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sciatica

Piriformis Syndrome

November 11, 2019 by Gabby Leave a Comment

The Piriformis muscle is located in the buttocks area, underneath the gluteus maximus. It’s one of the muscles that helps rotate the thigh bone outward, like you do when you cross your ankle over your knee. The muscle runs from the tail bone and attaches at the hip bone.The sciatic nerve is a major nerve that begins in the low-back area and travels down the back of the thigh and continues down, branching off in the lower leg and foot. The sciatic nerve usually runs directly through the Piriformis muscle, although it may lie above or under the Piriformis.

The cause of Piriformis Syndrome is not entirely clear and may be a result of several different things. It is often associated with sacroiliac (SI) problems. Trauma, such as falling on the buttocks may incite the symptoms. Extended sitting can be a factor, as in the case of professional drivers or office workers. Other problems, such as hip bursitis, back strains, or gluteal tendonitis may bring on the condition.

Symptoms include pain and tenderness in the buttocks area. The problem may be on one or both sides. Sitting is often uncomfortable. Walking, running, and climbing or descending stairs is often painful. In some cases radiating pain may shoot down the back of the thigh and into the lower leg because of irritation to the sciatic nerve.

There are many treatment options for Piriformis Syndrome. Moist heat can help relieve and control pain. Ultrasound may be beneficial since it is a method of deep heating. Certain therapeutic exercises may greatly help to recondition the muscle. There are several stretches for the muscle that can help relieve the tightness. Avoidance of irritating factors is crucial. Manual techniques such as soft tissue mobilization are often helpful. In severe cases, anti-inflammatory injections may be needed.

With proper treatment and follow through, this condition can be resolved. In some cases it will resolve quickly, while in others it may be a lengthy rehabilitation. For more information consult your physical therapist.

Post written by Travis Rohner, DPT

Filed Under: desk job, pain, piriformis syndrome, sciatica, treatment Tagged With: back pain, leg pain, piriformis, sciatica

If At First You Don’t Succeed, Dry Dry Again

September 24, 2019 by Gabby Leave a Comment

Dry needling is a type of therapeutic technique. A specially trained physical therapist will insert small, thin needles into myofascial trigger points on the body, as shown in the videos below. If this sounds scary to you, fear not! The process is not as painful as it sounds. Generally, the needle insertion is painless. What can sometimes be felt is a small twitch response. This response is your brain sending impulses to the trigger point. The feeling is more like a shock or cramping sensation than pain. An added bonus is the release of endorphins and other hormones that help to reduce pain and relax your mind and body.  Still, you may be wondering why anyone would choose this type of treatment for their condition.

There are many benefits to dry needling, which is why it may be recommended by your doctor or therapist. The stimulation of blood flow that occurs when the needle is inserted stimulates your body’s natural healing process. Patients who have been through a number of dry needling sessions will see an improvement in their range of motion and joint mobility. A lot of athletes have turned to dry needles to improve and maximize their performances, as have patients who have suffered a reduction in mobility through injury. Dry needling can also reduce myofascial pain.

Dry needling can help treat a wide range of injuries and conditions. Some of the more common ones include tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, headaches, and back or spine problems. In addition, it speeds up the recovery process by releasing muscle tightness and reducing inflammation. There is not a set number of treatments required to improve each condition. Everyone will have a different experience because our injuries are specific to our own bodies. It is common to notice a small change after the first session, and within 3-4 sessions you should know if the treatment is right for you.

A view of the needles in the skin.

Post written by: Casey Badder, DPT

Filed Under: pain, treatment Tagged With: dry needling, headaches, plantar fasciitis, sciatica

Traction Satisfaction

August 30, 2019 by Gabby Leave a Comment

Have you ever experienced a shooting pain that travels down your leg? Believe it or not, this pain can be related to a disc in your low back. If you have ever experienced this issue, you know it can be painful and debilitating. Luckily there is a treatment that can help ease your pain. Spinal decompression is a type of motorized traction that may help relieve pain related to disc issues or sciatica. Spinal decompression works by gently stretching the spine, which changes the force and position of the spine. Don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it sounds! In addition to providing relief, this change takes pressure off the spinal disks, retracts any bulging or herniated disks, and helps promote movement of water and oxygen into the disks so they can heal.

There are two types of traction a patient can receive; pelvic or cervical. Patients with neck pain may receive cervical traction, while patients with back pain may receive pelvic traction. The process takes about 15 minutes and is just a portion of the treatment you may receive here. The patient will lay face up on the treatment table, with a harness around their pelvis or neck. After the initial appointment, you may experience some mild discomfort. It is important not to get too discouraged if this happens! Be patient, relief will come with time.

Around your waist, we secure the pelvic harness.

 

The pulling can begin once the harness is securely in place.

Our goal is to get you feeling better as soon as possible. Because of this, we recommend attending multiple sessions over a period of 3-4 weeks. When it comes to physical therapy, consistency is key!  Treatment can vary when dealing with specific injuries, as every body is different. During your initial evaluation, your therapist will decide if traction is the right treatment for you. As always, if you have any questions you can reach out to us by phone and we would be happy to help you.

Post written by: Tom Farnsworth PT, MPT

Filed Under: pain, sciatica, treatment Tagged With: back pain, neck pain, sciatica, traction

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