Living With Sciatica? Say Goodbye to Chronic Pain With This Secret!

Physical therapy holds the key to pain relief.

Our bodies are composed of a complex network of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. Your sciatic nerve is the largest nerve you’ve got in your body. It extends from the lumbar spine through the buttocks area, and if there is unnecessary pressure applied to it, it can cause a world of problems for you!

Are you living with this condition? Physical therapy at GoodLife Physical Therapy could provide you with the relief you’ve been searching for.

Request an appointment with physical therapists today, and watch the world of pain-free living unfold before your eyes!

What is sciatica?

Sciatica, also known as “lumbar radiculopathy,” is a very painful condition that results from the irritation of the sciatic nerve. This pain is typically felt in the lumbar area and behind the thigh. It’s also a common complaint of individuals suffering from sciatica that they feel the pain radiating well into the lower limbs.

Sciatica can make bending, walking, and exercising painfully difficult. The most common cause of sciatica is lumbar disc herniation, but it can also be caused by a back injury and disc degeneration.

How is sciatica diagnosed and treated?

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Sciatica most commonly occurs when a herniated disk, bone spur on the spine or narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis) compresses part of the nerve. This causes inflammation, pain, and often some numbness in the affected leg.”

Sciatica is typically diagnosed with questions regarding your medical history, alongside a physical exam. Many physical therapists may also have a CT scan, or MRI performed to locate the root cause of sciatica.

Move Forward PT states, “Conservative care like physical therapy often results in better and faster results than surgery or pain medication.” Physical therapy is safe, natural, and most importantly, an effective method of treatment for people dealing with sciatica pain!

A physical therapist will work with you to:

  • Reduce your pain.
  • Increase your strength and range of motion
  • Educate you on how to stand, bend and twist properly to prevent future injuries
  • Improve your flexibility.
  • Help you return to normal activities.

Physical therapists are licensed movement specialists who can teach you targeted stretching exercises for pain relief, many of which you can do at home!

Stretches for sciatica pain relief

To alleviate the pain and symptoms of sciatica, a physical therapist will often employ a variety of techniques. Active therapies, passive treatments, aquatic treatments, and other options are available.

If your physical therapist discovers any weak muscles in your core, you will be given adequate corrective exercises to strengthen them. These exercises target not just the lower back muscles but also the abdominal muscles, hip muscles, and glutes.

All of these exercises help strengthen the spinal column, including the tendons, ligaments, and supporting muscles, while keeping the spine in proper alignment.

The stretching exercises that your physical therapy will show you are meant to target inflexible and tight muscles. Hamstring stretching is a common and important part of a physical therapy treatment program to alleviate sciatica. An aquatic exercise program may also be recommended by a physical therapist. You can do exercises easily with the buoyancy of water.

Types of helpful physical therapy treatment

Passive therapy

Passive therapy may include massage, electric, heat, or ultrasound therapy. These different kinds of treatment can help reduce pain, stimulate proper blood circulation, and speed up the healing process.

Active therapy

Active therapy includes exercises, specific motions, and stretches meant to speed up the healing process and provide pain relief. Your physical therapist will educate you on the different stretches and exercises you can do at home for pain relief.

Ultrasound Therapy

Although most people identify the word “ultrasound” with pregnant patients, those aren’t the only people this technique benefits! Ultrasound therapy relieves pain by transmitting relaxing sound waves deep into the tissues.

Electrotherapy

Electrotherapy uses electricity to strengthen muscles, reduce pain, increase circulation and improve physical function.

Massage therapy

Massage therapy helps alleviate sciatic nerve pain. It loosens tight back muscles that may be pressing on the sciatic nerve, increasing the release of endorphins for pain relief. Heat therapy helps relax muscles and reduce inflammation.

Could physical therapy be the answer to sciatica pain?

Physical therapy for sciatica is a non-invasive, effective, and safe treatment method that focuses on finding and eliminating the source of your discomfort. A physical therapist will design a treatment plan that is unique to you and your needs!

Your physical therapist will assist you in learning how to prevent sciatica and other problems in the future by giving you at-home exercises for maintenance. You can prevent sciatica from reoccurring by maintaining good posture, proper body mechanics, and being in good shape!

If you or a loved one is suffering from sciatica, give our office a call for your personalized consultation with one of our physical therapists. A comprehensive exam will be performed, and your physical therapist will make sure you’re back up on your feet in no time at all.

Call us today; what are you waiting for?

Sciatica pain can change your life in a negative way, but with the help of a physical therapist, you can regain control. There is no reason for you to settle for a life filled with chronic pain symptoms from this condition.

You’re just a phone call away from living a pain-free life. Our therapists are waiting for you to reach out! Contact Us today

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3 Reasons To Go To Physical Therapy After Surgery

Whether you’re undergoing a joint replacement, a back surgery, or some other procedure, we’re confident that working with a physical therapist can help you heal up and get back to your active lifestyle as efficiently and safely as possible.

