The Spine
Physical therapy for the spine is a specialized approach aimed at improving mobility, relieving pain, and promoting overall spinal health. This treatment typically involves a combination of exercises, manual therapy, postural education, and ergonomic training tailored to address various conditions affecting the spine, such as herniated discs, scoliosis, or chronic lower back pain. By focusing on strengthening core muscles, improving flexibility, and enhancing posture, physical therapy helps to restore function and prevent further injury. This non-invasive treatment approach is often an integral part of a comprehensive plan for spinal rehabilitation, assisting patients in managing symptoms, reducing the need for surgery, and improving quality of life.
Neck/Cervical
Physical therapy for cervical (neck) pain is a targeted treatment designed to alleviate discomfort, restore movement, and prevent future issues in the neck and upper back. This approach typically includes a combination of exercises, manual therapy, posture correction, and education about proper ergonomics. By strengthening the muscles surrounding the cervical spine, improving flexibility, and addressing misalignments or muscle imbalances, physical therapy can reduce pain caused by conditions like cervical strains, herniated discs, and degenerative disc disease. The goal is to relieve pressure on the nerves, improve range of motion, and enhance overall spinal health, ultimately helping patients return to their daily activities with less pain and more function.
Disc Problems of the Neck
Spinal disks are rubbery pads between the vertebrae. Vertebrae are the specialized bones that make up the spinal column. In children, they are gel- or fluid-filled sacs, but begin to solidify as part of the normal aging process. By early adulthood, the blood supply to the disk has stopped, the soft inner material has begun to harden, and the disk is less elastic. By middle age, the disks are tough and quite unyielding, with the consistency of a piece of hard rubber. These age-related changes make the outer protective lining weaker and the disks more prone to injury.
Damage to a disc can be caused all at once by a specific injury, or over time with repeated strain or forces placed on the disc due to poor posture or weak core muscles. Disc material can weaken and “bulge” outward and, if the bulge moves far enough, can press on the nerves that exit the spine. This can result in pain near the spine, but it may also radiate down into the extremities.
Initially, a Physical Therapist at West Park Rehab can perform several physical tests during an examination that will give insight as to which disc might be putting pressure on a nerve. While these are good tests, there is another that can better identify the exact location of the pressure with nearly 90% accuracy. That test, called an EMG/NCS (electromyography and nerve conduction study), is now being performed at West Park Rehab in Franklin.
An EMG/NCS uses a probe to send an electrical impulse down a nerve, then measures its speed of travel. This is like a police radar gun, which clocks the speed of a moving vehicle. Another probe is used to assess what happens to that electrical impulse once it reaches a muscle. This portion of the test can show if the compressed nerve problem is new/mild or if it is chronic/severe. With this information, your doctor can provide much more specific recommendations for treatment.
Correctly diagnosing where the nerve problem is coming from is important. Knowing the severity of the problem will help in deciding how to best treat it. A mild problem can often be easily fixed with specific stretches and Physical Therapy treatments. More severe problems may require a consultation with another health care specialist. Either way, knowing where the problem is truly coming from will help speed your recovery.
Don’t let this kind of physical problem go on without getting the help you need. And in many cases, you do not need a referral to start physical therapy.
Arthritis of the Neck
Arthritis in the spine involves the bones called vertebrae and is often referred to as spondylitis (spon-dill-itis). The points on the vertebrae that connect with other vertebrae are called facet joints, which stick out like arched wings on either side of the rear part of the vertebrae. These facet joints help guide movement, such as bending or twisting. When these joints become damaged or wear down, they can put pressure on nerves that exit the spinal cord and ultimately cause pain, numbness and/or weakness to emerge in the extremities. Breakdown or arthritis of facet joints can be caused all at once by a specific injury, or over time with repeated strain or forces placed on the facet joints due to poor posture or weak core muscles.
A Physical Therapist at West Park Rehab can perform several physical tests during an examination that will give insight as to which disc might be putting pressure on a nerve. While these are good tests, there is another that can better identify the exact location of the pressure with nearly 90% accuracy. That test, called an EMG/NCS (electromyography and nerve conduction study), is now being performed at West Park Rehab in Franklin.
