Welcome to 2013!
If you need our help, PhysioWorks will be back to normal clinical hours on Wed 2nd January.
Clayfield Ph 3862 4544
Sandgate Ph 3269 1122
Monday, December 31, 2012
Saturday, December 29, 2012
What is Sciatica? What Causes it? What is Sciatica Treatment?
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica describes pain felt along the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back, down through the buttock, hamstrings and into the lower leg.
The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body. The spinal sections it originates from include L4, L5 or S1.
See the diagram for a general idea where you may feel sciatica symptoms.
The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body. The spinal sections it originates from include L4, L5 or S1.
See the diagram for a general idea where you may feel sciatica symptoms.
What Causes Sciatica Pain?
Leg pain can have various sources. Pain can be a local leg injury or it may even be referred from your lower back and travel along the sciatic nerve. The main nerve that travels from your lower back to your leg is your sciatic nerve.
Injury that irritates or pinching of your sciatic nerve can cause severe leg pain known as sciatica.
While there are numerous causes of sciatica, the most common are:
Injury that irritates or pinching of your sciatic nerve can cause severe leg pain known as sciatica.
While there are numerous causes of sciatica, the most common are:
Other sources include:
You're most likely to get sciatica when you're 30 to 50 years old. It may happen due to the effects of general spine wear and tear (spondylosis) or a traumatic injury that sudden pressure on the lumbar discs eg lifting, bending or sneezing.
What are the Symptoms of Sciatica?
Sciatica causes pain that usually begins in the lower back and spreads through the buttock, leg, calf and, occasionally, the foot.
The pain can vary between dull, aching or burning sensations and sharp, shooting pains.
Sciatica can also cause tingling, numbness or muscle weakness in the affected leg. It is very important to seek urgent medical attention in these situations as long-term nerve compression can permanently damage the nerve and its function. In these cases your symptoms may become permanent or you may require emergency surgery.
One or more of the following sensations may occur because of sciatica:
The pain can vary between dull, aching or burning sensations and sharp, shooting pains.
Sciatica can also cause tingling, numbness or muscle weakness in the affected leg. It is very important to seek urgent medical attention in these situations as long-term nerve compression can permanently damage the nerve and its function. In these cases your symptoms may become permanent or you may require emergency surgery.
One or more of the following sensations may occur because of sciatica:
- Pain in the rear or leg that is worse when sitting or standing
- Burning or tingling down the leg
- Weakness, numbness or difficulty moving the leg or foot
- A constant pain on one side of the rear calf
- A shooting pain that makes it difficult to stand up
How is Sciatica Diagnosed?
Sciatica is a clinical diagnosis based upon your symptom description, the behaviour of your pain and a thorough physical examination.
While the diagnosis of sciatica is reasonable simple, the primary cause of your sciatica may require further investigations to eliminate or confirm its origin. It is also important to determine how significant your sciatic nerve has been compressed.
Your physiotherapist will examine you, paying special attention to your spine and legs. In addition to asking you if you have low back pain that spreads to the leg and calf, your physiotherapist will test you for muscle weakness, sensation deficits and altered reflexes in your leg or foot.
They will also want to know if you've had an injury, fever, problems controlling your bowels or bladder, previous cancers and whether you've been losing weight without trying. The answers to these questions are important because if these symptoms are present, the cause of sciatica could be a serious condition, such as a bone fracture, infection or cancer.
Your physiotherapist or doctor may send you for X-rays, or arrange for a computed tomography (CT) scan or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to check for problems in the spinal vertebrae (backbones) that may be irritating or compressing your sciatic nerve. Most cases of sciatica affect the L5 or S1 nerve roots.
While the diagnosis of sciatica is reasonable simple, the primary cause of your sciatica may require further investigations to eliminate or confirm its origin. It is also important to determine how significant your sciatic nerve has been compressed.
