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back pain, physical therapy for back pain

WHEN YOU SUFFER FROM BACK PAIN, HOW LONG SHOULD YOUR PHYSICAL THERAPY LAST?

S Bara

In general, you should attend physical therapy until you reach your physical therapy goals or until your therapist and you decide that your condition is severe enough that your goals need to be re-evaluated. Typically, it takes about 6 to 8 weeks for soft tissue to heal, so your course of physical therapy may last about that long. Of course, if you have a serious condition or a progressively worsening condition, your course of rehab may take longer.

Sometimes, your condition may rapidly get better, and you may notice an improvement in pain control, range of motion, and strength within a few sessions of physical therapy. In this case, you may only attend therapy two or three times, and then hopefully be discharged with a home exercise program that can help you prevent or manage future episodes of your condition. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/physiotherapy/accessing/

Piriformis syndrome, sciatica

PAIN THAT RUNS OUTSIDE THE HIP AND GETS WORSE WHEN RUNNING OR WALKING UP THE STAIRS. CAN IT BE SCIATICA AND PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME?

S Bara

It could be related to sciatica or it could be piriformis syndrome. Sciatica nerve roots come out of the spinal column low in the back and then pass behind the hip joint. Piriformis syndrome: The piriformis muscle typically runs on top of the sciatic nerve in the buttocks and can compress the sciatic nerve if the muscle becomes too tight. The symptoms may get worse after sitting for a long time, walking upstairs, walking, or running. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sciatica/

back pain, Benefits of massage for Lower Back Pain

3 MAIN BENEFITS OF MASSAGE THERAPY FOR LOWER BACK PAIN

S Bara

Lower back pain is one of the most common and costly musculoskeletal problems in modern society. The 3 main benefits of massage are as follows:

  • Massage improves blood circulation, which aids in the recovery of muscle soreness from physical activity.
  • Massage relaxes muscles for an improved range of motion. Muscle relaxation also helps with insomnia.
  • Massage leads to increased endorphin levels. The increase in endorphin levels is one of the greatest benefits of massage therapy. Endorphins are the chemicals the body produces that make you feel good, which is very effective in managing pain. https://www.evidence.nhs.uk/search?q=back+pain+massage
back pain

CAN SHOES YOU ARE WEARING INFLUENCE OR EXACERBATE BACK PAIN? 5 TIPS FOR BUYING RIGHT SHOES IF YOU HAVE ARTHRITIS.

S Bara

Shoes you are wearing can influence and exacerbate back pain. The wrong shoes can even cause back pain. That is especially true of people fond of stiletto heels, which can throw their bodies out of alignment and stress the back. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/foot-pain/heel-pain/

5 TIPS FOR BUYING RIGHT SHOES IF YOU HAVE ARTHRITIS

Make sure the shoe shape matches your foot shape

Whether you have inflammatory arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or the more common osteoarthritis (OA), many people need a shoe with a roomy toe box to accommodate the bunions, hammertoes, and deformed joints that often accompany their disease. These pressure points can be excruciating for already tender arthritic feet.

Look for shoes that offer lots of support

You get support primarily from the sole of the shoe — it should be wide, rigid, and only bend where your foot bends (at the toes) — and a stable heel counter, the back of the shoe that cups your heel and keeps your foot in place, which helps to prevent friction and pain.

Consider rocker soles

These slightly curved soles gently propel you through the gait cycle, distributing your weight more evenly to reduce the strain of walking on the foot, ankle, and toes.

Get the right type of material

Pick a shoe made of a material that’s soft and accommodating especially if you have issues like bunions or hammertoes.

