|
We’ve all been there… our hands clutching at our thighs in the hope of relieving hip-stress as we get up or sit down; a grimace on our faces as we try to grapple with what we think are signs of aging while easing into the bath; a frown as we get out of the car, straining to carry the weight in our legs, not our hips. Hip pain: most of us have experienced it, and if you’re reading this, you’re probably still suffering from its tell-tail discomfort. And yet, for most of you reading this, your pain isn’t related to any sort of injury you can think of – it just arrived and has decided to stay. The good news is, though its origins are unknown, hip-pain can be treated and alleviated. In this post, we’re looking at some of the reasons you might be suffering from hip discomfort – and better still – some of the ways in which you can become pain free, right now. [....]
0 Comments
If you generally step more gently as you go down the stairs, hold the hand-railing a little bit tighter, and take careful note of where your feet land next… you’re not alone. The vast majority of us either consciously or subconsciously fear the sudden jolt and feeling of vertigo related to feeling taking a tumble – not to mention the pain that comes afterwards! Our worst fears are realized when we start to think about the horrendous consequences of a fall: hip-fractures, muscle tears, back pain, even broken legs all come to mind. Yikes! Is it any wonder that a common nightmarish theme is falling out of bed? In fact, a fear of falling is so common that most people don’t even know they’re afraid! That’s right – the fear isn’t consciously spoken about or acknowledged, rather it translates into minute, prolonged posture and gait abnormalities which, if left unnoticed, can wreak havoc on one’s mobility and self-confidence. That’s why this post looks at why most people are secretly afraid of falling, why most don’t even know they’re afraid, and – thankfully – what we can do about tackling this problem.[...]
Knee pain affects almost every single person at some point in their lives. From sprains, to cartilage issues, all the way through to posture-related injuries and muscle tears, knee pain seems to play a role in the sometimes debilitating struggle for a pain-free life. We understand how the nagging, irritating, and oftentimes overwhelming pain in your knee affects your day-to-day activities, not to mention your social life, and that’s why this post is all about knee pain: what it is, why it is, and what can be done about it. [....]
“Core Strength”… You’ve seen these words on billboards advertising gym memberships, on the latest health-trend manifestos, and on the front page of your fitness magazine. You’ve even heard your close friends and family members chatting about the value of core strength. And yet, you’re not really sure what it is, why it’s important, or why it should even matter to you. The good news is, this post is about to enlighten you. We’re going to give you the ins-and-outs of core strength, its necessity, and what it really means for your health. [...]
Plantar fasciitis… to people outside of the medical world, the name itself gives very little away. But, while its title might be a mouthful, its symptoms are certainly a lot more familiar: stabbing pains, and burning, aching, and dull discomfort throughout the bottom of the foot are but some of it’s well known trademarks. Many people suffer from plantar fasciitis on a daily basis, yet its causes and treatment might surprise you. If you’re one of the millions of people worldwide who struggle to overcome this affliction, keep reading – we’re here to tell you everything there is to know! [...]
Scar tissue can be an ongoing hindrance for many of us. From an obstacle when it comes to movement, to a constant stretching feeling, dealing with scar tissue is oftentimes a daily, frustrating struggle. Luckily, you don’t have to fight that battle alone, and the happy truth is that you can overcome your nemesis. In this post, we’re the exposing truth behind scar tissue, and revealing how you can say goodbye to the nagging, pulling, stiff sensations left in the wake of physical injury. [...]
Neck and shoulder pain may be the most common ailment faced by most people these days. That having been said, it is often the most mysterious, too. Pinpointing the exact cause for shoulder or neck problems is particularly tricky, and the underlying cause of the pain may be due to many differing factors. In this post, we take a look at not only what causes shoulder and neck pain, but also how we can prevent and heal that pain, right now. [...]
Aches and pains… could it be that you’re just getting older, or that you’re less active, perhaps? Maybe it’s just a temporary phase in your life. You’ll grow out of it, right? The truth is, aches and pains are often associated with daily, ongoing, habitual mistakes. Take note of the word habitual – habits are key to understanding precisely why we experience certain discomforts during the day. If you’re one of the millions of people that have a desk job, and you’re also one of the millions who experience daily discomfort, it’s time to retrace your steps and reprogram your habits. [...]
 Physical therapy has always been shrouded in mystery, and the truth is many people don’t really know what it is. Some think that physical therapists only stretch muscles, or rehabilitate athletes. Others feel as though physiotherapy is an intense massage, or even just a way to avoid being stiff after a workout. As a physical therapist with many years of experience, I can honestly say that, despite all these conflicting ideas about physical therapy, one thing remains constant: most people believe we heal pain. And yes – we do heal pain, but what most people don’t understand is that physical therapy is NOT only about healing pain… it is about SO much more than that. This may sound controversial, but keep reading. [...]
