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| Physical Solutions News #11
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May 2008
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Back Pain
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Complex in cause & treatment
Most
back pain is treated using the traditional medical model. That is,
using diagnostic tests to look for the single cause and then
implementing a medical procedure to fix the problem. But back pain is
not a single disease with a simple cause and cure like, say,
appendicitis. Back pain is a much more complicated problem with many
underlying causes and factors, each of which must be addressed during
treatment.
What does a bulging disk mean? People who have back pain often are told that they have that one of the disks between their vertebrae is bulging. And while that may be true, lots of people have bulging disks. In fact, 20 to 70% of all people over 40 years old have some disk problems. But many of them have no symptoms at all. So a bulging disk may be the source of your pain or it may have nothing to do with your pain at all.
It is impossible to say exactly what the cause of pain is with most back problems. In fact, if someone tells you that "You have pain because of X symptom," then run. It's OK if they say "It's possible that X is causing your pain" or "Your condition Y may be contributing so let's try this." You are likely to be suffering from a combination of factors that may respond to a variety of treatments over time.
Do you need an MRI .... or a PT? Maybe,
but probably not on Day 1. Studies now show that surgery and the tests
that lead up to surgery should typically not be the first resort as
most types of back pain respond to conservative treatment. Back pain is frequently a mechanical problem.
Recent studies have shown that appropriate physical therapy is often
the most effective treatment for back problems and that this approach
is cost-effective as well.
A reasonable first step for back pain is to see
your physical therapist. Expect to get a good biomechanical and
neurophysiological evaluation and to provide your medical history. The
evaluation will include a medical screening for referral, to look for
medical conditions. If the physical therapist finds any red flags,
you'll be sent to a physician. But often the cause of back pain stems
from problems with habit, posture, ergonomics, flexibility, weakness, or
balance between groups of muscles.
Different treatments for different causes, people. After the examination, your physical therapist may seek to ease or eliminate your pain with:
- Muscle and joint manipulation
- Modalities such as muscle stimulation, cold laser, heat, ATM2, or taping and bracing
- Education about ergonomics on the job, during sports, and at home
Throughout your treatment, your physical therapist should continue to evaluate your progress and adjust your program. I always ask myself, "Is this treatment appropriate given what we know now? If not, why not? What should be changed?"
Bottom line: the best cure for back pain is to fix the underlying problem. Just using surgery to remove part of a bulging disk is futile if you are going to go right back to the behaviors that caused the problem in the first place, especially now that you have a weakened disk. Instead, learn what to do to stay healthy and what not to do so you can avoid reinjury. |
Success Story: Pat Estes
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Squash & tennis player, swimmer
News flash on Pat: I
ran into Pat at the gym last week. She is doing great, having played
tennis 5 times last week with no pain. She recently won a tennis
tournament and was able to move up a level. Find out what an achievement that is by reading her story below. - Cathy
Pat's Story. My experience with Cathy Busby and Physical Solutions had a significant positive impact on my life. Physical activity has always been important to me for health reasons as well as its social and mental benefits. I became discouraged when a series of injuries not only shut down my physical exercise, but also made it uncomfortable for me to sit for extended periods. For years, I sought advice from a number of sources, including several physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons, and a neurologist, who provided only limited help. Many well-meaning friends and family suggested that I give up trying to participate in certain activities. I always felt that I could get better, but not knowing what was wrong with me was frustrating and hindered any improvement.
I became hopeful after my first visit with Cathy, because she was able to diagnose my unique problems, something no one else had been able to do. With this critical information in hand, she set me on an exercise regimen and creative treatment schedule that specifically targeted my hip and back problems. This led to an increase in comfort while sitting at work and in my ability to engage in simple physical activity. Then, through continual advice and encouragement from Cathy, I gradually increased my activity level, so that now, she has restored my ability to participate in the activities I love, including swimming, tennis and, the one I cherish the most, squash. - Pat Estes
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PHYSICAL SOLUTIONS - Physical therapy with
a sports-medicine edge
At
Physical Solutions, you'll find athletes treating athletes and other
active people. We know what it is like to be out of action and what it
takes to return. We listen to you. You're the most important part of
your program and will participate in all aspects of it.
Physical
Therapy -
Let us work with you to find explanations and effective treatment for
problems that limit your activities and enjoyment of life. Whether you
are an athlete, an active gardener, or a walker, you will be cared for
in a personalized, goal-directed way.
Personal
Training -
Work one-on-one or in very small groups with an expert trainer to
improve your personal strength, power, balance, and flexibility.
Athletic-Performance
Solutions
- Get a "sports physical" for your musculoskeletal systems. Then get
stronger and better in group classes that help you enhance your
performance, prevent injuries, and improve your abilities for
specific sports.
Sincerely,
Cathy Busby
Physical Solutions |
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