Vim & Vigor - Winter 2012 - Parrish Medical Center - (Page 40)

Ready for the good news? Most aches and pains are easily treated and often don’t require much more than a little TLC. But that doesn’t mean you get to sit on the couch and watch TV. As a matter of fact, the less you move, the more pain you’re likely to have. Indeed, staying active will help the pain fade faster—and keep it from coming back. Add in nonsurgical treatments like over-the-counter or prescription medications, physical therapy and posture training, and you likely will be back to normal in no time. Here’s a look at what could be behind that pain in your back. your recovery. If the pain doesn’t go away in 48 hours, make an appointment with your doctor, Rao suggests. Once you feel better, work to strengthen your back and abdominal muscles to avoid future strains. HERNIATED DISK OVERACTIVITY SYMPTOMS: Lower-back pain that can range from achy to stabbing, accompanied by stiffness and limited range of motion. WHAT’S HAPPENING: You’re probably familiar with this type of backache—the most common source of back pain. “Tightness or fatigue in the muscles can result from overworking, poor posture or unusual activities for that person,” Rao says. “The muscles are reacting to the changes and protesting by causing pain in the lower back.” Have you started a new exercise routine? Or maybe you spent the day shoveling snow for the ﬁrst time this winter. Overactivity is likely the culprit. WHAT’S NEXT: While you can expect the pain to settle down in a few days, it’s important to maintain some level of activity in the meantime. Mild exercise will speed up SYMPTOMS: Sharp leg or hip pain, or both, usually relegated to one side of the body; may include back pain and numbness. WHAT’S HAPPENING: Think of the intervertebral disks in your spine as jelly-ﬁlled shock absorbers that sit between each of your vertebrae. A herniated disk occurs when the intervertebral disk’s gooey center pushes against the hard outer ring that houses it, putting pressure on nearby nerves, which can lead to numbness. When the nerves that serve a particular body part are affected, you likely will lose feeling in that area or experience a tingling sensation. So what makes the disk bulge in the ﬁrst place? Certain movements, including lifting, bending, twisting or pulling. It is most common in the lower back and is also known as a slipped disk. WHAT’S NEXT: Avoid strenuous activity and talk to your doctor about what medication might help. While most people respond well to this treatment and can return to normal activities, some may need steroid injections or surgery. SYMPTOMS: Stiffness and pain in the neck or lower back, especially when getting up in the morning or after sitting for long periods; weakness, tingling or numbness in the arms and legs. WHAT’S HAPPENING: Many forms of arthritis cause back pain. The most likely culprit is osteoarthritis, which can also lead to spinal stenosis, causing ARTHRITIS

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Winter 2012 - Parrish Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2012 - Parrish Medical Center
Contents
Tasty Tips
Opening Thoughts
Community Calendar
Cook Like a Pro
Living Well with Lymphedema
Because I Said So!
What’s Wrong with This Picture?
The Future Is Now
Everyday Hero
What Does 200 Calories Look Like?
Johnny Be Good
What Does 200 Calories Look Like?
We’ve Got Your Back
Bank on Your Health
Virtual Health
Community Health
Healthy Journey
Fit to Fight Fires
Foundation Focus
Ask the Expert

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2012 - Parrish Medical Center