Tag Archives: chronic 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

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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.

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 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 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 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.