The Top 5 Benefits of Physical Therapy Treatments for Back and Neck Pain

Back and neck pain can have several underlying causes. For example, any changes in the spine’s anatomy can lead to back pain, such as lumbar degenerative disc disease, lumbar disc herniation, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, or osteoarthritis.

Lumbar degenerative disc disease occurs when the spinal discs experience “wear and tear,” typically due to aging. When the gel-like interior of the discs leak, irritation can occur causing lumbar disc herniation. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction happens when the sacroiliac joint has too much or too little motion, and osteoarthritis happens when the facet joints in the spine wear down and create friction.

Neck pain is most commonly caused by a muscle strain. This can occur in various ways such as whiplash, poor posture, or abnormal sleeping positions. Neck pain can also be caused due to cervical degenerative disc disease, cervical osteoarthritis, or a cervical herniated disc. 

The pain associated with these conditions can range from moderate to severe, but physical therapy can luckily help ease most (if not all) of the pain. If you are suffering from back or neck pain, call Synergy Rehab and Wellness to schedule a consultation with one of our skilled physical therapists, and find out how physical therapy treatments can benefit you.

How will I be diagnosed?

If you’re experiencing back or neck pain, it is important to consult with your primary doctor right away. He or she will most likely perform a physical exam, and may want to take some x-rays or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test. With an MRI, your doctor will be able to clearly see your soft tissues, ligaments, tendons, and blood vessels, which can provide evidence of where your back or neck pain is stemming from. Once this is determined, your doctor will suggest a course of treatment, which will likely include physical therapy. 

Back pain and neck pain can lead to a loss of productivity, and it is a common cause for disability. Because of this, it is important to seek the assistance of a medical professional immediately if you are suffering from back or neck pain. 

How will physical therapy relieve my pain?

Physical therapy is an effective treatment for both back and neck pain. The goals and expected outcomes of these treatments include:

  1. Reduction of pain and stiffness. By using passive treatments such as manual therapy, our physical therapist will help alleviate pain in the affected area and accelerate the healing process.
  2. Development of strength. Our physical therapist will create a specific exercise plan for your particular needs, which will aid in the strengthening of muscles in the affected area.
  3. Improvement of range of motion. Our physical therapist will implement flexibility exercises into your treatment plan, which will help increase the range of motion in your back and neck. 
  4. Prevention of further issues. By learning proper body mechanics, you can avoid future injuries and prevent pain from recurring.
  5. Improvement of overall quality of life. Physical therapy can help you return to your normal routine much quicker, allowing for an overall improvement in the quality of life. 

Your physical therapy treatments will be split into two categories: passive and active. Passive physical therapy treatments for back and neck pain may include ice and heat therapies, massage therapy, electrotherapy, or ultrasound. These help in relieving pain, stiffness, and inflammation. Active physical therapy treatments for back and neck pain may include any stretches and exercises that our physical therapist deems fit for your specific condition. Active therapy helps to increase strength and flexibility, in addition to relieving pain in the spine and affected muscles. 

Why wait to begin your physical therapy treatments? Give our office a call today and begin your journey toward long-lasting pain relief!

Improve Your Nutrition to Decrease Pain and Inflammation

Inflammation is a natural process the body uses to protect itself and to promote healing. During the inflammation process, your body increases its production of white blood cells. Chronic inflammation, however, can damage the body. Living with continual inflammation can cause pain, swelling, and redness in the affected areas. It can also increase your risk of diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and stroke. There are several ways you can improve your nutrition and decrease pain and inflammation. Contact Synergy Rehab and Wellness today!