Every year, our physical therapy team meets thousands of individuals recovering from surgery.

Curious about why physical therapy is so important in the post-surgical window?

We’ve got three reasons to pique your interest! Call GoodLife Physical Therapy today to schedule an appointment, and let us help you get back up on your feet after your operation!

Why should I go to physical therapy after surgery?

Here are three great reasons why you need to schedule physical therapy appointments for your post-surgical recovery period!

1. Physical therapy helps to accelerate your recovery.

Our bodies are extremely strong and capable of self-healing. A physical therapist’s non-invasive and drug-free services and procedures can help people improve their self-healing abilities and work with their bodies rather than just masking symptoms.

Your physical therapist team can help you stay on track during your rehabilitation by minimizing discomfort and limiting the risk of problems so that you can restore and maximize your strength, balance, range of motion, endurance, and overall function as quickly as possible.

2. Physical therapy can help you to control and minimize your pain.

A physical therapist can teach you exercises, provide manual interventions like massage, and implement non-invasive modalities that can work together to alleviate your pain and even reduce your reliance on pain-relieving medications, including opioids.

Many of the interventions we provide in physical therapy work directly on the central nervous system to help modulate pain signals being sent to your brain, while others help reduce inflammation, swelling, and stiffness.

Of course, pain is typical and expected following specific procedures, including hip and knee replacements. Taking your pain medication as prescribed can help you participate in your physical therapy more fully. So, it’s essential to talk to your doctor about your pain medication options and not to stop or start taking anything without his or her input.

That said, research shows that physical therapy is a safe alternative or beneficial component to effective pain management in the post-surgical window. So be sure to talk to your doctor about setting up a referral to see a physical therapist, too!

3. Attending regular appointments with a physical therapist can reduce the risk of complications.

Any surgery carries the potential of problems such as postoperative bleeding, infections, range of motion restrictions, and hardware malfunction.

Working with a physical therapist may help reduce the likelihood of experiencing a complication, which reduces stress, saves money, and protects your short-term and long-term health.

Physical therapists are trained to educate you on how to move and function safely in everyday situations. If your surgeon instructs you to follow particular precautions or activity limits for a period of time after your surgery, your physical therapist can teach you how to adhere to these restrictions and progress or adjust them as needed.

Physical therapists can also prescribe and fit adaptive equipment such as walkers and braces to further protect your healing tissues and help you mobilize more safely.

Your physical therapist can also act as a supportive liaison between you and your surgeon and keep them updated with your progress and needs. This way, if any concerns arise, there can be faster communication between all the need-to-know members of your medical team.

Should I see a physical therapist before and after surgery?

Pre-surgical rehabilitation and post-surgical rehabilitation can be used to make any surgical procedure as easy as possible on your body. While pre-surgical rehabilitation is not always required in a treatment plan, it is always recommended to yield the best results. The best results are always achieved through treatments before and after surgery.

So, to answer your question in short: absolutely!

For example, according to an article on shoulder replacement surgery published by the Hofmann Arthritis Institute,

“Formal physical therapy is not required before surgery, but it is advised to get in the best physical shape possible before surgery to lessen the change for complication and shorten your recovery time.”

The same article also states that “The day after surgery, you will begin working with physical therapy to become comfortable using your new shoulder.” This demonstrates how beneficial it is to complete both pre-surgical rehab and post-surgical rehab. Both are meant to make your recovery process as easy and comfortable as possible.

Request an appointment with us today

It’s never too early to start seeing a physical therapist! Contact our physical therapy clinic today to schedule an appointment for your post-surgical rehabilitation. We are also available to help you begin therapy in preparation for an upcoming surgery, all you have to do is pick up the phone and call us today!

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Is It Time To See A Physical Therapist For That Herniated Disc of Yours?

You can use physical therapy to find relief from herniated disc pain.

Are you dealing with unexplained back pain? The reason for your discomfort could be a herniated disc. Disc herniations are common among our patients with back, arm, and/or leg discomfort at our physical therapy center. A herniated disc can occur anywhere in your spine!

Strange neck pains, back pains, or extremities symptoms can suggest a multitude of issues, including a herniated disc or several herniated discs.

So, what can you do if you’re not sure if you have this problem? What are your options if you have a herniated disc? These questions don’t have to add to your physical pain and confusion!

If you believe your pain and dysfunction are caused by a herniated disc, we encourage you to contact GoodLife Physical Therapy today to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist.

What is a herniated disc?

You might have heard herniated discs referred to as “slipped discs” or “ruptured discs.” Regardless of what they’re called, all of these names describe the same problem!

Your spinal discs are squat discs of tissue that lie between the vertebrae. They are small soft structures whose main jobs are to absorb shock and maximize mobility within the spine. On the outside, these discs are tough and fibrous, but on the inside, they are soft and gel-like.