Your physiotherapist will examine you, paying special attention to your spine and legs. In addition to asking you if you have low back pain that spreads to the leg and calf, your physiotherapist will test you for muscle weakness, sensation deficits and altered reflexes in your leg or foot.
They will also want to know if you've had an injury, fever, problems controlling your bowels or bladder, previous cancers and whether you've been losing weight without trying. The answers to these questions are important because if these symptoms are present, the cause of sciatica could be a serious condition, such as a bone fracture, infection or cancer.
Your physiotherapist or doctor may send you for X-rays, or arrange for a computed tomography (CT) scan or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to check for problems in the spinal vertebrae (backbones) that may be irritating or compressing your sciatic nerve. Most cases of sciatica affect the L5 or S1 nerve roots.
How is Sciatica Treated?
PHASE I - Pain Relief & Protection
Managing your pain. Pain is the main reason that you seek treatment for sciatica. In truth, it was actually the final symptom that you developed and should be the first symptom to improve.
Managing your inflammation. Inflammation is a normal part of your healing process post-injury. You can reduce your inflammation by avoid postures the cause your pain and using ice therapy and techniques or exercises that unload the inflammed structures. You may be prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen to assist your inflammation reduction.
Your physiotherapist will use an array of treatment tools to reduce your pain and inflammation. These include: ice, electrotherapy, acupuncture, de-loading taping techniques, soft tissue massage and temporary use of a supportive brace or a mobility aid (eg cane or crutch) to off-load the affected side.
Rest may be required in the initial painful stage to avoid annoying your injured structures.
Your aim in this initial phase is to centralise your pain into your back and out of your foot, calf, hamstring or buttock.
Managing your inflammation. Inflammation is a normal part of your healing process post-injury. You can reduce your inflammation by avoid postures the cause your pain and using ice therapy and techniques or exercises that unload the inflammed structures. You may be prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen to assist your inflammation reduction.
Your physiotherapist will use an array of treatment tools to reduce your pain and inflammation. These include: ice, electrotherapy, acupuncture, de-loading taping techniques, soft tissue massage and temporary use of a supportive brace or a mobility aid (eg cane or crutch) to off-load the affected side.
Rest may be required in the initial painful stage to avoid annoying your injured structures.
Your aim in this initial phase is to centralise your pain into your back and out of your foot, calf, hamstring or buttock.
Your physiotherapist will be able to help you achieve a pain-free state quickly.
PHASE II - Restoring Normal Flexibility, Posture & Strength
As your pain and inflammation settles, your physiotherapist will turn their attention torestoring your normal back joint range of motion and resting muscle tension, lower limb muscle flexibility and posture.
Tight leg and back muscles may need to be stretched to allow full and normal movement of your legs and back. Normal muscle length and muscle strength prevents injuries. Ask your physiotherapist to give you some specific mobility exercises or stretches.
Back pain researchers have discovered the importance of your deep abdominal core muscle recruitment patterns with a normal order of: deep, then intermediate and finally superficial abdominal muscle firing patterns in normal pain-free backs.
Your physiotherapist will assess your muscle recruitment pattern and prescribe the best exercises for you specific to your needs. They may recommend that you undertake an ultrasound guided exercise program where you can view your deep core muscle contractions on a monitor.
PhysioWorks has developed a “Back Pain Core Stabilisation Program” to assist their sciatica patients to regain normal core muscle control. Other more advanced programs can include stability exercises and equipment such as a Swiss exercise ball. Please ask your physio for their advice.
Swimming and hydrotherapy exercises are beneficial in early injury repair due to lesser body-weight in the buoyancy of water. This allows more movement without causing pain.
Tight leg and back muscles may need to be stretched to allow full and normal movement of your legs and back. Normal muscle length and muscle strength prevents injuries. Ask your physiotherapist to give you some specific mobility exercises or stretches.
Back pain researchers have discovered the importance of your deep abdominal core muscle recruitment patterns with a normal order of: deep, then intermediate and finally superficial abdominal muscle firing patterns in normal pain-free backs.
