Find Relief from Herniated Discs

Find Relief from Herniated Discs

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

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A YEAR WE WON’T FORGET

It is absolutely amazing how fast this year has gone by. It is literally a blur... for me anyway. So many things to be thankful for. So many challenges. So many blessings. So many heartaches. Yes, 2021 will go down in the books as a year that we won’t forget. Whatmakes this year sospecial, youask? I can’t speak for everyone, but for me, this year has been quite amazing. We survived the nasty virus. I know that it is still out there. I have a very strong opinion on this, but I will not go down that rabbit hole with you. We are stronger and more resilient than anyone can imagine. Our community was brought together by a tragedy. I saw what a great town we

have and I amproud to call Colliervillemy home. We do pray for the family that lost Ms. King. I had the privilege of knowing her well. She was a strong woman that was extremely proud of her boys. Speaking of boys, I got my first child off to college. Stone is loving life. He is in a fraternity at Alabama and says Roll Tide way toomuch for my liking. He hasmade some great friends that will be a rock in his lifemoving forward. I amproud of that kid. He has a heart as big as his mouth (which will either land him a great job or get him in trouble one day, or both). Sophie is back in LA and living a great life. If we all could have her life at 20 years old, we would all go back there, I promise. She has her hands on somany

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

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Back pain can develop for all sorts of reasons. Froma 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. There are some back injuries, however, that are evenmore 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 Find Relief From Your Herniated Discs

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. Themost 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 youmay have experienced a herniated disc it is important that you seekmedical 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. Call Pittman Physical Therapy TODAY!

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Treatment for Herniated Discs

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 fromoveruse. One of themost 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. Pain associated with a herniated disc often develops in the sciatica nerve, and doesn’t subsidewith 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, electrical stimulation, and hydrotherapy, as well as deep stretching and strength building. If yoususpect that youmay haveaherniateddisc, contact aphysical therapist right away. Attempting toengage 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. At Pittman Physical Therapy, we’re ready to get you back to living your best life! Call us at 901-850-5246 or visit g3.life to book your appointment today!

5 Health Tips For the Holiday Season 1. Shop Well For Yourself. It is more important than ever to stock your kitchen with healthy foods. Have healthy snacks handy. The more convenient they are, the more likely you are to eat them. Instead of thinking about what you shouldn’t eat, promise to eat your 3 to 5 servings of vegetables each day. adds up. Just think twice before you take that food and decide if you really want it.

4. Skip the Baking. Do you make baked goods for giving? Chances are you eat much of what you bake. Who wouldn’t? Instead make non- food gifts, or prepare ingredients for baked goods and put them in pretty jars--let your gift recipient bake it up. That way, they can eat it when they want it and you don’t have to be tempted in the kitchen. 5. Hydrate. Keep your water bottle with you at all times. You should be drinking eight, 8-oz glasses of water each day. One handy trick is to buy a 64 ounce water jug. Fill it up in the morning and know that you need to finish it by the end of the day.

2. Schedule Your Exercise. Your schedule will be very hectic this holiday season. Schedule your workouts just as you would any other appointment. It’s ok if you can’t make it to class, but make sure that you get some activity in at least three days per week. 3. Just Say No. You probably aren’t aware how much extra food you consume just from people offering it to you. A sample at the market here, an extra cookie at an office party there and it all

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Post-COVID Recovery

Are you, or is someone you know experiencing residual effects after having COVID-19? Physical Therapy can be instrumental in long-termCOVID recovery. Pittman Physical Therapy can help patients during recovery fromCOVID-19 through the following types of training and exercise programs: • Balance and gait training • Upper and lower body strengthening exercises • Breathing exercises to increase lung function and capacity • Aerobic exercise and reconditioning for improved pulmonary health • Stretching • Endurance training • Manual therapy • Screening for other conditions that could be caused as a result of COVID-19

DECEMBER EVENTS at Pittman Physical Therapy Dec. 2: Arrianna Tharnish’s Birthday Dec. 4: Tyler Siedell’s Wedding Dec. 15: Ugly Christmas Sweater day Dec. 21: John Bell’s Birthday Dec. 22: Deadline for Coat and Blanket Drive Dec. 23: Dealine for Grocery Bag drive for Mats for the Homeless Dec. 24 & 25: Closed for Christmas Holiday

Call your physical therapist for additional questions on how we can help you recover from COVID-19:

901-850-5246

PATIENT SPOTLIGHT "Pittman Physical Therapy has been there since the beginning of my injury adventures. Recently, I attended a basketball camp with my team at Briarcrest and dislocated my knee. Previously, Pittman had helped me recover from a foot surgery, so of course I went straight to them to help me with my knee recovery. I tried not to have surgery, but if I wanted to play Basketball my sophomore season, Dr. Biggers and my PT said I would have to have surgery. I was told that I would have a 6 month recovery, but with the help of my physical therapists and the hard work I put in, I fully recovered in 4 1/2 months. I worked with Mallory, Jeff, Tessa, Maranda, and a few other people in the practice. I will forever be thankful for the hard work they put into helping me play the sport I love most." Gracyn Steed RACYN TEED and my PT said I would have to have surgery. I was old that I would h ve a 6 month r covery, bu with the help of my physical therapists and the hard work I put in, I fully r covered in 4 1/2 months. I worked with Mallory, Jeff, Tess , Mar nda, nd a few oth r ople in the practice. I will fo ever be thankful for the hard work they pu into helping me play the sport I love most." Gracyn Steed GRACYN TEED When Tim came to us, he had just had surgery that left his neck with little to no mobility. Add in some wrist pain and lower back issues; he was having a tough time! With our tasks, we were able to help Tim gain his mobility back, and start on the path to recovery. “It was excellent, so well worth the investment. Completely changed my vie on PT... PT is the best ay o e s th is ues with aging and Mobility!’’ We’re so hap y that e wer able to help Tim get something as simple as mobility back. Tim wants everyone to know that “Stephanie is the GOAT!” Tim Johnston PATIENT S OTLIGHT "Pittman Physical Therapy has been there since the beginning of my injury adventures. Recently, I att nded a basketb ll camp with my te m at Briarcrest and dislocated my knee. Previously, Pittm n ad helped me r cover from a foot surgery, so f course I went straigh to them t help me with my kn e r covery. I tried not to ave surg y, but if I wan ed to pl y Basketball my sophomore season, Dr. Biggers