Their fluid-filled center, called the nucleus pulposus, is encased in an outer structure called the annulus fibrosus. This arrangement makes the disc both tough enough and spongy enough to absorb shocks.

Unfortunately, that toughness has its limits. Sometimes a disc will lose hydration over time, causing the nucleus pulposus to shrink. The disc loses its height, which stresses the spinal joints and may cause the disc to bulge outward.

Eventually, these changes can cause part of the annulus fibrosus to balloon and tear open; this is a herniated disc. Herniated discs can also occur suddenly due to an auto accident, workplace accident, or sports injury that traumatizes the spine

Symptoms of herniated discs

A herniated disc occurs when the tough outer layer of the disc (the annulus fibrosis) ruptures. This allows the inner gel substance (the nucleus pulposus) to leak out. The ruptured disc tissue can trigger an inflammatory response and compress nearby structures, including joint receptors and spinal nerve roots.

Surprisingly, not all ruptured discs produce discomfort (especially because the discs themselves are relatively low in innervation and vascularization). When a herniated disc does create symptoms, the following are common ones:

  • Neck or back pain, stiffness, and muscle spasms at the level of the injured disc
  • Arm or leg pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness (if the herniated disc compresses on an adjacent nerve root that innervates the affected limb)
  • Pain that improves or “centralizes” (moves toward the spine) with spinal extensions, such as when lying down or lying prone
  • Pain that worsens with forward flexion or prolonged sitting—forward flexion may also cause the pain to “peripheralized” or move further away from the spine

A herniated disc is similar to a bulging disc; in the latter condition, the disc tissue may protrude out of place but will not rupture. 

In addition to analyzing your symptoms and performing various tests and measures, a physical therapist can help you determine if you have a herniated disc by assessing your medical history and lifestyle.

We’ll look for risk factors known to be linked to herniated discs, including:

  • Acute trauma, e.g., auto accident or fall
  • Smoking
  • Obesity
  • Male gender
  • Age between 30 and 50
  • Frequent bending, heavy lifting, or twisting
  • Physically demanding occupation

How can physical therapy help with herniated disc pain?

Research shows that physical therapy is effective for treating herniated discs. If your symptoms are affecting your activities of daily life or work, or if your symptoms persist for longer than two weeks, we recommend consulting with a physical therapist.

Physical therapy interventions like spinal traction, corrective exercises, and non-invasive modalities like electrical stimulation or diathermy can heal the injured disc, alleviate pain, and help you avoid recurring issues.

Physical therapy may also be indicated if you’ve been told by a surgeon that you could need spinal surgery to fix the herniation.

Before undergoing a spinal fusion or disc decompression treatment, many surgeons advise their patients to work with physical therapy to increase core strength and spinal health. This can improve surgical outcomes while lowering the risk of post-operative complications.

Surprisingly, studies suggest that even “idiopathic” back pain (pain that has no identified etiology) responds well to physical therapy. In other words, even if you’re not sure if you have a herniated disc, our services can still be beneficial.

Request your first appointment today

Struggling with the pain of a herniated disc can be excruciatingly difficult. Consult with a physical therapist today to get started on the path toward pain relief! Our experienced team can help you understand the source of your symptoms and heal the injured disc so your relief is longer-lasting. contact us Today !

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Find Freedom From Stress-Related Headaches Through Physical Therapy

Regain control of your life: say goodbye to headache pain!

Did you know that there is more than one kind of headache? Various types of headaches affect millions of individuals. Sinus headaches, hormone headaches, and migraines are just a few examples!

Several sorts of stress can also cause headaches. Stress-related headaches are, in fact, one of the most common headaches that people suffer from.

It’s critical to grasp the differences between stress headaches and other sorts, as we andasons for these headaches and how a physical therapist may help.

Request an appointment with GoodLife Physical Therapy to learn more about how physical therapy can help relieve your headache pain, as well as stress management techniques to make your life easier!

What is a stress headache?

A stress-related headache is sometimes called a tension headache.

You might experience a dull, achy pain along your forehead or through the back of your head. The pain sometimes starts in the neck or shoulders and progresses through areas in the head.

Sometimes there may be aching or pain in the jaws and cheeks. During stressful situations, our bodies often go into fight or flight mode.

Certain chemicals in the brain can be released during this time that can cause various changes in the body that result in pain.

How can I know if I’m suffering from stress-related headaches?

Stress-related headaches vary widely in severity, although they’re rarely as debilitating as migraines. They tend to a generalized ache over a broad region of the head instead of attacking a specific area such as the eye (a trademark of another type of headache called a cluster headache).

There are several reasons that you may be suffering from a stress-related headache. Anxiety, fatigue, and general stress can all contribute to headaches.

Certain health-related conditions, including arthritis, can cause headaches. Even poor posture can contribute to stress-related headaches.

