Arthritis

Arthritis plagues many people worldwide. It is a condition wherein the joints are inflamed and stiff, causing pain. It usually comes with age, but there are other forms of arthritis, such as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which troubles the young. Does physical therapy help arthritis? The answer is yes. Physical therapy is used by a lot of pain management doctors to help those with this condition. Read on for more information.

5 Ways to Help Physical Therapy Work for You

1. The first step is to work with a professional. Being in good hands is always a safe bet, especially when it comes to health care. Contact a professional to help you relieve your pain. A chiropractor is a good source of reliable treatments.

2. The second step is to make no excuses when it comes to physical therapy. There are days when you will be tempted to say that you are in too much pain after physical therapy, and you will use this as an excuse. Don’t. Instead, rest the part of the body that is painful for now but work on another body part.

3. For stiff joints, there is nothing like heat therapy. If your joints are stiff from sleep, a warm shower can do you wonders. Additionally, you are more likely to follow through with physical therapy if you are soothed by a warm bath.

4. The fourth step is to always include aerobic exercises. Not only do these exercises help strengthen muscles and bones, but they also release endorphins that help you with the pain.

5. The last step is to set your own personal goals for physical therapy. This way you can keep track of your progress and you can motivate yourself.

Still in the Dark? Give us a call!

TalkLocal is here to help you. Contact us today for help in finding a physical therapist near you! We not only find the professionals; we connect you with them directly, for free!

Vertigo and Quality of Life

Vertigo is an ear condition that gives you the illusion that you are falling or that your environment is moving. It’s a debilitating health condition that can severely affect your quality of life. You can feel nauseous or be afraid to fall constantly. Because vertigo is an ear condition, a doctor will check your ears for any malfunctioning. A doctor will also check your eyes for nystagmus, which is the rapid, involuntary movement of the eyes, to help determine which canals of your ears are affected by vertigo.

Does Physical Therapy Help Vertigo?

A trained physical therapist will be able to determine the types of maneuvers that you can do to help you cope with vertigo. Your physical therapist will also instruct you on what you can do if the symptoms of vertigo recur. The therapist may also assess your balance and teach you techniques that will improve it. Physical therapy also helps spinal stenosis, which may worsen your symptoms of vertigo. Physical therapists may also tell you to sleep at a 45-degree angle for a night of treatment.

Physical therapy is useful for vertigo by training the brain to make up for the damage in the ear. It does this by improving your overall balance. Your physician will help you determine if you need chiropractic therapy. Physicians will commonly refer you to a physical therapist if you are suffering from vertigo, because it will help you cope with this condition. Indeed, if you are asking “does physical therapy help vertigo?” then the answer is: yes.

Finding Professional Help

TalkLocal will help you locate a physical therapist near you. We will connect you with the right professionals in your area for free, and in just minutes. You’ll get the help you need, when you need it most.

Physical Therapy For A Number of Conditions

Physical therapy is prescribed for a number of health conditions, including sciatica and arthritis. This type of therapy reduces pain in soft tissues. It can help you recover from injury and avoid the possibility of future injuries. Does physical therapy really help? In most cases, the answer is yes.

A physical therapist can suggest modifications in the way that you do activities to lessen the injuries. Conditions like spinal stenosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Parkinson’s disease, and vertigo are greatly helped by physical therapy. The range of activities that a physical therapist will ask you to do varies greatly, such as lumbar stabilization exercises for lower back pain.

How Physical Therapy Helps

Physical therapy helps you by strengthening your muscles and helps you return to your normal level of functioning. This type of therapy also helps you avoid surgery, or can even help you recover faster from surgery. It can also improve your mobility, especially if you have trouble walking or running. It also helps with back pain when using ice and heat for back pain is not enough. Physical therapy also helps stroke patients recover by improving balance and restoring gait.

