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.

Sciatica, also known as “lumbar radiculopathy,” is a very painful condition that results from the irritation of the sciatic nerve. This kind of pain is typically felt in the lumbar area and behind the thigh. It’s also a common complaint of individuals suffering with 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.

According to Move Forward PT, “Conservative care like physical therapy often results in better and faster results than surgery or pain medication.”

A physical therapist will work with you to:

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

Stretches For Pain Relief

A physical therapist will typically use many different types of treatment to reduce the pain and symptoms you experience from sciatica. There are active treatments, passive treatments, aquatic treatments, and more.

On the chance that your physical therapist discovers any weak muscles, you will be given proper corrective exercises to strengthen your core. These strengthening exercises not only focus on the lower back but also the abdominal muscles, hip muscles and glutes as well.

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 muscles that are inflexible and tight. 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 Treatment:

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.

Passive therapy

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

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, and it increases the release of endorphins for pain relief. Heat therapy helps relax muscles and reduce inflammation.

Ultrasound Therapy

People typically associate this kind of therapy with pregnant women, but that’s not all ultrasounds are used for! Ultrasound therapy helps relieve pain by sending soothing sound waves into deep tissues for relief.

Physical Therapy Could Be Your Answer

Physical therapy for sciatica is a non-invasive, effective, safe treatment plan that is targeted to the root cause of your pain. A physical therapist will devise specialized treatment specific to you and your needs.

Your physical therapist will help you learn how to prevent sciatica and other pain in the future by teaching you at-home exercises for maintenance. By practicing good posture, proper body mechanics and staying in good shape, you can also prevent sciatica from occurring again.

If you or a loved one is suffering from sciatica, be sure to 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.

You’re just a phone call away from living a pain-free life — what are you waiting for? Call Next Level Physio today!

SOURCE:

• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sciatica/symptoms-causes/syc-20377435
• https://www.choosept.com/symptomsconditionsdetail.aspx?cid=e2de94ee-ee01-45ea-8949-d3ebb09a4af5

The post Physical Therapy Can Provide Sciatica Relief appeared first on Next Level Physio.

If you’ve been struggling with pain recently and are looking for lasting relief, a physical therapist can help you out. With a customized physical therapy treatment plan, you will learn highly effective ways to manage your pain and boost your overall energy levels.

Our physical therapists are equipped with the skills to help you live a pain free life at last. Contact Next Level Physio today to learn more and schedule your first visit with us!

Below we’ve listed five helpful tips you can implement to gain more energy and relieve acute or chronic pain!

1. Take Time To Breathe

Obviously you’re breathing all the time, however, it’s not focused breathing! Your physical therapist will show you how practicing focused breathing techniques can help relieve your pain and give you an energy boost during the day.

Every few hours, make sure you take a moment to yourself to stop, shut your eyes, and breathe. Breathe in deeply through your nose. Make sure your lungs are as full as possible, and then breathe out through your mouth. Let a bit of air out through your lips by keeping them lightly pursed, and focus on nothing but your breathing for a few minutes.

You’ll be shocked at how much of a difference it can make with your energy and stress levels!

2. Moving and Grooving

Most of us underestimate how critical it is to move around a lot every day. This is something physical therapy will make very clear to you! When you are in pain, it might be instinct to curl up in the fetal position on your side, but that’s the worst option you can choose. Forcing yourself to get up and walk around a bit every hour is a better choice, even if you just take a simple walk around the room. This can help relieve your pain immensely, and give you an extra boost of energy.

3. Change How You’re Sittin

The way you sit can have a massive impact on your pain and energy levels. Your physical therapist might recommend that you change the way you’re sitting to relieve pain. A lumbar cushion behind your back can help relieve pressure in your lower back region. By avoiding pain, you’ll feel less zapped of energy at the end of the day. Your physical therapist will be able to offer a specialized treatment plan full of tips and exercises to help you adjust your sitting habits at home and in your work environment.

It’s also important to make sure you’re not sitting for prolonged periods without breaks. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Research has linked sitting for long periods of time with a number of health concerns. They include obesity and a cluster of conditions — increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels — that make up metabolic syndrome.”

This goes hand in hand with #2! Be sure to take breaks at work and get up to move around!

4. Good Posture Is Key

If you make improvements with your posture it can make a massive difference with your overall health. A physical therapy program can help you improve your posture, and this is something you can also carry out long term. Sitting and standing with your shoulders back, chest out, and a straight spine is a good start. Avoid sitting slumped over a book, desk, or your computer at work! Your physical therapist can guide you towards proper posture habits that will help relieve pain and pressure.

