Sciatica

Leg Pain
The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease. – Attributed to Thomas Edison

What is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a natural method of healthcare that treats the causes of physical problems, such as low-back, hip and leg pain, rather than just the symptoms. Physiotherapy is based on a simple but powerful premise: With a normally functioning spine and nerves and a healthy lifestyle, your body is better able to heal itself. That’s because the spinal cord, which is protected by the spine, is the main pathway of your nervous system. The nervous system controls movement, feeling and function throughout your body.

What causes Sciatica?
Sciatica is an inflammation of the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in your body. It runs from your lower spine, through your buttocks and into your leg and foot. When the sciatic nerve is inflammed it can cause numbness, tingling, pain or weakness in your lower back and leg.

• Inflamed Joint - If a bone (vertebra) in your lower back isn’t moving properly or is out of position, the joint can become inflamed and irritate the sciatic nerve.

• Bulging Disc - If one of the cushions (discs) between your vertebrae is bulging, it can irritate or put pressure on the sciatic nerve.

• Muscle Spasm - If a muscle in your lower back or buttocks is inflamed or tightening (in spasm), it can irritate or put pressure on the sciatic nerve.

Can Physiotherapy Care Help Me?
Your physiotherapist looks at your overall health – focusing not only on your sciatic but also on your lifestyle. This total approach to wellness helps determine the best treatment for your problem.

History
To help find the cause of your sciatica, you and your physiotherapist discuss your symptoms, such as where you feel pain. Your physiotherapist also asks about any prior injuries, your health history and your lifestyle, including work related and leisure activities.

Physical Exam
Physical, orthopedic (bone and muscle), and neurological (nerve) tests can help reveal the condition of the vertebrae, discs and muscles in your spine. Your physiotherapist gently touches and moves your spine to locate muscle spasms and pain and to see how well each vertebra moves.

Tests
X-rays may be done to reveal any problems with your vertebrae. If needed other imaging tests, such as an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), may be used to show detailed images of discs, nerves and other soft tissue.

Diagnosis
Based on the results of your exam and tests, you physiotherapist may recommend a treatment program to relieve the irritation that’s causing your pain and other symptoms. If needed, your physiotherapist also consults with your referring or family doctor.

How Does a Physiotherapist Treat Sciatica?
Your physiotherapist is trained to restore the health of your spine and sciatic nerve. Special physiotherapy methods may relieve the irritation that’s causing your low-back or leg pain.

Spinal Adjustments
Your treatment depends on the cause of your sciatica. During a spinal adjustment, your physiotherapist gently presses on your spine to relieve irritated nerves and increase movement in your joints.

Related Treatment
Your physiotherapist may suggest other types of treatment to relieve irritated nerves. These may include electrical stimulation, ice or heat, massage, traction or ultrasound. Your physiotherapist can discuss these options with you.

What Can I Do to Keep My Back in Shape?
Whether you’re lying down, standing or sitting, keep your spine straight and well supported. Be sure to follow the exercise program your physiotherapist gives you.

To help mold and align your spine, lie down for 15-20 minutes a day with a small pillow or small rolled-up towel under your neck and lower back. Keep your knees slightly bent. Check with your physiotherapist before trying this.

Spinal Checkups
Just as you need regular dental exams, you also need regular spinal exams. Even if you don’t have symptoms, physiotherapy is one of the best ways to manage or prevent spinal problems and maintain a healthier lifestyle.

Call today to schedule your appointment 604-520-7375or visit our website to see all our locations http://www.physiotherapycentres.com/

The Right Posture and Position

Always be aware of how you’re sitting. If you slouch or you reach to far, you may start to feel stiff or sore. When a workstation is arranged to create a fit between you and your body (good ergonomics), using proper posture is easy. The right posture means sitting in a relaxed, well-supported position. Here’s how:

Start in the position described below. Then shift your position often by learning slightly back or forward with your lower back and feet supported.

1. Keep your head and neck upright.


2. Keep your wrists straight and your forearms parallel to the floor.


3. Support your lower back.


4. Keep your feet flat on the floor or support them with a footrest.

Comfort Tips

Adjust the chair’s height so your forearms are parallel to the floor as you work. Adjust the chair’s backrest until it fits snugly against your lower back. Or, use a small pillow, a lumbar roll, or a rolled towel.

Adjust the monitor so that it’s an arm’s length away and the top of the screen is just below eye level. Tilt it slightly down or sideways, if needed, to prevent glare.

Change your position often. Lean back or forward a little in your chair. Take breaks when you can to stretch or walk. Try not to spend more than 20 minutes in the same position.

TRIGGER FINGER FAQ

TRIGGER FINGER FAQ


1. What is trigger finger?

The first sign of trigger finger is a feeling of stiffness and difficulty bending the finger. There may be swelling in the palm, Later, as the symptoms increase, the finger may “get stuck” in a bent position and have to be straightened with the help of the other hand. When the finger does move, it may snap, as it becomes “unstuck.”

2. Why does it happen?

The tendon that bends the finger passes through a pulley, much like a tunnel. If the tendon becomes enlarged by inflammation, it cannot pass trough this tunnel freely. A nodule, or bump, may form on the tendon making it even more difficult for the tendon to glide and causing stiffness and pain. When the nodule must pass under the pulley, it may stop or stick. It can be compared to trying to pass thread that has a knot in it through the eyes of a needle.

3. What causes the tendon to be inflamed?

Repetitive use of the hands may make trigger finger worse, but it has not been proven to be a cause of the inflammation. The cause is not certain, though it is most common in middle-aged women. Diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis may increase the chance of getting a trigger finger.

4. What can be done to help?

With a mild case, simply resting the finger may relieve the symptoms. Grasping and other painful activities should be avoided. A splint can be used to keep the tendon at rest. Wearing the splint and avoiding grasping for a period of time may be enough to relieve the symptoms.


If the symptoms are more severe and the finger is frequently getting “stuck”, a physician may recommend a steroid injection. The steroid can decrease the inflammation and therefore, the size of the tendon and nodule. This allows the tendon to move through the sheath more freely.

5. What about surgery?

Surgery is recommended when injections and conservative treatments fail to relieve symptoms. In surgery, a small incision is made in the palm. The pulley is cut to allow the tendon to glide. The incision will be covered with a dressing for a few days. Full, comfortable motion is allowed. It is important during this recovery time to elevate the hand as much as possible to decrease swelling. There will be a scar on the palm. This can be softened and made more comfortable by massage.

Recovery form trigger finger surgery usually takes only a few wee