Sports Injuries - "How Bad Is It?" - "Should I Get It Checked Out?" (Concierge Physical Therapy NYC) ​Were you recently playing organized sports - or a weekend league - where you "pulled something" or "felt something pop?"... ​And, you want to know "How bad is it?", Or, you'll ask us, "Should I get it checked out?"...

​Below, is an easy classification of different Muscle Injuries, describing different levels of severity, and when you should get it checked out by a Doctor of Physical Therapy.

(By the way, we do offer Diagnostic Ultrasound to see inside you muscles, tendons, and ligaments, to see if you tore something or not.  More on that below.)

Common Sports Injuries In New York City:

- Hamstring Strain,
- Ankle Sprain ("Rolled my ankle"),
- Calf or Achilles Strain,
- Knee Pain,
- Knee Joint Sprain ("Felt a pop in my knee"),
​- Oblique Strain,
- Shoulder Pain,
- Lower Back Strain,
- and, more.

Over-Exertion Related Disorder:

1a. Fatigue Induced Muscle Disorder

Definition:
- Increased muscle tone due to overexertion

Symptom: 
- Aching muscle firmness,
- Increased firmness with continued activity,
- Pain at rest or with gentle movement,

Clinical signs:
- Dull, diffuse, tolerable pain,
- Client says "muscle tightness",

Location: 
- involvement of the entire muscle,

Diagnostic Ultrasound Imaging/MRI:
- Negative.

1b. Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)

Definition: 
- General muscle soreness, discomfort, or pain,
- After unaccustomed movements,

Symptoms:
- Discomfort starting 24-48 hours after lifting weights or activity,
- Acute inflammation pain,
- Pain or moderate discomfort at rest,

Clinical Signs:
- Swelling or muscle fullness,
- Muscle stiffness or tightness,
- Less range of motion,
- Pain or discomfort when using these muscle groups,

Location:
- Entire muscle or muscle group,

Diagnostic Ultrasound Imaging/MRI:
- Negative or only swelling seen.

Neuromuscular Disorder

2a. Spine-Related Muscle Disorder

Definition: 
- Increased muscle tone due to spinal or lumbo-pelvic disorder,
 
Symptom:
- Aching firmness,
- Increasing with continued activity,
- No pain at rest,

Clinical Signs:
- Increased muscle tone or muscle tension,
- Less often or no signs of swelling around spine or legs,
- Skin sensitivity to touch or contact (sitting back into chair or when lying down),
- Defensive reaction to stretching legs or extending one or both legs

Location: 
- Muscle bundle or larger muscle groups,

Diagnostic Ultrasound Imaging/MRI:
- Negative or swelling only.

2b. Muscle-Related Neuromuscular Disorder

Definition:
- Area of increased muscle tone across multiple muscles or muscle groups,

Symptom:
- Aching,
- Gradual muscle firmness and tone,
- Cramp-like pain or discomfort,

Clinical Signs:
- Increased muscle tone or muscle tension,
- Some swelling may be seen or felt,
- Stretching leads to relief,

Location: 
- Mostly entire length of the muscle or multiple muscles,

Diagnostic Ultrasound Imaging/MRI:
- Negative or swelling only.

Minor Partial Muscle Tear

3a. Minor Partial Muscle Tear

​Definition: 
- Tear with a maximum diameter of less than half of the muscle/tendon/fascial bundle,

Symptom:
- Sharp, needle-like or stabbing pain,
- Athletes often report feeling a "snap" or "pop",

Clinical Signs:
- Well defined localized pain (you can point right to the area),
- Probably palpable defect in fiber structure within the muscle or tendon,
- Stretch induced pain and aggravation,

Location:
- Typically the muscle-tendon junction (not the "belly" of the muscle",

Diagnostic Ultrasound Imaging/MRI:
- Positive for more minimal up to moderate muscle-tendon junction,

3b. Moderate Partial Muscle Tear

​Definition:
- Tear with a diameter greater than a fascicle/bundle,

Symptom:
- Stabbing, sharp pain,
- Noticeable tearing at time of injury,
- Athletes and clients report feeling a "snap" followed by a specific localized pain,

Clinical Signs:
- Well defined localized pain,
- Palpable defect in muscle/tendon structure,
- Often a hematoma (as in a "bump"),
- Stretch results in pain aggravation,

Location:
- Typically at the muscle-tendon junction,

Diagnostic Ultrasound Imaging/MRI:
- Positive for moderate muscle-tendon junction disruption and may also show retraction (separation or muscle/tendon "pulled away from its origin").