The tension that brings these kinds of headaches on may stem from emotional stress (if that emotional stress creates chronic neck tightness), but it may also be caused by:

  • Repetitive motion or overuse from work or sports activities
  • Secondary pain problems such as arthritis in the cervical spine
  • Weak neck muscles that become fatigued easily
  • “Text neck,” a strain disorder that occurs if you’re always drooping your head forward to look at your smartphone

Stress-related headaches that bother you for more than 15 days out of the month for three months or more are considered a chronic pain condition.

Experiencing increased amounts of stress can make muscles tense and cause your blood vessels to dilate. This can cause stress-related headaches and may make other types of headaches, such as migraines, even worse.

How does physical therapy help with headache pain?

Physical therapy might not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering treatment options for headaches.

However, it may be the ideal treatment if you’re experiencing tension or stress headaches.

A physical therapist at GoodLife Physical Therapy will conduct a review of your medical history and perform a thorough evaluation of your current physical abilities and limitations.

A specific treatment plan will then be created to address your individual condition. It will be aimed at helping you find relief from headaches without the use of potentially addictive medication!

There are several specific ways that physical therapy can help reduce stress-related headaches.

  • Stretching exercises. Stretching exercises can help loosen tight muscles and ligaments in your neck and back that are contributing to your headaches. Certain stretches may also strengthen muscles in your neck and back. You can reduce your neck and shoulders pressure as the muscles become stronger and more flexible.
  • Heat and ice compression. Alternating between heat and cold therapy can often reduce muscle tension and stress. It not only reduces muscle strain but can provide immediate soothing relief.
  • Lifestyle changes. A physical therapist can teach you new ways of sitting, standing, and even different ways to complete daily tasks to reduce the stress and tension that contributes to stress headaches. Over time, even improved posture may decrease the number of headaches you experience.
  • Soft tissue mobilization. Massage and other types of manual therapy can often provide immediate relief from the pain associated with stress headaches. A physical therapist using the correct massage techniques can help prevent contractions in the shoulders, neck, and head that cause headaches.

What to expect in physical therapy treatment

Over-the-counter pain medicines may temporarily relieve the symptoms of stress-related headaches, but they do nothing to address the pressures and strains that cause the headaches to repeat.

Physical therapy is a fantastic place to start if you want a more long-term treatment. Our physical therapist will evaluate to determine whether you have tension headaches or another sort of headache that necessitates the care of a professional.

In addition to the techniques mentioned above, physical therapy strategies for treating tension headaches include:

  • Exercises strengthen your neck muscles, allowing them to hold the weight of your head more evenly and with less strain.
  • Postural and ergonomic advice to help you get rid of any bad habits that might be causing “text neck.”
  • Flexibility exercises, manual therapy, heat therapy, and/or ice therapy.
  • Stress reduction measures such as yoga, lifestyle changes, and advice on reducing common stress triggers in your life.

Request an appointment with a specialist today

If you’re struggling with stress-related headaches, an individual physical therapy plan may be able to reduce or even eliminate your headache pain.

You’ll want to contact a physical therapist who can help alleviate your headaches and get you on the path to a pain-free life.

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Are You Experiencing Chronic Pain? Improving Your Diet Could Help You Out!

Stop feeding your chronic pain!

Do you live with chronic aches and pains? Do they make it difficult for you to enjoy your daily routine? Is it hard for you to do things that you once loved doing with ease?

If your discomfort has been continuously worsening, you may want to reconsider your eating habits! We truly are what we eat.

Inflammatory responses can be triggered by eating too much or the wrong foods, which can lead to muscle, nerve, or joint discomfort.

Although physical therapists are not dietitians, providing dietary recommendations to patients is an important part of their job. Dietary adjustments can make the biggest difference in decreasing or eliminating pain in some chronic diseases.

By adopting a healthy nutritional strategy as part of a holistic physical therapy program, you can begin to make the changes necessary to live a more full, comfortable life.

Call GoodLife Physical Therapy today to learn more about pain management and dietary changes you can make to feel better!

How is my diet linked to my pain?

Certain kinds of foods are known to cause or aggravate inflammatory responses and chronic pain. You may be doing yourself more harm than good if you regularly consume the following kinds of foods:

  • White bread or other highly-processed carbs
  • Alcohol
  • Red meat
  • Foods heavy in processed sugars and/or trans fats (including cookies, donuts, and margarine)
  • Potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, and other members of the nightshade family
  • Caffeinated foods and drinks

These foods can harm you in a variety of ways. Sugar and aspartame, for example, enhance insulin levels while also increasing pain sensitivity.

Caffeine and tomatoes both increase acidity in the body, which promotes inflammatory discomfort. However, the bottom line for all of these items (and a few more) is the same: an increase in your aches and pains.

Poor dietary and nutritional choices can also increase your pain by increasing your waistline. Excessive quantities of rich, fatty, sugary or starchy foods can cause your weight to balloon, especially if you lead a sedentary lifestyle.