An EMG/NCS uses a probe to send an electrical impulse down a nerve, then measures its speed of travel. This is like a police radar gun, which clocks the speed of a moving vehicle. Another probe is used to assess what happens to that electrical impulse once it reaches a muscle. This portion of the test can show if the compressed nerve problem is new/mild or chronic/severe. With this information, your doctor can provide much more specific recommendations for treatment.
Correctly diagnosing where the nerve problem is coming from is important. Knowing the severity of the problem will help in deciding how to best treat it. A mild problem can often be easily fixed with specific stretches and Physical Therapy treatments. More severe problems may require a consultation with another health care specialist. Either way, knowing where the problem is truly coming from will help speed your recovery. Click for more information on EMG/NCS testing at West Park Rehab.
Don’t let this kind of physical problem go on without getting the help you need. And in many cases, you do not need a referral to start physical therapy.
Neck Post-Surgical
Surgery on the spine is reserved for conditions that cannot be managed with conservative measures like Physical Therapy, activity modification, medications, or injections. But if surgery of the spine becomes necessary, it is important to have a specialist help you recover. Sometimes, surgery results in a state of ‘deconditioning”, and endurance is greatly impaired. This can make it difficult for some patients to perform necessary tasks, or even care for themselves. In any of these situations, the patient needs help to regain function so they can return to the necessary activities of their daily life or work.
A physical evaluation performed by a skilled Physical Therapist at West Park Rehab can help identify post-surgical impairments. The Physical Therapist will work closely with your surgeon to ensure that you can safely recover and return to your highest level of function. Don’t leave your recovery to chance.
Request an appointment for a Physical Therapy evaluation at West Park Rehab and get the help you need.
Neck Nerve Problems
Nerve problems can be caused by injury, inflammation, or pressure from compression. This often results in numbness, tingling, burning, weakness, or loss of coordination. Nerves are long structures and travel from the spine to the ends of our hands and feet. In many cases, a nerve problem is a treatable condition. However, you must correctly identify the source of the problem to provide the right treatment.
A Physical Therapist at West Park Rehab can perform a variety of physical tests during an examination that will give insight as to where the pinched nerve might be located. While these are good tests, there is one that can better identify the exact location of the pressure with nearly 90% accuracy. That test, called an EMG/NCS (electromyography and nerve conduction study), is now being performed at West Park Rehab in Franklin.
An EMG/NCS uses a probe to send an electrical impulse down a nerve, then measures its speed of travel. This is like a police radar gun, which clocks the speed of a moving vehicle. Another probe is used to assess what happens to that electrical impulse once it reaches a muscle. This portion of the test can show if the compressed nerve problem is new/mild or chronic/severe. With this information, your doctor can provide much more specific recommendations for treatment.
Correctly diagnosing where the nerve problem is coming from is important. Knowing the severity of the problem will help in deciding how to best treat it. A mild problem can often be easily fixed with specific stretches and Physical Therapy treatments. More severe problems may require a consultation with another health care specialist. Either way, knowing where the problem is truly coming from will help speed your recovery. Click for more information on EMG/NCS testing at West Park Rehab.
Mid Back/Thoracic
Physical therapy for thoracic (mid-back) pain focuses on relieving discomfort, improving mobility, and addressing the underlying causes of pain in the middle portion of the spine. The treatment typically includes a combination of strengthening exercises, stretching, manual therapy, and postural correction to target the muscles and joints that support the thoracic spine. This approach helps to alleviate pain caused by muscle imbalances, poor posture, herniated discs, or rib dysfunctions. Physical therapy for thoracic pain works to improve flexibility, restore proper spinal alignment, and enhance overall function, allowing individuals to reduce their pain, prevent further injury, and return to their normal activities with better posture and spinal health
Disc Problems of the Middle Back
Spinal disks are rubbery pads between the vertebrae. Vertebrae are the specialized bones that make up the spinal column. In children, they are gel- or fluid-filled sacs, but begin to solidify as part of the normal aging process. By early adulthood, the blood supply to the disk has stopped, the soft inner material has begun to harden, and the disk is less elastic. By middle age, the disks are tough and quite unyielding, with the consistency of a piece of hard rubber. These age-related changes make the outer protective lining weaker and the disks more prone to injury.