There are several ways that good nutrition can decrease pain and inflammation

Foods that can cause Inflammation and should be avoided or limited include the following:

  • Red Meat – Healthy, lean protein is a crucial component when creating a diet to reduce pain and inflammation. Protein builds muscle and cartilage. Red meat, especially meats that are processed, can lead to increased inflammation. Chicken is often considered neutral, while many types of fish actually fight pain and inflammation in the body.
  • Refined Carbohydrates – Refined carbs include grains that have had most of the fiber and nutrients taken out. Pasta, pastries, white bread, and white flour are all refined carbs that should be eliminated or eaten rarely.
  • Soda – Soda can increase levels of uric acid. This often causes an increase in inflammation and even insulin resistance. Drinking water or tea in place of soda will not only help reduce pain and inflammation, but may also help you shed a few pounds.
  • Fried Foods – Everything from fried chicken to deep-fried veggies can contribute to inflammation. Eat your veggies raw, steamed, or baked for the most health benefits.

Foods that Can Help Reduce Inflammation

  • Olive Oil – Olive oil is a monounsaturated fat that tastes great and can help reduce inflammation. Make sure to select olive oil that is extra virgin in order to receive the most health benefits. Olive oil that is real extra virgin should solidify after it is refrigerated.
  • Fatty Fish – Wild-caught salmon, sardines, and mackerel are great sources of Omega-3s, which can fight inflammation. They may even limit stiffness in the joints that is sometimes associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Leafy Vegetables – Almost all fruits and vegetables contain what is called phytonutrients that can help fight inflammation.
  • Green Tea – Green tea is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants that can reduce inflammation. It’s recommended to use water that’s not higher in temperature than 160 degrees since boiling water may destroy many of the antioxidants.
  • Berries – Berries have an abundance of antioxidants that can eliminate inflammation. Strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries are all good choices.

The Role of Physical Therapy

Physical therapy, combined with good nutritional habits, can greatly reduce or even eliminate your pain and inflammation. The American Physical Therapy Association states that the connection between pain and nutrition is strong enough that nutritional screening is often recommended. A physical therapist can provide nutritional guidance along with creating an exercise program that targets and reduces the pain and inflammation you’ve been experiencing. A physical therapist may recommend activities such as swimming or simple stretching to increase joint flexibility and range of motion. Good nutrition along with a physical therapy treatment plan can help you manage or even eliminate chronic pain by increasing the strength in certain muscles and improving joint stability. Instead of relying on surgery or pain medication, an improved diet and a physical therapy program customized to meet your specific needs can help you live pain-free.

Stretching: A Healthy Part of Any Physical Therapy Program

Can some simple physical motions dramatically improve your overall health, wellness, and quality of life? In the case of stretching, the answer is most definitely yes. Stretching exercises are a staple of physical therapy for just that reason. You might be surprised to discover just how many ways stretches can help you. Here are some prime reasons that our physical therapist might prescribe stretches to enhance your life.

Improving Your Pain-Free Mobility

It’s quite common for a physical therapist to prescribe various stretching exercises to individuals suffering from chronic pain conditions. Stretching takes on special importance when you’ve become less mobile due to issues such as osteoarthritis. The less you move your joints, the greater the likelihood that your muscles and connective tissues will lose some of their lengths. This change obviously limits your joint motion even further and leaves you in even more pain. Stretches naturally support physical therapy recommendations such as walking, heat therapy, or massage therapy in increasing blood flow to painful joints and widening your pain-free range of motion.

Chronic pain syndromes often involve tight muscles. Syndromes such as fibromyalgia and its cousin, myofascial pain syndrome, cause muscle knots that limit muscle motion and trigger referred pain to other parts of the body. Regular stretching can help you “untie those” painful knots.

Protecting Your Tissues

Are you accustomed to seeing athletes go through sets of stretching exercises before a competition or training session? They’re not just stretching for the fun of it — they’re trying to optimize their athletic performance while also protecting themselves against injury. Tissues that are tight, stiff, or generally unprepared for challenges may tear, resulting in a strain or sprain that puts a premature end to your participation.

Stretches provide a safe, gentle way to work out the kinks and get your tissues ready for action. As you become more limber, you reduce your risk of a soft tissue injury. You’ll find those tissues more capable and responsive as you work or play. Stretching after your activity is just as beneficial; it prevents your muscles from seizing up and getting stiff once they’re no longer being exerted.

