NorthEastSSM_Herniated Discs

NorthEastSSM_Herniated Discs

Health & Fitness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

IS YOUR LOWER BACK PAIN CAUSED BY A HERNIATED DISC? UNDERSTANDING YOUR PAIN IS THE FIRST STEP TO RELIEF

UNDERSTANDING YOUR PAIN IS THE FIRST STEP TO RELIEF • Understanding Herniated Discs • Laser Therapy

• Is Your Lower Back Pain Caused By a Herniated Disc?

• Carrot, Ginger, Lime Raw Soup

• Patient Results

He a l t h & F i t n e s s The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

IS YOUR LOWER BACK PAIN CAUSED BY A HERNIATED DISC? UNDERSTANDING YOUR PAIN IS THE FIRST STEP TO RELIEF

Back pain can develop for all sorts of reasons. From a 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 even more 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 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. The most 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 you may have experienced a herniated disc it is important that you seek medical 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.

Try this exercises to get you moving... EXERCISE ESSENTIAL

Helps with Strength and Flexibility

GLUTE BRIDGE WITH MARCHING Begin on your back with feet about 12 inches from your bum and hands by your sides with palms up. Press your heels into the ground and lift your pelvis up until your knees, pelvis, and shoulders form a straight line. Hold your bridge while you lift your right knee toward your chest, until your hip is at 90 degrees. Return the heel to the floor and lift the left knee. Do not let your pelvis sag or your back over-arch while lifting and lowering your knees. This completes one rep. Hold for 30 seconds repeat 8 times.

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

Understanding 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 from overuse. One of the most 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. Treatment for Herniated Discs Pain associated with a herniated disc often develops in the sciatica nerve, and doesn’t subside with 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 you suspect that you may have a herniated disc, contact a physical therapist right away. Attempting to engage 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.

Contact NorthEast Spine and Sports Medicine for a pain screening today! Discover the root cause of your problem before it’s too late!

Patient Results

Consult The Sports Medicine Experts

Michael Ra is an ACGME f e l l o w s h i p - t r a i n e d i n t e r v e n t i o n a l p a i n medicine physician who is board certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. His clinical interests include interventional pain medicine, musculoskeletal medicine, rehabilitation, electrodiagnostics, and non-surgical means to orthopedics issues.

MICHAEL RA, DO

Prior to his medical endeavors, Dr. Ra received his Master in Physical Therapy from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. This training and experience has been invaluable at allowing him to practice an integrative and comprehensive approach to medicine. His hope is that while working alongside all disciplines, pain reduction, increase in function, and a return to prior activities can be achieved for his patients. He is an active member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Association of Academic Physiatrists, Spine Intervention Society, American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, and the New Jersey Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

The pain is gone! Success Story:

“For 30 years I suffered with pain which I thought was normal. Thanks to the treatment I have received from the doctors [of NorthEast Spine and Sports Medicine], the pain is gone. I feel great. It’s unbelievable to be pain free! Thank you to every member of the office.” -Carmen M.

We gladly accept most insurance! www.northeastspineandsports.com

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Don’t let pain become a way of life Pinpoint the exact cause of your pain or injury!

Relieve your spinal pain! Do you suffer with a y of the following symptoms? • Pain while bending or reaching • Chronic back pain • Difficulty with stiffness and soreness • Pain from an old injury or accident • Difficulty completing simple tasks • Radiating pain to muscles and joints

PAIN SCREENING EXAM SCHEDULE YOUR

CALL 732-983-5319 TODAY

Offer valid for the first 25 people to schedule. Expires 4-28-20

Get Better Faster With Robotic Laser Therapy Manage Pain. Reduce Inflammation. Speed Recovery.

Benefits of Laser Therapy: • Rapid relief of pain without the use of addictive prescription painkillers • Strong anti-inflammatory effect • Non-surgical treatment • No negative side effects • Timely healing of sprains & strains

Laser Therapy is the use of specific wavelengths of light to treat painful and debilitating conditions. Light energy enters the damaged cells and stimulates inter-cellular activity. This reduces pain in the area and speeds recovery of the damaged cells. Once the cells recover, the healing process is complete. Laser Therapy is a painless treatment that lasts an average of 8 minutes. You may experience a comfortable sensation at the point of application. The effects of Laser Therapy are cumulative; therefore, expect to see improvement as you proceed through your treatment plan. At NorthEast Spine and Sports Medicine we are proud to offer another cutting-edge technology to help our patients get back to the things they love faster.

Mind Exercise: Sudoku 5 4 5 2 7 2 3 8 6 4 2 1 7 9 5 7 3 2 1 4 5 8 2 9 4 7 8 9 8 6 5 9 http://1sudoku.com n° 229777 - Level Medium The rules of the game are simple: each of the nine blocks has to contain all the numbers 1-9 within its squares. Each number can only appear once in a row, column or box. 3 9 6 7

HEALTHY RECIPE

Carrot, Ginger, Lime Raw Soup

DIRECTIONS Pour the carrot, lime, ginger juice in a blender and add the avocado. Blend until smooth. Pour in a bowl and top the soup with fresh raw corn, shaved off the cob.

INGREDIENTS • 1 cup fresh carrot juice • Juice of 1 lime • 1-inch chunk ginger root, juiced • 1/2 large avocado • 1/2 ear of fresh organic, • corn off the cob

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4 5 YouHaveTheRightToChooseYour Provider Whether you want to come in because you’ve suffered a recent injury or you want to improve your physical health, tell your doctor about NorthEast Spine and Sports Medicine. Get started feeling better today! See our medical professionals for: • Recent injury • Nagging aches and pains • Shoulder, wrist or elbow pain • Joint pain and movement problems • Walking or balance difficulties

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http://1sudoku.com 367 Lakehurst Rd. Toms River, NJ 08755 Call us at 732-983-5319 and visit a location nearest you! n° 228310 - Level Medium 557 South Atlantic Ave Aberdeen, NJ 07747 728 Bennetts Mills Rd Jackson, NJ 08527 60 Lacey Road Manchester, NJ 08759 475 Route 70 Lakewood, NJ 08701 4057 Asbury Ave. Neptune, NJ 07753

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175 Gunning River Rd Suite D Barnegat, NJ 08005

501 Iron Bridge Rd, Suite 2 Freehold NJ

1104 Arnold Avenue Point Pleasant, NJ 08742

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www.northeastspineandsports.com