This extra weight can accelerate joint degeneration, aggravating arthritis pain. It can also place undue strain on your muscles as they struggle to support your heavier body. Obesity can even encourage the development of bulging or herniated discs, leading to neurological issues such as sciatica.

Physical therapy and nutritional pain relief

Certain foods have been known to alleviate inflammation, where some foods can aggravate it. In fact, according to Harvard Health Publishing, “A lot of chronic pain is the result of chronic inflammation, and the evidence is quite strong that your diet can contribute to increased systemic inflammation.”

The good news is that the correct foods can help you battle inflammation just as much as the wrong foods can make it worse. Simply switching to a Mediterranean diet can put you on the road to better health and less pain.

Fruits, vegetables, fish, whole grains, and healthy oils like olive oil are all wonderful options with great nutritional content and low inflammatory potential in this diet.

Even the spices you use can make a big difference in how comfortable you are; turmeric, for example, is a powerful natural anti-inflammatory. Your physical therapist can advise you on the best dietary modifications to make to help you manage your pain.

Weight control is another vital aspect of pain management. Your physical therapy plan may include recommendations on how many calories you should consume, what kinds of foods you should eat to avoid getting fat, and any other necessary changes to your eating schedule or patterns.

Increasing your physical activity will help you get the most out of your new nutritional routine. For example, strength training that builds muscle boosts your metabolic rate, helping your body burn calories more easily.

Other physical therapy techniques to ease chronic aches and pains will help you become that much more mobile – enabling you to boost your workout regimen, lose more weight, and take more strain off of your joints and tissues.

What conditions can be improved with a healthy diet?

There are a number of common conditions in America that are directly related to diet and nutrition.

Here are some conditions in which nutritional advice will likely be a part of the patient’s physical therapy regimen:

  • Diabetes. More than 90 percent of patients with diabetes also experience neuropathic pain. Diet and nutrition will play a key role in managing these conditions.
  • Osteoarthritis. Obese patients are more likely to develop arthritis, especially in the knee. Once a person has been diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee, managing their weight becomes the most important key to managing the arthritis and pain.
  • Inflammation. American diets tend to have a lot of vegetable oils and other inflammatory foods in them. This can make the pain from inflammation even worse. In many cases, a physical therapist will prescribe a diet with more antioxidants and anti-inflammatory foods to help manage pain.
  • Autoimmune disorders. The combined total of various autoimmune disorder patients (such as Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis) now outnumber cancer patients in America by a wide margin. Autoimmune disorders are frequently linked directly to deficiencies in a patient’s diet.
  • Obesity. Being overweight causes a patient pain, so they become more sedentary. Becoming more sedentary causes them to gain more weight, which leads to more pain.

Request an appointment with us today!

Eating for health can include eating for pain management. Contact our physical therapy center to make this strategy work for you!

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The Top 5 Best Ways Therapeutic Massage Will Benefit an Athlete

Any athlete will understand the importance of maintaining their health in order to keep up with the physical demands of their sport. If you’ve recently sustained an injury, it is important to make sure that you are keeping up with your physical therapy treatments, in order to regain your optimum levels of physical function. At GoodLife Physical Therapy many physical therapy treatment plans will incorporate therapeutic massage as a way to relieve pain and promote healing. There are several benefits to therapeutic massage – here are the top 5:

1. Therapeutic massage improves posture.

When coupled with other kinds of physical therapy, massage can do a lot of good for your posture. Massage helps bring your body into an optimal place of alignment, which can naturally improve your posture. Better posture has multiple benefits for athletes. When you maintain a proper posture, your body can move at its peak at all times — which means you’ll be playing your sport with a bit of a natural advantage built in.

2. Therapeutic massage increases circulation.

Regular massage during your physical therapy program can considerably improve your circulation. Better circulation means that your muscles get the blood supply needed in order to prevent stiffness and tension. Your muscles will work and feel better after a therapeutic massage.

3. Therapeutic massage decreases scar tissue.

When you’re injured, your body forms adhesions around the injury, which are bands of tough scar tissue. These adhesions can cause serious pain, restrict your movement, and delay your recovery for a lengthy amount of time if they are not treated. A therapeutic massage can efficiently deal with those adhesions. Your physical therapist can use specific targeted techniques to unbind your muscles and break up the adhesions. This is an important component of your physical therapy program because being adhesion-free is essential for both pain relief and for your range of motion.

4. Therapeutic massage improves the immune system.

Sickness can be extra hard on athletes. Just one bad cold or flu can keep you out away from the sport you love for weeks — and you might not feel your best for quite some time after that, as well. Fortunately, massage helps boost your immune system’s natural defenses. During a massage, your body is prompted to power up its natural cytotoxic capacity, which means your immune system will be able to fight off illness, germs, and bacteria more effectively.