Damage to a disc can be caused all at once by a specific injury, or over time with repeated strain or forces placed on the disc due to poor posture or weak core muscles. Disc material can weaken and “bulge” outward and, if the bulge moves far enough, can press on the nerves that exit the spine. This can result in pain near the spine, but it may also radiate down into the extremities.
Initially, a Physical Therapist at West Park Rehab can perform several physical tests during an examination that will give insight as to which disc might be putting pressure on a nerve. While these are good tests, there is another that can better identify the exact location of the pressure with nearly 90% accuracy. That test, called an EMG/NCS (electromyography and nerve conduction study), is now being performed at West Park Rehab in Franklin.
An EMG/NCS uses a probe to send an electrical impulse down a nerve, then measures its speed of travel. This is like a police radar gun, which clocks the speed of a moving vehicle. Another probe is used to assess what happens to that electrical impulse once it reaches a muscle. This portion of the test can show if the compressed nerve problem is new/mild or if it is chronic/severe. With this information, your doctor can provide much more specific recommendations for treatment.
Correctly diagnosing where the nerve problem is coming from is important. Knowing the severity of the problem will help in deciding how to best treat it. A mild problem can often be easily fixed with specific stretches and Physical Therapy treatments. More severe problems may require a consultation with another health care specialist. Either way, knowing where the problem is truly coming from will help speed your recovery.
Don’t let this kind of physical problem go on without getting the help you need. And in many cases, you do not need a referral to start physical therapy.
Arthritis in the Middle Back
Arthritis in the spine involves the bones called vertebrae and is often referred to as spondylitis (spon-dill-itis). The points on the vertebrae that connect with other vertebrae are called facet joints, which stick out like arched wings on either side of the rear part of the vertebrae. These facet joints help guide movement, such as bending or twisting. When these joints become damaged or wear down, they can put pressure on nerves that exit the spinal cord and ultimately cause pain, numbness and/or weakness to emerge in the extremities. Breakdown or arthritis of facet joints can be caused all at once by a specific injury, or over time with repeated strain or forces placed on the facet joints due to poor posture or weak core muscles.
A Physical Therapist at West Park Rehab can perform several physical tests during an examination that will give insight as to which disc might be putting pressure on a nerve. While these are good tests, there is another that can better identify the exact location of the pressure with nearly 90% accuracy. That test, called an EMG/NCS (electromyography and nerve conduction study), is now being performed at West Park Rehab in Franklin.
An EMG/NCS uses a probe to send an electrical impulse down a nerve, then measures its speed of travel. This is like a police radar gun, which clocks the speed of a moving vehicle. Another probe is used to assess what happens to that electrical impulse once it reaches a muscle. This portion of the test can show if the compressed nerve problem is new/mild or chronic/severe. With this information, your doctor can provide much more specific recommendations for treatment.
Correctly diagnosing where the nerve problem is coming from is important. Knowing the severity of the problem will help in deciding how to best treat it. A mild problem can often be easily fixed with specific stretches and Physical Therapy treatments. More severe problems may require a consultation with another health care specialist. Either way, knowing where the problem is truly coming from will help speed your recovery. Click for more information on EMG/NCS testing at West Park Rehab.
Don’t let this kind of physical problem go on without getting the help you need. And in many cases, you do not need a referral to start physical therapy.
Mid Back Post-Surgical
Surgery on the spine is reserved for conditions that cannot be managed with conservative measures like Physical Therapy, activity modification, medications, or injections. But if surgery of the spine becomes necessary, it is important to have a specialist help you recover. Sometimes, surgery results in a state of ‘deconditioning”, and endurance is greatly impaired. This can make it difficult for some patients to perform necessary tasks, or even care for themselves. In any of these situations, the patient needs help to regain function so they can return to the necessary activities of their daily life or work.
A physical evaluation performed by a skilled Physical Therapist at West Park Rehab can help identify post-surgical impairments. The Physical Therapist will work closely with your surgeon to ensure that you can safely recover and return to your highest level of function. Don’t leave your recovery to chance.
