Tom Willemann Health Tips

"Regular Health Tips From Physical Therapist Tom Willemann..."

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Physical Therapy: An Alternative to Back Surgery

It may seem counterintuitive for a surgeon to recommend physical therapy instead of back surgery, but lumbar fusion is not appropriate for everyone. Many people suffering from back pain can benefit from physical therapy.
Physical therapy can strengthen the back and move the protruding disk away from the affected nerve. Pain management procedures may relieve pain. With some patience and tolerance, physical therapy may help you avoid lumbar surgery.
One important thing you can do is to avoid slouching or leaning in a single direction, thusplacing less strain on the spine. If you sit or bend in one position for too long, remember to twist or bend in the other direction to relieve muscle tension and balance the stress. Add to this some simple stretching exercises you can perform at your desk, such as rolling your shoulder blades 10 times, squeezing your shoulder blades 10 times or slowly turning your head over each shoulder 10 times. These exercises will help keep your tissues comfortable and mobile.
In addition, the following therapies often allow us to enhance the effects of exercise for the patient:

  • electric stimulation
  • massage
  • heat/cold therapy
  • ultrasound
  • diathermy
  • hydrotherapy
  • joint mobilization

Remember: Physical therapy comes with education. Because this information cannot take the place of your surgeon’s advice, always seek a physician’s opinion on important matters such as lumbar health. We can work with your surgeon to design a program that helps you manage back pain and could allow you to avoid surgery.

Tom Willemann

Tom Willemann

Tom Willemann is a premier physical therapist based out of Bergen County, New Jersey. He holds an MS in physical therapy from the University of Miami, is credentialed in the world-renowned McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT), and holds an OCS (Orthopedic Clinical Specialist) certification. As of 2018, there are approximately 14,000 ABPTS certified specialists in the nation and less than 400 of them are located in the state of New Jersey. Tom is the owner and director of Apex Orthopedic Rehabilitation in Paramus. He opened the clinic, which specializes in spine and sports injury prevention, in 2004 after many years of experience in the field. Tom’s caring interest in others and his strong belief in continuity of care, combined with his clinic’s ability to find solutions for the most difficult orthopedic problems, have earned Apex Orthopedic Rehabilitation its excellent reputation with patients and medical professionals in northeastern New Jersey and beyond. A true “family man,” Tom takes pride in his clinic’s warm and welcoming environment.
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