Unknown to some people, this type of therapy helps diabetes and vascular conditions by controlling blood sugar through exercise. Physical therapy also helps prevent falls by strengthening your muscles and improving balance. Recovery and prevention exercises also help you prevent sports injuries or recover from previous injuries.

As can be seen, there are in fact many ways that physical therapy can help.

Finding the Right Help

Here at TalkLocal, we are committed to providing you with the help you deserve. We will connect you with up to three professionals in your area. You will be speaking with the right professional in just minutes.

If you’re looking for an answer to this question, you or someone close to you is probably experiencing pinched nerve symptoms. But before actually answering it, it might help to understand exactly what a pinched nerve is, and only then consider possible treatment options.

Basically, this term describes the compression or the pressure exerted on a nerve, which prevents it from working normally, often causing severe pain. If the nerve is in the lower back, you can experience pain in your back or legs. The pinched nerve can also be located in the neck, elbow, or wrist.

A pinched nerve may be the result of a herniated disc, arthritis, or bone spurs, among other conditions.

Symptoms include shooting pain accompanied by numbness. Also, you can experience a tingling sensation and weakness in the muscles.

Physical therapy can relieve the symptoms caused by a pinched nerve, but the success varies from case to case. Before setting an exercise program suitable for your particular case, the therapist needs to assess your condition first. The program can involve passive exercise, which means that the physical therapist performs a certain treatment on you, or active exercise. In the latter case the physical therapist designs a special program for you, which you can then perform on your own.

So, can physical therapy help a pinched nerve? The answer is yes, physical therapy can alleviate the pain caused by the pressure exerted on the nerve, increasing flexibility and muscle strength. It can relieve the symptoms caused by a pinched nerve, but the success rate varies from case to case.

Need Professional Help?

If physical therapy does not yield the expected results and you continue experiencing acute pain, TalkLocal can help you find a chiropractor or another specialist to get an in-depth consultation. Our service is the quick, free, and cost-effective way to be connected with a qualified professional who can identify the right treatment for you.

Physical therapy is essential to getting your body back into shape and returning to a healthy and active lifestyle after an injury or surgery.

It can also be strenuous at times, and even though it is making your muscles stronger in the long run, it can be painful. You may leave your physical therapy session feeling worse than when you went it. You might be dying for a relaxing massage.

While this is inconvenient, it is not uncommon and luckily, there are plenty of things you can do to ease pain after physical therapy.

Rest

It is important to work your muscles and move around after surgery or an injury, but you also need to give your body time to rest and heal.

If you are experiencing pain after physical therapy, you may just be tired or you may be working too hard during your sessions. Talk to your physical therapist about the pain and rest between your sessions.

Your physical therapist may be able to adjust your workout to help reduce the amount of pain you experience afterwards.

Stretch

If you are sore after your physical therapy workout, it could be the result of not stretching. Take some time before you go to your appointment to stretch, or even do it during the appointment.

Stretching gets your muscles ready for the workout and will prevent soreness afterwards. Check with your therapist to make sure you can stretch safely. Some injuries and surgeries require a specific amount of recovery time before you should start stretching.

Pain Medicine

You can always take an over-the-counter pain medicine before or after your session to help ease the pain after physical therapy. Always ask your doctor or physical therapist before you start taking medicine to make sure it is safe, especially if you are taking any prescription medication, as well.

Maybe A Chiropractor Can Help 

The next time you experience pain after physical therapy, try one of the solutions above. Nobody should have to live with pain on a daily basis.

Chiropractors have a lot of experience helping men and women rid their bodies of aches and pains. Find one through TalkLocal to see if he or she can help. Just visit our site and submit a request, and we will connect you with a qualified professional directly. It’s fast, easy, and free.

If you experience pain in your lower back, the chances are good that you are suffering from lumbar issues. The best way to help relieve the pain is to stretch the muscle so it is not tight and is not likely to be pulled or strained in the future. Here are some lumbar stabilization exercises for low back pain that might help you feel some relief.

