Category Archives: Back Pain

Common Neck and Back pain problems:

Neck and back pain can be caused by a variety of problems. Some people may have certain genetic conditions, such as scoliosis or arthritis, that contribute to the pain. Other patients may develop conditions such as Facet syndrome, myofascial pain, disc degeneration, degenerative disc disease, headache, SI joint disease, or muscle or joint strains. Additionally, some back and neck pain can also be caused by surgery or pregnancy.

Treatment: Physical therapy is often used to reduce pain and swelling, restore flexibility and range of motion, and strengthen the muscles of the back and neck. In many cases, it can ease the symptoms and also help in a quick recovery of the back or neck.

One way to accomplish this is through manual therapy. This is a technique in which the physical therapist manually adjusts and massages your back and neck, applying pressure to the soft tissues and bones. Cervical and lumbar exercise therapy is also another way doctors recommend certain exercises to strengthen and stabilize your back. Certain modalities, such as heart, ice, and electrical stimulation, may also be used to reduce symptoms and help your muscles relax during your exercise.

Prevention: One of the best ways to prevent back and neck pain is to educate yourself on proper posture, ergonomic principles, stretching and strengthening. For example, it is very important to always keep your chest out, chin in, and stomach tight in order to use your postural muscles to support your spine. Use neutral positions when sleeping, drive with your head against the headrest, avoid reading in bed, and use a screen at eye level when using a computer. Whenever you have to bend over, always use a half kneeling position to avoid putting too much pressure on your back.

If you notice the onset of back or neck pain, always see a physical therapist right away so they can treat the problem before it gets worse.

Neck and back pain can limit your life and prevent you from doing what you love. By choosing Active Physical Therapy to rehabilitate your neck and back, our experts, certified therapists and team can relieve patients’ suffering and help them return to full mobility. Active Physical Therapy provides over 26 physical therapy locations throughout the Maryland, Baltimore, Washington DC, Anne Arundel County, Carroll County.

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Juvenile Disc Disorder Prognosis

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Juvenile disc disorder occurs when the parts of the vertebrae called end plates are too weak to withstand the pressures inside the disc spaces. The end plates are the very top and bottom portions of the vertebrae that attach to the cartilaginous disc between each vertebra.

Most of the time, chronic back pain or long term back problems are associated with elderly or middle-aged people. But Juvenile Disc Disorder can also affect people as young as 20 years of age. It means that if you are an adolescent, even then you cannot save yourself from this deformity. The fact is; some patients may inherit a prematurely ageing spine.

What do we understand about Juvenile Disc Disorder ?

Juvenile Disc Disorder is a condition where end-plates of disc spaces are not that strong to bear the pressures generated within the disc spaces. Such a condition leads to disc herniations into the vertebral bodies and triggers back pain at quite an early age.

The condition is very much similar to that of degenerative disc disease but with a difference that in this condition, degeneration starts at a much earlier age and generally, most of the discs of lumbar spine are involved as opposed to that of degenerative disc disorder, where only one or two discs are typically involved.

What are the causes of Juvenile Disc Disorder ?

Following factors can lead to Juvenile Disc Disorder:

Injury to back.
Weakening of discs due to wear and tear.
Strain and stress you put on your backs.
Changes in your discs and other spine structures.
Decreasing of water in the discs.
Discs become less spongy and much thinner.
Space between the vertebrae above and below the disc gets smaller.
Hypermobility of facet joints.
Your genes; you may be predisposed to excessive wear and tear of joints.

What are the potential signs and symptoms of Juvenile Disc Disorder?

Any part of your spine can get affected due to Juvenile Disc Disorder but the low back or neck are the most commonly affected parts. Other signs and symptoms of the disease include:

Chronic back and neck pain.
Pain at the site of the damaged disc.
Pain radiating to another body part.
More pain while sitting for a long time.
Feeling of pain while bending, lifting or twisting.
Feeling less pain while walking, running or if you change positions frequently.
Pain subsides with rest.

What are the treatment options suggested by the Physical Therapists to treat Juvenile Disc Disorder?

