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Physical Burnout And How To Avoid It
Herniated Disk
Michael's Body
Scenes "Member Of The Quarter"
HERNIATED DISK
By Stephen Questell RPTA
Advanced Physical Therapy Assoc.
Disks are small circular cushions between vertebrae (the bones of
the spine). Normally, disks act as shock absorbers to cushion your
vertebrae from each other as you move. A herniated disk is a disk
that has bulged out from its proper place. It may press on the
nearby nerves and cause pain, numbness or even a lack in function of
the body part it controls.
When a disk is damaged, the soft rubbery center of the disk
squeezes out through a weak point in the hard outer layer. A disk
may be damaged by:
accident
A
sudden strenuous action such as lifting a heavy weight or twisting
violently
Repeated
straining of your back
A
herniated disk may also happen spontaneously without any specific
injury, a sneeze or pushing to hard during a bowel movement or even
during labor. These types of herniations occur usually because of a
weak low back and poor stabilization of the muscles that support the
low back and pelvic area.
Symptoms of a herniated disk in your neck may begin suddenly or
gradually. You may wake up and feel a sudden aching. Or you may have
a twisted neck that you cannot straighten without extreme pain. You
may also have numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both arms.
If your herniated disk is below your neck your symptoms may develop
gradually or begin suddenly. Symptoms include:
pain
Pain
down one or both of your
legs
Numbness,
tingling, or weakness in one or both your
legs
Changes
in bladder or bowel
habits
Diagnosing
a herniated disk can be done by a physical therapist or orthopedist
through various test that are performed upon a examination, but
symptoms of herniated disk can mimic an instability in the pelvic
region in which the sacrum and innomonate bone (top of the hip) that
make up the sacroiliac joint are misaligned. The confirmation that a
disk is in fact herniated will be determined by an MRI.
In most cases, treatment without surgery will relieve your pain.
Treatment for a herniated disk may include:
paks
Anti-inflammatory
drugs
Muscle
relaxants
Prescription
pain killers
But
physical therapy is one of the most prescribed remedies. This will
include treatments such as:
- Traction for the neck or the
back
Electric
stimulation
Ultrasound
to take down swelling
Joint
mobilization
Stabilization exercises and postural training to strengthen
the muscles that support the
spine
Massage
and myofacial release
As
your symptoms subside and you can return to a normal routine you
must practice correct body mechanics when you are walking, sitting,
standing, lying down or working out.
Keeping your weight down, eating a proper diet, and exercises to
keep your muscles firm and your spine stable can often prevent a
herniated disk. When exercising ALWAYS include your abdominal--its
part of your core. Having a strong back and weak abs is not the
ideal state.
You got question APTA has answers. Advise is free and APTA offers
one free consultation to all members, come in and ask for Steve!
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