Look for shoes with removable insoles

Shoes with removable insoles allow you to put in your own customised or over-the-counter insoles without making the shoe too tight.

neck pain

NECK PAIN, WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL HELP IF YOU HAVE NECK PAIN? TESTING AND DIAGNOSING NECK PAIN

S Bara

NECK PAIN

Neck pain is pain that starts in the neck and can be associated with radiating pain down one or both of the arms. Neck pain can come from many disorders or diseases that involve any of the tissues in the neck, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, or muscles. The neck region of the spinal column, the cervical spine, consists of seven bones (C1-C7 vertebrae), which are separated from one another by inter-vertebral discs. These discs allow the spine to move freely and act as shock absorbers during activity. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/neck-pain-and-stiff-neck/

WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL HELP IF YOU HAVE NECK PAIN?

Seek medical help for neck pain if:

  • It occurs after an injury or blow(s) to the head
  • Stiff neck prevents from touching chin to chest
  • Pain shoots down one or both arms
  • There is tingling, numbness or weakness in the arms or hands
  • Neck symptoms associated with leg weakness or loss of coordination in arms or legs
  • The pain does not respond to over-the-counter pain medication
  • Pain does not improve after a week
  • Fever or headache accompanies the neck pain

TESTING AND DIAGNOSING NECK PAIN

Diagnosis is made based on patient history, symptoms, a physical examination and results of diagnostic studies, if necessary. The tests may include:

  • Computed Tomography Scan (CT or CAT scan)
  • Discography
  • Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS)
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
  • Selective Nerve Root Block
  • X-rays
sciatica

How to cope with sciatica pain while driving?

S Bara
  • Get some extra support. Utilising lumbar support will be key in helping those suffering from sciatica pain.
  • Don’t hunch forward when driving.
  • Check your driving positions.
  • Be careful how you get in and out of the car.
  • Drive for short periods.
  • Take frequent breaks and get out of the car during break time.
  • Do your stretches.
  • Choose the right car.
  • Utilise heat pads. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sciatica/
Cortisone injection

CORTISONE STEROIDS, HOW FAST DOES IT WORKS?

S Bara

Cortisone steroids work by decreasing inflammation caused by a variety of common orthopedic conditions including tendonitis, bursitis, and arthritis. Once the inflammation subsides, pain relief follows.

Cortisone starts to work immediately following the injection, and inflammation usually begins to subside within a few days. Depending on how quickly the inflammation subsides, the timing of pain relief can vary from a few days to a few weeks.

Most people who have a cortisone injection, and find relief from the injection, will describe the gradual reduction in symptoms over days to weeks. However, the amount of inflammation, the type of injection administered, and other factors can all affect the length of time it will take before you experience relief.

If the inflammation is severe, or if the inflammation has been around a long time (chronic), the cortisone injection may take longer to take effect and may require more than one injection.

Not everyone will respond to a cortisone injection, but most people find this to be an excellent treatment for many common inflammatory conditions.

If your cortisone shot hasn’t worked after a few weeks, let your doctor know so that you can discuss the next steps in treatment. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/steroid-injections/

Cervical radiculopathy, neck pain

CERVICAL RADICULOPATHY

S Bara

Cervical radiculopathy (pinched nerve) is a problem that results when a nerve in the neck is irritated as it leaves the spinal canal. This condition usually occurs when a nerve root is being pinched by a herniated disc or a bone spur.

Cervical radiculopathy causes symptoms that radiate out away from the neck. What this means is that although the problem is in the spine, the symptoms may be felt in the shoulder, the arm, or the hand. The symptoms will be felt in the area where the nerve irritated travels. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-spondylosis/

TREATMENT FOR CERVICAL RADICULOPATHY

Treatment can be divided into three groups:

  • Conservative treatments which include medication, cervical pillow and epidural injection,
  • Surgery treatment. This includes anterior cervical fusion. After this surgery, patients will probably be placed in some type of brace while healing occurs and it is unusual to wear a brace for 6 to 12 weeks while the fusion occurs and
  • Physical therapy. Whether you have surgery or not, your doctor may have a physical therapist work on an exercise program developed just for you. The physical therapist will teach you ways to prevent further injury to your neck. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/neck-pain-and-stiff-neck/