10 Facts About Custom-Made Foot Levelers Orthotics

 

  • Customized orthotics are specially designed shoe inserts tailored to an individual’s unique foot structure and biomechanics.
  • They are crafted based on a detailed assessment of foot shape, arch height, gait pattern, and any specific foot-related issues.
  • FootLevelers states that custom-made orthotics are proven to reduce low back pain by as much as 34.5%.
  • Your level of need is entirely dependent on the pronation of the foot. Some patients use orthotics as a preventative measure, while it can be vital for others. 
  • Research indicates that customized orthotics can reduce low back pain by promoting proper alignment and distributing weight evenly across the feet.
  • The alignment and support provided by orthotics influence the entire kinetic chain, from the feet up through the knees, hips, and ultimately the spine.
  • Customized orthotics offer individualized support and alignment correction, unlike generic over-the-counter shoe inserts.
  • This personalized approach ensures optimal support and comfort, leading to better outcomes in pain relief and functional improvement.
  • An unstable foundation can cause pain all the way from your foot into your spine and neck. By providing support where it’s needed most, orthotics alleviate strain on muscles, ligaments, and joints throughout the body.
  • Overall, customized orthotics offer a safe, non-invasive, and effective option for managing chronic low back pain and improving overall quality of life.

 

Final Recommendations on Foot Levelers Orthotics from Rehab Advantage
Our 3D scanner takes a perfect image of every contour of your foot and measures the weight distribution, allowing the perfect orthotic to be created for your feet!! Call 478-275-1800 to have your feet scanned today. Learn more about us on our website.

Discover The True Culprit Behind Your Back Pain

Did you know the spine is made up of twenty-four bones? It’s true! Of these twenty-four bones, five bones are found in the lower back. The spine also contains nerves and intervertebral discs in addition to these bones. Because the spine is such a complicated component of the body, discomfort might arise from time to time.

Back pain can sometimes be the result of an underlying problem, such as a herniated disc. A herniated disc can occur anywhere along the spine, although the lower back is the most specific location. This condition occurs when the jelly-like nucleus of an intervertebral disc protrudes. If the disc’s cell wall isn’t strong enough to keep the nucleus in place, it can push through the outer ring and bulge.

Lower back pain, ranging from moderate to severe, is one of the first symptoms of a herniated disc. In addition to this, you may also notice weakness, numbness in the legs, or sharp and shooting pains.

In some severe cases, patients have also reported losing their bladder control as a result of a herniated disc. All of these symptoms are worth paying attention to. If you are experiencing back pain and think it may be caused by a herniated disc, contact Rehab Advantage & Sports Medicine in Dublin, GA today to schedule an appointment with us and assess your condition.

Causes of herniated discs

Although there are several reasons herniated discs can occur, including injuries, herniated discs are typically associated with aging. Our spine begins to wear down and become more brittle as we grow older. This is known as “disc degeneration.”

When we’re young, the water content of the discs in our spine is high, but as we become older, the water content declines. Our discs will shrink as a result of this.

Other variables that can increase your chance of a herniated disc include:

  • Being male.
  • Engaging in improper lifting techniques.
  • Engaging in a sedentary lifestyle.
  • Being overweight.
  • Being between the ages of 20-50.
  • Driving frequently.

Signs you may have a herniated disc

If you suspect you have a herniated disc, make an appointment with your primary care physician. Your doctor will do a physical exam to check muscle strength and sensitivity, as well as a neurological exam to determine if your disc is herniated.

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan may be used to confirm the diagnosis if your doctor suspects your disc is herniated. Your doctor will next devise a treatment plan for you, most likely including physical therapy for pain management.

Finding back pain relief through physical therapy

Your physical therapist will design a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. This will begin with passive treatments such as manual therapy, traction, ice and heat therapies, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, or hydrotherapy to relieve pain and enhance function.

After your passive treatments are finished, active treatments will commence. This could include back-strengthening core exercises, stretching, flexibility activities to improve range of motion, and any other muscle-strengthening exercises recommended by your physical therapist.

In addition to these exercises, your physical therapist will advise you on any lifestyle modifications that they think may help you avoid future pain and injury.