Your physiotherapist will assess your muscle recruitment pattern and prescribe the best exercises for you specific to your needs. They may recommend that you undertake an ultrasound guided exercise program where you can view your deep core muscle contractions on a monitor.
PhysioWorks has developed a “Back Pain Core Stabilisation Program” to assist their sciatica patients to regain normal core muscle control. Other more advanced programs can include stability exercises and equipment such as a Swiss exercise ball. Please ask your physio for their advice.
Swimming and hydrotherapy exercises are beneficial in early injury repair due to lesser body-weight in the buoyancy of water. This allows more movement without causing pain.
PHASE III - Restoring Full Function & Dynamic Control
The next stage of your rehabilitation is aimed at safely returning you to your desired activities. Everyone has different demands will determine what specific treatment goals you need to achieve.
For some it be simply to walk around the block or to sit at their office chair. Others may wish to run a marathon or play a high level sport. Your physiotherapist will tailor your sciatica rehabilitation to help you achieve your own functional goals.
General fitness is also very important in helping you to cope with your activities of daily living. Walking programs, yoga or a pilates-based program should be gradually commenced as your pain subsides.
For some it be simply to walk around the block or to sit at their office chair. Others may wish to run a marathon or play a high level sport. Your physiotherapist will tailor your sciatica rehabilitation to help you achieve your own functional goals.
General fitness is also very important in helping you to cope with your activities of daily living. Walking programs, yoga or a pilates-based program should be gradually commenced as your pain subsides.
Your exercises should be customised to your specific needs. Your physiotherapist is the best person to guide your rehabilitation.
PHASE IV - Preventing a Recurrence
Sciatica does have a tendency to return. The main reason it is thought to recur is due toinsufficient rehabilitation.
In addition to your muscle control, your physiotherapist will assess your back and lower limb biomechanics and start correcting any defects. It may be as simple as providing your will core abdominal exercises, some posture improvement or foot orthotics to address any biomechanical faults in the legs or feet. Your physiotherapist will guide you.
In addition to your muscle control, your physiotherapist will assess your back and lower limb biomechanics and start correcting any defects. It may be as simple as providing your will core abdominal exercises, some posture improvement or foot orthotics to address any biomechanical faults in the legs or feet. Your physiotherapist will guide you.
Fine tuning your back mobility and core control and learning self-management techniques will ultimately help you to achieve your goal of safely returning to your previous sporting or leisure activities without sciatica.
Exercise is like cleaning your teeth. Exercise prevents problems. Make exercise a good habit in the interest of your back and sciatica prevention program. Exercise at least three times per week for life.
Surgery for Sciatica
Surgery is occasionally required when your leg pain does not settle with a conservative (non-operative) approach. Persisting symptoms over six months may require the attention of a surgeon who specialises in treating back pain and sciatica. If you have some severe symptoms such as bowel or bladder dysfunction or extreme muscle weakness you may require emergency surgery.
Please check with your physiotherapist or doctor for their professional opinion.
Please check with your physiotherapist or doctor for their professional opinion.
What is the Prognosis for Sciatica?
Fortunately, sciatica usually eases after a short period of rest and avoiding aggravating activities. Everyone is different because of the various pathologies that cause sciatica, but 90% plus of sciatica suffers will be asymptomatic within six weeks.
About one in every 50 people experiences sciatica as a result of a herniated disc. Of these, 10-25 percent has symptoms lasting more than six weeks. About 80-90 percent of people with sciatica get better, over time.
All sciatica patients who suffer pain that lasts longer than six weeks should undertake a specific exercise regime to regain control of their symptoms in an effort to avoid spinal surgery.
About one in every 50 people experiences sciatica as a result of a herniated disc. Of these, 10-25 percent has symptoms lasting more than six weeks. About 80-90 percent of people with sciatica get better, over time.
All sciatica patients who suffer pain that lasts longer than six weeks should undertake a specific exercise regime to regain control of their symptoms in an effort to avoid spinal surgery.