We know that for many of our patients running is a passion. The truth is, however, so many of those same patients visit us because of injuries related to their runs. Far from telling them to stop running, our main goal is to prevent debilitating knee/foot/ankle injuries BEFORE they happen, and to keep our patients as active as possible. [...]
 The sacroiliac joints are weight-bearing joints that distribute weight from the spine to the lower extremities via the hip joints. They also act as shock absorbers. Several muscles influence the movement and stability of the sacroiliac joint, and due to the central position, hard, bony structure and strong ligaments, the joint is usually very reliable. Yet the sacroiliac joint can also be a major source of lower back pain. [...]
 The reasons why so many people are plagued with lower back pain are as numerous as they are varied. One of the most common reasons of this pain is a condition called spondylolisthesis, or 'spondy' for short. The spondy condition occurs when the lumbar vertebrae, the building blocks that makes up our spine, have 'slipped' forward. [...]
 When medical professionals talk about a 'hernia', they are generally referring to the
protrusion of an organ beyond the cavity, which normally contains it. Such a condition can also involve the discs in your spine. A spinal disc serves as a cushion between two vertebrae. If the outer part of the disc degenerates, the inner portion can rupture or bulge. This bulging is called a herniated disc. In some cases, herniated discs can recover without any intervention or through medical treatment. If the problem continues and the sufferer finds themselves still in pain after two weeks, a medical professional should be contacted. What are the most frequent causes of disc herniation? The pain from a herniated disc can appear entirely random and sometimes arrives completely out of the blue. However, the damage is usually the result of a gradual process. The spinal discs in children contain a lot of water, which is why kids spines are extremely flexible. By the time we're adults, our discs have begun to dry out. They become brittle and vulnerable to cracks and tears from relatively mild movements. Working in jobs that are physically demanding, lifting weights to keep fit, picking up a bag of shopping from the floor, a misjudged swing of a golf club or even something as mundane as turning to get in the car can cause a disc to herniate. The people most at risk are between the ages of 35 and 50, with 50% more men suffering from the condition as women. Other, less common causes of disc herniation are accidents or injuries, which can put so much pressure on the lower back that a disc herniates. What are the best non-surgical treatments for disc herniation? For millions of sufferers all around the world, physical therapy has played a major role in the treatment of herniated discs. The methods used do not only bring about immediate pain relief, but they can also teach and condition the body to learn how to avoid such injuries in the future. Depending on the severity of the condition, the level of pain and some other important factors, treatment for a herniated disc can include the following methods: Deep tissue massage Hot and cold therapy Hydrotherapy Microcurrent Point Stimulation Traction Besides these treatments, a good physiotherapist will teach the patient exercises to strengthen the back and to make the return of the condition far less probable. The patient learns self-care principles to understand better how they can treat their own symptoms. Plus, they learn the importance of continuing the exercises after the treatment has been concluded. If you're living with the pain of disc herniation, call us today at (281-888- 0047) for a phone consultation or book an appointment for a discovery visit. We can help you get fast relief from a herniated disc, and we'll work with you to ensure you're far less likely to contract the condition in the future. For some easy tips you can use right now to start easing your back pain, click the link to download my free back pain guide: https://www.nextlevelpthouston.com/back-pain.html  Do you experience low back pain when you try to stand up? Do you find it difficult to walk even short distances before you have to sit down and rest because it hurts too much? If so, then you could be suffering from a condition called spinal stenosis. [...]
 Do you have low back pain and is deciding whether to seek immediate treatment? Well, you are not alone. Low back pain is the single leading cause of disability worldwide. Over 30 million Americans experience low-back pain at any given time. Most causes of back pain are not an emergency but there are symptoms you should know that warrants an ER visit.
 Do you have a difficult time standing up from a low surface or walking up/down stairs? Your issues might stem from weak lower extremities. These exercises target the hip, knee and ankle joints to prevent falls and increase balance.
Squats are considered the king of all exercises. It strengthens your hips, gluteals, quadriceps, hamstrings and core muscles. The squat movement can help you improve sit to stand from low surfaces.  If you fell before you know how scary losing your balance can be. Balance is a skill that declines as we age when not worked on. The combination of balance and strength exercises can limit fall risks and improve your everyday function.
 Falls happen every day in all age groups. Have you ever seen a toddler fall, then get up and walk as if nothing happened? If this happened with an older adult the result might play out differently. The trauma sustained through falls increases as we age; our bones are less pliable and absorb more shock resulting in greater injuries.
|
Dr. Jack WongLeading Physical Therapist In The Houston Area
Categories
All
Archives
April 2019
|
RSS Feed