5. Therapeutic massage relaxes muscles.

While muscle relaxation is the best-known benefit of massage, it takes on a whole new importance for an athlete. Muscle pain, soreness, and tightness are all things that you expect as an athlete — but the good news is that you can greatly decrease these issues with regular therapeutic massage. Even after you’ve completed a physical therapy program following an injury, you could still benefit from regular massages with your physical therapist.

Confirm your appointment today:

Keeping your body in a strong condition is a large part of being an athlete. Physical therapy can help you with that. Our physical therapist will asses your condition and prescribe the best treatment plan for your needs. Therapeutic massage can help you feel your best, even if you only participate in treatments once or twice a month. By taking the time to improve your physical health, you’ll be able to perform at your optimum levels of function.

Do you want to relieve your pain, recover from an injury, or simply improve your athletic performance? Contact GoodLife Physical Therapy today to confirm your appointment and find out for yourself how therapeutic massage can benefit you!

Sources:

https://guidetoptpractice.apta.org/content/1/SEC38.extract

https://www.moveforwardpt.com/Resources/Detail/tips-to-recover-from-workout

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/massage-therapy/about/pac-20384595

Trouble Staying Active While Working a Desk Job? We Can Help!

A Sedentary Job Doesn’t Have to Mean a Sedentary Life!

At our PT clinic, we see many hard-working patients with desk jobs—but it can be challenging to find time to stay active in sedentary environments.

Unfortunately, many people eventually realize that it is the sedentary nature of their work that directly affects their health and job performance.

Everyone needs to move a lot throughout the day. However, if you’re sitting for most of your working day, it’s essential to find a way to move more frequently.

Not only will regular movement help mitigate the risks associated with excessive sedentary behavior (such as back pain, obesity, and even heart disease), but research suggests that it can also increase productivity, mental focus, and job satisfaction.

Need some tips on how to increase physical activity? Check out these helpful ideas from our dedicated staff of physical therapists!

The importance of staying active throughout the day

According to PT in Motion News, 80 percent of Americans aren’t meeting physical activity guidelines set forth by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Finding the time or the motivation to exercise is difficult for many people.

Maintaining a high level of physical activity can possibly lengthen your life as well as improve the overall quality.

The truth, however, is that getting active can vastly improve your health, your comfort, mobility, and overall quality of life. That’s why it’s so important to stay active, even when you have a desk job.

5 steps to improve physical activity throughout the day

  1. Addressing past injuries. It’s hard to stay focused and comfortable at work if you’re in pain. And while we know that sitting for longer than 7 to 8 hours per day is associated with health problems, sometimes the idea of increasing your physical activity can seem like a huge obstacle. By consulting with a physical therapist, you can get underlying health problems diagnosed and managed. Our therapists use non-invasive, evidence-based techniques that work with your body’s natural healing power—it’s not just about masking the pain! Doctors of physical therapy can also prescribe expert guidance on ergonomic improvements around your office and can help you maximize your posture, core strength, and other elements of health so you can function better while on and off the clock.
  2. Use a pedometer. Research shows that wearing a simple pedometer (you can find super inexpensive options online and in sports retail stores) helps increase the number of steps you take per day. This kind of objective data can be inspiring and get you to move more frequently than you may otherwise. You may even consider getting some colleagues to join the “pedometer club” and create a little friendly competition to see who can get the most steps in throughout a typical work day or week!
  3. Use the office as your gym! Come up with ways to move more on and around your work area. Can you park farther away from the building? Allocate 10 minutes of your lunch break to a brisk walk around the campus or neighborhood. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk down the hall to chat with your colleague or employee instead of sending an email or text.
  4. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Staying well-hydrated on the job offers multiple benefits: it helps your tissues and joints stay healthy, it improves focus, it eases headaches, and yes—it will make you need to get up more frequently to use the bathroom!
  5. Do short exercises throughout the day. At least once per hour, pause what you’re doing and take a few minutes to run through some simple exercises or stretches. These can be done in the privacy of your own office or even out in the open (hey—maybe you’ll inspire your co-workers!). Ask a physical therapist to provide you with an individualized program that can address your specific needs and be tailored to your job duties.

Get moving with physical therapy!

If you’re looking for more ways to stay active, a physical therapist can help you. Don’t hesitate to contact us today to get started!

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End The Search For Relief From Knee and Hip Pain

As the cartilage in one’s joints begins to break down with age, the risk of experiencing chronic hip or knee discomfort rises. Anyone can acquire hip or knee pain as a result of excessive overuse, unanticipated traumas, or underlying disorders.

While surgery may be required to repair specific disorders of the hip or knee, physical therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing discomfort and increasing function. In many circumstances, physical therapy can completely get rid of the need for surgery.

Your hips and knees are important joints that work hard to provide you with optimum function throughout the day. Because of their complexities and constant use, they are common areas of pain and discomfort.