Request an appointment for a Physical Therapy evaluation at West Park Rehab and get the help you need.
Mid Back Nerve Problems
Nerve problems can be caused by injury, inflammation, or pressure from compression. This often results in numbness, tingling, burning, weakness, or loss of coordination. Nerves are long structures and travel from the spine to the ends of our hands and feet. In many cases, a nerve problem is a treatable condition. However, you must correctly identify the source of the problem to provide the right treatment.
A Physical Therapist at West Park Rehab can perform a variety of physical tests during an examination that will give insight as to where the pinched nerve might be located. While these are good tests, there is one that can better identify the exact location of the pressure with nearly 90% accuracy. That test, called an EMG/NCS (electromyography and nerve conduction study), is now being performed at West Park Rehab in Franklin.
An EMG/NCS uses a probe to send an electrical impulse down a nerve, then measures its speed of travel. This is like a police radar gun, which clocks the speed of a moving vehicle. Another probe is used to assess what happens to that electrical impulse once it reaches a muscle. This portion of the test can show if the compressed nerve problem is new/mild or chronic/severe. With this information, your doctor can provide much more specific recommendations for treatment.
Correctly diagnosing where the nerve problem is coming from is important. Knowing the severity of the problem will help in deciding how to best treat it. A mild problem can often be easily fixed with specific stretches and Physical Therapy treatments. More severe problems may require a consultation with another health care specialist. Either way, knowing where the problem is truly coming from will help speed your recovery. Click for more information on EMG/NCS testing at West Park Rehab.
Low Back/Lumbar
Physical therapy for lumbar (lower back) pain is designed to reduce pain, improve function, and prevent future injuries in the lower back. Treatment typically includes a combination of exercises to strengthen the core and lower back muscles, improve flexibility, and promote better posture. Techniques such as manual therapy, joint mobilizations, and heat or cold therapy may also be used to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. Education on body mechanics and ergonomics is crucial to prevent strain and injury during daily activities. Physical therapy helps to address the root causes of lumbar pain, whether from poor posture, muscle imbalances, disc issues, or other conditions, allowing individuals to regain strength, mobility, and a higher quality of life.
Disc Problems of the Low Back
Spinal disks are rubbery pads between the vertebrae. Vertebrae are the specialized bones that make up the spinal column. In children, they are gel- or fluid-filled sacs, but begin to solidify as part of the normal aging process. By early adulthood, the blood supply to the disk has stopped, the soft inner material has begun to harden, and the disk is less elastic. By middle age, the disks are tough and quite unyielding, with the consistency of a piece of hard rubber. These age-related changes make the outer protective lining weaker and the disks more prone to injury.
Damage to a disc can be caused all at once by a specific injury, or over time with repeated strain or forces placed on the disc due to poor posture or weak core muscles. Disc material can weaken and “bulge” outward and, if the bulge moves far enough, can press on the nerves that exit the spine. This can result in pain near the spine, but it may also radiate down into the extremities.
When one of these disks bulges or breaks, it can push on a nerve. When it’s the sciatic nerve, pain runs from the buttock down one leg. This is sciatica.
Initially, a Physical Therapist at West Park Rehab can perform several physical tests during an examination that will give insight as to which disc might be putting pressure on a nerve. While these are good tests, there is another that can better identify the exact location of the pressure with nearly 90% accuracy. That test, called an EMG/NCS (electromyography and nerve conduction study), is now being performed at West Park Rehab in Franklin.
An EMG/NCS uses a probe to send an electrical impulse down a nerve, then measures its speed of travel. This is like a police radar gun, which clocks the speed of a moving vehicle. Another probe is used to assess what happens to that electrical impulse once it reaches a muscle. This portion of the test can show if the compressed nerve problem is new/mild or if it is chronic/severe. With this information, your doctor can provide much more specific recommendations for treatment.
Correctly diagnosing where the nerve problem is coming from is important. Knowing the severity of the problem will help in deciding how to best treat it. A mild problem can often be easily fixed with specific stretches and Physical Therapy treatments. More severe problems may require a consultation with another health care specialist. Either way, knowing where the problem is truly coming from will help speed your recovery.
