Massage: A Natural Reaction to Pain
What did you do the last time you bumped your head or had a sore muscle? More than likely, you rubbed it. Throughout time, touching has been a natural human reaction to pain and stress, and healers in all countries and cultures have developed a wide range of therapeutic techniques using touch.
Having a massage does more than just relax your body and your mind -- there are specific physiological and psychological benefits related to massage, ranging from calming the nervous system and reducing tension and anxiety, to improving circulation which allows the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, stimulating the lymphatic system which carries away the body’s waste products, and helping with pain management in conditions such as arthritis, sciatica, and muscle spasms.
In the soothing environment of our centrally located Manhattan, New York offices, our massage therapists work under the direction of our physiatrist (MD) who pinpoints the problem area. “Our massage therapists will use a variety of techniques to promote healing and relaxation, as well as to promote greater flexibility and range of motion,” says Dr. Kessler. “Massage helps to improve blood circulation, decrease pain and inflammation, helps to relax the muscles, and makes you feel better.”Labels: back pain, Low back pain, massage therapy, neck pain, physical therapy
Posted by Spine and Sports Medicine on 11:31 AM
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Neck Pain from a Wig?
Only in Hollywood… A recent entertainment newspaper report indicated that the wig that Keira Knightley flaunts in her upcoming 18th century movie, “The Duchess,” was so heavy that a resting post was specially made for her to rest her neck between takes. In the movie, Knightly plays a scandalous aristocrat Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, and in keeping with the part, had to pull on a sky-high Marie Antoinette-style wig for several key scenes.
Wig or no wig, neck pain is no picnic.
Any part of your neck -- muscles, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments or nerves -- can cause it. Pain may also come from your shoulder, jaw, head or upper arms. Muscle strain or tension often causes neck pain. “The problem is usually overuse, such as from sitting at a computer for too long,” says Dr. Kessler. “Sometimes you can strain your neck muscles from sleeping in an awkward position or overdoing it during exercise. Falls or accidents, including car accidents, are another common cause of neck pain.”
Treatment depends on the cause, but may include applying ice, taking pain relievers, getting physical therapy or wearing a cervical collar.Labels: neck pain, NYC, pain management, physical therapy, posture, spine and sports medicine, Sport Injury
Posted by Spine and Sports Medicine on 9:37 AM
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Running Again
“I've been running for years,” says Spine and Sports Medicine patient Joanie R. “Until recently, I've been pain free. But, my exercise was compromised by the pain I was feeling in my ankles.”
Running injuries are very specific due to the repetitive nature of the sport, and ankle injuries are the most common sport-related injuries. Many common conditions affect runners, including tendonitis, bursitis, shin splints, ankle and Achilles problems, and more.
“Common foot and ankle injuries include sprains, strains, and stress fractures or bone injuries,” says Dr. Kessler. “Many of these injuries are overuse injuries -- injuries that result from inadequate conditioning or excessive training that places too much stress on the foot and ankle.”
Warning signs of a serious problem that merits immediate evaluation at our offices in Manhattan include the following: pain which increases during the run, locking or catching sensations in the ankle, especially after an injury, recurrent sprains or instability of the ankle, swelling across the front of the ankle joint, and localized bone tenderness, among others. When in doubt, have it checked out!
“I started treatment at Spine and Sports Medicine,” says Joanie, “and although it took some time and a commitment on my part, I am back to running again. They are very professional and motivated me to stay with the program.”
Labels: bursitis, Foot and Joint problems, Foot Pain, NYC, pain management, physical therapy, Running, shin splints, spine and sports medicine, tendonitis
Posted by Spine and Sports Medicine on 5:20 AM
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Osteoarthritis - Degenerative Joint Disease
Osteoarthritis is one of the issues New York’s Spine and Sports Medicine addresses on a daily basis. With a wide range of symptoms, osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, causing joint pain, swelling and reduced motion.
A degenerative condition most commonly associated with people over the age of 45, some question whether regular athletic activity -- for example, the impact of feet hitting the pavement or hands hitting a punching bag -- can damage joints and result in osteoarthritis years later. Researchers considered the question of whether people who participate in regular athletic activities, but have not sustained any known injury, are at risk for developing osteoarthritis, and in a 1997 article in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage concluded that the condition can occur prematurely in certain sports including soccer, rugby, racket sports, track and field, and long-distance running. Recreational sports done at a "reasonable" level, however, do not increase risk, according to researchers.
“There's no known cure for osteoarthritis,” says Dr. Kessler, “but treatments can help to reduce pain and maintain joint movement so that you can go about your daily tasks. Taking steps to actively manage osteoarthritis may help you gain control over your osteoarthritis pain.”