If you are living with hip and/or knee pain and you are looking for relief, contact GoodLife Physical Therapy in Orland Park, IL today for a consultation. Our therapists are skilled and able individuals who would be more than happy to help you feel your best.

Common causes of hip and knee pain

When you make an appointment with a physical therapist, you can expect a comprehensive examination as the first step. Your physical therapist will assess you to determine the location of the sore area as well as the source of the discomfort.

For example, discomfort in the hips can occasionally be felt in the lower back, buttocks, groin, or the front or side of the hips. Knee pain can also be felt on the front or rear of the knee joint. If there has been trauma to the knee, it can also be felt on the inside of the knee, or on the outside of the knee if you have iliotibial band tension.

Hip pain is typically reported as a constant dull ache that doesn’t seem to go away. However, knee pain is a bit different, and is often assessed as one of several different types of pain:

  • Acute – Acute pain is the most intense type of knee pain. It typically occurs after an injury and will last for about a week. The treatment for acute pain is generally just to simply rest and isolate the affected area, as your body is working hard to heal it.
  • Subacute – Subacute pain is typically felt two to six weeks after an injury. Tone’sfected area will still be painful, but it will not be nearly as severe as the acute pain of the first week. The treatment for subacute knee pain generally consists of gentle motions meant to increase your range of motion and facilitate healing.
  • Chronic – Chronic pain can be defined as any pain that lasts longer than two or three months. If you’ve been living with serious knee pain for that long, you should consult with your doctor. They will most likely suggest performing another full physical exam, in addition to x-rays.

Find true, long-lasting pain relief with PT

When you arrive for your initial consultation, your physical therapist will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine the nature of your condition and the best steps for relief. This evaluation will include:

  • Strength tests. Testing the strength of your knee and hip structures will give your physical therapist a better idea of whether your pain is due to an injury or a physical imbalance.
  • Range of motion tests. Your physical therapist will test the limits of your knee or hip, to see how far it will bend. This helps in determining the severity of the trauma and will give your physical therapist insight into what the course of treatment should be.
  • Palpation. Your physical therapist will provide gentle palpation of the knee or hip to figure out where the pain is originating.
  • Gait analysis. Your physical therapist will assess how you walk to determine if anything is out of the ordinary with your gait.

Targeted stretches and exercises will be included in treatment regimens to relieve discomfort and improve function in the problematic hips or knees. As your physical therapist sees fit, other methods or modalities may be applied. Your progress will be continuously monitored to ensure that you meet your objectives as quickly as possible.

Depending on your symptoms, your physical therapist may also perform balance tests to see if your balance has been affected. If any areas are inflamed, your physical therapist will focus closely on those areas.

Call us for an appointment today!

At our clinic, we’ll provide you with the treatment you need so you can get back on your feet. If you are looking to relieve your hip and knee pains the natural way, contact our office today.

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Relieving Your Pain the Natural Way – Physical Therapy as the Safer Relief Alternative

It is no secret that the United States is a country with very high levels of medication. With countless over-the-counter drugs for pain management, it can seem simple to turn to drugs for pain relief. It is also a common practice for physicians to prescribe heavier pain relievers, such as opioids that have resulted in a country-wide epidemic.

While the effects of these drugs can be frightening, there is a safer solution available: physical therapy. Physical therapy is a healthy, safe, and effective way to relieve your pain the natural way. If you are looking for pain relief without the risk of side effects, contact us today to schedule a consultation!

What does physical therapy do?

Our dedicated physical therapists create individualized treatment plans based on the specific needs of each patient. Your treatment plan will vary based on the nature of your condition; for example, if you are suffering from a recent acute injury, we may use massage therapy, ice and heat therapies, ultrasound, and other techniques to ease your pain and jump-start the healing process.

Once you’re safely able to move to exercises without pain, your physical therapist will prescribe gentle stretches, walking, cycling, swimming, or other motions, in order to help mobilize your body. This is done to help your soft tissues move around easier and with more comfort, in addition to helping stiff or arthritic joints stay mobile and lubricated. Strengthening exercises can rehabilitate damaged muscles so they can perform without pain, and they can also help you maintain a straighter posture in order to ease pain from spinal nerve compression.

Physical therapy methods and modalities have been proven to work. In fact, an 11-year study of chronic pain sufferers demonstrated that regular exercise resulted in decreased pain. Effective physical therapy isn’t just the work of the physical therapist — it also depends on the efforts of the patient. We will take the time to educate you about the nature of your pain and the importance of strictly following your routine. All of this will give you the resources you need to live a pain-free life and prevent future injuries from occurring.

The safest pain relief strategy:

We’ve all seen it broadcasted over the media: the serious dangers of opioid medications. These narcotics, which include both prescription medicines and illicit drugs, take the lives of approximately 115 American every day via overdose. Opioids are not only tremendously powerful, but they also have the potential for dangerous interactions with other drugs and they are commonly known for their addictive nature.