Other Treatment Options
Back Brace
A back brace or corset can provide excellent relief for most sciatica sufferers. Those who gain the most benefit are those who find their pain eases when they wrap/bind a towel or sheet (folded-lengthwise) tightly around their stomach and back. If this simple test eases your pain, you should use a back brace in the short-term. Back braces and strong deep core muscles help to avoid a recurrence in the future.
Back braces are available from PhysioWorks or via the following web link:http://bit.ly/QaEvs8
Back braces are available from PhysioWorks or via the following web link:http://bit.ly/QaEvs8
Massage Therapy
Your spinal muscles will often present in muscle spasm, which responds favourably to soft tissue techniques such as massage therapy. You should seek the assistance of a quality remedial massage therapist to assist your sciatica treatment.
Discover more about Massage here.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been an effective source of pain relief for over 5000 years. While we do not fully understand how it works, acupuncture can assist you pain relief. Ask your physiotherapist for advice as most of our PhysioWorks physiotherapists have acupuncture training.
Find out more about Acupuncture here.
TENS Machine
TENS machines are an electronic pain relieving device that will reduce your pain and your need for pain relieving drugs. More information can be found here:http://bit.ly/RH2kE6
Swiss Exercise Ball
The unstable surface that your Swiss Exercise Ball provides can help awaken your deep core stability muscles. Your physiotherapist can advise you specific exercises or you can download some exercise plans from the following web link: http://bit.ly/Pm5uB7
Posture Supports
Poor sitting posture is a common cause of sciatica. To assist the support of your lower back many simple and effetcive products have been developed over time. These include:
Contact Physio Works or Book Online
When a nerve is squashed, it may malfunction, and we might feel pain, numbness, pins and needles, and we might find our limbs are weak or do not work in the way they should. The nerve may also get inflamed and irritated by chemicals from the disc's nucleus, without surgery.
Pressure on the sciatic nerve from a herniated disc usually causes sciatica. The problem is also termed a radiculopathy, meaning that a disc has protruded from its normal position in the vertebral column and is pinching the root (origin) of the sciatic nerve.
The degree of pain is often "ridiculously" high as well. Less direct nerve pinching e.g. swelling around the nerve is usually a less severe dull ache. However, this can progress into a radiculopathy as swelling increases. Other things can cause irritation of or pressure on a nerve in the spine. Sometimes this may be a rough and enlarged part of one of the bony vertebrae, brought about by ageing. Rarely, infections and tumours are to blame. Most times the cause is nothing too serious, but one of the reasons for seeing your physiotherapist or doctor if the pain persists is to exclude these serious and treatable causes.
Contact Physio Works or Book Online
Contact Physio Works or Book Online
Contact Physio Works or Book Online
Contact Physio Works or Book Online
- Lumbar D-Roll - http://bit.ly/QaEvs8
- Bassett Frames - http://bit.ly/ObCPdJ
- Kinesiology Lumbar Taping - http://bit.ly/ODa6Qy
Common Causes of Sciatica
Contact Physio Works or Book Online
Why does Pinching a Nerve Hurt?
Nerves have many functions, transmitting messages around the body, rather like a telephone system. They allow us to feel things that happen to us, such as things we touch or that touch us, hot and cold, and pain, and they cause our body to do things, eg making your leg muscles contract when you want to walk.When a nerve is squashed, it may malfunction, and we might feel pain, numbness, pins and needles, and we might find our limbs are weak or do not work in the way they should. The nerve may also get inflamed and irritated by chemicals from the disc's nucleus, without surgery.
Pressure on the sciatic nerve from a herniated disc usually causes sciatica. The problem is also termed a radiculopathy, meaning that a disc has protruded from its normal position in the vertebral column and is pinching the root (origin) of the sciatic nerve.
