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How to Be Healthier, Stronger and More Active

When you get right down to it, health doesn’t have anything to do with looking like a supermodel; it’s really about having a body whose every system is in good working order. The great news is that you have more control over everything happening in your body — from your circulation to your breathing and stress levels — than you might have imagined. Check out these steps you can take every day toward building a stronger, healthier and more active you.

 

  1. Limit Your Sitting

 

Your body wasn’t made to sit — it was made to move! Taking short breaks from your desk or computer every 30 minutes can do a lot to reduce back and shoulder pain. Walk around, do a few squats, drink some water, or do a few simple stretches. The periodic movement and shifts in position reduce pressure on your spine, increase the flow of blood and lymphatic fluid, and will leave you feeling more energized all day long. 

 

  1. Get Out and Move

 

A healthy exercise program doesn’t have to be fancy, expensive or intimidating. Many studies have demonstrated the benefits of simple, free workouts like walking. The mere act of moving your body every day greatly reduces the risk of chronic health problems like heart disease, stroke and diabetes, and the regular movement helps keep the rest of your body functioning in tip-top form.

 

  1. Eat Real Food

 

Food is fuel for your body — so what you eat dictates your energy levels and sense of well-being for the day. Focusing on minimally processed food and lots of brightly colored fruits and vegetables is a sure way to put a little extra zip in your step. When you’re eating the right fuel, you’ll feel like you can do anything.

 

  1. Drink More Water

 

You wouldn’t run an engine without oil in it, would you? Water fills that function and many more in your body. It’s water that helps distribute nutrients, regulates body temperature, aids in digestion, stops hunger, and keeps your muscles and nerves operating in tip-top shape. Having trouble drinking enough? Put a sprig of mint or a twist of citrus — lemon, lime or orange — in your water bottle to make it more interesting.

 

  1. Breathe!

 

Deep breathing oxygenates your blood, which can leave you feeling more energized. It also helps get your lymphatic system moving, and it busts stress in just a few seconds. Here’s a quick, easy way to gauge your breathing: Lie on your bed or the floor with one hand on your upper abdomen. Can you feel your abdomen gently rising as you inhale? If not, slow down and focus on your breath; it might help to imagine that you’re filling yourself with air all the way down to your toes.

 

  1. Get Enough Sleep

 

Everybody’s a little different, but most of us need at least seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep per night. It’s best to get into a routine so that your body can settle into a regular cycle of sleeping and waking. This helps regulate your endocrine system, which in turn controls the hormones that govern everything from hunger to weight loss. 

 

  1. Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Out Professional Help

 

Have you noticed aches and pains lingering in your body, despite your healthy routine? Your body might be telling you that it’s time to consult a professional. Don’t accept that those aches and pains are a natural fact of life: A good physical therapist can give you the tools to keep those minor problems from turning into something major, and maybe even stem the pain completely.  Call Progressive Physical Therapy today!

Increasing Core Strength to Relieve Pain

Core strength has become a popular topic because it affects the function of the entire body. A strong core means better stability, fewer injuries and less physical stress.

 

Weak core muscles can lead to chronic back and neck pain. Signs of weak core muscles include slumping in your chair, poor posture at your desk or lack of balance.

 

Why Do Core Muscles Matter?

 

The word “core” means central and that is exactly the function of your core muscles. They are central to nearly every movement you make and the stronger they are, the easier it is to go about your work and recreation comfortably.

 

What are Core Muscles?

 

If you think core muscles are just abs, you’re partially right. Abs get the majority of attention, but the system extends beyond that and includes the lower back and glutes, too. That’s why an exercise like sit-ups, which focuses exclusively on developing the abdominal muscles, is not adequate if your goal is to build a stronger core.

 

Core Assessment

 

How can you tell if your core is weak? If you have low back pain or balance issues there’s a good chance your core muscles are weak. One simple test is the plank test.

 

  • Lie on the floor, propped up by your elbows.
  • Raise your torso up so that your toes and elbows are the only two parts of your body touching the floor.
  • Hold this as long as you can, then see how your strength measures up. 