Floor Kicks

The floor kick exercise helps strengthen the lumbar muscles so they are less likely to become damaged or torn. To do this exercise, lay on the floor and lift up one leg and then the other. Continue to alternate legs for five minutes. Point your toes as you lift your legs to stretch the muscles even more. If your back is already hurting, the exercise may be painful at first. As time progresses, this exercise will be easier to perform and eventually the pain will go away.

Medicine Ball

A medicine ball can be your best friend if you have low back pain. You can loosen the muscles by sitting on the ball and gently bouncing. You can also use the ball for a variety of stretches. Try laying on the ball on your stomach with your knees on the ground. Extend your legs out and move forward on the ball. You should feel your muscle stretching as you move.

Roman Chair Exercise

Use a medicine ball or a chair, and bend straight over at your waist to touch your toes. You will feel your lumbar muscles pull as you do this exercise. This stretch will help you to loosen these muscles and stretch them out. It is one of the most effective lumbar stabilization exercises for low back pain.

These lumbar stabilization exercises for low back pain can help you anytime your back is hurting. Do them often to prevent back pain and to keep your muscles strong.

Finding The Right Help

Whether you are looking for a personal trainer or a chiropractor to make the necessary adjustments, TalkLocal can help. Pick which service professional you need and we will connect you with three of them right in your local area. You still get to decide but do not have to waste a ton of time searching.

With increased technology and growing medical knowledge, medical professionals are constantly inventing more efficient ways of remedying aches and pains in bones, muscles, and joints. One of the newer methods is called Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy. What Is Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy? That’s a good question.

Not Really New

Some might label Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy as a new method, but in reality, it’s been around since the 1990s. However, as of late, technology has changed the way this treatment is administered. Unlike the method of old, which saw a patient put under local anesthesia, Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy is an outpatient treatment that can be done easily and with little pain or discomfort.

What Does Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Treat?

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy is a treatment method for those who experience plantar fasciitis. In layman’s terms, this is inflammation in the connecting tissue of certain joints. This can be found in the elbow, heel, or other areas of the body.

Many of these conditions are contracted by particularly active individuals, such as athletes. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy is one of many non-invasive options for treating such an issue. It is important to explore with your doctor whether or not this is appropriate for your unique condition.

How Does It Work?

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy uses sound waves to cure the inflammation in various areas of the body. This is very much akin to the procedure administered to individuals who have kidney stones. Just like the sound waves in that procedure pulverize renal stones, Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy uses the technology to cure plantar fasciitis.

Benefits Of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy

The primary benefits of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy are that it is not invasive and is, for the most part, effective. This treatment spares a patient from a physically taxing surgery.

Who Can I Talk To About Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy?

A few choice chiropractors might be able to better answer the question: What Is Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy? Finding one in your local area might seem impossible. With TalkLocal, you can specify exactly what you are looking for, and we’ll find the professional for you. It saves you time, and our service is absolutely free.

Few injuries will take you out like back pain. Your back is central to your body, and nearly every movement affects it. So it only make sense that, when your back hurts, doing anything hurts.

Many products on the market today capitalize on the common practice of using ice and heat for back pain, but they are ultimately only topical ointments and do not reach as deep as the real thing. Here is what you need to know about using ice and heat for back pain.

When And How Long Should I Ice?

If you have an injury, it is best to immediately ice it within five minutes. When the body has an injury, it will send fluids to the area, which results in swelling. Swelling can sometimes cause further injury, causing more swelling, and the harmful cycle continues on.

Ice cools the area, causing the body to send blood to the area, which will clean out the excess swelling and toxins, helping the body to heal. Ice should be applied for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off for 24 to 48 hours after the injury.

When Should I Apply Heat?

At this point, the area will likely be stiff from the ice and lack of movement. It is now a good idea to apply heat. As with ice, the heat will cause the body to send blood to the area in an attempt to cool it down, which will help heal the injury faster.

