Total Performance. Stop Sciatica In Its Tracks

Total Performance. Stop Sciatica In Its Tracks

The Newsletter About Caring for Your Health

Stop Sciatica In Its Tracks A L S O I N S I D E : HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP •EXERCISE ESSENTIALS • PATIENT SUCCESS SPOTLIGHT STAFF SPOTLIGHT • HEALTHY RECIPE

Stop Sciatica In Its Tracks 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 deeper issues. You might be facing sciatica. While “sciatica” may sound serious, it’s entirely curable. Below, we’ll cover sciatica back pain. areas. If this inflammation reaches a certain point, it may compress these nerves — resulting in pain.

Sciatica back pain is normally noticed as a pain radiating from the lower back. Often, this pain extends to the buttock, spiraling down the leg. If you’re suffering from sciatica, you might feel the discomfort anywhere along this nerve pathway. The pain can even extend to the calf. What Are the Symptoms of Sciatica? The pain itself can be dull, aching or even sharp. In some cases, the compressed nerve may feel like it burns, causing considerable pain. In other cases, the compressed nerve may simply issue a sharp jolt of pain. Some people experiencing sciatica may even have leg numbness, tingling or weakness. If sciatica isn’t treated, it can hinder mobility altogether.

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. We’ve pinpointed the most common cause of sciatica-related pain: inflammation along the spine, where compressed nerves are aggravated. While sciatica pain can be great, it can be treated. A lot of sciatica cases, in fact, can be resolved without operation — and in 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? In most cases, sciatica occurs when one of the back’s disks is herniated. It can also happen if the spine narrows — an effect called spinal stenosis. As we age, our backs undergo a lot of stress. This stress takes a toll, causing inflammation in several

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 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/7619.php

Call Total Performance Physical Therapy at 215.997.9898 or visit totalperformancept.com to schedule your appointment today!

How Physical Therapy Can Help 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. 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

These treatments, hand picked by medical 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 absolutely be healed.

What it means: If the leg with pain, numbness or tinglingdoesnotgoupashighas the other leg,you likelyhavesciatica.Your nextstep istoseewhat iscausingthe pressure on your sciatic nerve.

Call Total Performance at 215.997.9898 or visit totalperformancept.com to learn more!

PHYSICALTHERAPY PERFORMANCE

Stronger. Faster.Better. OTAL

PHYSICALTHERAPY PERFORMANCE

Stronger.Faster.Better. OTAL

Upcoming Workshop!

Exercise Essentials

Back Pain & Sciatica Saturday, February 23 10 am at the North Wales Location

Exercisescopyrightof

www.simpleset.net

1501 Lower State Rd, Ste 308 North Wales, PA 19454

SWAN DIVE Lay on stomach with your arms overhead. Press your chest upwards, keeping the muscles in your trunk and legs relaxed. Repeat 6 times.

RSVP by calling 215.997.9898 or by emailing [email protected].

Patient Success Spotlight

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“I’m able to use my arm again for everyday activities!”

“I wanted to send along a note of thanks to you and Heather for all that you did for me in the past few months. My shoulder is feeling much better, and I’m able to use my arm again for everyday activities. Your service, assistance, and professionalism throughout the entire therapy period was outstanding. I could not have asked for more. Again, thank you and Heather for an excellent job.” - Dick R.

Meet The Team Staff Spotlight

Check Out The Special Services We Offer! • Aquatic Therapy • Laser Therapy • Massage Therapy • Sports Training • Hands-On Physical Therapy & Aquatic Center • Athletic Education

Wayne Burkholtz, DPT New Clinic Director of Norristown Wayne Burkholtz, DPT received his doctorate in Physical Therapy fromWidener University. Wayne has spent his career in outpatient orthopedics and specializes in manual therapy. Wayne’s interest in physical therapy began after an athletic injury in high school. He pursued his doctorate at Widener University and enjoys treating athletes and supporting local schools. During his time at Widener, Wayne served as part of the student board that created the country’s first student-led pro bono physical therapy clinic. This clinic has served as the model for clinics in

programs across the country. Wayne still serves as a member of the Advisory Board for the clinic as well as an adjunct professor at Widener teaching classes and supervising the pro bono clinic throughout the year. Wayne takes personal interest in each of his patients and helping them to reach their goals. To ensure the best ability to support his patients, Wayne attends classes to help him stay current on treatment techniques. Wayne is currently certified in dry needling and fascia movement taping. He is also trained in the McKenzie method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT), McConnell Taping, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Massage, and Pose Running. Wayne takes a personalized approach to treating each patient and has a way of creating a friendly atmosphere. He looks forward to joining the Norristown community and supporting you and your family. Healthy Recipe Spiced Pear Tea

Has Your Pain Come Back?

Ingredients • 1 orange • 3 cups water • 2 (11.3 to 12 oz) cans pear nectar • 1 tbsp honey (optional)

• 4 inches stick cinnamon • 1 tsp whole cloves • 6 tea bags • Small orange slices, halved (optional)

Feel free to call Total Performance PT at 215.997.9898 to consult your physical therapist. Your physical therapist can discuss with you the source of the problem and recommend exercises and stretches to relieve your pain at home.

Directions Using a vegetable peeler, remove three wide strips of peel from the orange; set peel aside. Juice the orange into a large saucepan. Add the water, pear nectar and honey (if using) to orange juice in saucepan. For spice bag: Place the 4 inches of stick cinnamon, the cloves and the orange peel strips in the center of a 6 in square of double-thickness, 100%-cotton cheesecloth. Bring corners together and tie with 100%-cotton kitchen string. Add spice bag to pear nectar mixture. Bring mixture to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Add tea bags; cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and spice bag; discard. Serve in warmmugs. If desired, float orange slices on top of individual servings and serve with additional stick cinnamon.

If further assessment is needed, schedule an appointment!