5 Ways to Relieve Back and Neck Pain

There are common causes of both back pain and neck pain. Changes in the spine’s anatomy often cause back pain. There may be lumbar disc herniation, lumbar degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis or sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Disc herniation occurs when the gel-like interior of the disc leaks outward and irritates the nerve roots. It typically causes a stabbing pain in the back of the legs and back pain. Wear and tear on the spinal discs can lead to lumbar degenerative disc disease. It causes low-level back pain. Osteoarthritis is a wear and tear of the facet joints in the spine. Friction can cause a pinched nerve from osteoarthritis. And when the sacroiliac joint has too much or too little motion, it can cause lower back pain.

Muscle strain is a common cause of neck pain. It can be due to sleeping in awkward positions, whiplash or poor posture. Other common causes of neck pain include cervical osteoarthritis, cervical degenerative disc disease and cervical herniated disc. Back pain and neck pain can range from moderate to severe. If you’re experiencing back pain or neck pain, call TheraFit™ today to see how physical therapy can help you live a pain-free life. Get pain relief with help from our skilled physical therapists.

How Physical Therapy Can Deliver Pain Relief for Back Pain and Neck Pain

Physical therapy is a common treatment for pain relief in the cervical area and lumbar area. The goals and benefits of physical therapy for neck pain and back pain include:

  1. Improving neck and back range of motion- By engaging in flexibility exercises in the neck and back area, you'll be able to move easier.
  2. Reducing pain and stiffness in the back and neck area- Passive treatments by a physical therapist will accelerate healing and lessen pain.
  3. Developing strengthening of the neck and back- With specific physical exercises, you'll be building up the muscles in the neck and back areas.
  4. Developing strategies to prevent neck pain and back pain from recurring- Learn proper body mechanics to avoid future injury.
  5. Improving the quality of life- With physical therapy, you'll be able to return to your regular routine must faster.

The two forms of physical therapy are passive treatments and active treatments. Passive treatments for neck pain include electrotherapy, ice packs, ultrasound, massage therapy and heat therapy. These treatments help reduce pain, inflammation and stiffness. Active physical therapy treatments include exercises and stretches. By engaging in active exercises with a physical therapist, strength and flexibility are improved in the neck, and the muscles become less painful. In addition, stress on the cervical spine is reduced.

Like physical therapy treatments for neck pain, back pain physical therapy treatments include both passive and active methods for the patient. “Current medical literature suggests moderate to strong evidence supporting the benefits of physical therapy’s role in reducing neck pain and back pain and improving range of motion.”

How Back Pain and Neck Pain Are Diagnosed

If you’re experiencing neck or back pain, a doctor will perform a physical exam and may even order X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI provides pictures of blood vessels, ligaments, tendons and soft tissues. It can provide the root cause of your back pain or neck pain. It’s quite common for a doctor to recommend physical therapy to treat neck and back pain

Back and neck pain can lead to a loss of productivity. It’s a common cause for disability. It can also lead to nerve damage, depression and even weight gain. If you’re suffering from back pain or neck pain, it’s time to take action. Get pain relief with the help of a physical therapist. A physical therapist will develop a personalized treatment plan just for you.

Why suffer when physical therapy can give you pain relief? Call our Fayetteville or Hazel Green offices today to see how physical therapy can help you live a pain-free life.

Suffering with Back Pain? Check Your Posture!

In one longitudinal study, back pain accounted for more than 3 percent of all emergency room visits between 2004 and 2008. It is also estimated that more than 25 million Americans suffer from chronic pain, many with a disability that prevents them from doing normal daily tasks like working and caring for themselves or others. From muscle aches to limited mobility, those suffering from back pain will tell you that they will do anything to make it stop. Fortunately, physical therapy may be the answer. Call our Fayetteville or Hazel Green offices today to speak to our physical therapists and find out if physical therapy can help you eliminate your back pain for good.

What Is Causing My Back Pain?

One of the most common causes of back pain is your posture. Chances are, you just sat up a little straighter after you read that, right? When we talk about posture we often think about how we sit or stand. While sitting or standing still is certainly an important part of it, your posture affects how you walk, run, jump, lift, work, and perform nearly every daily activity in your life. What's even more confusing, your posture while you sit at work may be impeccable, but your posture when you stand up out of your chair, get out of bed, or even sleep is different. Which leads us to the next question...

What Causes Poor Posture?

Many people think poor posture is caused by laziness. We get so wrapped up in thinking about other things that we stop paying attention to how we position our bodies. In reality, poor posture is more of a physical problem than a mental one. Sure, we need to be reminded to check our posture periodically throughout the day, but physical weakness is often associated with holding our bodies in ways that cause back pain.

