Why is My Lower Back So Stiff in the Morning?
August 16, 2010
Forget waking up on the wrong side of the bed – when you wake up with a stiff lower back in the morning, it can feel like you’ve woken up after a night of heavy lifting.
For some, having an occasionally stiff lower back after a night’s sleep can come as a result of too much exercise the day before, rigorous activity or a combination of the two. However, for those who are dealing with chronic lower back pain, there are many reasons why your mornings may not be so bright. Take a look at the list below and see if any of these solutions help to alleviate that troublesome lower back pain:
- Before pointing the finger at your back, it might be time to let your mattress take some of the blame. Recent studies have reported that mattresses lose up to 70% of their support after just ten years – and if you’ve got a mattress that’s older than your kids, then you might want to consider trading it in for a new model. For additional support, consider getting a memory foam mattress, which molds to the contours of your body and relieves pressure from sensitive spots like your spine and joints.
- If your mattress isn’t the culprit, then it’s time to look at a medical reason for why you’re waking up with a stiff lower back. If you suffer from arthritis, then it’s possible that you’re dealing with ankylosing spondylitis, which is a form of arthritis that affects the spine. However, other kinds of arthritis can affect the spine as well. If it’s an infrequent arthritis attack, try applying heat to the lower back and take an anti-inflammatory. If the pain is more frequent (i.e. more than once a week), then see your doctor and physical therapist for gentle exercises that can alleviate your arthritis.
- If you feel the pain in your leg as well as your lower spine, then it’s possible that you might have a herniated disc. A herniated disc occurs when the disc presses on the nerves and bones in your lower spine, otherwise known as the lumbar region. A doctor can diagnosis you with a herniated disc and give you medicine; however, the most relief is often attained by visits to a chiropractor, who can use gentle exercises to stretch the spine and relieve the pressure.
If you are suffering from a stiff lower back when you wake up in the morning, we encourage you to visit our Spinal Care clinics in Bayonne and Scotch Plains NJ. Both clinics come highly recommended by numerous physicians in Hudson and Union Counties. Feel free to contact us for a Free, In-Office Evaluation. If you are looking for faster service, give us a call at one of our two New Jersey locations. For our Bayonne, NJ location, call 201-339-889, and for our Scotch Plains, NJ location, call us at 908-490-1800. Just tell them that you read this article and you will receive our complimentary in-office evaluation (a $145 value).
How Physical Therapy Helps Arthritis Pain
July 23, 2010
Growing older often means that you have time for the activities that you enjoy. From gardening and painting to playing your favorite sport, you don’t want anything to get in the way of the things that you enjoy the most.
However, if you suffer from arthritis, then that usually isn’t an option.
For arthritis sufferers, living with this all-too-common ailment typically means reducing the amount of time spent on enjoyable activities. Additionally, because arthritis – which means the inflammation of the joints – causes a great deal of aches, pain, swelling and even limited motion, many sufferers often have trouble carrying out even the simplest tasks, like typing on a keyboard, cooking and even reading a book.
Fortunately, there is a way for arthritis sufferers to fight back against their pain: physical therapy.
After being diagnosed by a medical expert, arthritis sufferers can choose to seek physical therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment, which may also include prescribed medication. Physical therapists and chiropractors who specialize in treating injured joints can teach clients simple yet effective exercises that will gently strengthen the joints, thus reducing the pain and inflammation commonly associated with arthritis. Physical therapists and chiropractors can also provide sufferers with splints that will immobilize the hand or wrist, which can work wonders for patients who experience sharp pain whenever they use their hands.
Physical therapy for arthritis pain can also provide you with vital information on how to combat your arthritis at home. For example:
- You’ll learn about the types of food that can strengthen your joints and muscles by providing much-needed vitamins and minerals.
- For sufferers with severe knee pain, your physical therapist or chiropractor will show you the kind of footwear which will alleviate pain and reduce the amount of pressure you place on your joints.
- You’ll discover the kind of at-home exercises that will alleviate any sudden pains that you may experience while enjoying your favorite activities. Additionally, your physical therapist or chiropractor will show you activity modifications that you can do should your arthritis pain become too severe.
Don’t let arthritis stop you from enjoying your life – discover how physical therapy can help your arthritis pain today!
When considering treatment for arthritis pain and inflammation, our physical therapy clinics in Bayonne and Scotch Plains NJ come highly recommended by numerous physicians in Hudson and Union Counties. Feel free to contact us for a Free, In-Office Evaluation. If you are looking for faster service, give us a call at one of our two New Jersey locations. For our Bayonne, NJ location, call 201-339-889, and for our Scotch Plains, NJ location, call us at 908-490-1800. Just tell them that you read this article and you will receive our complimentary in-office evaluation (a $145 value).
How to Avoid Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
July 21, 2010
It’s a fear that resonates with any person who relies on their hands for work: carpal tunnel syndrome.
Even if you’ve never experienced the sharp and frustrating pain of carpal tunnel syndrome, the symptoms are instantly recognizable. Because carpal tunnel affects the nerves and ligaments that connect the hands to the wrists, complaints from sufferers range from a persistent dull ache to a sharp pain that strikes whenever the wrist is moved. And for sufferers whose very careers reside on the ability to use their hands (for example, writers, IT programmers, computer programmers, etc.), carpal tunnel syndrome can derail productivity and even result in serious amounts of sick leave.
So how can you avoid carpal tunnel syndrome? The following techniques are surprisingly simple – just a few quick tweaks here and there, and your hands and wrists will remain pain-free!
- Because carpal tunnel syndrome often strikes those who use keyboards frequently (and inefficiently!), it’s important to ensure that your keyboard and computer are properly set up to promote your health and wellness. Your computer’s keyboard should be positioned at elbow level, and your hands, wrists and forearms should always be in a parallel line to the floor while you work.
Additionally, use a wrist pad with your keyboard, which is a cushion that is placed directly under your wrists while you type. This takes the stress off of your wrists while you work, thus minimizing your chances of getting carpal tunnel syndrome. - Exercise will strengthen the muscles that run adjacent to your nerves; however, some forms of exercise can exacerbate wrist strain and even lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. If you’re strength training (for example, you’re frequently using dumbbells or utilizing rowing machines), be sure to learn the proper methods for each piece of equipment. If you’re unsure, seek the advice of a professional who can show you proper posture and form during exercise.
- Be sure to take plenty of breaks at work, especially if you’ve been doing repetitive work such as typing on a keyboard. Take a walk around your office, shake out your hands and breathe in deeply as you stretch your arms. Keeping your muscles stretched out and warm will keep your nerves limber, which greatly reduces your chances of getting carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Correct posture plays a prominent role in preventing carpal tunnel syndrome. When working at a computer, always sit with your back straight and feet firmly planted on the floor. And always tap your keys lightly – experts cite heavy typing as one of the biggest causes of carpal tunnel syndrome among office workers.
When considering treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, our physical therapy clinics in Bayonne and Scotch Plains NJ come highly recommended by numerous physicians in Hudson and Union Counties. Feel free to contact us for a Free, In-Office Evaluation. If you are looking for faster service, give us a call at one of our two New Jersey locations. For our Bayonne, NJ location, call 201-339-889, and for our Scotch Plains, NJ location, call us at 908-490-1800. Just tell them that you read this article and you will receive our complimentary in-office evaluation (a $145 value).
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