As the weather heats up, nothing can ruin your summer fun like lower back pain. Lower back pain can stop you from enjoying even the most relaxing of activities - from laying on a beach to taking a nice walk through the local landscaping you might be stopped by lower back pain. Here are some things that might be causing your lower back pain, and why you should see your Wyoming physical therapist.

Disc Issues
This is a common issue, and often a painful/uncomfortable one. Disc pain can be characterized by sharp pain in the lower back, that might migrate down your leg as well. If you are experiencing this type of pain, and it gets worse when you are sitting or bending over - you might have disc issues. Herniated discs often cause these issues, and it’s more common in younger generations than you might think.

Sacroiliac Dysfunction
Sacroiliac Dysfunction is a mouthful, but it’s also something that can cause pain during sitting, driving, broad pain, or pain while getting in and out of your car. It is a little harder to diagnose, but overall Sacroiliac Dysfunction is an issue with the sacrum and/or ilia. These types of issues can be long lasting, and take awhile to diagnose through MRIs or xrays. If you think you are experiencing this problem, be sure to have an open and honest conversation with your doctor. 

Spinal Stenosis
As your body ages, the ligaments connected to your vertebrae can begin to thicken (a result of osteoarthritis). As these ligaments thicken, the spinal canal can begin to narrow which causes additional pain and discomfort. Spinal stenosis can get so bad that you might begin to have difficulty walking and may require more than physical therapy assistance. If you think you might have developed spinal stenosis, seek medical attention and care immediately.

Muscle Strain
If the back pain is sudden onset, and doesn’t last for very long, you might have just strained a muscle or a ligament. While healing from a muscle or ligament strain, you’ll need to take things slowly and be careful not to create any additional pain or issues. As you recover from a strain, just make sure to keep using your back. While rest and relaxation is helpful, so is light physical activity such as walking and stretching. If you realize this is far too painful, refer to some relaxation and then connect with your Wyoming physical therapist. 

If you don’t meet any of the symptoms listed previously, but you are still experiencing chronic back pain - talk with your Wyoming physical therapist. Chronic back pain can be defined as back pain lasting longer than three months, but no one wants to deal with back pain for that long. At North Platte Physical Therapy, we are here to help meet your needs when it comes to managing and healing back pain. We serve the communities of Wyoming and Nebraska with 22 clinics offering a full range of physical therapy services for post-cast recovery. Contact us today for more information.
 

The summer months are here to stay, and as you spend more time outside you might be more likely to sustain injuries. Injuries can come in a number of forms and can often sneak up on you. You might be enjoying a hike with friends or family and start to feel a soreness in your ankle - or maybe you are enjoying a family cookout and take a misstep when taking food outside. No matter what happens or when, there are some ways you can avoid injury - take it from your Wyoming physical therapist.

Warming up 
If you plan on having a physically active day, it’s important to spend time warming up. This can include a light walk and stretch before you even leave your home. While warming up for a kayaking trip, hiking trip, or even a run outside a light walk or stretch can do wonders for your health and preventing injury. 

Pace yourself
It can be easy to get ahead of yourself when it comes to enjoying the summer weather. It might be tempting to do the 7-mile stretch versus the 5-mile on your first kayaking trip of the summer. Just remember, that although this might be fun, it isn’t always worth it and you can get seriously injured by over-exerting yourself. Remember to take things easy as your start a new exercise routine.

Pacing yourself applies to more than just physical activity. If you are working in the yard, around the house, or cleaning out a garage make sure you take extra care. It can be tempting to take more bags of mulch at once to avoid multiple trips, but this can actually lead to injury. Keep an eye on the way your body feels while performing household chores and maintenance.

Take care of yourself
While you should be doing this year-around, it’s extra important to take care of your body during the summer months. Heat can cause dehydration, and lack of proper nutrition can only accelerate these issues and cause more problems. Be sure to fuel your body properly, and carefully, during the summer. It’s going to be more important to consume more water as well if you notice that you are more tired than usual. 

Taking care of yourself includes warming up, as previously discussed, but also cooling down after physical activity and giving your body plenty of rest time. Rest time is essential in maintaining a healthy body, but also helping to reach your personal fitness goals.

If you begin to notice that you might have sustained an injury, or you aren’t feeling at your best, be sure to contact your Wyoming physical therapist for assistance. At North Platte Physical Therapy, we are here to help meet your needs when it comes to managing and healing back pain. We serve the communities of Wyoming and Nebraska with 22 clinics offering a full range of physical therapy services for post-cast recovery. Contact us today for more information.
 

Back pain is something that many people live with, but shouldn’t have to. If you are currently suffering from back pain, you should consult a doctor or Wyoming physical therapist and schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience. However, there are some instances in which you need to see a doctor immediately. If you experience any of the following accompanied with leg pain, get to a medical professional immediately. 

Leg Weakness
This one is a big one. If you are experiencing any leg weakness, or weakness in your hips or groin area, (in addition to back pain) you need to seek medical care immediately. Progressive leg weakness might be a sign of cauda equina syndrome, a syndrome in which the entire nerve sack in the lower back can be compressed. Besides progressive leg weakness, other symptoms can include loss of sensation and difficulty walking. When left untreated, cauda equina syndrome can cause paralysis and loss of bladder/bowel control. 