Optimizing Your Wellness

Stretching provides numerous benefits to help your body keep itself healthier. One if the most important of these is stress relief. Everyday life throws lots of challenges at you, and the resulting stress can be held in your muscles. This leads to tightness, spasms, and chronic discomforts such as headaches and neck pain. Stress also floods your body with “fight or flight” hormones such as cortisone and adrenalin. These imbalances can suppress your immune function, making you more vulnerable to viruses and other diseases. Hypertension is yet another dangerous consequence of chronic stress.

Regular stretches help your body release all that pent-up stress. By relaxing and loosening your muscles, you can maintain better control over your blood pressure, avoid chronic muscle pain, and keep your immune system ready for anything.

Our Physical Therapist Can Help You Get Started

There are right ways and wrong ways to stretch. For one thing, different kinds of stretches offer different benefits. Your particular situation might call for active stretches (in which you move a body part with no assistance), passive stretches (in which the body part is held or supported), or both. Stretches can also hurt you if you perform them incorrectly. Our physical therapist can help you stretch safely and effectively — so contact Synergy Rehab and Wellness today!

Is Arthritis Paining You? Physical Therapy Can Help

If you have arthritis, you know how debilitating it can be. It affects millions of people and is the most commonly reported chronic illness across the nation. Arthritis is a disorder of the joints that causes them to become inflamed. The inflammation causes the pain and stiffness that you feel, and it can result in a loss of movement if the joints become too inflamed. There are over 100 different types of arthritis, containing monoarthritis (where only one joint is affected) and oligoarthritis (where multiple joints are affected.) Some of the most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis, which develops from “wear and tear” of cartilage, and rheumatoid arthritis, which develops from overactive immune systems. 

Arthritis can hinder many qualities of life – from work to hobbies, to overall mobility. Some people are so affected by arthritis that they are unable to work and have to go on disability. If you are suffering from the chronic pain of arthritis, call Synergy Rehab and Wellness to schedule an appointment with one of our physical therapists today. Physical therapy is a safe, healthy, and effective way to treat arthritic pain. 

How do I know if I have arthritis?

First and foremost, if you believe you may be suffering from arthritis, you should contact your primary care provider. He or she will provide a thorough evaluation, looking for signs of disease, such as inflammation and/or deformity. They will review your symptoms, and may administer any blood tests, urine tests, joint fluid tests, or x-rays as they deem necessary. If you are diagnosed with arthritis after these tests, your doctor will create a treatment plan for you, in relation to the location and severity of the condition. This treatment plan may include rest, exercise routines, and medications as necessary. 

It is very likely that you will also be referred to a physical therapist to help guide you through your exercise routines, in order to measure progress and make sure that you are completing your physical activity in a safe and correct manner. Early diagnosis can be helpful in avoiding joint damage and disability, so it is imperative that you contact a doctor as soon as you think you may be developing arthritic symptoms.

How will physical therapy help me?

While there is, unfortunately, no known cure for arthritis, there are plenty of ways to help ease the pain that you may feel from it. Physical therapy is a proven aid in arthritic pain relief. It is effective and noninvasive, and in many cases, it can even eliminate the need to rely on harmful pain medication. According to the Arthritis Center at Johns Hopkins, 

“Physical activity is essential to optimizing both physical and mental health and can play a vital role in the management of arthritis. Regular physical activity can keep the muscles around affected joints strong, decrease bone loss and may help control joint swelling and pain. Regular activity replenishes lubrication to the cartilage of the joint and reduces stiffness and pain. Exercise also helps to enhance energy and stamina by decreasing fatigue and improving sleep. Exercise can enhance weight loss and promote long-term weight management in those with arthritis who are overweight.” 

A physical therapist will custom-tailor a treatment plan surrounding your needs, in order to increase your strength, range of motion, and mobility. This will include the affected area, as well as any surrounding areas that may contribute to the pain. For example, if your arthritis is in your knee, our physical therapist may create a treatment plan that focuses on the knee, in addition to the hips, ankles, and lower back, since all of these areas may affect the movement of the knee. 