Physical Therapy treatment to treat Juvenile Disc Disorder is much similar to that of Degenerative Disc Disorder. Most of the patients respond well to the physical therapy techniques and recovery is possible in about five-six weeks. Physicals therapists may suggest the following techniques to treat Juvenile Disc Disorder:

Physical Therapists may suggest rest or restricted activity but for a few days only. Extended rest is not recommended and mild activity is suggested for better healing.
A daily hamstring stretching and aerobic conditioning may be suggested for the better healing
Deep tissue massage is recommended to release the tension in soft tissues like; ligaments, tendons or muscles
Heat therapy is suggested to remove the waste by-products caused due to spasms.
Cold therapy is used to lessen the pain and inflammation.
Spinal traction is administered to eliminate the pain caused due to the muscle tightness or compressed nerves.
Various exercises to improve the flexibility, strength, core stability and range of motion are practised.
An individualised treatment program, taking into account your health and history is formulated
Your physical therapists will make you learn about various body mechanics to limit pain. Positions causing pain will also be made familiar to you.
Proper work ergonomics and posture corrections are taught to help you to take better care of your back.
Strengthening exercises to strengthen abdominal and back muscles are also recommended.

Juvenile Disc Disorder can wreak havoc on the back of an adolescent, so the parents should watch out for the early signs of the disease and if you find any warning signs, should go for immediate diagnosis and treatment. Contact Active Physical Therapy for the state-of-art treatment of any of your musculoskeletal disease. Our treatment modules are planned and coordinated according to the needs, requirements and urgencies of our patients. The treatment modules co-ordinated by us will not only cure your current ailment but also pose a check on the further ones.

Tips for Safe and Healthy Spring Cleaning

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Spring is always a welcome change after cold and lethargic winters. The blue skies and warm temperatures also bring open windows, fresh air, blossoming flowers and above all the spring cleaning. Spring cleaning can be as hard and difficult as full-body workout as it involves good dusting, mowing of lawns; clearing gutters and many more. But the statistics show that great many numbers of people injure themselves during this annual cleaning. Active Physical Therapy suggests you to be cautious and observe the following measures to avoid any harm or injury to your body:

Do not perform similar motions repeatedly as this can result into sprains, strains or low back pain.
Keep your spine in line i.e. maintain a good posture and keep a wide base of support.
Avoid too much twisting or bending while lifting objects. Lift the objects properly by getting closer to them i.e. use your legs instead of your back.
Use long-handled tools, kneeling pad and stools while doing yard work and gardening as well.
Keep your properly hydrated throughout the cleaning session.
Wear skid resistant shoes to ensure proper footing on uneven surfaces.
Take regular breaks, in order to relax your tense muscles.
Use correct height ladder to minimize the risk of falls during cleaning your windows. Also make sure that ladder is placed on a levelled surface.
Move your feet and body while vacuuming, instead of reaching forward and sideways with your arms and trunk.
Use extension cords carefully. Do not drape them across the spans of crossing walkways to avoid tripping or falling.
Avoid twisting while bending, raking or thatching; instead use your legs to shift your weight from side to side.
To avoid slips and falls, always work in the yard wherever it is dry. Do not overfill bags or tarps as it can put pressure on your spine.
Do not over-exert yourself. Listen to your body and if you notice any symptoms like light-headedness, shortness of breath, sudden or severe headache, excess sweating, chest or stomach pain after or during cleaning, Contact Your Doctor immediately.

Prevention is always better than cure. Poor Physical posture, lack of exercise or warm-up, poor Physical condition can lead to injury or pain. So always do your best and follow good practices to save yourself form all such hazards.

Active Physical Therapy will be glad to help you with more spring cleaning tips or with any injuries or pain you experience during cleaning. Our diligent and expert physical therapists use state of art techniques to treat any of your musculoskeletal pains or injuries.

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Active Physical Therapy Treatments for Degenerative Disc Disease

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Physical Therapy for Degenerative Disc Disease

Physical therapy includes both passive and active treatments. Passive treatments help to relax you and your body. They’re called passive because you don’t have to actively participate. If you’re experiencing acute pain, you’ll most likely start with passive treatments as your body heals and/or adjusts to the pain. But the goal of physical therapy is to get into active treatments. These are therapeutic exercises that strengthen your body so that your spine has better support.

Passive Physical Therapy Treatments for Degenerative Disc Disease

Your physical therapist may give you one of the passive treatments below.

Deep tissue massage: This technique targets spasms and chronic muscle tension that perhaps builds up through daily life stress. You could also have spasms or muscle tension because of strains or sprains. The therapist uses direct pressure and friction to try to release the tension in your soft tissues (ligaments, tendons, muscles).

Hot and cold therapies: Your physical therapist will alternate between hot and cold therapies. By using heat, the physical therapist seeks to get more blood to the target area because an increased blood flow brings more oxygen and nutrients to that area. Blood is also needed to remove waste byproducts created by muscle spasms, and it also helps healing.