Therapies that manage osteoarthritis pain and improve function include exercise, weight control, rest, pain relief, alternative therapies and, in some cases, surgery.
Labels: arthritis, health, NYC, osteoarthritis, pain management, physical therapy, spine and sports medicine
Posted by Spine and Sports Medicine on 2:52 PM
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Nursemaid’s Elbow
We’ve all heard of tennis elbow, but nursemaid’s elbow? Nursemaid's elbow is a partial dislocation of the elbow, which occurs when the lower part of the arm (forearm) slips out of its normal position at the elbow joint, caused by a sudden pull on the extended arm. Nursemaid's elbow is a common condition in young children and generally affects children under the age of five. The injury occurs when a child is pulled up too hard by the hand or the wrist. It is often seen after someone lifts a child up by one arm. (For example, when trying to lift the child over a curb or high step, or when an obstinate child is forcibly pulled along or lifted by the forearm.) Swinging a young child from the arms while playing can also cause this injury. When the injury occurs, the child usually begins crying immediately and refuses to use the arm.
The child may hold the arm so that it is slightly bent at the elbow and pressed up against the stomach. The child will move the shoulder, but not the elbow. Some children stop crying as the immediate pain goes away, but continue to refuse to move the elbow. Once the elbow dislocates, it is likely to do so again, especially in the 3 or 4 weeks following the injury, so don’t wait around. Give us a call. Labels: Elbow Problems, muscular strain, pain management, physical therapy, spine and sports medicine
Posted by Spine and Sports Medicine on 12:44 PM
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Why is Psychology an Important Aspect of Treating Pain?
Did anyone ever tell you the pain is “all in your head”? Well, pain is both a physical and psychological experience. Because the brain plays such a central role in the pain process, certain techniques that target a person's thoughts, emotions or behaviors related to pain are often effective.
“There are a number of self-management techniques for pain,” our Medical Director observes. These include relaxation strategies such as deep breathing exercises, muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and biofeedback. Relaxation techniques can give a person an increased sense of control over his/her pain. “This can help to reduce pain levels, and with less pain, a person is able to function better.”
Self-management techniques can also include cognitive skills such as "thought stopping" or "reframing," which can help people fend off some of the negative thoughts and feelings that often arise as a consequence of living with pain.
So, while pain isn’t “all in your head,” there are some actions you can take to help yourself psychologically manage different aspects of it.Labels: back pain, Knee Pain, Low back pain, neck pain, physical therapy
Posted by Spine and Sports Medicine on 7:28 AM
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Pain and Pregnancy
Back pain during pregnancy probably won't come as a surprise, but that doesn't mean you should ignore it.
According to a February 2007 study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, despite a high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain during pregnancy, few women receive treatment for their low back pain. According to Clayton Skaggs, DC, the study’s chief author, 85 percent of women surveyed reported that they had not received treatment for their musculoskeletal pain, and that 85 percent of women who experienced pain in a previous pregnancy reported pain during their current pregnancy.
“Based on the findings of this study, doctors of chiropractic and other health care professionals need to expand the musculoskeletal care available during pregnancy,” says our very own Brian Fradet, at Spine and Sports Medicine. “As a proactive step, health professionals should consider screening for back pain as part of early obstetrical care to help identify musculoskeletal risk factors and allow for early education and treatment.”
So, say something. You don't have to grin and bear it.Labels: back pain, Low back pain, musculoskeletal systems, physical therapy, posture, pregnancy
Posted by Spine and Sports Medicine on 10:14 AM
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My wife, the Fish
My wife is a swimmer, always has been. She says she actually feels more comfortable in the water than she does on land. I think, perhaps, she was a fish in her past life, but that’s another story.
Like many sufferers of back pain, she responds well to water, and some physical therapy centers provide aquatic physical therapy. Our own Dr. Kessler of Spine and Sports Medicine says, "Water supports the body and minimizes the effect of gravity, making it easier for patients to start an exercise program. Aquatic therapy can be very helpful for elderly patients and disabled patients who may not have the strength to do some of the exercises outside the aquatic pool.”
Some of the most important properties of water that make exercise easier are buoyancy, viscosity, and hydrostatic pressure. These properties can counteract gravity, provide resistance, and improve muscle blood flow.
…And I thought water was just good to drink.Labels: Aquatic therapy, back pain, muscular strain, musculoskeletal systems, physical therapy
Posted by Spine and Sports Medicine on 6:58 PM
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