Our physical therapist will most likely suggest manual therapy, in order to improve joint and soft tissue mobilization. Your treatment plan may consist of any combination of treatment services, including ice and heat therapy, deep tissue massage, or electrical nerve stimulation. All of these treatments are passive modalities that work to reduce pain and inflammation, in addition to increasing blood flow and mobility. 

Our research-driven treatments aid in long-lasting pain management. If you are suffering from arthritic pain, give us a call today and we will help you get your life back on track. Our physical therapy team is committed to your success, and we will provide you with everything you need to maximize your life!

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Physical Therapy: A Natural and Easy Solution for Shoulder Pain

Your shoulders are a complex part of your body – they are your most flexible and movable joints, consisting of multiple bones, muscles, and tendons. They provide you with a great amount of mobility, allowing you to perform many of your daily tasks, in addition to several exercise regimens. However, this also means that there are many ways that the shoulders can become injured, resulting in pain and lack of mobility. 

Shoulder pain can be experienced due to a multitude of different causes, and there are several steps you can take to ease your discomfort. Physical therapy is a natural, easy, and effective way to ease shoulder pain. To find out how physical therapy can benefit you, give Synergy Rehab and Wellness a call today!

Why am I experiencing shoulder pain?

There are several underlying causes that could result in shoulder pain. For example, a sudden injury or trauma to the shoulders can cause them to become painful. Repetitive motions can also cause shoulder pain, as your muscles, joints, and tendons are working in overdrive. Physical therapy can treat several specific conditions that may be contributing to the pain or discomfort that you are feeling in your shoulder. Some of the most common conditions resulting in shoulder pain include:

  • Torn cartilage. When a cartilage tears, you may experience a number of painful symptoms. You may experience decreased strength and a limited range of motion in the affected shoulder. You may also experience pain when moving your arm in certain ways. If you are suffering from a torn cartilage, physical therapy can provide relief. 
  • Tendonitis. Tendonitis occurs when a tendon becomes irritated or inflamed. It can appear in several parts of the body, and colloquial terms such as “tennis elbow,” “swimmer’s shoulder,” and “jumper’s knee” are usually used to describe it. A physical therapist can treat different types of tendonitis and relieve the inflamed area.
  • Strains and sprains. A strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is stretched too far or torn. A sprain occurs when a ligament is stretched too far or torn. Strains and sprains can result in an ongoing shoulder pain that may make it difficult to partake in exercise or even daily tasks. If the strain or sprain is minor, it can sometimes be iced at home and healed with rest. More severe strains and sprains will often require physical therapy treatments.
  • Bursitis. Bursitis is an inflammation of the joints, and it affects the fluid-filled sacs surrounding the bones, muscles, and tendons. It often occurs in areas of the body that are used for repetitive motions. If you are experiencing bursitis, you may feel stiff or achy in the affected area, which could also become red or swollen. Physical therapy can help ease the inflammation, as well as your painful symptoms.
  • Frozen shoulder. Frozen shoulder is a painful condition that typically occurs after extended periods of inactivity, such as being contained to a sling or cast after an injury. This condition will gradually worsen over time, resulting in pain and stiffness. It typically corrects itself after a couple of years, but physical therapy can help provide relief while you are recovering. It could also help to speed up the recovery process. 
  • Arthritis. Arthritis is a joint disease that causes pain and stiffness. There are several different types of arthritis, but the most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage between your bones begins to break down, causing the bones to rub together. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when joints become swollen and inflamed. For both of these conditions, physical therapy can provide pain relief and mobility improvement.

How will I benefit from physical therapy?

A physical therapist works hard to provide improvement to your flexibility and range of motion, in addition to relieving the pain and discomfort you are feeling. They may implement any combination of treatment methods, such as cold and hot therapies to ease pain and increase mobility; massage therapy to relieve pressure on your muscles, joints, and tendons; or an exercise regimen to promote movement and healing of the affected area. Other treatment methods may include aquatic therapy, ultrasound, or electrical nerve stimulation.  