5. Drink More Water

It is recommended that we drink about an ounce of water for each pound we weigh each day! That seems like a lot, but it normally averages out to be around 7-8 glasses. Drinking enough water will prevent you from dehydrating, and this will allow you to avoid muscle cramps, headaches, fatigue, and constipation.

Water is always the healthiest drink option, so make sure you keep a full bottle or thermos near you at all times during the day. You will notice that the more water you drink, the less pain you feel, and the more energy you have. The added bonus is that it can help you keep your appetite under control so you’re less likely to gain unnecessary weight.

Contact Our Office Today!

Physical therapy is a safe, healthy, non invasive way to recover from injury or illness and get back to feeling your absolute best. Be sure to use the tips above to supplement your custom physical therapy program for optimal success. If you’re ready to learn more about how healthy eating and exercises can get your energy back and relieve annoying pain, we’re here for you! Call Next Level Physio today to schedule an appointment with a licensed physical therapist!

Source:

• https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/sitting/faq-20058005

The post 5 Tips To Boost Energy Levels and Relieve Pain appeared first on Next Level Physio.

Did you know that strengthening your core muscles is linked to developing better balance? It’s true! When your core muscles are strong, they have a better chance of preventing you from experiencing chronic lower back pain and developing other injuries. They also prevent you from losing your balance or falling over. A strong core helps to keep you in an upright position, especially as you get older and develop more of a risk of falling and hurting yourself.

If you’re curious to learn more about creating a core routine to improve your balance, contact Next Level Physio today to set up an appointment with one of our certified physical therapists!

Balance and Core Strength Go Hand in Hand!

In total, your body has three systems that help regulate and sustain your balance. The first one is the vestibular system, which is responsible for giving your brain the necessary information it needs about how we move, our head position, motor functions, etc. The liquid in your inner ear functions as part of this system, sort of like a “carpenter’s balance” to keep you level. If you’ve ever found yourself feeling off-kilter or dizzy, it means that the liquid in the vestibular system is off a bit.

The second balancing system is your visual system. Your eyes send informational signals to your brain regarding your position in relevance to the world around you. The third balancing system is the proprioceptive system, which deals with your core and the muscles in that area.

Your proprioceptive nerves are sensory nerves located all over your body. They make you aware of your posture, as well as aware of where you are positioned compared to things surrounding you. In order to stay properly balanced, all three of these systems need to be in equilibrium. A weak core is one element that can not only throw off this internal equilibrium, but can also make you feel off balance to the point of falling over.

About Your Core: Muscles, Stability & Strength

Most people believe that when you work on your core, you’re just doing ab crunches, but your core muscles are more than just your abs! There are two classes of core muscles: your inner core and your outer core.

The inner core muscles are attached to your spine. These are the muscles that stabilize your core and keep it in the right position. The outer core muscles work together with the inner core muscles when you need to move your body and do most of your daily physical activities.

Core stability relates to your inner core muscles. These muscles stabilize your spine. Core strength relates to the outer core muscles and when it is properly developed, works to help you move around with ease. Having regular visits with a licensed physical therapist can help assist you with training both your inner and outer core muscles for better balance and movement!

How Physical Therapy Can Improve Core Strength & Stability

You don’t need a bunch of expensive gym equipment to start working on your core strength. In fact, here’s a quick exercise that many physical therapists will recommend if you’re just starting out. It’s called the “drawing in maneuver,” or if you prefer the less fancy term, “sucking your gut in.”

Contrary to what many believe, it’s not necessary to go out and buy a ton of expensive gym equipment or memberships to work on your core strength. According to the Mayo Clinic, any exercise that involves the use of your abdominal and back counts as a core exercise.

Here is a fast and easy exercise that many physical therapists recommend to patients who are just beginning to work on theirs. It’s referred to as the “drawing-in maneuver.” We all have probably done it before; ever heard of the phrase “suck your gut in?” This is pretty much the same thing!

The Drawing In Maneuver

To begin, stand up straight. Find the correct pelvic position by rotating your hips forward and backward until you’re comfortable. Then, take a deep breath and draw your belly button in toward your spine. Make sure you are not holding your breath though, as this isn’t a breathing exercise! You should be able to talk, breathe, and walk around your house with your belly button drawn in. It sounds pretty easy on paper, but if you’re older, recovering from an injury, or out of shape in general, this maneuver will prove to be a little hard at first.

The goal is to build up your core strength until you can hold your belly button in for 30 seconds. Then you can move on to more challenging core exercises. If you feel any pain at all from this maneuver, stop immediately, as this should not be painful!

As you build up your core, your physical therapist will suggest that you move on to more strenuous activities and exercises that are the best fit for your age and abilities. These will range from bridges and planks for the more athletic individuals, to more gentle routines (like yoga) for older individuals. Your therapist will also work with you on specific core exercises to help your balance.