We know what you're thinking. "But I work out! I'm not physically weak!"

Even if you exercise regularly, poor posture is caused by weakness of the stabilizing muscles in your core, not weakness in your arms and legs. Muscles in your abdomen, buttocks, back, shoulders, and pelvic floor all contribute to your posture. If even one of these is weak, your core is weakened and your posture suffers.

How Physical Therapy Helps

You may not immediately think about working with a physical therapist to achieve better posture. You should, though. A physical therapist is a movement expert, one that can identify weak areas and help you strengthen them. They can also help you increase flexibility, mobility, stability, and balance as well as help you relieve your back pain without pain medication.

Initially, your physical therapist will identify areas of weakness that are causing your back pain through functional testing and diagnostic imaging. They will then create a customized physical therapy plan targeted at improving your posture in all of your daily activities and strengthening weak core muscles. In the end, physical therapy will help relieve your back pain, improve your posture and help you be stronger in all aspects of your life.

If you are experiencing back pain, your posture may be to blame. Fortunately, our physical therapist is ready to help you move toward a pain-free future. Find out for yourself why physical therapy is one of the most effective ways to address your back pain and start on the road to recovery. Contact TheraFit™ Physical Therapy today for a consultation. And sit up straight already!

Common Causes of Shoulder Pain and How Physical Therapy Can Help

Your shoulder is the most flexible and movable joint in your body, consisting of several bones, muscles, joints and tendons. This means there are several ways the shoulder can become injured and cause pain. There are many causes of shoulder pain and steps you can take to eliminate the discomfort. Physical therapy is an effective way of treating several types of shoulder pain. Call TheraFit™ to find out how working with an experienced physical therapist can help ease your shoulder pain.

Causes of Shoulder Pain

Sometimes, a sudden injury can occur that causes shoulder pain. Other times, repetitive motions can gradually cause joints, tendons and muscles in the shoulder area to hurt. Physical therapy can treat several specific conditions that may be contributing to the pain in your shoulder. A physical therapist can create a customized program to specifically meet your needs.

Torn Cartilage

A torn cartilage can produce a number of painful symptoms. These include limited range of motion, decreased strength and clicking sensations when you’re moving your arm. You may also experience pain when moving your arm in certain positions. Physical therapy can provide pain relief if you’re suffering from a torn cartilage.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is an irritated or inflamed tendon. This condition can occur in a variety of locations throughout the body. Tennis elbow, swimmer’s shoulder and jumper’s knee are all specific types of tendonitis. Pain is often dull and achy. There is sometimes swelling and tenderness as well. A physical therapist can treat different types of tendonitis.

Sprains and Strains

Basic sprains and strains can cause ongoing shoulder pain that makes it difficult to perform daily activities. A sprain is when a ligament is stretched or torn. A strain involves a tendon or muscle that is stretched or torn. Minor sprains and strains can sometimes be iced at home and will eventually heal on their own. Those that are more severe will often require physical therapy.

Bursitis

Bursitis, or joint inflammation, often occurs in areas of the body that are used in the same repetitive motions. It specifically affects the fluid-filled sacs that surround and cushion the tendons, muscles and bones. Symptoms can include stiffness, achiness and the area appearing red or swollen. You’ll want to try physical therapy to ease your painful symptoms.

Frozen Shoulder

This is a painful condition that gradually worsens and then will normally resolve itself in a few years. In the meantime, frozen shoulder can produce ongoing pain and stiffness. A physical therapist can provide treatment options to address this condition.

Arthritis

There are several types of joint diseases that are considered as arthritis. Two of the most common include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage between your bones breaks down and the bones begin to rub together. Physical therapy can ease your pain and improve mobility.

How Physical Therapy Can Help

A physical therapist can provide pain relief for a variety of conditions while also improving flexibility and range of motion. A trained physical therapist can use cold or heat therapy to ease pain and increase mobility. They often implement different types of manual therapy. Physical therapy could include kneading and massaging specific joints, tendons and muscles in the shoulder area. Sometimes, a physical therapist can teach you a series of exercises that you’ll be able to do at home that can provide pain relief while your shoulder is healing. Other techniques used might include aqua therapy, ultrasound or electrical nerve stimulation.

Whatever type of pain you’re experiencing, a trained physical therapist can create a program to treat your particular condition. Contact our Fayetteville or Hazel Green offices today to schedule a consultation with one of our physical therapists.