Cold therapy, also called cryotherapy, slows circulation, helping to reduce inflammation, muscle spasms, and pain. You may have a cold pack placed upon the target area, or even be given an ice massage. Another cryotherapy option is a spray called fluoromethane that cools the tissues. After cold therapy, your therapist may work with you to stretch the affected muscles.

Spinal traction: By stretching the back, spinal traction works to alleviate pain caused by muscle tightness or compressed nerves. The therapist can do that manually (by using his or her own body) or mechanically (with special machines). Especially if your nerve is being pinched by the foramen—the area where the nerve exits the spinal canal—your therapist may try traction. It’s thought to widen the foramen by stretching the spine to readjust the vertebrae.

Active Physical Therapy Treatments for Degenerative Disc Disease

In the active part of physical therapy, your therapist will teach you various exercises to improve your flexibility, strength, core stability, and range of motion (how easily your joints move). Your physical therapy program is individualized, taking into consideration your health and history. Your exercises may not be suitable for another person with DDD.

Degenerative disc disease won’t ever entirely “go away”—once your discs start to degenerate, you can’t reverse that process—and because of that, your physical therapist will help you learn how to work around it and how to limit the pain. You’ll learn about body mechanics and how to avoid positions that cause pain.

If needed, you will learn how to correct your posture and incorporate ergonomic principles into your daily activities.

If needed, you will learn how to correct your posture and incorporate ergonomic principles into your daily activities. This is all part of the “self-care” or “self-treatment” aspect of physical therapy: Through physical therapy, you learn good habits and principles that enable you to take better care of your body.

Your physical therapist may also suggest a personalized exercise program for you. The goals may include: strengthening abdominal and back muscles, increasing muscle endurance (so that your stronger muscles can work harder longer), and getting your body to carry your weight more efficiently. An exercise program comes with another bonus—it may help you lose weight. Extra weight can exacerbate pain from DDD, so if you need to lose weight, your physical therapist can work with you to set goals and then follow through.

Acute Spinal Cord Injury

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Your spine is made of many bones called vertebrae. Your spinal cord runs downward through a canal in the center of these bones. Acute spinal cord injury (SCI) is due to a traumatic injury that bruises, partially tears, or completely tears the spinal cord.

Damage can be due to various causes

People can receive damage to the spinal cord due to an accident, for example a:

Motor accident
Diving mishap
Fall
Sporting accident
Household accident

Loss of function usually relates to site of Injury

The amount of function lost tends to correspond to the level in the spinal cord where the damage takes place. A break near the top of the neck can mean that even breathing is difficult and that people must use a respirator. People with an injury in the lower neck, however, usually have arm movement but perhaps not finger movement. However they can often drive, work, write etc with the help of specialized equipment.

People with damage to the upper part of the spinal cord are called quadriplegics. People with damage below this level are called paraplegic.

People with injuries in the lower back can have sensation and movement right to the hips. They can usually live totally independently with a minimum of help, as long as they can use a wheelchair and have the necessary alterations to their home, their bathroom and car.

There are many degrees of injury and function loss, which don’t always correspond to the level of the injury on the spine. Sometimes a quadriplegic only sustains partial damage to the spinal cord and can actually walk, though they may have lost other functions. At all levels, there is usually some loss of function in the bowel and bladder.

Some common Health problems

Other problems which can arise for people with spinal cord injuries are:

Frequent urinary tract infections
Kidney stones
Muscle spasm
Pressure sores from sitting in one position for too long without a correct pressure cushion
Wide and rapid fluctuations in body temperature
Some common causes of Spinal Cord Injury

Most spinal cord injuries are caused by accidents.
Loss of function tends to correspond to the level in the spinal cord where damage occurred.
People with spinal cord injuries can lead productive lives.
Lower back pain occurs due to several causes such as muscle strain, incorrect posture, over-use and spinal injuries, etc.

HOW TO GET BACK TO RUNNING AFTER BACK PAIN?