The degree of pain is often "ridiculously" high as well. Less direct nerve pinching e.g. swelling around the nerve is usually a less severe dull ache. However, this can progress into a radiculopathy as swelling increases. Other things can cause irritation of or pressure on a nerve in the spine. Sometimes this may be a rough and enlarged part of one of the bony vertebrae, brought about by ageing. Rarely, infections and tumours are to blame. Most times the cause is nothing too serious, but one of the reasons for seeing your physiotherapist or doctor if the pain persists is to exclude these serious and treatable causes.
Contact Physio Works or Book Online
More Details about Common Sciatica Treatment Techniques
Contact Physio Works or Book Online
FAQs about Sciatica
Contact Physio Works or Book Online
Helpful Sciatica Products
Contact Physio Works or Book Online
More info... Sciatica
New TENS Machine Electrodes - Sale Priced for a Limited Time.
Tens Machine Electrodes - MultiStick Self Adhesive | |
MultiStick Self Adhesive TENS Machine Electrodes are low cost tens machine electrodes that are suitable for all TENS machine, Muscle Stimulation and EMG applications. MultiStick Self Adhesive TENS Machine Electrodes are designed to be reusable, comfortable, durable and long lasting. If you are looking for a high quality, yet low cost high stick and pliable skin electrode, then the MultiStick Self Adhesive TENS Machine Electrodes is exactly what you are after. We use them in the clinic, and you can also effectively use these electrodes at home. MultiStick Self Adhesive TENS Machine Electrodes are suitable for all TENS machines and EMS units and machines that utilise electrode cables with a 2mm male plug. Click to view other TENS Machine electrodes and replacement TENS Machines leads available. | |
Friday, December 28, 2012
How Can Perskindol Active Gel Help You?
If you haven't tried Perskindol Active Gel, you don't know what you are missing. Simply rub Perskindol Active Gel into your painful muscles to provide yourself with an effective, temporary relief of your aches and pains. Perskindol Active Gel has many benefits:
Perskindol Active Gel is well-suited to the pain associated with muscle strains, ligament sprains, joint stiffness, arthritis and rheumatism. Try Perskindol today for yourself! Enjoy what others are raving about. |
Thursday, December 27, 2012
What is Bursitis?
What is Bursitis?
Your bursa is found throughout your body where muscles and tendons glide over bones. You have more than 150 bursae in your body. These small, fluid-filled sacs lubricate and cushion pressure points between your bones and the tendons and muscles near your joints. Without the bursa between these surfaces, movements would be painful due to friction.
A bursa can be thought of as a self-contained bag with a lubricant and no air inside. If you imagine rubbing this bag between your hands; movement of your hands would be smooth and effortless. That is what a bursa is meant to do; offer a smooth, slippery surface between two moving objects.
Bursitis is a painful inflammation of a bursa. When your bursa becomes inflamed, the bursa loses its gliding capabilities, and becomes more and more irritated and painful when it is moved. The added bulk of the swollen bursa causes more friction within an already confined space.
What Causes Bursitis?
There are several common causes of bursitis. They include the following:
Repetitive Bursa Irritation
Bursitis usually results from a repetitive movement or due to prolonged and excessive pressure.
Shoulder bursitis (subacromial bursitis) for example is caused by your the pinching of your shoulder bursa between your shoulder's rotator cuff tendon and the adjacent bone (acromion).
Trochanteric bursitis (hip bursitis) sufferers usually have weak hip muscles and tend to sway as they walk, which irritates your trochanteric bursa.
Similarly in other parts of the body, repetitive use or frequent pressure can irritate a bursa and cause inflammation.
Traumatic Injury
Another cause of bursitis is a traumatic injury.
Following trauma, such as a car accident or fall, a patient may develop bursitis. Usually a contusion causes swelling within the bursa. The bursa, which had functioned normally up until that point, now begins to develop inflammation, and bursitis results. Once the bursa is inflamed, normal movements and activities can become painful.
Following trauma, such as a car accident or fall, a patient may develop bursitis. Usually a contusion causes swelling within the bursa. The bursa, which had functioned normally up until that point, now begins to develop inflammation, and bursitis results. Once the bursa is inflamed, normal movements and activities can become painful.