Contact our office today for more information

If you have a weak core or you’re struggling with balance, physical therapy can help! Your physical therapist will do a thorough examination of your condition, assess your physical abilities, and create a customized treatment plan just for your needs. Contact Next Level Physio and schedule an appointment to get started with a physical therapist today.

Source:

• https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/core-exercises/art-20044751

The post Strengthening Your Core Can Improve Balance appeared first on Next Level Physio.

Most people struggle with sitting and standing up straight. Many of us can remember as teenagers being told by our parents and teachers that good posture was the key to good health later in life!

Back then we all rolled our eyes, as this demand seemed annoying. However, as we grow older, we realize that good posture goes beyond appearances and looking confident. Sitting and standing with good spinal alignment can actually help prevent back pain.

Physical therapists are great at teaching patients how to practice proper posture. Your physical therapist will help you to understand the importance of it, and give you the education necessary to make sure you’re achieving excellent posture every day.

If you’re experiencing back pain, it could be because of poor posture. Let our clinic help you discover the benefits of physical therapy for back pain. Contact Next Level Physio today to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist!

How Does Good Posture Relieve Back Pain?

Your spine is meant to operate in a specific way. Each time you move, sit, or stand in ways that disrupt the correct position and operation of your spine, you can end up creating long term problems.

Practicing good posture with the help of a licensed physical therapist is one way that you can work to minimize back pain. When you begin physical therapy, you will learn how to develop good posture, recognize when you are not practicing good posture, and discover many ways that healthy patterns of movement can minimize your back pain.

Some ways that developing good posture through physical therapy can help you with avoiding back pain are as follows:

1. Avoiding Incorrect Anatomical Changes

Did you know that the ways in which you use your spine can actually cause changes in your anatomy? It’s true. Sitting hunched over can cause excess stress and can eventually lead to damage of your spinal discs, muscles, joints and the nerves and blood vessels traveling through your spine. Thankfully in most cases the damage can be reversed by physical therapy. Targeted exercises, stretches, and education can help your body learn to sit and stand correctly!

2. Good Posture Encourages Flexibility and Strength

If you haven’t had good posture for a long period of time anyways, it’s probably best to assume that learning to maintain it isn’t going to be the easiest thing to do. It might take time in physical therapy to gain the strength and flexibility you need to keep ideal posture and spinal alignment. According to the Mayo Clinic, “correct posture can boost your productivity and mood, as well as help you use your muscles more efficiently.”

The work you do and the effort you put in with your physical therapist to achieve your goal will lead to greater overall fitness. The more flexible you get, the stronger you’ll be, and the less likely you are to suffer from nagging back pain every day.

3. Improved Posture With Everyday Activities

Most of the time when we hear the term “good posture” we think of how we sit or stand, but good posture is important in everything we do!

In physical therapy, your therapist will teach you how to maintain good posture during sports and everyday activities such as running or walking. Improving your overall posture will lessen the wear and tear you put on your spine every day. This will also minimize your risk of developing back pain from these activities.

4. Encourages Good Circulation

Maintaining the proper spinal alignment means that your veins will not be as constricted by pressure on your vertebrae. There are many components of your spine that require proper circulation to operate the right way and to reform from daily wear and tear.

It might seem like a daunting task, but as your physical therapist guides you through the different physical therapy exercises and techniques that help with maintaining good posture, you will improve at keeping the alignment required for proper circulation.

5. Prevents Back Pain Caused by Improper Lifting

If you constantly lift heavy objects, you definitely need to make sure you have good posture! Good posture is a critical component of lifting objects without hurting yourself. If you lift and fail to use good posture, there is a much higher risk that you will hurt your back.

Ask your physical therapist how to maintain proper posture while lifting. They will be able to show you how to properly lift things, and also guide you through exercises to hold the right posture.

Visit Our Office Today For Your Back Pain

If you are suffering from back pain, chances are it could be the result of poor posture. Contact Next Level Physio today to get set up for a consultation with one of our licensed physical therapists!

Source:

• https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/posture-align-yourself-for-good-health/art-20269950

The post Got Back Pain? Your Posture May Be The Culprit appeared first on Next Level Physio.

Back and neck pain are extremely common conditions that many people struggle with over the course of their lives. According to the National Institute of Health, back pain is one of the most common reasons people see a doctor or miss days at work. Even school-age children can have back pain.

Unfortunately, it’s not always an easy task to pinpoint the exact source of the pain you’re feeling in your neck or back. Pain can often radiate into your arms, legs, and head.