4. (Sub)Total Muscle Tear / Tendinitis Avulsion

​Definition:
- Tear involving the subtotal/complete muscle diameter/tendinous injury involving the bone-tendon junction,

Symptom:
- Dull pain at time of injury,
- Noticeable tearing,
- Athletes and clients often report feeling a "snap,"

Clinical Signs:
- Large defect in the muscle
- Hematoma ("bump" and/or swelling),
- Palpable gap (you press your finger into this site and feel a separation or opening of the muscle),
- Pain with movement,

Location: 
- Mostly at the muscle-tendon junction.

Diagnostic Ultrasound Imaging/MRI: 
- Positive subtotal/complete discontinuity of muscle/tendon.

How Do You Improve Your Sleep Quality?

Every week, our clients ask us questions about the best, natural ways on how they can improve their sleep. When someone has sleep disturbances, it's usually : - How to fall asleep, ​ - How to stay asleep for a full night's sleep.

These 2 areas can be big challenge.

But, once one or both of them are improved...

You should start feeling more refreshed and alert when you wake up in the morning.

Plus, you may feel less fatigue throughout the day, including the late afternoon.

Now, here's the...

7 Ways To Improve Your Sleep Quality:

1.) Reduce blue light 1-2 hours before bed (computer light and smartphone screen light).

2.) Avoid watching TV and movies in bed.

3.) Keep your bedroom at a cool temperature (65-67 degrees is optimal for your brain, lungs, and nervous system).

4.) Avoid vigorous exercise late in the evening. It may time for your heart rate to relax and return to a normal range, which could interfere with relaxing sleep and recovery.

5.) Go to bed and wake up at consistent times.  Your brain and body will appreciate a normal sleeping schedule.

6.) Get a new mattress every 10-15 years, and get a new pillow every 3-5 years.

7.) As soon as your wake up, expose yourself to bright lights in your bedroom or natural sunlight out your window.

Plus, consider these...

​BONUS Tips For Better Sleep:

- **Sleep position does not really matter that much. It is okay to sleep on your stomach faced down, as long as you alternate sleeping with your head turned to the left and then other nights where it's turned to the right.

- When was the last time your bedroom has been dusted with a moist cloth?

- When was the last time your bedroom floor was vacuumed (carpet) or wet wipe/Swiffer (hardwood)?

- Consider air flow such as a gentle fan.

- When was the last time your air conditioner vent was cleaned or replaced?

- When was the last time you got a new mattress or pillow?

- Does your pillow support your neck so that when side lying, your spine is straight?

- Consider nose strips to improve nasal breathing by slightly opening up your nostrils a little more.

- Consider wearing an eye mask. It can be relaxing and assist in keeping you in deep REM sleep.

- Consider using "white noise" via an app or YouTube (with your device plugged into power) to drown out any outside noise such as cars or sirens.

Did you find this helpful?

If after trying some of these tips and strategies, do you still have sleep issues that is resulting in fatigue?

Call us anytime, 24/7, at (646)-781-8884 if you're looking for professional help with your sleep, or if you're looking for "physical therapy near me" which could include convenient home visits or treatment visits at your office workplace.

"I Have Back Pain, and My Doctor Told Me To Stop Deadlifting.  What Should I Do?..."

First thing's first...

There is a big difference between a physician/orthopedist and a doctor of physical therapy.

Many physicians and orthopedists will tell their patients to stop deadlifting if it has resulted in lower back pain, sciatica, or hip pain.

But, what if you want to keep lifting weights, deadlifting, or get back to CrossFit pain-free?

That's where physical therapists step in.

Nowadays, many physical therapists (doctors of PT) are the provider of choice to get you back to fitness, deadlifting, and CrossFit...

And, they do it with a natural, holistic treatment approach.

We usually describe this as a "game plan."

This is very different from seeing a physician, primary care doctor, or an orthopedist.

Because they will tell you to "Stop deadlifting"...

Or, "Stop CrossFit."

Our doctors of physical therapy will find a way to have you return to the workouts and lifts that you love.

We truly believe that there should be more fitness in healthcare,

So, it does NOT make sense to stop deadlifting.

Often times your deadlifting form may simply need to be corrected or modified.

Other times, you may require hands on joint mobilization treatments or soft tissue treatments,

That take pressure off certain joints,

Or, that lengthen tight and restricted muscles or tendons,

But, the hands on treatment techniques are always followed up by:

- Drills,
- Movements, or
- Exercises...