Whatever type of pain you’re experiencing, a trained physical therapist can create a specialized program to treat your particular condition. Physical therapy has been proven to help with several conditions, and in many cases, it has eliminated the need for harmful drugs and invasive surgeries altogether. Contact Synergy Rehab and Wellness today to schedule an appointment with one of our physical therapists, and get started on your journey toward long-lasting relief! 

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Herniated Discs: Could This be Causing Your Back Pain?

Your spine is a complex part of the body. It is comprised of 24 bones, and 5 of them are located in the lower back. It is also comprised of numerous nerves and intervertebral discs. Sometimes, the jelly-like nucleus of these discs can “herniate,” or protrude, through the cell wall, if it is not strong enough. If this pressure continues, it could push through the outer ring and begin to bulge. Herniated discs occur along the spine, and they are most often found in the lower back. 

Generally, lower back pain is the first symptom of this a herniated disc. Other symptoms may include numbness or weakness in the legs, shooting pain down the back of one leg, or loss of bladder control. Back pain can range from moderate to severe. If you are experiencing back pain and you think it may be the result of a herniated disc, call Synergy Rehab and Wellness today to see how physical therapy can help you get back to a pain-free life.

What causes herniated discs?

Herniated discs are typically associated with aging, as the spine begins to wear down and become more brittle. This is known as “disc degeneration.” The discs in the spine contain high water content when we’re young, but as we age that water content gradually decreases. This causes the discs to shrink. Therefore, the older we get, the more prone we become to disc degeneration. Other risk factors that can make you more prone to herniated discs include:

  • Being male.
  • Being overweight.
  • Being between the ages of 20-50.
  • Engaging in improper lifting techniques.
  • Driving frequently.
  • Engaging in a sedentary lifestyle.

How do I know if I have a herniated disc?

If you believe you may be suffering from a herniated disc, it is important to consult your primary care physician first. Your doctor will perform a physical exam to assess muscle strength and sensation to see if your disc is herniated, and he or she may also conduct a neurological exam. 

If your doctor believes your disc is herniated, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan may be done to confirm the diagnosis. From this scan, your doctor will be able to clearly see if there is a herniated disc in the lower back region. If the disc is putting pressure on the spine, it can be detected. Your doctor will then provide you with a treatment plan, and will likely recommend physical therapy for pain relief.

How physical therapy can help:

After going through an evaluation with our physical therapist, he or she will begin your treatment with passive physical therapy. Passive physical treatments include deep tissue massage, hot and cold therapy, hydrotherapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and traction. 

Deep tissue massage utilizes pressure to relieve muscle tension and spasms. Hot therapy may be used to increase blood flow to the target area to accelerate healing. Cold therapy helps to reduce inflammation. Hydrotherapy relaxes muscles and brings pain relief. The TENS machine uses an electrical current that triggers the release of endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers. Traction may be implemented to reduce pressure on the spine.

After your passive physical therapy is complete, our physical therapist will create an active treatment plan for you. This may include core exercises to strengthen your back, stretching and flexibility exercises to increase range of motion, and muscle strengthening exercises. Our physical therapist will also give you self-care advice that you can implement on your own, in order to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. 

Physical therapy has been proven to be effective for disc herniation. It is a non-invasive alternative to surgery and a natural way to relieve pain without the need for harmful drugs. If you are suffering from back pain or a disc herniation, give Synergy Rehab and Wellness a call to schedule an appointment today. Our experienced and certified physical therapists would be happy to help you get you started on your process toward long-lasting pain relief. 

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Kick Knee and Hip Pain to the Curb with Physical Therapy

The hips and knees are both very commonly reported areas of discomfort. This pain becomes exceptionally common as people age, due to the “wear and tear” of cartilage in the hips, knees, and lower back. However, people can also experience hip and knee pain from overuse, injury, or underlying conditions, such as arthritis. Some cases may become severe enough that surgery is unavoidable; however, physical therapy has been proven to treat hip and knee pain without the need for pain-relieving drugs or surgery. Contact Synergy Rehab and Wellness today for more information on how our physical therapists can help you overcome your hip and knee pain!