PA IENT SPOTLIGHT "Pittman P ysical Therapy has been there since the beginning of my injury adventures. Recently, I attended a basketball camp with my team at Briarcrest and dislocat d my kne . Pr viously, Pittman had helped me recover from a foo surgery, so of course I went straight to them to help me with my knee recovery. I tried not to have surgery, but if I wanted to play asketball my sophomore season, Dr. Biggers and my PT said I would have to have surgery. I was told that I would ave a 6 month recovery, but with the help of my physical therapists and the hard work I put in, I fully recovered in 4 1/2 months. I worked with Mallory, Jeff, Tessa, Maranda, and a few other people in the practice. I will forever be thankful for the hard work they put into helping me play the sport I love most." Gracyn Steed GRACYN TEED

A Year We Won’t Forget… continued things. Modeling, acting, dancing. Heck, she is even dabbling in some singing things. She has a new roommate that she absolutely loves. We do too. The roommate is from Collierville and is a great girl. She is one of Stone’s best friends and we have known her for years. God puts things in motion that we just have to trust. Just keep an eye out for that kid. She is on the path to great things. I can’t even keep upwith her. Foster and Brinkley are at home, sometimes, and EXTREMELY active in school, sports, and their social lives. I feel like a taxi cab driver more now than when Stone was still home. It may have something to do with the fact that he could drive them places for me. Foster is bigger than me now. I hope he gets to be 6’3”. So does he! He was moved up to the varsity football squad for the last two games of the season. He didn’t play, but man, what an honor! Now it is time for baseball. Brinkley is being Brinkley. She is growing so fast. She has blossomed as a dancer and is doing great. Not that she wants to follow in Sophie’s footsteps. She is making her own path. She has her first boyfriend now. Not so sure how I feel about that one, but we will see… If you haven’t followed us on social media yet, you need to go like our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Pittmanpt.

This will take you there so that you can follow the new journey we are on. If you have seen our page, you know that we are opening our second location. It will be in Germantown, just past Forrest Hill on Poplar. I will have some photos in the next letter. I hopeeveryonehad thebestThanksgiving and enjoyed friends and family as much as I did. Bless you all and have a Merry Christmas!

JOIN OUR TEAM! We are hiring for our Patient Care Coordinator positions. If you or someone you know is interested in joining our great team, please contact us!

Shelley came to us with all sorts of pain! Neck pain, TMJ pain, tooth grinding and pain, and headaches! After our treatments, she was seeing improvement immediately. “My TMJ and jaw pain has improved significantly. I’m no longer clenching my jaw very much, which the toothaches go away... the neck pain has gotten better and it is less frequent.’’ We love stories of success! “Everyone I worked with (Jeff, Mallory, and Tommy) were all friendly. It was a nice and relaxing atmosphere.’’ Shelley also really enjoyed our dry needling services. “Give it a try, and be open to dry needling. I was a little skeptical when I didn’t see results right away, but stick with it and you will.’’ We are so happy to see that Shelley has recovered! Shelley Doss

Check our our website at pittmanpt.com for more great testimonials from our patients!

Try these exercises to help maintain a healthy body Exercise Essentials

HOME LOW BACK TRACTION Lie flat on the floor in the center of a doorway with your knees bent. Make sure your bare skin of your low back is touching the floor for friction. Hold a broomstick in front of you across the doorway. Push gradually and slowly against the stick with your arms for 1-3 mins. Release slowly. Relieve sciatic nerve pain

Exercise copyright of

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

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Share the Benefits of Pittman Physical Therapy! Has Pittman Physical Therapy helped you live a better life? Let others know how much we can help them, too! Scan the QR code below with your smartphone camera to quickly link to our Social Media pages and Google and leave a review! C H E C K - I N O N F A C E B O O K D U R I N G Y O U R A P P O I N TM E N T L E AV E A G O O G L E R E V I EW C H E C K - I N O N F A C E B O O K D U R I N G Y O U R A P P O I N TM E N T L E AV E A G O O G L E R E V I EW Monthly Raffle! L I K E O U R F A C E B O O K P A G E F O L L OW T H E S E S T E P S T O E N T E R : Monthly Raffle! L I K E O U R F A C E B O O K P A G E F O L L OW T H E S E S T E P S T O E N T E R :

Do You Have Friends/Family Unable to Do the Following? 9 Move without pain 9 Bend & move freely 9 Balance confidently & securely 9 Sit for long periods of time comfortably 9 Walk for long distances 9 Live an active & healthy lifestyle WIN A $20 GIFT CARD If you know someone suffering from 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!

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