Oftentimes people end up paying for expensive surgeries to find relief, or falling back on addictive medication that can cause harmful health effects later in life. However, there is another solution for back and neck pain: physical therapy!

What Physical Therapy Does For Neck & Back Pain:

There are many different techniques in physical therapy for targeting neck and back pain. Physical therapy for these conditions is focused on the structures supporting the spine. These include the tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints. Typically, physical therapists include stretches, exercises and adjustments to relieve neck and back pain.

Some therapists even use aquatic exercises to make therapy even smoother. Aquatic therapy is helpful because the buoyancy of water takes pressure off of the cervical and lumbar spine while you’re performing the exercises.

Passive physical therapy also includes a variety of modalities like heat or ice therapy, massage therapy, electrotherapy, and ultrasound therapy. Heat or ice therapy can increase blood circulation to speed up the healing process and reduce swelling and inflammation. Massage therapy will relax muscles to reduce pain.

With electrotherapy, electrical pulses are sent directly into sensory nerves to prevent the pain signals from reaching your brain. Ultrasound therapy uses sound waves to penetrate deep into tissues and provide a soothing sensation to affected areas.

What Will My Physical Therapist Do?

A full assessment of your physical condition will be done, and a personalized treatment plan will be created to target the cause of your back or neck pain.

Your physical therapist will conduct a thorough examination to pinpoint the root cause of your back or neck pain. He or she may use a tool called a goniometer to measure your range of motion. They will also most likely perform a strength test on you.

Spinal mobility will be measured along with palpation to locate sore or tight muscles. Your physical therapist will also ask you to complete certain tasks in order to figure out what your functional mobility levels are.

Your physical therapist will take a look at your medical history as well to see if there are any factors that might correlate to the pain you’re currently feeling, such as recent injuries or surgeries. During this time, you can discuss the things that you are now not able to do as a result of any past injuries you might have sustained.

What Is The Importance of a Treatment Plan?

Your physical therapist will create a customized treatment plan that is specific to your pain levels and needs. This treatment plan might be different for you than it would be for someone else, since the cause of your back or neck pain can vary.

For example, you might be experiencing pain because of a herniated disc, a degenerative disc disease, whiplash from an auto accident, a sports injury, arthritis or poor posture.

A few conditions that could be the root cause of the pain you’re feeling are as follows:

• A herniated disc: This condition occurs when the gel-like material of the disc bulges or leaks out.
• Degenerative disc disease: This condition occurs when there is wear and tear on the discs.
• Osteoarthritis: Arthritis is developed due to wear and tear on the facet joints. This causes friction when bending, can result in pinching a nerve root, or in sciatica.
• Strains & sprains: This is a very common issue that sends people straight to a physical therapist. It is not uncommon for athletes to incur sprains and strains to the neck or back regions when engaging in sports that require aggressive overuse of a body part or muscle.

Physical Therapy Can Help Your Condition

Neck and back pain is absolutely not easy to deal with no matter what age you are! The good news? Physical therapy has been proven to help with neck pain or back pain regardless of its root cause. It’s a totally safe, natural, and effective mode of treatment for anyone looking to avoid expensive surgeries or harmful medications.

If you’re suffering from neck pain or back pain, call our office today to see how physical therapy can help get back to living a pain-free life. Our physical therapists are certified and waiting for you; they’ve helped many others and you’re next in line!

Contact Next Level Physio today, and learn how we can get you on the path to recovery. There’s no reason to suffer in pain when we have the solution right here!

Source:

• https://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/patient-caregiver-education/fact-sheets/low-back-pain-fact-sheet

The post How Physical Therapy Can Relieve Back & Neck Pain appeared first on Next Level Physio.

How many reminders do you have each day that you aren’t getting enough physical activity in? The running shoes collecting dust in your closet. The yoga mat curled up in the backseat of your car. The gym membership you keep paying for but don’t actually use. We know that sticking to a daily exercise regimen can be tough, but hey, no one ever said New Year’s is the only time you can make resolutions

Here is a list of tips we’ve compiled to help you grow stronger, healthier, and more active. These suggestions will provide at least a little motivation to put those yoga pants and fancy gym wear to good use!

Divide & Conquer…Your Chronic Pain, That Is!

Chronic pain can put a major damper in anyone’s exercise routine. You’d think that something so common would send more people running to a physical therapist’s office, but yet over half the country suffers from some sort of debilitating pain that goes untreated for years!

If you’re suffering from an ache or pain that is to blame for you not getting enough exercise in your daily routine, get yourself to a physical therapist ASAP. Physical therapy is a safe, natural, and effective way to help alleviate pain. It’s way more proactive than turning to prescription medication or watching TV in bed all day. The best part is that the results of a physical therapy program are long-lasting, and in many cases, permanent!