How is hip and knee pain determined?

When you schedule an appointment with a physical therapist, the first thing you can expect is a thorough evaluation. Our physical therapist will examine you to figure out where the painful area is, as well as where the pain is stemming from. For example, sometimes pain can be stemming from the hips but can be felt in the lower back, buttocks, groin, or the front/side of the hips. Additionally, pain stemming from the knees can be felt on the front or back of the knee joint. It can also be felt on the inside of the knee if a trauma occurred, or the outside of the knee if you are experiencing iliotibial band stress. 

Hip pain is typically reported as a constant dull ache that doesn’t seem to go away. However, knee pain is a bit different, and is often assessed as one of several different types of pain:

  • Acute – Acute pain is the most intense type of knee pain. It typically occurs after an injury and will last for about a week. The treatment for acute pain is generally just to simply rest and isolate the affected area, as your body is working hard to heal it. 
  • Subacute – Subacute pain is typically felt two to six weeks after an injury. The affected area will still be painful, but it will not be nearly as severe as the acute pain of the first week. The treatment for subacute knee pain generally consists of gentle motions meant to increase your range of motion and facilitate healing.
  • Chronic – Chronic pain can be defined as any pain that lasts longer than two or three months. If you’ve been living with serious knee pain for that long, you should consult with your doctor. He or she will most likely suggest performing another full physical exam, in addition to x-rays. 

Getting Started With Physical Therapy

As part of your evaluation process, our physical therapist will administer a series of tests that can be used to analyze both hip and knee pain. These include:

  • Checking range of motion – Our physical therapist will test the limits of your knee or hip, to see how far it will bend. This helps in determining the severity of the trauma and will give our physical therapist an insight on what the course of treatment should be.
  • Checking strength – Testing the strength of your knee and hip structures will give our physical therapist a better idea on whether your pain is due to an injury or a physical imbalance.
  • Palpation – Our physical therapist will provide gentle palpation of the knee or hip to figure out where the pain is originating.
  • Gait analysis – Our physical therapist will assess how you walk to determine if anything is out of the ordinary with your gait.

Your balance may also be checked, and our physical therapist may want to measure how much inflammation is happening around the affected joint(s). Your initial evaluation is usually fairly lengthy, but it provides a great amount of information that your treatment is dependent upon. The results of your evaluation will help our physical therapist prescribe a treatment plan and a course of exercises based on your needs. 

Your prescribed exercises will help you strengthen the muscle structures around the knee or hip (or both) that’s bothering you. Our physical therapist will work with you to monitor your progress and make sure you are on track to reaching your end goal. He or she will also encourage and support every achievement you make along the way! 

If you’re ready to kick knee and hip pain to the curb, give Synergy Rehab and Wellness a call today and schedule an appointment with one of our physical therapists.

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Surgery Might Not be Your Only Option to Relieve Back Pain. Things to Consider Before Back Surgery

There are few more debilitating conditions than back pain. Ranging from a dull ache to excruciating, back pain can keep you from performing simple daily tasks you once enjoyed. While nearly 80 percent of adults experience back pain at some point in their lives, the treatments used to alleviate it are varied. Yet many people automatically think surgery is the best option to relieve back pain. Carrying high levels of risk and requiring months of recovery, back surgery is nothing to be undertaken lightly. Fortunately, surgery is not your only option to relieve back pain. Here are a few things to consider.

Physical Therapy for Pain Relief

Many people associate physical therapy with a post-surgical treatment plan. While it does play a vital role in helping patients recover once they have been under the knife, it is also an incredible tool for pain relief. A physical therapist can treat acute pain with manual therapies such as heat, ice, electrical stimulation, and massage. However, what most people don’t realize is that pain relief often requires strengthening the structures around the injury, not just treating the injury itself. If you are experiencing back pain, you may need to strengthen your core muscles in your abdomen and legs to help your back find relief. This process is not a fast one, but a physical therapist can show you exercises that are aimed at relieving your pain.