Unexplained Weight Loss
If you have rapid weight loss, for no apparent reason that is accompanied by back pain you could have a serious medical condition that would require further doctor consultation - such as cancer. However, typically cancer in your spine would result in the following symptoms: pain in the neck/back, loss of appetite, nauseous, vomiting, fever, chills, and/or shakes. If you have any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

Abdominal Pain 
If you are experiencing severe, continuous abdominal pain in general you should seek a doctor’s assistance immediately. If continuous abdominal pain is accompanied with lower back pain, it can be a number of things but it depends on how soon your pain started. If your pain was sudden and a quick onset, it can mean that one of your arteries in the lower back are severely enlarged. If it was a gradual increase over time, you should talk to your doctor and be evaluated for possible causes. 

Sustained Fever
As usual, a fever can indicate an infection. Spinal infections are rare in general, but can occur after a surgery or when your immune system has been compromised. Once they do occur, they can cause severe pain or even impair motor functions in addition to the pain and fever associated with this type of infection.

There are some additional risk factors that should be taken in to consideration if you are experiencing back pain. If you have a history of cancer, trauma, other nerve compression symptoms, diabetes, and/or other recent infections. All of these can indicate a much more severe problem when back pain starts. As always, if you have concerns about your physical health and wellbeing please contact your local Wyoming physical therapist and doctor.

At North Platte Physical Therapy, we are here to help meet your needs when it comes to managing and healing back pain. We serve the communities of Wyoming and Nebraska with 22 clinics offering a full range of physical therapy services for post-cast recovery. Contact us today for more information.

 

You are about to undergo, or are currently recovering, from back surgery and you may be wondering if there are ways to speed up your recovery time. The good news is there are a few things you can do to speed up recovery, and get back on your feet! We’ve provided you with four ways to speed up your recovery, but want to remind you that before changing or adding to your recovery regime, consult your Wyoming physical therapist. Everyone has a different recovery time and process, so what works for one might not work for all. 

Get Healthy
You might be considered healthy already (in which case stay healthy), but if you could do better this is a great time to really focus on your health. Fueling your body with the right foods will not only have you feeling better, but will help your body begin to recover quickly. If you haven’t already, talk with your physical therapist about starting a light exercise routine to aid in the recovery process. With back injuries and recovery you will need to be cautious, but light exercise can help decrease any pain you might be experiencing and get you on the road to recovery.

Kick the Bad Habits
Have any bad habits lurking in your closet? Now is a great time to work on kicking your bad habits, such as smoking cigarettes. We know we don’t have to tell you about all of the negative outcomes that cigarettes can cause, but by not smoking you can speed up your recovery time as well. 

Your Day to Day
When operating day to day, be sure to follow the basic mobility requirements and regulations set out by your physical therapist. They have set these guidelines for a reason, and any deviation could slow your recovery time. By following them to a “t” you are more likely to recover quickly and safely. In addition, be sure to have someone in your home who can assist you with movements, household chores, and basic things such as eating, drinking, and even bathing. An available and attentive caregiver will be your key to a safe and speedy recovery. Be sure to take care when bathing, you don’t 
want to overstrain your body or cause damage to your incision. Often times your doctor might recommend avoiding washing the area under running water for the first two weeks - in which case have some assist you in using a damp washcloth. 

Stay Vigilant 
While following your doctor’s recommendations for care and maintenance, be sure to stay aware of how your body is feeling and how your wound is healing. Check the incision daily to ensure there is no infection, and that there is no inflammation or redness. This can be indicative of a deeper problem that might cause you to see your doctor.

At North Platte Physical Therapy, we are here to help meet your needs and ensure a safe recovery after a back surgery. We serve the communities of Wyoming and Nebraska with 22 clinics offering a full range of physical therapy services for post-cast recovery. Contact us today for more information.

 

If you've recently experienced an injury, or you are looking to start a new exercise routine and need some assistance you will need to start the search for a Denver physical therapist. Looking for a physical therapist can be overwhelming, and if you are looking for the first time, even a little confusing. When determining which physical therapist to go with, be sure to ask the following questions to ensure you find the right physical therapist for your needs. 

What can I expect from my session?
This is an important opportunity for you to ask questions of your physical therapist such as how they run the session, what your exercises will look like, what you will need to bring, etc. It’s important that you fully understand what you are getting yourself in to, and to fully understand what your therapy will look. 

How many patients do you see at one time? 
This question is an important one, and goes hand in hand with the last. If multiple patients are seen at once you would be in your session with others. Determine if it matters to you to be seen alone or with others. 

When will I see improvements? 
If you are seeing a physical therapist to recover from an injury, you are probably hoping for a speedy recovery. Unfortunately, this might not always be the case. Recovery time is going to depend on your injury, as well as what your routine will look like. If you are curious, always ask prior to selecting your physical therapist. If different therapists have different answers, it could be for very different but important reasons. 

Do you accept my insurance?
It’s important to ask if the physical therapist accepts your insurance. Physical therapy can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be if your insurance can help. Contact your insurance about their co-pay policies and what costs look like for in- and out- of network.

What is your cancellation policy?
Life happens and sometimes you might need to cancel your appointment. When you cancel your appointment you want to know what the policy will be. Will they charge you extra? Most of the time you will need to cancel at least 24 hours in advance to avoid any additional fees or costs. 

What do you expect from me? 
This will be a great question to learn more about your physical therapist and begin to build a personal relationship. This will also be a great question to differentiate your options and give you valuable insight into the type of physical therapist you will be selecting. While this can certainly be an uncomfortable question to ask, it’s an important one! 

At North Platte Physical Therapy, we are here to help meet your needs and ensure a safe recovery, or a safe start to a new exercise routine. We serve the communities of Wyoming and Nebraska with 22 clinics offering a full range of physical therapy services for post-cast recovery. Contact us today for more information.