A physical therapist can manipulate your bones and joints to reduce discomfort and pain. Physical therapy can help with all types of chronic musculoskeletal and neuropathic types of pain, from chronic migraines or headaches to fibromyalgia. He or she can work with you to form an exercise and movement plan that reduces your pain and improves your range of motion and your physical abilities.
A physical therapist can also help you with the use of laser therapy, massage or microcurrent stimulation, ultrasound therapy, aquatic therapy, and more. The list of ways a licensed physical therapist can get you up, moving and living life to the fullest, is endless.

Mind Over Matter: Thinking Positive Is Key!

We know you’ve probably heard it all before, but all of that “mind over matter” stuff really works! Information on the Mayo Clinic site states, “Positive thinking doesn’t mean that you keep your head in the sand and ignore life’s less pleasant situations. Positive thinking just means that you approach unpleasantness in a more positive and productive way. You think the best is going to happen, not the worst.”

Your body “believes” what you think, so try to focus on maintaining a good attitude always, and seeking out the positive wherever possible. If you find that you’re unsure or feeling stuck regarding how you can go about getting yourself out of a negative rut, repeat the following mantra out loud: I have the power to create change.

Because you do.

Healthy Eating Habits

No matter how much we deny it, everyone loves to spoil themselves with yummy snacks and treats! The key is to balance those delicious foods with a well-rounded, healthy diet. Here are some tips to get things started:

• Avoid skipping meals. Providing yourself with consistent meals gives your mind and body then necessary fuel to help you become active and stay that way. It also helps you avoid your blood sugar dropping, which can lead to irritability, nervousness and a handful of other unpleasant issues.
• Eat your greens. Eating lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products is the key to a healthy diet. Try to stay away from consuming too much red meat! Beans, eggs and nuts are also great to add in to your daily intake. Keep the saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt and added sugars to a minimum.
• Choose healthy snacks. It’s a good thing to snack. Doing so keeps you at your best so that you can sustain your energy and stay positive. Choose carrots over cookies, and peanuts over pretzels.

Be Sneaky

Yep, you read that right! This is your permission slip to be sneaky when it comes to exercise!

Oftentimes, physical therapists recommend small changes to a person’s routine in order to make the adjustments manageable. Consider these changes to be “bite size chunks,” so that you don’t feel as if your entire routine has to revolve around working out.

Some changes to your routine that a physical therapist would approve of include:

• Exit the bus one stop early and walk the rest of the way to your destination.
• Choose the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Shovel snow, rake leaves, and garden in your yard as the seasons change.
• Park farther away from your destination and walk the extra distance.
• Walk up and down the field while your children are playing sports.
• Take the dog on walks around the park or your neighborhood every day.

Contact our clinic today

No matter what age you are, or what condition is ailing you, living a healthier, stronger and more active life will improve your physical and mental health.

If you’d like to help to develop a plan or alleviating pain, contact Next Level Physio to see how physical therapy can help you get living a more active and healthy lifestyle!

Source:

• https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-20043950

The post 4 Tips To Help You Lead a More Healthy, Active Lifestyle appeared first on Next Level Physio.

Regular appointments with a physical therapist are ideal for people of all ages! Physical therapy is a non-invasive, safe, and effective treatment option designed to restore mobility and relieve pain resulting from a wide range of workplace and sports injuries, musculoskeletal conditions, age related conditions, and more.

Typically, patients go to physical therapy to help manage chronic pain symptoms and prevent future injuries. One of the most common reasons new patients visit our physical therapy clinic every day is to find and treat the source of their chronic shoulder pain.

There are many different factors that attribute to chronic shoulder pain. One thing is for sure though, dealing with shoulder pain can make completing daily tasks nearly impossible without treatment.

If you or a loved one is experiencing shoulder pain, contact Next Level Physio today to learn how physical therapy can help relieve (or even eliminate) your problem!

How Does Shoulder Pain Occur?

Most people probably go about their day without giving much thought to how they are using their shoulders. Did you know that your shoulders actually do a good bit of work to help you accomplish everyday tasks? If you injure or strain them, there’s a large chance you will end up experiencing severe shoulder pain.

Five of the most common causes of shoulder pain include:

1. Tendon Tears

If you experience an acute injury, or have a degenerative condition, the result can be a torn tendon in your shoulder. The natural aging process, overuse, and random injuries can often cause split or torn tendons as well. Regardless of whether a patient has experienced a partial or full tendon tear, the pain can be searing and require regular appointments with a physical therapist in our clinic.

2. Tendinitis

Tendinitis is a very common condition that often sends people straight to a physical therapist for pain relief. It causes inflammation and usually affects people who take part in many physical activities, or work at a job that requires them to use lots of repetitive motions every day.