If you could last two minutes or more, your core muscles are strong. Between one and two minutes is normal, 30 seconds to a minute is moderate and less than 30 seconds is weak. If your arms or legs shook while trying to hold this pose, you have poor motor control over your core muscles.

 

The Good News

 

The good news is that you don’t have to settle for a weak core and the related problems it causes. Our medical experts are able to assess your current status and create an individualized plan of easy-to-do exercises to build up those muscles. Our physical therapists will design a program for you that will safely increase your strength, resulting is less pain and more flexibility.

 

After doing the self-assessment, you might be anxious to get started doing exercises to build these weak muscles, but if you do the wrong ones or push too hard, you might cause injury. There’s a way to go about it that will achieve long-lasting, positive results. Our physical therapists are trained to identify the practices for each of our patients that will work best for them.

 

We do this by conducting a complete analysis of your body posture, the way you move and your current level of strength so we can determine the cause of your pain. Based on that information, we put together a treatment plan tailored to your situation.

 

It’s all up to you. You can have the lifestyle you crave, enjoy activities you love and experience a pain-free life with the professional support and recommendations we provide.

 

Make an appointment with Progressive Physical Therapy today and we’ll show you how improving your core muscles can change your life for the better.

5 Ways to Relieve Neck and Back Pain

Back and neck pain can stop you in your tracks, affecting your work and interfering with your recreational activities. It takes the fun right out of your day.

 

How to Reduce Neck and Back Pain

 

Your pain might be from a previous injury, arthritis, bad posture or another cause. However, there are things that you can do to lessen the pain or, in some cases, eliminate it completely. Here are five things that will improve your physical comfort.

 

  1. Avoid Injury – This one is obvious, but it is a common cause of neck and back pain. Often people get in a hurry and fail to follow the common-sense rules to protect themselves from injury. If you don’t know how to lift properly, for example, you run the risk of straining your back and neck. Our experts are trained to show you how you can do your work without compromising your health. 
  2. Improve Your Posture – Growing up, most kids have heard the words “stand up straight” more than once. It’s not just cosmetic. Correct posture can help position your body so it functions better throughout the day. Rather than stiffly throwing your shoulders back to achieve this, our team will show you how to align naturally for best results. For example, one practice would be to imagine a string at the top of your head pulling you gently upward, towards the sky. If you have a desk job, be sure to take a break every half hour and stand. Stretch those muscles or take a short walk throughout the day. Incorporate variety into your work posture by using a standing desk or changing positions. 
  3. Rest and Exercise – Non-stop work can wear you down. It’s crucial to get adequate sleep every night to let your mind and body recover and rejuvenate so you’re ready for the next day. If you don’t get enough sleep it can affect your pain tolerance, making a bad situation worse. Sleep deprivation sets you up for increased stress and weakens your immune system. Daily exercise, such as walking for 30 minutes, will improve your strength, heart health and flexibility. 
  4. Eat Healthy – What you consume fuels your day and if you are eating fried or processed foods, you are increasing inflammation in your body. This causes pain and dehydration, but the cure is not complicated. Make sure you eat fruits, vegetables and lean protein every day and drink plenty of water. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink that water, keep a glass with you as you work and take a bottle of water with you when you are active. Being hydrated eases many symptoms and helps your body function efficiently. 
  5. Get Professional Input – While these tips are good general advice, everyone is unique. It is wise to consult with a professional who knows how to spot problem areas and can give you personal solutions for your specific issues. The goal is to restore your health, improve your movement, strengthen your muscles and give you the guidelines to maintain a higher level of pain-free function. Our physical therapists are educated medical experts who can provide the knowledge and advice you need to achieve your goals. 

What to Expect From Us

 

Our physical therapists will meet with you, do a thorough analysis of your posture, movement and strength, discuss your routine and determine what is causing your pain. Then, using their knowledge of muscles and skeletal systems, they’ll determine the correct treatment plan to achieve the fastest results.  