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Running is arguably the most basic form of exercise. Runners face many challenges in their life, they get hurt,stay busy and tired. Back pain is very common nowadays not only for runners or athletes, 70% of the population has been facing the same issue. They go to the doctor’s clinic and miss their official and routine work. Sports injuries are also another concept to consider the back pain from muscle aching to a shooting, burning or stabbing sensation. Most back pains gradually improve with home treatment and self care. Repeated heavy lifting or sudden awkward movement cause muscle or ligament strain and spasms. Osteoarthritis can affect lower back pain. Pain can be acute, sub acute or chronic under the categories of muscles, bones, lower back, buttocks and specific sensation is sharp, electric, burning type pain that can originate from any part of the body. When an injury at some point extended break at your movements due to pain but there is good news your muscles have a memory of those past activities. A few things are common if you want to run after acute or chronic back pain. Start with your own unique challenges and requirements to help your body. To get back to running after a long interval follow some important steps:-

Understand The Cause

Whenever a long interval enters in any kind of activity it is difficult to start from the point you left and there must be a cause that why a person left that from schedule. In the case of a runner Runner spine’s vertebrae and discs experience extra pressure, lower back pain due to bending or lifting in high frequency. At the same time, to get back to your recovery track, you should go to the doctor to diagnose why you have back pain. You don’t need any scans if you are going through a short term of pain but if you have a sudden injury you should take your extra care for diagnosing the reason. After this process the doctor will arrange a PT for you, to skip the doctor you can go to the Physical Therapy, A skilled Physical Therapist will be able to access you and provide you with diagnosis and treatment plan. Developing muscle strength and aerobic capacity at rehab will help to reschedule your elapsed exertion.

Don’t let your Injury keep you Down

When you are suffering from an acute back injury, take a rest for a couple of days after bending, twisting or straining. Don’t rest too much time after injury because the more time you take to get comfortable, the more it will feel hard to come back. At the prior times of injury more chances are there to function properly within a week or 2 weeks. In fact unused muscles switch themselves off. For that reason, start walking by the wall as your pain decreases, begin normal and slow movements such as walking around the house, and start slow and regular exercise. Listen to your body if you are feeling any tenderness, communicate with your Physical Therapist who can alleviate pain and regain function. They must focus on the exercises and stretches designed for you in PT sessions.

Celebrate Each Step

Start counting your progress day by day, try warming up under your Healthcare’s treatment plan. A Physical Therapist will also identify your weak points so that he/she can analyse where to give stress and rest so you can handle the pain with comfort. If you have any impact on joints, PT will schedule not only running but runs with biking, swimming which will make cardiovascular endurance without stressing your joints. Sometimes the runners get frustrated as one who was running 40- 50 miles per week is not able to walk around. Be positive, your positive emotions reinforce you to get back in action. Commit yourself to join body strength training sessions in the Rehab Center. Measure day by day progress and praise yourself. Self care works more than healthcare. Your encouragement to yourself will help to design your new road map of success.

Have Patience

Casual Runners or Professional Athletes always want to run as soon as possible. No one is happy by sitting during an injury. Don’t be scared and do not increase your weekly mileage by more than 10% in order to help your body. Keep in mind and be aware to stress the muscles. Your Pt would design a plan for you to improve your blood flow to your muscles. Don’t increase your running speed before your PT’s recommendations. You can continue if pain does not return. PT always designs a healing and training process from walk to run progression, for each new activity take your time as your body is in healing process and if you are going to exert pressure as you were before strain or injury it will cause more stress and take a long time to heal. Let your body adapt. For a couple of months run on the alternative days to allow for recovery and time for the body. Everyone’s recovery time can be different, as the injury caused can take more or less time to recover as compared to other patients with the same injury. PT will help you from walk to run with some additional elliptical, cycling, swimming to mix it up during the week. Chances of reinjury are the biggest risk during or after a painful injury. Start under the guidance of your PT to lessen the risk, that will enhance the progression of running in which PT will include to give strength to previous injured tissue.

Use your Physical Therapy Knowledge

After Rehabilitation when you come back at your home, higher chances of skipping your PT schedule and it hinders the linear progress. Always stay in contact with your Physical Therapy Center and use the plan given by your trainer. Post Rehab, keep in mind your PT is there for you even after you are discharged. Physical Therapy is important to help you get to running as soon as you can. Physical therapists by their equipment analyse the deficiencies in your running style. Therapy team will overdo for your quick recovery with specific therapy techniques. They will educate you on some key concepts for do’s and don’ts. Once or twice a weekly rehab day allows you to keep working at the cause of injury.

Live Smart

Add good habits, avoid lying on one side, get into a neutral position. Don’t look down for a long time without a break. Physical exercises are the dental floss of the running world. Stick to your prescribed physical plan. Runners already know the importance of strong glutes to control your hip rotation and prevent injury pain. Show more attention to your calves, soleus strength.

To Get Back to Running Consider Rules-

All running to be completed at liberal rate.
No speed work until you completely return to the Running phase.