Relief from physical therapy does not happen overnight like magic! Physical therapy requires you to do the work. If you want to see true results and experience the most benefit from your treatment, you must stick to your treatment program. Do your best to practice the exercises your therapist gives you to perform at home, and attend appointments regularly so that you do not lose progress!

Call our clinic today to relieve your back pain

Look no further if you desire a natural, safe, and non-invasive way to treat your herniated discs. You can toss your medications into the trash and tell your doc to hold off on the expensive surgery because, with physical therapy, you may not need either of these any longer!

Our physical therapy office is equipped with the best resources and methods for helping you recover and get back to your life. Call us today to get started on the first steps toward relief!

Herniated Discs: Understanding the Cause of Your Back Pain And Discomfort

Living with back pain can be aggravating, especially when it appears that nothing you do helps. It could be that a herniated disc is the culprit of your pain and discomfort.

If this is the case, a physical therapist can help you feel better and even help the injured disc heal. If you’re concerned about your back pain symptoms, please call our physical therapy clinic to schedule an appointment.

Herniated discs, defined

A herniated disc happens when the gel-like core inside a spinal disc leaks out through a small tear in the disc’s outer layer. We often compare it to jelly leaking out of a jelly donut! When this happens, the injured disc tissue can irritate or compress nearby spinal nerves or joint structures and may cause pain and other symptoms.

Herniated discs are most common among men between 35 and 55 years old, although they can occur to anyone, especially if they have herniated disc risk factors such as:

  • Working a physically demanding job and/or frequent exposure to vibration, heavy lifting, or twisting and bending
  • Smoking habit
  • Obesity
  • Family history
  • Sedentary behavior

Herniated discs can develop gradually over time or occur suddenly as a result of an auto accident or other acute trauma. They’re most commonly found in the neck and lower back.

A slipped disc is frequently mistaken for a herniated disc. Discs, on the other hand, do not “slip.” They can herniate or “bulge” out of place, as described above. Something causes a disc to protrude out of its normal position in the spine in the case of a bulging disc, but the outer layer of the disc does not tear, so the inner gel-like core does not leak out. However, the symptoms and treatment of a bulging disc are frequently similar to those of a herniated disc.

How to know if you have a herniated disc

Herniated discs do not always cause pain or other symptoms, as you may be surprised to learn. Surprisingly, a herniated disc can be detected on an MRI even if the average person has no symptoms.

If a herniated disc does cause symptoms, however, the consequences can be severe. The following are some of the most common herniated disc symptoms:

  • Numbness and shooting pain in an arm or leg (if the herniated disc irritates a nearby nerve root that innervates that arm or leg)
  • Arm or leg weakness and altered reflexes (at our physical therapy clinic, some of our patients report issues like frequent tripping because the muscles that lift the foot become weak)
  • Decreased range of motion in the neck or back
  • Tense and painful muscle spasms near the injured disc
  • Pain that improves with certain movements but worsens with others (for example, herniated disc symptoms often get worse or move further into your arm or leg when you bend forward, and get better or move closer to your spine when you lean back or lay flat)

Consult a doctor, physical therapist, or other health professional to find out for sure what’s causing your back pain.

Keep in mind that it’s not always possible to pinpoint exactly what’s causing your symptoms. That’s fine, though: research shows that physical therapy treatment can be beneficial even when doctors are unable to provide an exact back pain diagnosis (so-called “idiopathic” cases).

How can a physical therapist treat herniated disc pain?

Physical therapy is regarded as the first line of defense in the treatment of herniated discs. A variety of examination tests and techniques can be used by your physical therapist to help clarify what’s going on and identify any underlying factors that may have contributed to your disc herniation.

People with a limited range of motion in their hips or weak core muscles, for example, are more likely to develop herniated discs. We can address these types of contributing factors and help reduce your chances of recurring disc problems by identifying them.

Other common treatments for a herniated disc that your physical therapist may recommend include:

  • Soft tissue massage
  • Non-invasive techniques such as therapeutic ultrasound, electrical stimulation, biofeedback, cold and hot therapy, and diathermy can help you heal faster, reduce spasms and inflammation, and improve your mobility.
  • Core strength and endurance, range of motion, and posture can all be improved with therapeutic exercises and stretches.
  • Orthotics and other types of adaptive equipment like walkers or long-handled reachers to help improve skeletal alignment and make it easier to perform daily tasks

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers physical therapy a good alternative to prescription opioid medications for helping people with low back pain caused by herniated discs and other (non-cancer) related issues. Our physical therapy team also understands that sometimes pain medication is essential in the early phases of an injury in order to alleviate pain and minimize inflammation. That’s why we work collaboratively with your whole medical team to ensure you get the most appropriate treatment for your specific situation. If you have questions about your medications, be sure to talk to your prescribing physician.

