Lower back pain and sciatica are among the most common reasons people seek physical therapy. These issues can cause sharp, burning, or radiating pain down the leg, and can make sitting, standing, or sleeping uncomfortable. Fortunately, one of the most evidence-based and effective treatment systems for these conditions is the McKenzie Method® of Mechanical DiagnosisContinue Reading »
Ruling Out the SI Joint: The McKenzie Method ExplainedIf you’ve ever had nagging low back or hip pain, you may have wondered if your sacroiliac (SI) joint is the culprit. The SI joint connects the sacrum (the base of your spine) to the ilium (part of your pelvis). It plays a key role in transferringContinue Reading »
To understand why rowing is so prevalent let’s take a quick look at the history of rowing The history of rowing can be traced back to Egyptian times as early as 1000 BC but the first recorded competition was a boat race in 1828 between Oxford-Cambridge.In North America the first race was held in the NewContinue Reading »
It’s a common question asked after being diagnosed with a lumbar disc herniation or when a patient suspects one. Can Herniated Discs Heal? from Tom Willemann on Vimeo. It can be quite upsetting to learn about a disc herniation in your lumbar spine.Most people who receive this diagnosis have been experiencing lower back pain andContinue Reading »
Do you have a sore back AND constipation?Both back pain and constipation are common medical issues faced by many Americans and people from all around the world.Often, the two conditions occur together. But are constipation and back pain connected, and does one influence the other and vice versa?In this blog, we examine the link betweenContinue Reading »
When you take a vacation for some much-needed rest and relaxation and quality time with friends and family, it should be something to get excited about and look forward to with anticipation. But for many people with chronic back pain, it’s more like trepidation and sometimes even fear and anxiety. You spend days and weeksContinue Reading »
Where does the term sciatica come from?Since I entered the field of physical therapy, I have been asked about sciatica from numerous friends, family members and patients. Sciatica is also referred to as “lumbar radiculopathy” – lumbar meaning the lower back region, radicular meaning affected or related to the root of a spinal nerve and,Continue Reading »
What is Acute Low Back Pain?Acute low back pain is one of the most common reasons people go see the doctor and/or miss days at work. 80-85% of people will experience low back pain within their lifetime. In addition, low back pain is the leading cause of years lived with disability, according to the GlobalContinue Reading »
Recent Studies Show Running and Exercise May Actually Strengthen the Intervertebral Disc A recent study looked at the lumbar disc problems, Intervertebral Discs (IVDs) in people that were runners for greater than five years and also ran more than 50+ kilometers per week (long distance runners). The intervertebral discs act as shock absorbentsContinue Reading »
This is an unusual case of spinal stenosis in a young athlete. Spinal stenosis is often found in older individuals, so hearing this story really caught my attention. Younger athletes often have spine-related conditions associated with herniated and bulging discs, muscle spasms, sciatica, piriformis syndrome and facet syndrome. That being said, younger individuals and athletesContinue Reading »