It will also cause the muscle to relax, easing pain and stiffness. It is also a good idea to do appropriate exercises and stretches to further assist in the healing process.

If you simply suffer from frequent back pain, such as sciatica, alternating ice and heat on the area may work to shock the body and break the pain cycle.

See A Chiropractor If Pain Persists

Ultimately, only a professional can tell if something is seriously wrong with your back. In these serious instances, simply icing and applying heat to the area will not suffice. TalkLocal can find a qualified professional in your area for free to help provide you with a diagnosis. Our website is user-friendly and cuts the work out of the search process.

Those who suffer from pain will look for any method to relieve it, but which method is right for your pain? If you are experiencing muscular or joint pain, here is one central question to ponder: Do I need active release chiropractic therapy or deep tissue massage?

The following facts about each may help you make your decision, but ultimately, a professional will be able to best determine which treatment fits your situation.

Deep Tissue Massage

– As the name implies, it focuses on deep, muscular tissue.

– Works through the kneading and applying of pressure to the soft tissue over a period of time to relax the offending muscle.

– Has been shown to relieve headaches, stress, tension, while increasing flexibility and circulation.

– Side effects include nausea, headache, and soreness similar to the sore feeling after a workout.

– While many experience positive results after treatment, some only experience temporary relief from symptoms and need continuous treatments.

Active Release Treatment

– Focuses on connective tissue that may have been damaged due to injury, over-working, or repetitive movements.

– Works through the stretching, manipulation, and tension of the soft tissue.

– Has been shown to relieve headaches caused by shortened, taught muscles, to relieve TMJ, sciatica, and reoccurring sprains and strains. Has also been shown to successfully treat carpal tunnel and other peripheral nerve entrapment disorders.

– May cause pain or discomfort during the first few treatments, but pain will subside shortly after treatment.

– As long as adjustments to the patient’s lifestyle after treatment are followed, it is very unlikely that symptoms will reoccur.

Get A Professional’s Advice

While both methods of treatment have been shown to help similar ailments, only a professional can determine which one will be best for you. To find one, check our TalkLocal’s free service.  We will connect you with a qualified chiropractic professional in minutes who will know the answer to your crucial question: Do I need active release chiropractic therapy or deep tissue massage?

Back pain is more than just a pain in the back — it can cause serious discomfort and health issues. Your entire day can be ruined by back pain. We have certain things that help us avoid back pain and keep our bodies postured positively. One such item is a lumbar roll. You might be wondering: Why do I need a lumbar roll?

Listen up! These answers might help you.

Why Do I Need A Lumbar Roll?

Slouching is really bad for you

Not only does it hurt, but it hinders your body. When you slouch, you’re holding your muscles in an abnormal position for a really long time. Even though it doesn’t feel like you’re using your muscles, you are. You’re stretching them awkwardly.

Over time, this weakens them. If they are weakened too much for too long, you can even develop really serious side effects like disc degeneration. Discs are the little pieces of cushion between your vertebrae. You can also bulge your discs out, which can press on nerves and cause horrible pain in other parts of your body.

Good posture avoids slouching

This means that having good posture is really good for you. When your body is properly postured the way nature intended, your discs do nothing other than cushion your vertebrae. If you’ve had bad pad posture for long enough, it might actually hurt to sit properly. That’s because your muscles aren’t used to it. Keep doing it and your posture and back will improve greatly.

Lumbar rolls help make proper posture feel more natural

Using a lumbar roll on the back of your chair when sitting helps you feel like you’re not doing any work to hold your muscles up the right way, even though they’re not used to it. This helps you keep yourself sitting up straight without realizing it, thus practicing good posture and avoiding slouching and back pain.

Chiropractors Can Assess Your Need For A Lumbar Roll

With the help of a lumbar roll, your back can be in awesome condition. It may take some time, but it’s worth it. If you’re worried you already have a serious back issue, you may need professional help. TalkLocal can connect you to the professionals you need to make every day a little more bearable without back pain.