For:

- Muscle activation,
- Pain relief,
- Blood flow and circulation to facilitate healing,
- Additional joint mobilization,
- Increasing range of motion and, 
- Increasing flexibility.

Are you experiencing pain with deadlifting?

Are you dealing with back pain or joint pain from CrossFit?

Feel free to reach out to us.

Call us anytime, 24/7, at (646)-781-8884.

Steroid Injections Increase Joint Pain and Cartilage Loss in Knee Arthritis (Research Confirms Natural Physical Therapy)

When people have ongoing knee pain, they often believe that they "need a shot."  Or, they think that a steroid injection is the only treatment that will help them.  But, with more and more research, scientists have found that this should be a last resort after natural knee physical therapy treatment is attempted with one or more physical therapists.

This research study below has found that steroid (corticosteroid) injections do not treat knee inflammation, but instead actually can erode the vital cartilage inside of your knee joint, leading to continued or chronic knee pain. 

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2626573

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/880072?fbclid=IwAR05ho9GTFP7yrdIq7XLbS5UxzUJwQ-tY9xHdht5sqRG8WbnOO20ewsHjrQ

If you are dealing with knee pain and you go see a physician such as an orthopedist, they may suggest a steroid injection in your knee. 

But, this may be "old-thinking" and it can actually be a worse long-term decision in the overall health of your knee joints.

You see, the cartilage inside of your knee joints are your natural shock absorbers for when you are standing, walking, going down stairs, jogging, running -- and specifically when jumping, cutting side to side, and playing active sports. 

Therefore, it would be in everyone's best interest to avoid steroid injections unless you have already tried one or more physical therapists, massage therapists, acupuncturists, etc.

Because, most of the time, one of those professionals will be able to ease or fix your knee pain altogether...

Without having to be exposed to invasive injections that can "fast-forward" a loss of cartilage.

Furthermore, for people who have had one or more steroid injection, their loss of cartilage will result in even more pain than if they had not taken a steroid injection.

Since our knee joint cartilage is a cushion and shock absorber, having less of such cartilage will result in more "wear and tear" inside the knee joint, when compared to no history of steroid injections.

Now, it has been researched and documented for years that steroid injections have also been tied to more tendon tears (and ruptures) such as achilles tendon (calf) tears.

But, that is referring to soft tissue (tendons and muscles), and this blog post is referring to joint cartilage.

So, what this means is that steroid injections are not meant to be the first line treatment for joint pains, aches, or injuries.

Steroid injections should only be used when natural, conservative, hands-on treatment have not relieved your pain.

Unfortunately, many people are either firmly pushed by their orthopedists to let them give you a "steroid shot" (injection), when they know that you have not fully tried or completed conservative knee treatment.

Meaning, many of these physicians would make sure that their own kids first try conservative treatment, such as physical therapy, before they would give their children a steroid injection! 

And, typically the only explanation of why they would strongly suggest a steroid injection before conservative treatment is because of financial incentives in their practice or hospital system.

We're in a fee-for-service healthcare medical model, so the more treatment procedures completed, the more financial gain.

Even if it's out of order that is supported by years of research and clinical trials, where the clinical decision-making should go from most conservative treatment to more invasive treatment....

Your knee pain or injury treatment should not start with an invasive steroid injection, and then you get referred to conservative physical therapy.

Do you see how that is out of order from least invasive to more invasive?

By the way, you have full control of your health and wellness, plus in nearly every state, including the state of New York, you have "Direct Access."

Direct access means that you can self-refer yourself to any physical therapy practice.  We do not require a referral or prescription. 

You can do your own research, look at Google reviews, and physical therapy websites near you -- so that you can make the best decision about your knee pain treatment and your overall health.

This also includes other knee situations you might be dealing with, such as:

- Water on the Knee,
- Knee buckling,
- Instability or a wobbly knee, 
- Pain around your knee cap,
- Knee clicking,
- Knee popping or cracking.

If you've found this blog post to be helpful, we'd love to hear from you.

Post your thoughts here or submit your comment in the form below.

Additionally, if you have topics or questions you'd like us to write about, feel free to share those suggestions as well.