 

By seeing our physical therapists at least once a year many painful outcomes can be avoided before they begin, due to our individualized assessments, recommendations and proper therapy.

 

Why live with pain for one more minute? Call Progressive Physical Therapy and make an appointment today and get started eliminating your pain and improving your well-being.

How To Relieve Shoulder Pain

Do you have aching shoulders? Do you know that the problem could be a result of rotator cuff damage? That’s right, your shoulder pain that comes along with certain motions or that you notice during sleep could be a result of rotator cuff issues.

 

What Does The Rotator Cuff Do?

 

Like most parts of the body, we don’t think about our rotator cuff until there is a problem. However, your rotator cuff issue can have a great effect on your shoulder pain. In fact, you use your rotator cuff many times a day to do even basic activities, such as throwing a baseball, lifting objects over your head or even brushing your hair and teeth. The rotator cuff’s role is made up of muscles that surround your shoulder joint, which guide your shoulder as it moves. Therefore, when your rotator cuff becomes damaged, this can result in poor range of motion in the shoulder and inflammation and pain.

 

How Does a Rotator Cuff Become Weakened or Injured?

 

Usually, an injured rotator cuff is a result of you moving your shoulder in a forceful or repetitive movement. The injury itself is pretty common, especially when you get older. However, an injured rotator cuff can occur in anyone, no matter his or her age. It is more commonly seen in older individuals, though. In fact, studies show that 30% of individuals under the age of 70 and 70% of those over the age of 80 have experienced a rotator cuff tear.

 

How to Relieve Shoulder Pain For Good:

 

Thankfully, there is hope for you and your shoulder pain. This recovery comes with strengthening the shoulder and practicing proper motion. You can successfully strengthen your shoulder joint by utilizing anti-inflammatory treatments, such as ice applications, cortisone injections and medications, along with physical therapy. Your goal isn’t treating the rotator cuff itself, but instead, healing the muscles and tendons, which is accomplished by the methods just mentioned.

 

Specifics On How You Can Improve Your Shoulder Pain: What Can You Do?

The following are some easy-to-follow tips to improve your shoulder pain:

  • Ice and rest your shoulder frequently. Ideally, you will want to ice for around 10 minutes, directly on the joint. Don’t worry if this causes the middle of your arm to ache. This is common.
  • Hug a pillow while you sleep, tucking the pillow deep in your underarm. This works by keeping your shoulder joint properly spaced.
  • Stand against a wall and squeeze your shoulder blades back and together. Be sure you don’t shrug your shoulders. This exercise will help retrain your shoulder to maintain proper posture.
  • Avoid heavy lifting. Heavy lifting can include repetitive reaching over your head, even if the object you are placing overhead is light. Also, avoid carrying groceries on your injured shoulder.

What Happens if These Tactics Don’t Make The Pain go Away?

 

If your pain doesn’t go away in 3-4 days of making these changes, you should seek help from a physical therapist. The purpose of physical therapy is to improve the function of the muscles surrounding your shoulder. This helps the mobility of the joint. Physical therapy specifically targets the small, but significant muscles in the shoulder that are often neglected. When you strengthen these muscles through physical therapy, you can better compensate for the damaged tendons.

 

About Our Physical Therapy:

 

Our physical therapists perform their therapy in a soothing, gentle manner. We will educate you on the proper way to perform various exercises and techniques. The work of our wonderful therapists will greatly accelerate the relief of your shoulder pain by restoring proper shoulder motion sooner. Thankfully, many patients with rotator cuff tears will not require surgical treatment. In most cases, physical therapy will be enough to remedy your shoulder issue. Call Progressive Physical Therapy today to learn more about our programs and how they can help relieve your pain.