A common traumatic bursitis is knee bursitis, which can occur when you fall and land on your knee.
Systemic Diseases
Systemic inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, may also lead to bursitis. These types of conditions can make patients susceptible to developing bursitis.
D. Elbow Bursitis - Olecranon Bursitis
Common Types of Bursitis
Bursitis Treatment
Bursitis treatment has several phases:
Reduce Bursa Inflammation & Pain
Bursa treatment should commence with modalities to reduce inflammation and pain:
- Ice
- Anti-inflammatory Medications
- Anti-inflammatory Gels
- Electrotherapy
- Deloading taping eg kinesio taping
- Avoid activities that reproduce your pain
Assess Non-Traumatic Causes
Bursitis pain usually settles within a few weeks with proper treatment. Recurrent flare-ups are common and can be frustrating. All non-traumatic origin bursitis should be investigated to discover what is causing your bursitis.
As mentioned earlier, the source may be poor biomechanics or movement habits that your physiotherapist can correct.
Secondly, the cause may be disease related. Your doctor may perform some blood tests etc to eliminate or confirm a systemic cause of your bursitis.
Prevent a Recurrence
Bursitis is usually a symptom caused by many other factors, that if you don't solve, will render you vulnerable to recurrences. Your physiotherapist is highly trained in identifying the biomechanical or training causes of bursitis.
Your physiotherapist will recommend a stretching, movement correction / control and strengthening program after a thorough assessment.
To quickly solve your pain and stop it returning again, we recommend that you seek the advice of your local physiotherapist.
Persistent or Chronic Bursitis
Persistent or chronic bursitis may find a corticosteroid injection beneficial. There are some side effects related to corticosteroid injection esp diabetics. You should consult your doctor for an opinion before injecting your bursa.
Surgery
Bursitis occasionally persists despite all of the best efforts of your medical team. In these cases, a bursectomy (surgical removal of your bursa) may be considered.
More Information about Specific Bursitis Treatment
Helpful Bursitis Treatment Products
More info about: What is Bursitis?
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Back Pain? Have you tried Back Kinesio Tape?
Lower Back Kinesiology Tape | |
Lower Back Kinesiology Tape is a professionally engineered, dynamic therapeutic support for your lower back muscles. Finally, no low back pain and support that you can count on! Kinesiology tape helps you by:
SpiderTech Lower Back Kinesiology Tape uses a high-grade cotton material with 100% acrylic, hypoallergenic adhesive. The kinesiology tape is water-resistant and breathable, and can be worn for up to 5 days. Lower Back Kinesiology Tape may assist the following conditions: | |
What is a Bulging Disc? What are the Symptoms? How to Treat?