11 Benefits of At-Home Physical Therapy (Concierge PT in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens):

1.) Convenient. Seen in the comfort of your home apartment,

2.)  Time-saving and efficient for your schedule,

3.)  For busy professionals who don't have time for a PT office,

4.)  No wasted time commuting to a PT clinic office,

5.)  For seniors who want to stay independent at home,

6.)  No waitlist (get started right away),

7.)  No referral/prescription needed (Direct Access, NY State law),

8.)  Get one-on-one hands on manual therapy,

9.)  Treated by a Doctor of Physical Therapy,

10.)  We find the root cause of your issue, and fix it.

11.)  Focused on your results. (Improvement felt right away).

Plus, we're trusted by elite hedge funds, top physicians, executives, CEOs, healthcare administrators, lawyers, accountants, entrepreneurs, weekend warriors, and savvy seniors.

Now, in our private, confidential, and exclusive treatment experience, we have 2 common types of clientele:

✔️  Busy professionals and business people, aged 40-75+, who are struggling with aches, pains, joint discomfort, or stress -- that is getting in their way of performing at the highest level.

✔️  Older New Yorkers and savvy seniors 65+ who either are or are not homebound, but regardless, that want to remain mobility, independent, and in control of their lives and in control of their own health and wellness decisions.  These clients tell us that they do not want to rely on their children or be a burden to their families. 

Do you fit into one of those two categories?

If so, then you're probably the right fit for Concierge Pain Relief - Home Physical Therapy.

Call us any time, 24/7, at (646)-781-8884.

Aging In Place - New York City Home Care

"Aging In Place" has many definitions by many people.

But, basically, it means an older individual who wishes to stay in their home or apartment for the rest of their lives,

Rather than moving into and living in a:

- Nursing home,
- Retirement home or community, 
- Long-term care facility.

The one thing that the Covid-19 pandemic has confirmed is that:

More and More Older Adults Want To Stay in Control of Their Care Decisions, and Live in a Familiar, Comfortable Space (Their Home).

Older adults want to remain independent as long as possible,

And, they want to do so with integrity.

These are many of the things that our older clients have told us "word for word."

Once this is established and understood,

The next step is ensuring the home/apartment is suitable for safe living for your loved one.

For example, when we conduct our first phone consultation or complete the first home visit,

Our team members may list out a few suggestions, such as:

1.) Removing loose rugs that could be a fall risk.

2.) Improving overhead room lighting to assist your loved one's vision to navigate the home space safely, while preventing falls or injuries.

Those are just 2 simple suggestions to start with.

However, we know it's important to begin this process slowly...

So, that your loved one or your spouse does get upset that we're creating too many changes to their home.

Ultimately, there will be changes to the home/apartment, but we strive to slowly and calmly communicate why we have suggested such changes or additions to the home.

At the same time, any or all changes will typically be focused around improving your loved one's ability to safely live and age in the home that they love.

Does that make sense?

Now, we have healthcare providers that are experienced in evaluating, treating, and caring for older adults who are living with:

- Alzheimer's Disease,
- Dementia,
- Lewy Body Dementia,
- Mixed Dementia,
- Parkinson's Disease - Parkinson's Rehabilitation
- Multiple Sclerosis, 
- Cerebral Palsy,
- Stroke (CVA, Cerebral Vascular Accident - Stroke Rehab)
​- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI),
- Post-Brain Tumor resection, 
- ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease),
- Long Covid or Post-Covid-19 Decondition
- Hydrocephalus.

Plus, we offer comprehensive and compassionate help with:

- Neurologic conditions,
- Memory Care,
- Natural Brain and Muscle Activation, 
- Fall Prevention,
- Gait Training,
- Balance Re-Training,
- Walking with cane or walker,

And, we do so in the comfort of your or your loved one's home or apartment.

Further more, we have experienced specialists and compassionate professionals to assist in any situation, including but not limited to:

- Doctors of Physical Therapy (In-Home Physical Therapy),
- Private Nurses (Concierge Nursing),
- Home Health Aides,
- Care Companions,
- Concierge Physical Therapy.

Do you have any questions about how we're different? 

Or, would you like to review our testimonials and success stories of older New Yorkers who we've helped recently?

​Call us any time, 24/7, at (646)-781-8884.

Pain Treatment, Pain Science, and Your Health & Wellness

Pain can start when your muscles need to be stronger,

Or, when soft tissues (muscles, tendons, etc.) need to have more tolerance to meet the demand you are placing upon them.

Pain is also influenced by our:

- Stress Levels,

- Nutrition,

- Sleep,

- Recovery Habits,

- Mood, and, 

- General Lifestyle.

We are Doctors of Physical Therapy ("Movement Doctors") and Movement Experts... 