Physical Therapy for Better Movement

It is important to remember that a physical therapist is an expert in the way the body moves. We have a natural tendency to rest when we are in pain, rather than move. In reality, many people who experience back pain need to learn how to move better. Physical therapy can help you regain lost movement in your back and legs while decreasing your pain levels. A physical therapist can also show you how to prevent further injury in your daily life by teaching you how to bend, lift, stretch, sit, stand, or walk in ways that relieve your back pain.

Physical Therapy Before Surgery

If you are already planning on surgery to help alleviate back pain, you may already have a recovery plan that includes physical therapy. What you may not know is that physical therapy is a great way to prepare for surgery as well. Not only can it improve your cardiovascular function, physical therapy can strengthen the muscles and muscle attachments in areas that will already be weakened by surgery. Even a few sessions with a physical therapist have been shown to reduce postoperative care by more than 25 percent. Since most back surgery procedures require long periods of recovery, the idea of cutting it down by a fourth is appealing.

A physical therapist will evaluate your current condition and pain level. They will consult with your surgeon for more information and any imaging studies that are available. The physical therapist will then create a treatment plan aimed at immediate pain relief and strengthening the body in preparation for surgery. If you will need the use of your arms for balance, the physical therapist will help you strengthen your upper body in preparation. If you need better core strength to hold the structures of your spine in place, the physical therapist will work on strengthening your muscles without causing additional damage.

Whether you are considering surgery or already have a surgical date, call Synergy Rehab and Wellness to schedule a free physical therapy consultation and start experiencing relief.

6 Easy Ways to Improve Your Physical Health

Do you experience tired, sore, or achy muscles throughout the day? Are you recovering from an injury or surgical procedure? Do you have a condition that brings pain to your bones or joints? Whatever the case may be, a physical therapist can create a personalized treatment program for you, to help increase your energy and help you get back on track to enjoying your daily activities. Call Synergy Rehab and Wellness for information to see how physical therapy can help you achieve better overall health and greater physical fitness. The tips below are easy ways you can get moving and help increase your physical health!

1. Increase your flexibility.

Many physical therapy treatment programs are aimed at increasing your muscle and joint flexibility. Our physical therapist can help you work through a variety of stretching techniques, and he or she may also use heat therapy to loosen tight muscles and tendons. Our physical therapist may also suggest massage or breathing techniques to increase relaxation and flexibility.

2. Improve your balance. 

Balance typically decreases with age as bones start to become more brittle, and there are also health conditions that could affect your balance. Improving your balance can help you avoid trips and falls that could potentially lead to a serious injury. Additionally, it can improve your ability to engage in and enjoy more strenuous activities that you may not have been able to do in the past. A physical therapist can provide you with several different types of exercises to improve your balance, whether you’re standing, walking, or engaging in an exercise regimen.

3. Reduce injury.

Physical therapy helps you recover quickly from injuries, but what most people don’t know is that it can actually help in avoiding injury altogether. Your physical therapist can teach you several different exercises you can do at home and before you engage in physical activity in order to help prevent injury. If you’re recovering from a surgical procedure, your physical therapist can also help you learn to walk and move in new ways that will help you stay active while reducing the chance of falls and injury during your recovery. 

4. Try to avoid surgery.

With surgery, you always run the risk of blood clots, infection, and a lengthy recovery time. In many cases, physical therapy can correct a problem without the need for surgery at all. Sprains, strains, dislocations, tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis, and acute/chronic pain are just a few of the many ailments that a physical therapist can help you with. Physical therapy works in helping your body speed up its natural healing process, and while surgery is sometimes unavoidable, it’s almost always better to eliminate the need for an invasive procedure if the problem can be treated with physical therapy.