Research also suggests that even after a herniated disc heals, a person may still experience prolonged pain. This can happen if the nervous system becomes increasingly sensitive in an attempt to protect you—and it’s something physical therapy can address through a technique known as therapeutic neuroscience education (TNE).

By helping you better understand what pain is and how it happens, we can actually help you experience less of it!

For our patients with herniated discs and other issues causing low back pain, we also provide education about proper body mechanics, ergonomics, self-pacing techniques, exercise programs, and more.

Don’t let back pain keep you from living your life

Contact our physical therapy clinic today if you’re suffering from herniated disc symptoms and want to avoid surgery or reduce your reliance on medications. We’ll be happy to set you up with a physical therapist who can get you on the road to pain relief as soon as possible.

Sources:

Back Pain Got You Bedridden? Get Back On Your Feet With Physical Therapy

When you suffer chronic back pain, it can feel as though your entire life is disrupted. Workplace pain can lead to lower productivity, more sick days, and more stress. You may not be able to care for yourself or your loved ones if you are in pain at home. Chronic back pain can make it difficult to exercise and stay active, which can lead to additional pain, weight gain, and other sedentary-related disorders.

The good news is, even if you have chronic back pain now, you don’t necessarily have to live with it forever. Contact our physical therapy office to schedule a consultation with a physical therapist who can help you start feeling better and feeling more in control of your life.

Physical therapy to the rescue: say goodbye to back pain!

Most of us will have back pain at some point in our lives, but for some people, the agony might last for three months or longer. While reducing pain is a priority, it’s equally crucial to identify and address the causes that contribute to chronic back pain.

If you don’t address the core causes, you’re more likely to have recurring issues and long-term dysfunction—otherwise, if you stop taking pain medication, the pain will just come back.

This is just one of the many reasons why working with a physical therapist is so beneficial! They can help you make sure you don’t have to keep dealing with the same problem, over and over again.

Postural exams, strength, and range of motion testing, and balance, motor control, and coordination tests are just a few of the physical therapy services that can help us figure out why your back pain is happening and why the underlying issue formed in the first place. Your physical therapist can then prescribe specific techniques to address these core causes while also providing symptom relief services.

In other words, we seek to resolve the “why’s” of your pain while also resolving the pain itself!

Here are a few specific things you can expect when working with a physical therapist:

  • A thorough assessment of your condition. To help us clarify your diagnosis, we’ll examine your body, learn about your medical and family history, develop a list of your symptoms (including pain, stiffness, and weakness or numbness in one or both legs), and learn more about your lifestyle and current issues. Even checking on your footwear, walking style, posture, and body mechanics can give a physical therapist a lot of information, so dress comfortably and be ready to move.
  • A chance to clarify your goals. It is critical to assist you in making improvements by using objective data such as strength, discomfort levels, and range of motion. But we’ll also spend time learning about the things you want to be able to do and accomplish after your back pain is gone.
    • This can involve extremely specialized functional tasks such as golfing or walking your dog around the block without pausing. What’s important to you is important to us! We’ll always keep your goals in mind as we create a treatment plan so you can feel and see your progress in therapy. By keeping your goals and personal vision in the front and center of your plan of care, we also help you have more FUN in your physical therapy sessions!
  • A plan of care that combines a customized range of evidence-based interventions. We can make practical recommendations on stress management, diet, and other lifestyle matters, and refer you to other providers as needed. We can prescribe and fit you for adaptive equipment and support devices like braces or orthotics, teach you safer ways to move or complete daily tasks with efficiency and safety, and help you start feeling better so you can exercise regularly again, which we know is good for spinal health and mental well-being.
    • Physical therapy services that are effective for alleviating chronic back pain include soft tissue massage, joint mobilizations, spinal manipulations, therapeutic exercise, therapeutic pain education, and non-invasive modalities like electrical stimulation.