Take this for example, if you are an athlete who plays tennis, or a professional painter, you could be at high risk for developing tendinitis in your shoulder. This is because you make the same repetitive motions every day to play your sport or do your job. Those who are at a high risk for developing this condition should be aware of how important it is to not only visit a physical therapist regularly, but to also rest their shoulders often to prevent chronic pain.

3. Bursitis

The shoulder is made up of a very complex network of moving parts. This makes it a pretty complicated joint! One of the main components that make up the shoulder is called the “bursa.” The bursa contains small fluid filled sacs that work to keep the joint lubricated. If the bursa becomes inflamed or irritated in any way, you could develop bursitis. This will call for a physical therapist’s touch, as soon as possible!

4. Frozen Shoulder

Adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder, is a condition that occurs following an injury or alongside another shoulder condition. According to The National Institute of Health, frozen shoulder accounts for 2% of cases of shoulder pain. Most physical therapists recommend that patients with frozen shoulders rest often in between physical therapy appointments to avoid developing scar tissue in the shoulder.

On the chance that scar tissue does develop, the muscles surrounding the shoulder may eventually freeze up as well. This will limit your full range of motion and result in chronic pain.

5. Impingement

Shoulder impingement is a condition that occurs when the top part of the shoulder blade lifts away from the body and puts too much pressure on the underlying soft tissues in the arm. As the arm lifts, the shoulder blade rubs against the bursa and tendons. If this condition goes untreated, impingement in the shoulder can result in bursitis and/or tendinitis.

Physical Therapy Can Provide Fast Relief for Shoulder Pain

If you have been experiencing recurrent or chronic shoulder pain, it is important to consult with a physical therapist as soon as possible. Physical therapy is a safe and natural treatment option that can successfully help patients of all ages recover from their shoulder injuries.

Your physical therapist will assess your condition, find the source of your pain, and create a specialized comprehensive treatment plan for your specific needs.

There’s no reason you need to spend tons of money on expensive surgeries or over the counter medications to gain relief from shoulder pain. Getting back on the pain-free path is simple. Contact Next Level Physio today to learn more about the benefits of physical therapy for shoulder pain, and begin your journey toward living a pain-free life!

Sources:

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3217726/

The post 5 Common Causes of Shoulder Pain That Physical Therapy Can Help appeared first on Next Level Physio.

If you’re an athlete, it comes as no surprise to you that it is important to maintain optimal health if you want to continue playing the game you love. Seeing a physical therapist is a huge factor in that, especially if you’ve received an injury and are in the recovery process. A good therapy routine after an injury involves targeted therapeutic massage.

According to the Mayo Clinic,“Massage is generally considered part of complementary and integrative medicine. It’s increasingly being offered along with standard treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and situations.” It makes sense that massage therapy is becoming so popular.

Here are five of the best benefits therapeutic massage can provide athletes. Contact Next Level Physio today to learn more about how our physical therapists massage techniques can keep you active in the sport you enjoy!

1. Stronger Immune System

Getting sick can take a serious toll on an athlete. Even one case of the cold or flu can keep you on the bench for weeks, not to mention you’ll probably be performing at less than 100% for a while afterwards. Physical therapy massage can help boost your immune system’s natural defenses. When you receive a massage, your body will begin to start up its “natural cytotoxic capacity.” This means you’ll be better prepared to fight off harmful bacteria, germs, and illnesses, which in turn ensures you’re out sick less often!

2. Improved Posture

Therapeutic massage helps to properly align your body. When coupled with other kinds of physical therapy, massage can seriously improve your posture. Better posture has multiple benefits for athletes, because when you have good posture, your body can move and perform at its optimum levels all the time. This means that you’ve got a bit of a natural advantage when playing your sport of choice (which might mean more wins for your team!)

3. Increased Circulation

Better circulation means that your muscles are getting enough blood supply to prevent stiffness and tension. Your muscles will work and feel better after therapeutic massage!

4. Massage Breaks Up Scar Tissue

Any time you receive an injury, your body will form adhesions — bands of tough scar tissue — around the injury. These adhesions will end up restricting your movement, result in some serious inflammation and pain, and can delay your recovery for a very long time if they go left untreated. Your physical therapist’s massage techniques can deal with those adhesions very efficiently.

A licensed therapist can use specific techniques that target and break up the adhesions. In turn, this will loosen and unbind your muscles. Massage is a very important part of your physical therapy program because being adhesion-free is important for relieving pain and restoring a proper range of motion.