Suffering With Back Pain? It Could Be Your Thighs…   

Are you suffering with back pain? If you are, you are among the majority. That’s right, around 80% of the population deals with back pain at some point in their life. If you fall into this category, you know the annoyance that is caused by frequent back pain. As you know, back pain can interfere with every facet of life. It can make bending over difficult and cause you to become irritable, making it hard for you to participate as you once did in social activities. In essence, it takes away the life you once had and leaves you with one void of the joy you once experienced. The solution to this problem is to understand what causes back pain in the first place. Do you know the culprit could be your thighs and/or hips?

 

How Does Your Thigh or Hip Strength Correlate With Back Pain?

 

It might come as a surprise to you, but poor thigh and hip strength often leads to back pain. As you age, your thigh and hip muscles—more specifically the external hip rotators, gluteus muscles and the quadriceps– naturally weaken. This is caused by various factors, such as sitting for long periods of time, along with age. As a result of this weakness, the support your spine once enjoyed is lessened. This in turn makes it harder for you to do simple tasks, like bending over and picking something up. Put simply, it means you don’t have the correct amount of strength in the right places. Consequently, when you bend down repetitively on a daily basis in your weakened state, this will lead to more stress on your back, which causes your pain to worsen.

 

How to Know If Your Strength is Located in the Right Places:

 

First of all, do the following:

  • Face a mirror.
  • Make sure your head is facing forward and your spine remains straight.
  • Squat down, by sticking your buttocks outward.

 

When completing these actions, notice the following:

  • Are you able to squat as you stick out your buttocks?
  • Do you feel discomfort or pressure in your knees?
  • Does one or both of your knees turn inwards? 

If you answered yes to the questions listed above, you likely have problems with the strength and mobility of your pelvis, hips and thighs. These issues could be the culprit behind not only your back pain, but any knee pain you might have as well.

 

How to Strengthen Your Hip and Thigh Muscles:

 

The simple solution to the problem of back pain would seem to be for you to strengthen your hip and thigh muscles. Of course, that’s easier said than done. That’s where our expertise comes in handy. When you choose us for your treatment, we begin by thoroughly analyzing the way you bend and walk. We also make note of how strong your thighs and smaller hip muscles are at the present time. After this assessment, we can pinpoint the areas of your body that need work. The next step will be creating a treatment plan that is specifically designed to help you quickly build strength, and as a result, improve your spinal stability, muscle coordination and eliminate or reduce your back pain.

For more information on the programs we offer to relieve back pain, call us today. We are happy to create a treatment plan that will have you pain free as quickly as possible. Don’t despair; there is hope for an existence free of back pain. We can help. Call Progressive Physical Therapy today.

 

Is Pain Stopping You From Getting Back in the Game?

Sports represent a healthy way to stay in shape, enjoy socialization with friends and family, and provide an effective outlet for stress. Nothing else in life compares to the invigorating and stimulating enjoyment that comes from participating in sports. As you play, however, you may develop some pain or injuries that prevent you from fully enjoying your sports activity. When this happens, a negative spiral can occur. The suddenly sedentary life may lead to weight gain, mood swings or depression, or feelings of hopelessness. If you choose to ignore doctor’s advice and play anyway, your small injury could turn into something that keeps you on the sidelines longer, or worse, require surgical intervention.

 

How Do Most Injuries Occur?

 

Many things can contribute to sports injuries. One of the most common contributing factors that physical therapists encounter is that of the “weekend warrior.” The weekend warrior is a term for a person who leads a relatively sedentary existence during the work week, but who gives it all they have on the playing field on the weekends. While the term warrior has strong connotations, it’s not smart to suddenly test and strain your body in fits and starts only on the weekends. You would be better off to participate in moderate exercise during the week so that your body has a more level pace of activity.

 

Other injuries occur from poor gear choices. It’s important to wear the right equipment for the right sport. Tennis shoes, for example, are designed to support the foot and ankle for the quick side-to-side footwork that occurs on the court. Running shoes are manufactured so that the impact of your body hitting pavement is somewhat absorbed and doesn’t injure your skeletal system.

 

Finally, many injuries occur because people neglect to warm up before practice and play. Your muscles, tendons, ligaments and other tissues need to be warmed up and trained first in order to work properly. They take enormous strain during running and sports activities.

