posture, to an uncomfortable seat for a long period of time, back pain can come out of nowhere and cause no small amount of discomfort once it arrives. There are some back injuries, however, that are even more painful than your run-of-the-mill back pain. A herniated disc can present with no pain at all, or with severe pain, and is far more common than you may think. 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 is called arthritis. When a disc bulges or herniates, the cushioning in between the vertebrae will become thinner, essentially decreasing the cushioning in between the vertebrae. Over a long enough time period this can become painful. This can become even more painful if the herniated disc actually begins to press on the adjacent spinal nerves, causing the pain to spread away from the original site of injury.

The most common location for a herniated disc is in the lower back. While it is not the only reason for pain in the lower back, it is definitely one of the most common 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 has the potential heal on its own, and working with a physical therapist is one of the best ways to experience relief from pain and to be sure that this does heal to it’s full potential. 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 lifting with bad technique. 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 mindful 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.

Are you letting back pain hold you back? Call 303.745.0803 to schedule your appointment today!

Pain associated with a herniated disc can be local to the low back and if it irritates a nerve, this can radiate into the leg. While hot and cold therapy will help alleviate the pain associated with many back issues, usually we need some specific exercise prescription to make the pain of a herniated disc go away. In more severe cases, the pain can be accompanied by numbness, weakness, and tingling in the legs. In some cases, 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 this is not necessarily 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, and electrical stimulation to help ease pain. The true cure for low back pain comes from movement. We want you to get back to moving as quickly as possible! We prescribe an individual program to get you back to the most aggressive exercise possible without further irritating the injury. If you suspect that you may have a herniated disc, contact a physical therapist right away. Any therapy you choose at home should be done slowly and cautiously until you can get a recommended program. It is best to have an experienced therapist assess your injury to speed recovery. 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. Treatment For Your Herniated Discs

Attend Our Upcoming Workshop And Learn More About What You Can Do To Put An End To Rotator Cuff Pain! EACH YEAR, NEARLY 2 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE U.S. ALONE SEEK TREATMENT FOR ROTATOR CUFF PAIN Are You Or Someone You Know Suffering From Rotator Cuff Pain? If So, You Are Not Alone!

Rotator Cuff Pain Workshop Saturday, Jan. 11 th at 10:15 AM

Call Colorado Injury Treatment Center at 303.745.0803 , or visit our website at coloradoinjurytreatment.com to schedule your appointment today!

Refer A Friend!

Staff Spotlight

Michael A. Allen LMT, CPT, MAT “My philosophy as a massage therapist is to educate my clients about their body and what they may be experiencing during a massage and the effects it will have on them. While massage is a luxury for some it’s a necessity for others. Working as a massage therapist has always been a dream of mine since I was a child rubbing my grandmothers’ calf’s when she would wake up in pain with leg cramps. I enjoy having the ability to ease my client’s pain and increase their relaxation like I did for my grandmother. Many people have had someone rub/ massage their neck and shoulders, but when you have an experienced massage therapist that knows the human body, it’s a world of a difference. I want to use my many years of experience as a massage therapist to help relieve pain and increase relaxation to anyone that’s on my table.”

Who Do You Know That Needs Our Help?

• Move Without Pain

• Stand Comfortably

• Bend & Move Freely

• Run & Walk For Longer Distances

• Balance Confidently

• Live An Active Lifestyle

IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE THAT MAY BE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM PHYSICAL THERAPY, PLEASE PASS ALONG THIS NEWSLETTER OR HAVE THEM CALL US DIRECTLY TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT.

Exercise Essentials Loosens Lower Back

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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Always consult yourphysical therapistorphysicianbefore startingexercises youareunsureofdoing.