Your physical therapist can even help you prepare for or recover from back surgery if this kind of procedure is eventually determined to be appropriate for your needs.

The major benefits of physical therapy

Physical therapy is recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as one of the “first lines” of treatment for most types of chronic pain. Altogether, our approach to diagnosing and treating back pain can benefit you by offering:

  • Decreased reliance on pain medications or invasive procedures
  • Improved cost-effectiveness
  • Lowered healthcare costs
  • Decreased downtime (unlike back surgeries, which can require months of challenging recovery, often with little or no symptom improvement)
  • Improved productivity
  • Improved activity tolerance
  • Longer-lasting relief
  • Improved spinal health
  • Reduced risk of recurring issues and worsening tissue damage
  • Increased sense of control of your health
  • Increased understanding of your pain experience

Call in the experts!

Physical therapy is proven to be an effective back pain treatment and is safe for people of all ages and health backgrounds. What are you waiting for? Contact our clinic today to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist and get back on the road to the active and pain-free lifestyle you want and deserve!

Do You Know What’s Causing Your Back Pain? It Could be a Herniated Disc

Discover How Physical Therapy Can Help You Relieve Herniated Disc Pain

Back pain is one of the most common complaints among Americans. Whether you experience occasional pain in your back or deal with recurrent chronic back pain, it can make it extremely difficult to complete your daily tasks. But have you ever wondered if your back pain was a sign of a more serious condition? The spine is made up of a complex series of bones called vertebrae. There are cushioning pads between each of the vertebrae that act as shock absorbers, making bending, walking, and moving around in general every day possible without pain. But if these little cushioning discs are injured, the soft center can actually rupture and cause severe pain. This type of injury is often referred to as a herniated disc, and while there is no cure for the condition, physical therapy can help manage chronic pain.

What does PT for herniated discs look like?

When experiencing back pain, it can be tempting to simply visit your general physician in search of a quick solution.

However, in many cases, all that a general physician can offer in the way of pain relief is a prescription for painkillers. Alternatively, an experienced physical therapist can offer a variety of treatment options that are designed to target the root cause of your reoccurring back pain.

Some of the most common treatment options recommended by our physical therapist for herniated disc pain include:

  • Ultrasound therapy or electrical muscle stimulation for fast pain relief and deep penetration of the targeted area
  • Alternating treatment with ice and heat to reduce inflammation and soothe sore muscles.
  • Therapeutic massage to help ease sore muscles
  • Aerobic exercises like walking or using a stationary bicycle
  • Stretching exercises that help to keep the muscles in the back flexible

Why did I develop a herniated disc?

The spinal column is formed by a group of bones. The cervical spine consists of seven bones, the lumbar spine has five, and the thoracic spine has twelve. Each disc has a gelatinous inner section and a strong outer ring. If the disc protrudes through the outer ring, it is known as a herniated disc. This can lead to numbness, discomfort and pain.

The vertebrae and cushioning discs in the spinal column can become injured in a variety of different ways.

However, when dealing with a herniated disc, injuries are most often the result of:

  • Improper lifting resulting in sudden strain
  • Work-related or overuse injuries where the spine has been twisted violently
  • Excessive weight gain and obesity
  • The natural aging process or degeneration

The herniated disc can be caused by a variety of causes, including movements such as turning or twisting. Another offender is moving heavy objects. Weight can also cause herniated discs, as it causes the need for discs to bear more weight. According to Healthline, men are also at a higher risk of developing a herniated disc than women.

How can I tell if I have a herniated disc?

Herniated discs are one of the most common back pain complaints. They typically occur in people aged 35 to 55 years but can affect physical therapy patients of all ages.

Herniated disc pain presents itself in a variety of ways depending on a person’s age, body type, and physical condition.

In certain cases, a herniated disc may show no outward symptoms at all. But for those dealing with recurring pain from a herniated disc, the following symptoms are also common:

  • Neck spasms affecting the muscles in the neck and shoulder area.
  • Neck pain that stays centered in the back and side areas of the neck. This type of pain can increase in severity when bending or turning the neck.
  • Pain radiating out from the shoulder, arm, and sometimes traveling down to the hands and fingers.
  • Pain in the shoulder blade area.

Schedule your appointment today!

If you have had recurrent back pain or pain near your neck or shoulder, it may be a sign of a herniated disc.