 

You May Be More Prone to Injury as You Age

 

While age should not prevent you from participating in your favorite sports, you do need to consider the physical limitations that come with age. As you get older, your tissues become less elastic and less flexible. It would be foolish for anyone to think they can perform at age 60 the same as they did at age 26. However, exercising consistently, warming up before exercise, and keeping hydrated can help. When your muscles, tendon and ligament tissues have enough water, they become more supple and flexible, allowing you to do more activities safely.

 

How to Avoid Pain and Prevent Injury

 

With a little bit of preparation, you can easily do these activities and decrease your risk for injury.

 

  • Stretch before practice and play
  • Maintain or increase strength training
  • Practice eye-hand coordination with drills
  • Maintain or increase endurance with training

 

It is important to do sports activities, fitness and a host of other physical activities to keep you healthy and happy. Knowing the right exercises to do to prepare for fitness activities is key. Our physical therapists have years of experience helping people rehabilitate after injuries and return to the activities they enjoy. What some people might not know is that physical therapists can help put a specific exercise plan together based on your needs to prevent injury. If you do start to experience pain with activities, we can get you back to enjoying your activities, pain-free. Call Progressive Physical Therapy today to learn more about how we can help you get back in the game!

Don’t Let Neck Pain and Headaches Hold You Back

Head and neck pain are quite common, but that doesn’t mean you should tolerate it. Chronic neck pain, neck tightness and frequent headaches are not only uncomfortable; symptoms like these can interfere with your work, family life and overall enjoyment. Many people seek temporary relief with NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen, but these remedies only mask the symptoms, they don’t treat the problem. Over the long term, daily use of NSAIDs can cause their own problems, such as weakened neck and shoulder muscles, liver damage, stomach ulcers or worse.

 

The structure of the neck is very complex. Seven vertebrae in the neck move in tandem and independently to facilitate the movement and flexibility that occurs in a healthy and properly functioning structure. The neck is also a kind of conduit for the thickest part of the spinal cord, which runs from the body to your brain. Finally, the head and neck are primarily responsible for your ability to balance your entire body. Now you can hopefully understand why chronic neck pain and headaches should never be ignored.

 

Common Causes of Neck Pain

 

Neck pain typically is caused by a limited group of common problems. Since the neck is where blood vessels link through to your head, pain and tightness can cause spasms of the arteries around the nerves of the neck and head. One or more of these things may be responsible for your neck pain.

 

Poor posture can contribute to head and neck pain because when one slouches or tenses up certain areas of the head and neck, the related tendons tend to contract. This contraction can become almost permanent, and the resulting strain on adjacent muscles and tendons leads to chronic pain.

 

Trauma from car accidents, falls or other accidents can bruise muscles and bones, or even knock vertebrae out of alignment. This condition can be extremely painful and for some patients it’s hard to imagine being pain-free again. With proper physical therapy, patients can fully recover from headache and neck pain caused by trauma.

 

Poor circulation stemming from a primary cause such as diabetes can lead to extreme neck pain and severe headaches. Though many people think that the pain, tingling or numbness is causing the pain, it’s actually the reverse. Lack of proper blood flow can cause these symptoms in the head and neck area, as well as the arms, hands and fingers. One common sign that you have poor circulation is if you seem to always have cold hands or feet. If you visit with one of our physical therapists and it’s determined that you have poor circulation, we can work closely with your primary physician to ensure that the primary cause is being treated along with the symptoms.

 

Chronic Headaches and Neck Pain Are Treatable

 

The good news is that no matter what the specific cause or causes of your chronic headaches and neck pain, the condition is treatable. You don’t need to suffer from the severe and bothersome pain associated with these issues. Whether you have pain due to poor posture, trauma, poor circulation or something else, you can soon have relief. All you need to do is contact us today to have one of our licensed physical therapists do a comprehensive, non-invasive examination. After that, we will likely be able to pinpoint the root cause of your neck pain or headaches, treat it and teach you how to prevent it from returning. Call Progressive Physical Therapy today to get started on the road to recovery.

