From Surgery to Strength: The Road...
Low back surgery can be a life-changing step toward relieving chronic pain and restoring mobility. But surgery alone isn’t the end of the journey—it’s the beginning of recovery. Physical therapy (PT) plays a critical role in the healing process, helping patients rebuild strength, reduce pain, and return to daily life safely and confidently. Here’s a look at how physical therapy supports recovery after back surgery, and what to expect along the way. Benefits of Physical Therapy After Low Back Surgery 1. Reduces Pain Naturally After surgery, you may experience muscle tightness, inflammation, and nerve sensitivity. Physical therapists use targeted techniques—such...
Break Free from Back Pain: How...
How Physical Therapy Can Alleviate Low Back Pain and Restore Function Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care. Whether it's due to prolonged sitting, poor posture, an injury, or a chronic condition, the discomfort can interfere with your ability to work, exercise, or even sleep. Fortunately, physical therapy offers a safe, non-invasive, and effective solution to address low back pain at its root. Reducing Pain Without Medication Physical therapists are trained to assess the mechanics of your spine and surrounding muscles. Through targeted manual therapy, stretching, and guided exercises, they help reduce inflammation...
When Scans Scare: The Hidden Cost...
The term "VOMIT" (Victim Of Medical Imaging Technology) aptly captures a concerning phenomenon in modern healthcare. Coined by British radiologist Richard Harrington, this acronym describes patients who suffer psychological distress or receive unnecessary treatments due to incidental findings on medical scans—findings that may have little clinical significance but create significant anxiety. For patients with lower back pain, the VOMIT effect can be particularly problematic. When an MRI reveals a bulging disc, degenerative changes, or other abnormalities, both patients and some practitioners may fixate on these visible "problems" as the definitive cause of pain. However, these findings often represent normal age-related...
Beyond the Image: Why Your MRI...
Lower back pain affects millions of people worldwide, prompting many to seek medical imaging such as MRIs and X-rays for answers. But what happens when these sophisticated technologies reveal "problems" that have nothing to do with the actual source of pain? This disconnect is more common than most patients realize. The human spine is remarkably complex, and imaging often reveals normal age-related changes that sound alarming when described in medical reports. Disc bulges, herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis are frequently spotted on scans of entirely pain-free individuals. In fact, research shows that about 30-40% of people in...
The Physical Therapist’s Playbook: 5 Core...
When it comes to conquering lower back pain, your core muscles are your body's natural support system. These muscles—including your abdominals, lower back, and pelvic floor—work together like an internal brace, stabilizing your spine and reducing strain on your vertebrae and discs. Physical therapists have long advocated for core strengthening as a frontline defense against back pain. Unlike pain medications that simply mask symptoms, proper core stability addresses the root cause of many back issues: insufficient support for the spine during everyday movements. Why Core Stabilization Works Your spine is designed to move, but it also needs protection. When core...
Trigger Point Dry Needling: A Targeted...
Low back pain affects millions of people worldwide, often interfering with daily activities and reducing quality of life. While many treatment options exist, trigger point dry needling (TDN) has emerged as an effective technique for addressing muscular components of low back pain. As a specialized physical therapy intervention, dry needling targets myofascial trigger points—those tight, painful knots in muscles that can refer pain to other areas. How Trigger Point Dry Needling Works Dry needling involves inserting thin, filiform needles into myofascial trigger points. Unlike acupuncture, which is based on traditional Chinese medicine principles of energy flow, dry needling is grounded...
Understanding Sciatica: Causes and Solutions
That shooting pain running from your lower back down through your leg isn't just "back pain" – it's likely sciatica, a common but often misunderstood condition affecting millions worldwide. Unlike generalized back discomfort, sciatica follows a specific path along your sciatic nerve, the body's longest and widest nerve that runs from your lower spine through your buttocks and down each leg. What Causes Sciatica? Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes compressed or irritated. The most common culprits include: Herniated or Bulging Discs: When the cushioning discs between vertebrae protrude and press against the nerve root. Spinal Stenosis: A narrowing...
Understanding and Addressing Lower Back Pain:...
Lower back pain is a common issue that many people encounter, especially as they age or engage in physically demanding activities. It can be alarming and disruptive for those experiencing it for the first time. It is vital to recognize and manage lower back pain early on to prevent it from becoming chronic. Lower back pain may manifest as a dull ache, a sharp stabbing sensation, or something in between. The pain might be localized to one side or spread across the lower back, often worsening after activities such as lifting, sitting for extended periods, or bending over. Ignoring these...
Conquering Low Back Pain: A Physical...
Maintaining proper posture throughout the day is one of the most important steps to addressing low back pain. It is important to keep your spine in a neutral position when seated, standing, or lying down. Maintain good posture when sitting by using a chair with good lumbar support, keeping your feet flat on the floor, and avoiding slouching. If you work at a desk, consider using a standing desk or taking frequent breaks to stretch and stand. Exercise plays a crucial role in both preventing and managing low back pain. Exercises should focus on strengthening the core muscles, including the...
Don’t Let Back Pain Wreck Your...
Today we highlight a client who has been with MOSS for several “rounds” of therapy for various conditions. She is extremely active and wants to stay that way. She also understands that physical therapy is a “contact sport” and you have to work hard to get your desired results. Her ultimate goal was to get back to gardening and yard work. Today I want to introduce you to Sandy. She is very sweet and is probably one of the most proactive patients I have. When Sandy discovers an issue that doesn’t seem to be going away she gives us a...