By using targeted treatments and physical therapy exercises, our physical therapist can help you manage your herniated disc pain and prevent the use of prescription drugs or more invasive treatment options for pain.

Please contact us today for more information and to schedule an initial consultation!

Is Your Sciatica Causing You Discomfort? Here are 3 Indicators that Physical Therapy is Needed

Did You Know Physical Therapy Is Proven to Help with Sciatica?

Each of your sciatic nerves runs from either side of your lower back down to each of your legs. That’s why a classic sign of sciatica is having a shooting pain on one side only.

While compression of one of your sciatic nerves can literally be a “pain in the butt,” it doesn’t always require medical attention.

Yet sometimes physical therapy is your best bet to banish sciatica symptoms. So how can you tell when to go it alone, and when to call a physical therapist? These guidelines below will explain what exactly sciatica is and how physical therapy can help you find relief.

Sciatica, explained

As stated by Move Forward Physical Therapy,

“Lumbar radiculopathy (also known as sciatica or radiculitis) is a condition that occurs when a nerve in your low back is injured, pinched, or compressed, causing pain or other symptoms that can extend from the low back to the hip, leg, or foot. Lumbar radiculopathy can be caused by sudden trauma or by long-term stress affecting structures in the back. It most often affects people aged 30 to 50 years. Risk factors for lumbar radiculopathy include repeated lifting, participating in weight-bearing sports, obesity, smoking, sedentary lifestyles, and poor posture. The majority of lumbar radiculopathy and sciatica cases recover without surgery, and respond well to physical therapy. Physical therapists design individualized treatment programs to help people with lumbar radiculopathy reduce their pain, regain normal movement, and get back to their normal activities.”

To learn more about how to recognize when your sciatica is in need of physical therapy intervention, continue reading below.

1. When the pain is a response to an injury

Mild sciatica can build up over time, and it may even go away on its own. But when you have an onset of classic sciatica symptoms following a car accident, serious fall or sports injury, contact a doctor and a physical therapist.

The symptoms are more likely to be severe because of the greater impact on the area surrounding the sciatic nerve. It’s important to determine the severity of nerve damage. Your medical team needs to evaluate the need for surgery, steroid injections or prescription drugs.

Of course, even if your injury requires more aggressive treatment, physical therapy is often recommended as part of the recovery plan. Your physical therapist can help you with surgery rehab. He or She can also focus on extending the benefits of your injections and sciatica medication.

For many people with persistent or severe sciatica, physical therapy can be a lifeline. You’ll be taught targeted moves that strengthen your lower back. Strong muscles support the area around your sciatic nerve and can prevent future injuries. You’ll also work on improving your posture to keep sciatica symptoms at bay. Increasing range of motion is also part of physical therapy for sciatica.

2. When your symptoms begin to become severe

If your sciatic nerve becomes seriously compressed, the resulting symptoms can go from uncomfortable to quite painful – and even embarrassing.

You may become weak and numb on one side. Sometimes, even getting your leg or foot to move becomes impossible. If the pain hits you suddenly, and with great intensity, it’s probably time to visit a physical therapist to begin easing the pain.

Another telltale sign? The sciatic nerve can become compressed in the area that controls bladder and/or bowel function.

If you lose control of either or both of these functions, you’ll obviously want to get professional help. Visit a doctor to rule out other problems. She will likely run tests, as well as refer you to a physical therapist.

3. When your home remedies fail to work

There are plenty of things you can do at home to ease a mild sciatica flare-up. Alternating with cold and heat is a classic treatment for sciatica symptoms. Use an ice pack, followed by a heating pad, for about 15 minutes per application.

Sleeping with a pillow between your knees can also help. If you can’t get comfortable during the day or at night, try a reclining chair to redirect the pressure from your lower back. Going for walks often helps ease sciatica pain, because “babying” your condition can actually make it worse.

Yet while these methods may help with mild sciatica, there are times when a physical therapy session is a far better strategy. One sign that you should consult a physical therapist is if your home treatments are having little or no effect in reducing the pain and restricted motion.

Another is if the symptoms persist for at least a week. Of course, the worsening of pain is the most important sign that physical therapy is needed.

Ready to get started?

Contact us today to speak with an experienced physical therapist about how to manage – and even banish – painful sciatica flare-ups.