 

Overcoming Hip and Knee Pain  

Situated at opposite ends of the femur bone, the hip and the knee joints are two of the most important parts of the human body. The hip’s ball and socket structure allows the leg to have a greater range of motion, while the configuration of ligaments within the knee help support the tremendous weight of the upper body. They are marvels of evolution, and key factors in providing humans with the ability to run long distances with greater efficiency.

 

While the knees and hips are critical aspects of human physiology, they can be prone to injury and damage. Aging can diminish bone density, leading to a greater likelihood of breakage within the hip joint, while intense physical activity like soccer or running can cause knee pain or ligament damage. Thankfully, however, there are ways to overcome both hip and knee pain, and help you return to your daily activities.

 

Rest

 

If you find that you are experiencing pain in your joints or knees, the first step towards recovery is in getting adequate rest. This is especially true if the pain is the result of an acute injury sustained while exercising. Resting will ensure that no additional damage is done to the joint, and that the body can begin the process of healing any tissue damage that may have occurred. While resting, be sure to elevate your injured leg if possible; it will help to minimize inflammation, and also reduce your time on healing.

 

Ice Compressions

 

Ice is an excellent, natural way to help reduce both pain and inflammation. Since hip and knee pain are often the result of some kind of structural damage, there is very often some associated swelling that occurs. This swelling is the body beginning the process of healing the damaged tissue by flooding the injury site with various types of cells. However, although swelling is a natural part of the healing process, it can also cause discomfort. Put an ice compress on the injury for twenty minutes, and then removing it for twenty can help reduce swelling and numb the joint. Although the pain relief may only be temporary, the minimizing of inflammation will speed up the healing process.

 

Regular Stretching

 

During the excitement of exercise, stretching has the tendency to be tossed by the wayside. Those who live an active lifestyle often spend so much time on the go, that stretching can seem like a waste of time. This couldn’t be further from the truth, as stretching is a great way to minimize injury of all the joints. Proper, frequent stretching is critical to ensuring that both your muscles and joints are at their very best.

 

Should you find that your knee and hip pain is persisting beyond these simple tips, then it is important to schedule a consultation with your doctor. Chronic hip and knee pain can be indicative of more serious underlying disorders, and communicating effectively with your doctor and physical therapist is a great way to make sure that your body is performing to its potential. Contact at Seymour, Columbus & Greensburg, IN Progressive Physical Therapy today and speak to our physical therapists!

 

https://www.medicinenet.com/knee_pain_facts/article.htm

 

https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/knee-pain/

 

https://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/causes-of-severe-knee-pain-leading-to-knee-replacement

 

Is Your Back or Neck Pain from a Herniated Disc?

When it comes to going about your day, few things will disrupt your normal, daily routine like a sudden jolt of back pain. Often, this pain can seemingly appear out of nowhere, rendering once easy tasks like tying your shoes nearly impossible without intense pain in the neck or back. While the localized pain may make it relatively simple to know just where it hurts, determining whether or not it’s a herniated disc is a somewhat more difficult process.

 

Situated medially within the body, the vertebral column is one of the most important skeletal formations in humans. Known more commonly as the “spine,” the column is made up of 33 individual bones of various sizes, each of a different size and shape. Beginning with the cervical region and ending with the coccyx, the curved spine is what allows you to stand upright, twist and bend, all while protecting the spinal cord. In order to provide maximum support and prevent the vertebra from rubbing against each other, each piece of bone is separated from the others by a thin disc. These discs provide shock support, and are vital to proper spinal function.

 

Unfortunately, like any other part of the body, portions of the vertebral column can become damaged over time or through certain activities. When one of the discs located between the vertebra becomes damaged, a portion of it may “bulge” out between the spinal column and into a nearby bundle of nerves. This, in turn, causes immense pain and discomfort.

 

Although a herniated disc can sometimes feel like typical back pain, there are several important symptoms to watch out for. Knowing what differentiates a herniated disc from a similar injury will enable you to seek out the proper treatment and minimize your discomfort.