Don’t let this kind of physical problem go on without getting the help you need. And in many cases, you do not need a referral to start physical therapy.
Arthritis in the Lower Back
Arthritis in the spine involves the bones called vertebrae and is often referred to as spondylitis (spon-dill-itis). The points on the vertebrae that connect with other vertebrae are called facet joints, which stick out like arched wings on either side of the rear part of the vertebrae. These facet joints help guide movement, such as bending or twisting. When these joints become damaged or wear down, they can put pressure on nerves that exit the spinal cord and ultimately cause pain, numbness and/or weakness to emerge in the extremities. Breakdown or arthritis of facet joints can be caused all at once by a specific injury, or over time with repeated strain or forces placed on the facet joints due to poor posture or weak core muscles.
A Physical Therapist at West Park Rehab can perform several physical tests during an examination that will give insight as to which disc might be putting pressure on a nerve. While these are good tests, there is another that can better identify the exact location of the pressure with nearly 90% accuracy. That test, called an EMG/NCS (electromyography and nerve conduction study), is now being performed at West Park Rehab in Franklin.
An EMG/NCS uses a probe to send an electrical impulse down a nerve, then measures its speed of travel. This is like a police radar gun, which clocks the speed of a moving vehicle. Another probe is used to assess what happens to that electrical impulse once it reaches a muscle. This portion of the test can show if the compressed nerve problem is new/mild or chronic/severe. With this information, your doctor can provide much more specific recommendations for treatment.
Correctly diagnosing where the nerve problem is coming from is important. Knowing the severity of the problem will help in deciding how to best treat it. A mild problem can often be easily fixed with specific stretches and Physical Therapy treatments. More severe problems may require a consultation with another health care specialist. Either way, knowing where the problem is truly coming from will help speed your recovery. Click for more information on EMG/NCS testing at West Park Rehab.
Don’t let this kind of physical problem go on without getting the help you need. And in many cases, you do not need a referral to start physical therapy.
Low Back Post-Surgical
Surgery on the spine is reserved for conditions that cannot be managed with conservative measures like Physical Therapy, activity modification, medications, or injections. But if surgery of the spine becomes necessary, it is important to have a specialist help you recover. Sometimes, surgery results in a state of ‘deconditioning”, and endurance is greatly impaired. This can make it difficult for some patients to perform necessary tasks, or even care for themselves. In any of these situations, the patient needs help to regain function so they can return to the necessary activities of their daily life or work.
A physical evaluation performed by a skilled Physical Therapist at West Park Rehab can help identify post-surgical impairments. The Physical Therapist will work closely with your surgeon to ensure that you can safely recover and return to your highest level of function. Don’t leave your recovery to chance.
Request an appointment for a Physical Therapy evaluation at West Park Rehab and get the help you need.
Low Back Nerve Problems
Nerve problems can be caused by injury, inflammation, or pressure from compression. This often results in numbness, tingling, burning, weakness, or loss of coordination. Nerves are long structures and travel from the spine to the ends of our hands and feet. In many cases, a nerve problem is a treatable condition. However, you must correctly identify the source of the problem to provide the right treatment.
A Physical Therapist at West Park Rehab can perform a variety of physical tests during an examination that will give insight as to where the pinched nerve might be located. While these are good tests, there is one that can better identify the exact location of the pressure with nearly 90% accuracy. That test, called an EMG/NCS (electromyography and nerve conduction study), is now being performed at West Park Rehab in Franklin.
An EMG/NCS uses a probe to send an electrical impulse down a nerve, then measures its speed of travel. This is like a police radar gun, which clocks the speed of a moving vehicle. Another probe is used to assess what happens to that electrical impulse once it reaches a muscle. This portion of the test can show if the compressed nerve problem is new/mild or chronic/severe. With this information, your doctor can provide much more specific recommendations for treatment.
Correctly diagnosing where the nerve problem is coming from is important. Knowing the severity of the problem will help in deciding how to best treat it. A mild problem can often be easily fixed with specific stretches and Physical Therapy treatments. More severe problems may require a consultation with another health care specialist. Either way, knowing where the problem is truly coming from will help speed your recovery. Click for more information on EMG/NCS testing at West Park Rehab.