Tag Archives: spinal rehab

PT News

This Month in PT News. Featuring articles from PTandMe partnering clinics!

ski

1. Skiing and Thumb Injury
Written by the Therapy Team at the Jackson Clinics – Northern Virginia

Skiing falls can often cause injury to the inner ligament of your thumb, caused by the force of the pole against this area of the hand during a fall. This area, a band of fibrous tissue connecting the bones at the bottom of the thumb, is known as the ulnar collateral ligament. Read more

crash

2. Amazing People Make A Difference: Megan and Earl’s Story
Written by the Therapy Team, ARC Physical Therapy+ – Topeka, Kansas

Earl Bayless was riding in his work truck on December 21, 2016 when his driver fell asleep, causing a major accident. Their truck flipped several times in the air and skidded a block down the road before coming to a stop and leaving Earl to wonder what just happened. Read more

rowing

3. 6 Benefits of Rowing
Written by the Therapy Team at Momentum Physical Therapy – San Antonio, Texas

If you are looking for a low-impact workout that targets multiple areas of the body while getting your heart rate up, rowing might be the right exercise for you! Read more

PT News

This Month in PT News. Featuring articles from PTandMe partnering clinics!

old man tennis

1. Tennis and Golf: Keep Swinging as You Age
Written by the Therapy Team at the Jackson Clinics Physical Therapy – Middleburg, VA

It’s a hard fact to swallow: Age eventually catches up with all of us, no matter how active we may be. Unless we work to maintain strength and flexibility, we slowly lose both as we age. Read more

track girl

2. Bridging the Gap
Written by Jess VandenBerg MS, AT, ATC, CSCS at the Center for Physical Rehabilitation – Grand Rapids, MI

If you have ever rehabilitated an athletic injury, you know there is a big difference between completing your rehab, and returning to competition. You are pain free, have full range of motion, and are completely functional, but are you prepared for the true demands of your sport, both mentally and physically? Read more

spine

3. Is There an Association Between Radiological Severity of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and Disability, Pain, or Surgical Outcome?
Written by the Therapy Team at Oregon Spine and Physical Therapy – Eugene, OR

Last week I wrote a blog about a new research article about the shoulder and MRI. It helps us better understand the role of an MRI when trying to figure out the best plan to deal with a painful or injured body part. The old belief that an MRI is the “gold standard” is rapidly dying when it comes to understanding what to do with muscle and joint pain. Read more

spine rehabilitation

Spine Rehabilitation and Its Benefits

Spine-Rehab_FBsize

31 million Americans experience low-back pain at any given time. Back pain is the most common cause of loss of activity among adults under 45. It’s estimated that over 80% of all American workers suffer back pain at some time during their careers. From chronic to acute back pain, physical therapists are highly trained to accommodate the spine rehabilitation needs of a variety of patients.

COMMON BACK PROBLEMS SEEN BY PHYSICAL THERAPISTS INCLUDE:

COMMON CAUSES OF BACK PAIN:
Poor Posture and Body Mechanics
Poor posture is when your spine’s normal curves are either increased or decreased. This puts uneven stress on your spine and all of the supporting tissues. This uneven stress leads to pain and dysfunction and increases the likelihood of injury. The most commonly seen poor posture is a flat low back. Losing your natural low back curve is a major risk for back pain.

Poor Lifting Techniques
Poor lifting techniques is another cause for back problems. The forward bending position with your legs straight puts a great deal of stress on the muscles and ligaments of your back. The discs in your back are also under tremendous strain in this position. This position can increase your chances of ligamentous and muscular strains. It also increases your chances of getting a bulging or herniated disc.

Poor Physical Fitness
Poor physical fitness also contributes to potential back problems. Poorly conditioned muscles lack the strength and endurance that conditioned muscles have. They become fatigued much sooner and cannot provide the type of support a well conditioned muscle can.

back pain

WHAT DOES A SPINE REHABILITATION PROGRAM INVOLVE?
Physical therapists provide a comprehensive approach incorporating manual therapy, prescriptive therapeutic exercise and modalities. A program will improve the patient’s physical condition and symptoms. Therapists also provide the patient with movement awareness, knowledge of safe positions, functional strength, and coordination. All of this promotes the management of low back pain (LBP).

TREATMENTS OFFERED INCLUDE:
• Comprehensive Evaluation with an emphasis on determining the source of the problem.
• Individualized & Specific Exercise Programs
• Manual Therapy (hands-treatment)
• Modalities as Needed
• Progressive Home Program to help restore independence and self-management

GOALS:
• Improve Mobility
• Knowledge of Safe Positions
• Movement Awareness
• Functional Strength
• Coordination

If you have back pain that is prohibiting you from doing the things you enjoy, take the first step towards your recovery and contact your physical therapist.