In order to help my Physical Therapy patients in Elizabeth and Jersey City get back in to tip top shape after experiencing a setback due to the symptoms of sciatica creeping up on you, l have created what I like to call “The 3 Phases of Healing.” These 3 phases create realistic, definable goals that you, the patient, can use to measure your progress on how your Physical Therapy is progressing. So let’s go through each one, shall we?
As the Summer has arrived, we look to our knees to provide us the locomotion and cushion needed for our outdoor activities. Whether it is running for distance, jumping and hopping on the basketball court, or sprinting to the finish line, this summer is about our knees. In this first report, I will discuss patellar tendon pain, aka runners knee.
One of the things that we realize is that not all Physical Therapy clinics are made equal. We weren’t the first clinics for Physical Therapy in Jersey City and Elizabeth, NJ, and we won’t be the last. But what we try to make sure is that we offer the best care possible, ESPECIALLY if you’ve had a bad experience elsewhere.
There are many instances throughout the years when clients have come in citing“knee pain”. And, understandably, patients rightfully assume that the source of pain has to be 100% in the knee. However, what isn’t necessarily known is that knee pain might not be originating from the knee at all!
Planking. It has become one of the “go-to” exercises for so many gym rats that are looking to strengthen their core in order to stave away back pain.
But how effective is a plank, really? Dr. Asha has the answer for you now!
Recently I have discussed the stretches necessary for preventing lower back pain in the workplace as well as my top secrets for reducing pain upon the start of a lower back pain attack, but I am here today to answer the questions about lumbar braces.
Many people always ask me on their first visit “Should I buy a lumbar brace” or what can I buy, or “I saw this on an infomercial, it looks great, and I just bought it what do you think?”
Well…
This month, Consumer Reports published an article that detailed the new standards for back pain relief. This article specifically references the new guidelines for back-pain treatment as outlined by the American College of Physicians in February.
In the new guidelines, the ACP points out that medical imaging as well as the prescription of opioids have not significantly reduced patients’ perception of pain or actual disability. What we would like to focus on is that we believe that Physical Therapy should be your FIRST line of defense for back pain, and here’s why.
As I was driving in to the Physical Therapy clinic in Elizabeth, NJ, I was thinking about my children. It dawned on me as to why they are so resilient when they fall, or that they can stay longer in a seated or standing position. Well, of course, they are younger so their lower backs have not been succumbed to the pressure of age and time and as well there is more water in their discs vs someone at age 40, but in reality there is one very simple word that explains why they are able to bounce back so fast…
So many pills, so many options, all selling the same message of buying a miracle quick fix in a bottle. But when you look at the FACTS about these miracle pills, the reality is quite different from what the drug companies are selling. And the medical community is now also even changing their own back pain guidelines in light of this new reality. And that reality is:
Opioids For Back Pain Relief Should Be The LAST Resort
As Physical Therapists, it’s one of our favorite months of the year! From back pain to foot pain, neck pain, and everything in between, staying physically fit and active is consistently being proven more and more as THE way to go in order to stay healthy.