 

Due to the location of discs throughout the spinal column, the location of pain and the type of symptoms can vary based on the nerves effected. For example, if pain is accompanied by tingling, weakness in the back or neck, or numbness, it may be indicative of a herniated disc. For herniated discs in the lower lumbar region, this feeling of numbness and weakness can extend far beyond the back or neck, and it is not uncommon for these symptoms to appear in the buttocks, leg or even the foot. Injuries in the upper region of the lumbar spine are often characterized by pain in the groin or front of the thigh.

 

Herniated discs within the neck can cause pain in the shoulders, arms and even hands. Like the lower back, it’s not unusual to experience a tingling or numb sensation to go along with the pain. Often, an injury of this type is due to poor posture while standing or seated.

 

Having a herniated disc can put an immediate stop to many of your favorite activities or important tasks. If you think you may be suffering from the symptoms of a herniated disc, please contact us at Seymour, Columbus & Greensburg, IN for a consultation and set yourself on the path for relief.

https://www.mayfieldclinic.com/PE-AnatSpine.htm

 

https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/herniated-disc/whats-a-herniated-disc-pinched-nerve-bulging-disc

 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/herniated-disk/expert-answers/bulging-disk/faq-20058428

 

Where Is Your Pain Coming From?

No matter your age, aches and pains can take the joy out of life’s activities. Whether it’s sore knees after taking a job, or a stiff back while getting out of bed, determining the true cause of the pain can seem frustrating if not impossible. Since pain is the body’s response to a wide variety of stimuli, it is important to pay careful consideration to a variety of factors. By listening to your body, and making sure not to aggravate it further, you can determine where your pain is coming from.

 

How Long Have You Been In Pain?

 

When it comes to diagnosing your pain, it is helpful to categorize it into two different categories: acute and chronic. Acute pain is often characterized by its short duration and sudden onset. Typically considered to be any pain that lasts less than three months, it can be the result of an injury or other traumatic event. Acute pain will also generally resolve itself as the tissues begin to heal over time.

 

Chronic pain, on the other hand, can persist for years. When this type of pain is caused by damaged bodily tissue, it is called nociceptive pain. It is commonly associated with pain due to tumors or by the blockage of an organ. Neuropathic pain is the result of damage to the nerves themselves. It often feels heavy, or as if the location of the pain is burning or numb.

 

Is the Pain Localized?

 

The next step in determining the cause of your pain is by pinpointing its location. Where and over what percentage of your body feels the discomfort can provide pivotal clues in the identification of its root cause. Pain felt over a large swath of the body is likely due to a muscle strain or inflammation. This is usually the result of an injury sustained during physical activity, such as weightlifting or playing a sport. If the pain can be pinpointed to a specific location on the body, it can be due to nerve damage or a simple bruise.

 

It’s important to note, that although back pain is often a sign of muscle injury or herniated discs, its location can also signify a larger issue with bodily organs such as the kidneys. If your pain is associated with other symptoms such as blood in the urine or facial swelling due to fluid retention, see a doctor immediately in order to assess the cause.

 

When is the Pain at Its Worst?

 

Not all pain is uniform. A muscle bruise will experience its greatest amount of pain when under duress, while lower back pain may not be present unless sitting or standing in a specific way. With regards to the latter, pain that is the worst upon waking up and is accompanied by a numbness or tingling down the leg is very likely due to an inflammation of the sciatic nerve. If the pain appears after prolonged periods of standing and walking, it can be attributed to muscle fatigue along the spinal column.

 

Treatment

 

Extreme pain can leave you feeling like things will never get better. Fortunately, there is hope. Contact us at Seymour, Columbus & Greensburg, IN centers for a consultation today, and begin your journey on the road to recovery.

 

https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/chronic-pain-11/types-pain

 

https://www.medtronicneuro.com.au/chronic_pain_commontypes.html

 

https://www.medicinenet.com/kidney_pain/article.htm