5. Recover quickly.

If you’ve already had surgery, or if you have suffered from an injury, a physical therapy program can be created to assist in your recovery. Our physical therapist will put together a rehabilitation program that specifically addresses your needs, focusing on helping you recover as quickly as possible. This may include strength and range of motion exercises, in addition to any specialized treatments that our physical therapist deems fit.

6. Stay active.

Even if you’re already in good health and involved in a variety of activities, physical therapy can still be beneficial to you. Our physical therapist can help you enhance your performance and give you advice on certain forms and techniques. If you are looking to get back into the activities you love, our physical therapist can help you achieve that. You will work together to create a treatment plan that will help you reach your goals, and he or she will assist you in increasing your strength, endurance, and flexibility.

Whether it’s preventative physical therapy, rehab, or therapy to improve your ability to walk and enjoy daily activities, a trained physical therapist can help you achieve your physical fitness goals. After your evaluation, our physical therapist will put together a treatment plan based on your needs, and he or she will encourage you during every step of your journey toward physical health. Contact Synergy Rehab and Wellness today to schedule a consultation and get started on your path toward a healthier and happier life!

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How Do You Overcome Chronic Back Pain? Ask Our Physical Therapist

Did you know that approximately 80 percent of Americans have experienced (or will experience) back pain? That’s a depressing statistic, especially if you’re already one of those sufferers. Chronic back pain can prevent you from performing the countless daily tasks you need or want to perform. Even when you’re not engaged in activity, your back pain may be keeping you miserable 24/7. But don’t assume that drugs can provide more than temporary relief, or that surgery won’t create more problems than it solves. Instead, go with the healthy, natural way to kiss your back pain goodbye — through physical therapy.

Drugs and Surgery: Two Back Pain Solutions That Cause Fresh Problems

Back pain can be either acute or chronic in nature. Acute back pain often occurs as the direct result of torn muscles or other sudden, intense damage. But as agonizing as cute back pain may be, at least you have the comfort of knowing that your pain will probably subside as the injury heals. Chronic back offers no such comfort. By definition, any kind of chronic pain lasts for more than 3 months, either attacking you in bouts or plaguing you with constant discomfort. The underlying cause is often progressive and/or irreversible. Common causes of chronic back pain include:

  • Bulging or herniated discs
  • Chronic muscle strain from an unbalanced posture or weak back muscles
  • Degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis of the spine
  • A narrowing of the spinal canal known as spinal stenosis
  • An old back injury that failed to heal properly, leaving you with internal scarring and chronic stiffness

Drugs can relieve chronic back pain, but only imperfectly. After a few hours of lessened symptoms, you have to take another dosage, and then another. If you’re using opioids to dull your pain, you can end up in a frightening cycle of increased tolerance and addiction. The most extreme form of treatment, spinal surgery, can permanently limit your back’s flexibility. You might even end up with an even more painful problem known as failed back surgery syndrome.

The Physical Therapy Approach to Chronic Back Pain Management

Instead of numbing yourself with drugs or risking major surgery, give physical therapy a chance to relieve your chronic back pain the safe, natural way. Our physical therapist will first take the time to examine your back, analyze your symptoms, evaluate your medical history, and talk to you about your pain management goals. This information enables the physical therapist to devise a comprehensive physical therapy plan just for you. Here are some ways you can benefit from such a plan:

  • Stretching exercises can can help you increase your range of motion, allowing you to do more with less back pain.
  • Strengthening exercises can give weak back muscles the reinforcement they need to hold your back straighter and with less fatigue.
  • Laser therapy, massage therapy, and heat or cold treatments can reduce chronic inflammation and relax painful muscle spasms in your back.
  • Our physical therapist can recommend specific lifestyle modifications to help you ease stress on your back and avoid future back problems.
  • Mindfulness practices and other techniques can help you reduce anxiety and other reactions to pain that might make the pain worse, helping you control your pain responses for the better.

Master Your Back Pain — With Our Help

You have the power to master your chronic pain, starting with the decision to treat yourself to physical therapy. Contact our physical therapist at Synergy Rehab and Wellness today!

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