5. Muscle Relaxation

Muscle soreness, tightness and pain are all things that you expect as an athlete. While muscle relaxation is the best-known benefit of massage, it takes on a whole new importance for an athletic person. The good news is that you can significantly decrease these issues with regular therapeutic massage. Even after you’ve completed a physical therapy program following an injury, you might benefit from regular massages with your physical therapist. Ongoing treatment can only benefit you in the long run, and keep your muscles from tightening up.

Taking care of your health

Dealing with an acute or chronic injury from sports can be exhausting and extremely debilitating in many cases. No matter what kind of injury you’ve sustained, our physical therapists can help you make a full recovery.

Your body needs to be in the best condition at all times if you’re an athlete. You want to be able to perform at a top notch level! This means that if you get hurt, it is critical that you consult with a physical therapist about a recovery plan.

It also means that you need to recognize the importance of health maintenance. Receiving a therapeutic massage once or twice a month is something that is really simple, but can ultimately help you feel your very best. The outcome is that you’ll be able to be at your peak for every game!

Contact our office today to learn more about massage therapy

If you’re looking for safe, effective, and non-invasive treatment solutions for pain and sports injuries, or if you just want to improve your sports performance levels, call our physical therapy team now to get started with an expert physical therapist. Your therapist will assess your condition, look at your medical history, pinpoint the source of your pain, and be able to create a totally customized treatment plan with massages and targeted stretches to help get you back on your feet and in the game. Contact Next Level Physio today to learn more!

Sources:

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

The post 5 Ways Therapeutic Massage Can Benefit Athletes appeared first on Next Level Physio.

Have you recently suffered from a sports injury or auto accident? Chances are if you have, you’re still dealing with the effects. If you are struggling with acute or chronic pain and have yet to find relief, it’s time for a change. Contact Next Level Physio today to learn more about how our licensed physical therapists can get you on the path to a pain-free life.

How Can Physical Therapy Help Relieve Pain?

The goal of physical therapy is to reduce and eliminate pain while improving mobility and function. According to WebMD, “Physical therapy is often one of the best choices you can make when you have long-term pain (also called chronic pain) or an injury. It can make you stronger and help you move and feel better.”

The typical physical therapy treatment consists of multiple targeted exercises and stretches for pain relief. These exercises are given to you to improve the function of your core muscles. Some physical therapists use bikes, exercise balls, weights, or other tools as well to help restore movement and range of motion. Using your own body weight with pushups and lunges may be part of the treatment plan as well. All of the exercises are designed to provide pain relief, target problem areas, and relax muscles.

Types of physical therapy

Other modalities in physical therapy may be used as well to achieve pain relief. A few are as follows:

• Hot and cold therapy. Heat and ice packs can be applied to the affected areas to decrease inflammation and pain. This is a very common method of treatment in physical therapy and can be used to supplement other forms of pain relief.
• Massage therapy. Massage therapy is a manual technique used to increase mobility in tight or restricted areas. This is done with rhythmic stretching and applying deep pressure to fibrous muscle tissue.Massage treatments are helpful with breaking up scar tissue and adhesions caused by inflammation or injury. It also assists with improving blood flow and circulation to the affected muscles and soft tissues.
• Direct manipulation. Direct manipulation of the joints can be done to improve functioning and maintain proper alignment.
• Ultrasound therapy. Some physical therapy treatment plans include electrical stimulation as well, where currents are sent to sooth affected areas and reduce pain. Ultrasound technology can send sound waves deep into inflamed tissues and joints, blocks pain signals from going to the brain, and is useful for musculoskeletal problems.

Conditions physical therapy can help

According to the APTA, “Studies have established the efficacy of physical therapy in treating and reducing pain as well as preventing chronic pain.” Here are a few common conditions that can be relieved or even eliminated with the help of a professional physical therapist.

• Lower back pain & sciatica: Sciatica is a condition where pain will radiate down the buttock, thighs, and legs. It’s also common to experience a numbness, burning or tingling sensation on certain parts of the leg. Physical therapy exercises and stretches can help relieve pressure placed on the sciatic nerve, and in turn, reduce overall pain felt in regions of the back.
• Rehabilitation done before and after surgery: “Pre-hab,” or rehabilitation before surgery, has become more common. It has been found to improve patient outcomes and recovery processes. Studies also show that starting physical therapy about a month prior to a scheduled surgery can seriously speed up your recovery time as well. Seeing a physical therapist during the recovery period after a procedure is a must as well, to ensure proper alignment of muscles and joints as you learn to move around again.
• Arthritis: Arthritis is commonly mistaken for a condition that one only experiences as they age, however, it can affect anyone no matter how old they are! Therapeutic exercise programs can reduce pain and improve physical function among individuals with hip and knee osteoarthritis.