Don’t run in a row of days, choose alternative days to give your body time to recover.
Focus on the duration you are adding day by day.
Stop the discomfort and judge your each run.
Consider 6-8 Rehabilitation Center meetings to your PT in a month.
Practice Patience, Get Strong.

Contact Active Physical Therapy

Juvenile Disc Disorder

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Most of the times, chronic back pain or long term back problems are associated with elderly or middle-aged people. But Juvenile Disc Disorder can also affect the people as young as 20 years of age. It means that if you are an adolescent, even then you cannot save yourself from this deformity. The fact is; some patients may inherit a prematurely aging spine.

What do we understand by Juvenile Disc Disorder?

Juvenile Disc Disorder is a condition, where end-plates of disc spaces are not that much strong to bear the pressures generated within the disc spaces. Such a condition leads to disc herniations into the vertebral bodies and triggers back pain at quite an early age.

What are the causes of Juvenile Disc Disorder?

Following factors can lead to Juvenile Disc Disorder:

Injury to back
Weakening of discs due to wear and tear
Strain and stress you put on your backs
Changes in your discs and other spine structures
Decreasing of water in the discs
Discs become less spongy and much thinner
Space between the vertebrae above and below the disc gets smaller
Hypermobility of facet joints
Your genes; you may be pre-disposed to excessive wear and tear of joints.

What are the potential signs and symptoms of Juvenile Disc Disorder?

Any part of your spine can get affected due to Juvenile Disc Disorder but low back or neck is most commonly affected parts. Other signs and symptoms of the disease include:

Chronic back and neck pain
Pain at the site of damaged disc
Pain radiating to another body part
More pain while sitting for a long time
Feeling of pain while bending, lifting or twisting
Feeling less pain while walking, running or if you change positions frequently
Pain subsides with rest.

What are the treatment options suggested by the Physical Therapists to treat Juvenile Disc Disorder?

Physical Therapist may suggest rest or restricted activity but for few days only. Extended rest is not recommended and mild activity is suggested for better healing.
A daily hamstring stretching and aerobic conditioning may be suggested for the better healing
Deep tissue massage is recommended to release the tension in soft tissues like; ligaments, tendons or muscles
Heat therapy is suggested to remove the waste by-products caused due to spasms.
Cold therapy is used to lessen the pain and inflammation.
Spinal traction is administered to eliminate the pain caused due to the muscle tightness or compressed nerves.
Various exercises to improvise the flexibility, strength, core stability and range of motion are practised.
An individualized treatment program, taking into account your health and history is formulated
Your physical therapists will make you learn about various body mechanics to limit pain. Positions causing pain will also be made familiar to you.
Proper work ergonomics and posture corrections are taught to help you to take better care of your back.
Strengthening exercises to strengthen abdominal and back muscles are also recommended.

Juvenile Disc Disorder can wreak havoc on the back of an adolescent, so the parents should watch out for the early signs of the disease and if you find out any warning signs, should go for immediate diagnosis and treatment. Contact Active Physical Therapy for the state-of-art treatment of any of your musculoskeletal disease. Our treatment modules are planned and coordinated according to the needs, requirements and urgencies of our patients. The treatment modules co-ordinated by us will not only cure your current ailment but also pose a check on the further ones.

Physical Therapy Tips for Safer Springtime Cleaning

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Tips for Safe and Healthy Spring Cleaning

Do not perform similar motions repeatedly as this can result into sprains, strains or low back pain.
Keep your spine in line i.e. maintain a good posture and keep a wide base of support.
Avoid too much twisting or bending while lifting objects. Lift the objects properly by getting closer to them i.e. use your legs instead of your back.
Use long-handled tools, kneeling pad and stools while doing yard work and gardening as well.
Keep your properly hydrated throughout the cleaning session.
Wear skid resistant shoes to ensure proper footing on uneven surfaces.
Take regular breaks, in order to relax your tense muscles.
Use correct height ladder to minimize the risk of falls during cleaning your windows. Also make sure that ladder is placed on a levelled surface.
Move your feet and body while vacuuming, instead of reaching forward and sideways with your arms and trunk.
Use extension cords carefully. Do not drape them across the spans of crossing walkways to avoid tripping or falling.
Avoid twisting while bending, raking or thatching; instead use your legs to shift your weight from side to side.
To avoid slips and falls, always work in the yard wherever it is dry. Do not overfill bags or tarps as it can put pressure on your spine.
Do not over-exert yourself. Listen to your body and if you notice any symptoms like light-headedness, shortness of breath, sudden or severe headache, excess sweating, chest or stomach pain after or during cleaning, Contact Your Doctor immediately.