What is a Bulging Disc? A bulging disc injury is a common spine injury sustained to your spine's intervertebral disc. It can occur in your lumbar spine (lower back), thoracic spine (upper and mid-back) or your cervical spine (neck). Spinal discs are the shock-absorbing rings of fibrocartilage and glycoprotein that separate your bony vertebral bodies, while allowing movement at each spinal level, and enough room for the major spinal nerves to exit from the spinal canal and travel to your limbs. The annulus is the outer section of the spinal disc, consisting of several layers of multi-directional fibrocartilaginous fibres all densely packed to create a wall around the glycoprotein filled jelly-like disc nucleus. The degree of spinal disc injury varies considerably from mild disc strains or internal derangments, mild-moderate-severe disc bulges through to complete disc rupture and herniation of the nucleus through the annular wall. The fluid component, or disc nucleus, in the disc centre is like the caramel inside a chocolate. It normally moves within the annulus adjusting to the pressures placed on your spine. However, if you injure the annulus, the wall weakens and the nucleus can press outwards on the weakened disc wall, causing your disc to bulge outwards. A disc bulge (commonly referred to as slipped disc, can potentially press against or irritate the nerve where it exits from the spine. This nerve pinch can cause back pain, spasms, cramping, numbness, pins and needles, or pain into your legs. What Causes a Bulging Disc?When a bulging disc, disc herniation or disc rupture occurs, it is typically due to either:
The causes of disc injury can be summarised under three headings: 1. Accumulated MicrotraumaRepeated microtrauma over an extended period can lead to disc injury. The best example of accumulated microtrauma is poor posture.Poor posture when sitting, standing and working stresses your spine. Sustaining a slouching or forward bending of your spine leads to overstretching and weakness of the posterior fibrocartilage (or annulus) of the spinal discs. Over time, this leads to poor disc integrity and displacement of the disc nucleus fluid posteriorly. This places your spinal joints and nerves under pain-causing pressure. To decrease the effect of poor posture on your spine it is important to continually attempt to a maintain a good posture or even better, regularly change your posture. During your initial efforts to retrain a good posture, poor muscle endurance and posture awareness predisposes you to sag back into your old habits. In these instances, it is useful to note that supportive posture devices such as a lumbar roll, Basset spine support, kinesio taping or a back brace are available to help you maintain a lordotic curve to your lumbar spine during this transition phase. Any sustained posture should be regularly altered to allow your spine to move and remain healthy. 2. Sudden Unexpected LoadSudden unexpected load to the intervertebral discs can also occur in traumatic situations, ie: a motor vehicle accident. This may happen due to the nature of the sudden forces exerted through your body at the time of impact and your bodies attempt to repel those forces. Unexpected load or torsion of a disc can result in tearing of the annulus fibres and hence a disc injury. You should always lift any amount of load using the correct postural lifting principles. Using poor lifting techniques, such as bending forward and pulling with your back may result in sudden and unexpected loading of the disc. Ask your physiotherapist about these principles. 3. Genetic FactorsAs with many conditions spinal disc injury is considered to have a genetic predisposition. Those suggested to be susceptible are people who are known to have a lesser density of and increased elastin component of the fibrocartiliginous fibres, which make up the annulus of the intervertebral disc. Other factors that play a role are more environmental in nature – such as excessive abdominal fat, poor core stability, poor lower limb strength, nature of occupation (ie: heavy physical load versus light or no physical load). Overall, genetic factors are a very minor contributing factor in disc injuries and if one does sustain a disc injury it can almost never be put down to ‘genetic factors’. And, let’s be honest, you can’t change your genetics. All you can do, is be more diligent in your back injury prevention. What are the Symptoms of a Bulging Disc?A bulging disc injury is suspected when your back pain is aggravated by:
Altered bladder and bowel function can indicate a severe disc pathology, which should prompt immediate medical assessment. How is a Disc Injury Diagnosed?Your physiotherapist or doctor will suspect a spinal disc injury based on the history of your injury and your symptom behaviour. Your physiotherapist will perform clinical tests to confirm a spinal disc injury and detect if you have any signs of nerve compression. The most accurate diagnostic tests to confirm the extent of your spinal disc injury are MRI and CT scans.  