Injury prevention with physical therapy

The nervous system may still send pain signals even after an injury has fully healed. In addition to providing pain relief for you, a physical therapist can also teach you about sensory re-education for chronic pain. Sensory re-education decreases sensitivity to the affected area, and desensitizes the nervous system.

Your physical therapist can also show you new ways to move in your everyday life to prevent re-injuring the same place in your body in the future, or receiving a new injury. For example, if you lift heavy objects often, you’re likely to strain muscles without realizing it until much later. Physical therapists can show you the correct ways to bend and lift without hurting yourself.

Contact our office today!

If you are struggling with pain that is affecting your daily life, it’s time to put your foot down. Enough is enough, you don’t have to struggle day in and day out with soreness, aches, and inflammation that keeps you from enjoying the things you love!

A licensed physical therapist can assess your condition, discover any underlying health issues you might have, pinpoint the source of your pain, and create a customized treatment plan specifically for your needs. Contact Next Level Physio today to learn more about our pain management and relief options; our physical therapists are ready to help!

Sources:

• https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/physical-therapy
• https://www.apta.org

The post You Can Find Pain Relief With Physical Therapy appeared first on Next Level Physio.

Stiffness and discomfort don’t have to be a part of our daily lives — and yet many people assume that they’re doomed to suffer from arthritis pain. If you’ve been losing more and more of your mobility and productivity due to chronic joint inflammation, you may be disappointed by the usefulness of painkilling drugs or even alarmed by the potential dangers of such drugs. Fortunately, you have a safer, more effective path toward arthritis pain management: physical therapy.

How and Why Arthritis Causes Pain and Stiffness

Arthritis includes an entire family of painful joint conditions. For some individuals, it may take the form of painful gout in a toe joint; in others, it can strike due to a bacterial joint infection. The majority of arthritis suffers, however, suffer from one of two agonizing conditions:

• Osteoarthritis – This most common form of arthritis is usually a natural consequence of a lifetime of joint motion, coupled with certain changes that take place during aging. Healthy joints contain not only a lubricating fluid to keep the bone ends moving smoothly, but also a layer of cartilage that acts as a shock absorber and anti-friction component. Over time, however, the production of lubricating fluid can start to dry up, while the cartilage becomes thinner and more worn until it finally breaks down completely. This leaves you with pain, stiffness, and inflammation that usually feels worse whenever you try to move or put weight on the joint.
• Rheumatoid arthritis – This form of arthritis is caused by an auto-immune disease or dysfunction. The same protective mechanisms that normally fight off disease germs decide to turn on your joints, treating them as the enemy and attacking them. This results in painful inflammation that may come and go, leaving joint swelling and deformity in its wake.

Many arthritis sufferers naturally turn to medication in the hopes that it will ease their symptoms. NSAIDs, steroids and (and in the most severe cases) opioid drugs may produce such relief, but only temporarily. These drugs can’t address the physical problems that actually cause your symptoms; they can only mute the symptoms themselves. What’s more, painkilling and anti-inflammatory drugs can pose significant risks if they’re used constantly. NSAIDs can damage the internal organs, while steroids may contribute to everything from cataracts to osteoporosis. Opioids can be extremely dangerous, not only because of their addictive properties but also because overdoses can (and often do) prove fatal.

Our Physical Therapist Can Develop Customized Pain Management Plans

If you want an arthritis pain management plan that improves your health without presenting you with the dangers of drugs, turn to physical therapy. Our physical therapist can examine your joints to see how advanced your arthritis has become and how it may be affecting your stance, gait or mobility. You’ll then receive a customized pain management plan that may include:

• Exercise – Exercise can aid arthritis sufferers by boosting circulation, easing inflammation, strengthening joint tissues and increasing range of motion. It can help you improve your balance, if that’s become a problem for you.
• Physiotherapy techniques – You may benefit from massage therapy, cold/heat therapy or laser therapy.
• Corrective devices – Your physical therapist can recommend specialized insoles and train you in the use of devices such as walkers or canes.
• Lifestyle guidance – Your physical therapist can recommend specific changes to your everyday ergonomics or lifestyle that will ease your pain.

Don’t just numb your arthritis pain — manage it the smart, safe, effective way. Contact Next Level Physio!

Source:

• https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/4-ways-exercise-helps-arthritis
• http://www.apta.org/Blogs/PTTransforms/2016/5/26/Arthritis/
• https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/pain-management/understanding/types-of-pain.php
• https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/treatments/natural/other-therapies/what-is-physical-therapy.php
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/disease
• https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/treatments/medication/drug-types/corticosteroids/benefits-risks.php

The post Physical Therapy for Non-Pharmaceutical Arthritis Pain Management appeared first on Next Level Physio.