Steroids, which are another class of prescription painkillers, also pose serious risks and dangers. Epidural steroid injections are used to relieve pain, but they can also lead to undesirable conditions, such as cataracts, arthritis in the hips, elevated blood sugar, stomach ulcers, and nerve damage. Even ordinary NSAIDs such as ibuprofen can cause stomach bleeding and liver problems. Additionally, pain management drugs only allow for temporary pain relief – meaning you’ll have to take larger amounts for longer periods of time, if you don’t get sufficient treatment for your condition.

With physical therapy treatments, you can sweep all of those risks, worries, and unpleasant side effects aside. While some cases of severe pain might still require some pharmaceutical intervention, physical therapy can help many patients greatly reduce their reliance on painkilling medications, and in many cases, the need for these drugs may be eliminated altogether.

Our highly-trained physical therapists use a combination of techniques to treat a wide range of painful problems, from acute injuries and post-operative wounds to chronic pain syndromes and conditions. Whatever the case may be, you can find relief through physical therapy.

Schedule an appointment for relief!

Pain-management drugs are not the only solution when it comes to relief. Try physical therapy for a safer and natural approach, which will provide you with the relief you need! Confirm your appointment today by calling our office, and get started on your journey toward long-lasting and risk-free relief!

Sources:

https://www.apta.org/PTinMotion/2018/10/Feature/Opioid/

https://policy.apta.org/NationalIssues/OpioidEpidemic/

5 Reasons You’ll Benefit From Seeing a Physical Therapist

This demand for pain-management drugs has caused the opioid crisis we’re all too familiar with today. Opioids are both dangerous and addictive when taken for extended periods of time or in large amounts. Because of this, many Americans are understandably looking for safer pain relief alternatives.

According to the American Academy of Pain Medicine, approximately 100 million Americans live with chronic pain. So, if you are living with chronic pain, or pain lasting three months or longer, you are not alone.

Unfortunately, that also means that the dependency on prescription medications is continuously growing. In the year 2013, doctors across the U.S. prescribed nearly a quarter of a billion opioid prescriptions – that’s roughly a bottle per person in the United States.

Physical therapy is a natural, safe, and non-invasive treatment of chronic pain. To learn more about how physical therapy can help you find relief, without the need for dangerous pain-management drugs, contact GoodLife Physical Therapy today.

The 5 benefits of physical therapy for chronic pain

Our physical therapists are mobility specialists who are ready to help you with your chronic pain symptoms. They will design a treatment plan that is tailored to your unique needs in order to give you with the most effective passive and active therapy treatments for your disease.

Physical therapy has numerous advantages; nevertheless, the following are the top five:

1. Better physical function

Participating in physical therapy is an engaging process that can inspire you to take a more active role in your pain management. Physical therapy sessions last anywhere from 30-60 minutes, allowing you to work closely with your therapist to achieve your goals. At the end of the day, physical therapy is the only natural, risk-free, and active method of pain relief, providing long-lasting effects.

2. A treatment plan catered to YOUR needs alone

In addition to passive treatments, your physical therapist will design an active exercise program for you that is tailored to your individual healing needs. Physical activity can dramatically reduce pain while also reducing swelling, enhancing range of motion, aiding healing, and boosting general strength and endurance.

3. Safe, conservative treatments.

Some common treatments that physical therapists provide include massage, ultrasound, joint mobilization, electrical nerve stimulation, and diathermy. These are all-natural treatments that have a very low risk of side effects, especially when compared to other methods of pain relief, such as surgery and medication.

4. Treatments supported by credible medical professionals.

Rigorous study and strong research are just two of the many ways that the successes of physical therapy have been proven. These studies have provided credible evidence for physical therapy treatments, illustrating how they can significantly reduce a vast number of pain-related conditions. The implementation of care backed by scientific research allows physical therapists to greatly improve their patient outcomes.

5. Relief that targets the source of the pain

Physical therapy’s success is due in part to the fact that it reaches the root of the problem rather than simply hiding it. Pills may be simpler to swallow for pain relief, but their effectiveness is fleeting. Many drugs’ effects only last 12 to 24 hours, so you’ll have to keep popping tablets if you want to keep feeling better. It essentially hides the discomfort while failing to address the underlying issue.

At your first consultation, your physical therapist will conduct a complete assessment to establish the source of your pain and the most effective treatment options. Physical therapy addresses the underlying cause of the problem in order to provide long-term relief, whereas medicine simply provides temporary relief.

Are you ready to discover the benefits of physical therapy?

There’s no guarantee when it comes to taking medication to quell the effects of a painful chronic condition. Physical therapy is a much safer bet if you’re looking for a healthy way to return to a life free of constant discomfort.

Are you living with pain? Are you looking for a natural way to treat your pain? If so, look no further. We can help you get the treatment you need so you can live a pain-free life, without the risks of opioids!

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