In the MRI show, a disc bulge can be identified. X-rays do not show acute disc bulging. However, X-rays can show signs of chronic disc injury such as degenerative disc disease and disc narrowing. Contact PhysioWorks or Book Online Treatment for Bulging DiscMost minor and moderately bulging disc injuries are treated conservatively without the need for surgery.In order to allow the torn fibres of the annulus to heal and the disc bulge to resolve fully, your bulging disc treatment is centred on encouraging the fluid to return and remain in the centre of the disc. This keeps the torn fibres closer to one another and the structure of the annulus as normal as possible. Your physiotherapist will advise you on the best positions to stay in and may tape or brace your spine. They’ll also explain to you the postures to avoid, which can be detrimental to your recovery. By maintain the disc fluid in the central position that you intend it to stay, you are helping Mother Nature to lay down its scar tissue optimally for an excellent long-term solution. Please remember that scar tissue formation will take at least six weeks, so the longer that you avoid aggravating postures the better! PHASE I - Pain Relief & ProtectionManaging your pain is usually the main reason that you seek treatment for a bulging disc. In truth, it was actually the final symptom that you developed and should be the first symptom to improve. Managing your inflammation. Inflammation is the main short-term reason for why you have suddenly developed bulging disc symptoms. It best reduced via ice therapy and techniques or exercises that deload the inflammed structures. Your physiotherapist will use an array of treatment tools to reduce your pain and inflammation. These include: ice, electrotherapy, acupuncture, deloading taping techniques, soft tissue massage and temporary use of a back brace. Your doctor may recommend a course of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. PHASE II - Restoring Normal ROM, StrengthAs your pain and inflammation settles, your physiotherapist will turn their attention to restoring your normal joint alignment and range of motion, muscle length and resting tension, muscle strength and endurance. Your physiotherapist will commence you on a lower abdominal and core stability program to facilitate your important muscles that dynamically control and stabilise your spine. Researchers have discovered the importance of your back and abdominal core muscle recruitment patterns. A normal order of: deep, then intermediate and finally superficial muscle firing patterns is normally required for pain-free backs. Your physiotherapist will assess your muscle recruitment pattern and prescribe the best exercises for you specific to your needs. Your physiotherapist may recommend a stretching program or a remedial massage to address your tight or shortened muscles. Please ask your physio for their advice. PHASE III - Restoring Full FunctionAs your back’s dynamic control improves, your physiotherapist will turn their attention to restoring your normal pelvic and spine alignment and its range of motion during more stressful body positions and postures. They’ll also work on your outer core and leg muscle power. Depending on your chosen work, sport or activities of daily living, your physiotherapist will aim to restore your function to safely allow you to return to your desired activities. Everyone has different demands for their body that will determine what specific treatment goals you need to achieve. For some it be simply to walk around the block. Others may wish to run a marathon. Your physiotherapist will tailor your back rehabilitation to help you achieve your own functional goals. PHASE IV - Preventing a RecurrenceBack pain does have a tendency to return. The main reason it is thought to recur is due to insufficient rehabilitation. In particular, poor compliance with deep abdominal and core muscle exercises. You should continue a version of these exercises routinely a few times per week. Your physiotherapist will assist you in identifying the best exercises for you to continue indefinitely. In addition to your muscle control, your physiotherapist will assess your spine and pelvis biomechanics and correct any defects. It may be as simple as providing you with adjacent muscle exercises or some foot orthotics to address any biomechanical faults in the legs or feet. General exercise is an important component to successfully preventing a recurrence. Your physiotherapist may recommend pilates, yoga, swimming, walking, hydrotherapy or a gym program to assist you in the long-term. Fine tuning and maintenance of your back stability and function is best achieved by addressing any deficits and learning self-management techniques. Your physiotherapist will guide you. Contact PhysioWorks or Book Online What is the Prognosis for Spinal Disc Injury?Unfortunately bulging disc injuries are usually not a quick fix. Most bulging disc injuries do take several weeks to settle. They will also remain weak and vulnerable for at least six weeks, sometimes longer. However, the good news is that most bulging disc injuries will not remain painful for that time period - but some do - and these tend to be the disc injuries that are poorly managed in the early phase. Spinal Disc SurgerySurgery is occasionally required when your leg pain does not settle with a conservative (non-operative) approach. Persisting symptoms over six months may require the attention of a surgeon who specialises in treating back pain and sciatica. If you have some severe symptoms such as bowel or bladder dysfunction or extreme muscle weakness you may require emergency surgery. Please check with your physiotherapist or doctor for their professional opinion. Contact PhysioWorks or Book Online Common Bulging Disc Treatment OptionsContact PhysioWorks or Book Online FAQs about Bulging Disc InjuryContact PhysioWorks or Book Online Helpful Products for Bulging DiscRelated Injuries |
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