And, we are here to help you understand your aches and pains,

Plus, we're here to help you create a game-plan to overcome it.

Now, we come to you and offer convenient and exclusive In-Home Treatment.

Does that sound like something that you would be interested in?

Call us any time, 24/7,  at (646)-781-8884.
​

Common Conditions, Diagnoses, and Offerings with our In-Home Physical Therapy and Longevity Programs (NYC):

Learn more below about the...
Top 3 Exercises for Herniated Discs and Sciatica

#1. "Prone Prop" - If you believe you have a Herniated Disc, or if you have been diagnosed with a Disc Bulge or a Disc Herniation, or if you are experiencing Sciatica (pain, numbness, or tingling running down the back side of your leg)... the first movement or home exercise you should try is the Prone Prop.  This position or exercise starts with you lying face down on your stomach and then slowly and gently propping yourself up onto your elbows.  You will then be supporting yourself on your elbows and forearms.  During our In-Home Physical Therapy house call visits, we have our clients hold this position for 2 minutes, if tolerable.  Why this position?  Because the spine requires extension (backward bending or arching backward) when there is a Herniated Disc.  Therefore, stage 1 of reversal of your Herniated Disc is to try to reintroduce backward arching in your lower back (lumbar spine).  

The prone prop position should not increase your pain, numbness, or tingling going down the back side of your leg.  If that happens, then stop immediately as you are not yet ready for this position.  A regression to the Prone Prop is lying face down on a medium sized pillow.  

It's best to perform this on a firm carpeted floor or on a yoga mat.  However, if you are unable to comfortably and safely get to the floor due to severe lower back pain or sciatica, then you can start this position on your bed. 

Overall, with this approach, we are moving the herniated disc forward and away from the back side where it compresses the nerve.  Once you decompress the nerve, it starts to relieve the pain or numbness or tingling symptoms.  It's just like "unkinking" a garden hose this is kinked.  Once the kink in the hose is opened up, then the water will normally flow through.  Therefore, we are looking to see these lower leg or foot symptoms start to ease up in the lower leg and return back towards the lower back.  This process is called Centralization and that is exactly what we want to have happen in order to progress towards a proper recovery and getting our clients back to returning to their sport or favorite activity without any symptoms, and without pain medications, injections, or risky surgery. 

​The next exercise is...

#2. "Press-Up On Stomach" - This exercise is a prone press up from the stomach position.  Start with your hands down on the carpeted floor in a traditional push up position where your hands are about shoulder width apart.  Keep your legs and waist relaxed and flat on the carpeted floor/yoga mat/treatment table, while pressing up your upper body and straightening out your elbows.  Hold that for a second or two, and then slowly lower down.  At the peak of the movement, hold it for 1-5 seconds.  The hold position doesn't need to be held long at all.  The value is actually in the repetitive backward bending movement (lumbar extension) of your lower back (lumbar spine).  Perform this movement 20-30 times and then reassess your symptoms.  If you can't go up all the way due to pain or stiffness or arm weakness, then just do what you can.   

This exercise is right for you if you have symptoms down into your lower leg or foot, and these symptoms start to decrease and feel less intense in your lower leg.  If that happens, that is good progress and you can continue performing this exercise. 

Finally, the 3rd and final top exercise for Herniated Discs and Sciatica is...

xc cc c c #3. "Standing Back Bend" - For people who sit at a computer and work all day long, this is a great exercise or movement that they can do to reverse prolonged sitting and ease lower back pain and stiffness.  Place your hands on your lower back, and gently arch backward or bend backward.  You only need to hold the end range of your back bend for 1-5 seconds.  The hold position doesn't need to be held long at all.  The value is actually in the repetitive backward bending movement (lumbar extension) of your lower back (lumbar spine).  Perform this movement 20-30 times and then recheck how you feel.  Did it ease any pain or did it improve your stiffness?  

For someone older who is afraid to arch themselves backward, especially if they have a recent history of falling or dizziness, they can perform a modification.  For the modification position, stand facing a wall, place both hands on the wall directly in front of you.  Keeping your elbows straight and locked out, bring your waistline/hips/pelvis toward the wall (taking your belly button towards the wall in front of you).  This will create the same lower back arching (lumbar extension) that we are looking to fix your Herniated Disc and Sciatica.

Starting from the lowest effort and least aggressive (#1 above) and progressing into more movement (#2) and then eventually into a standing position (#3), those 3 exercises are our:

Top 3 Exercises for Herniated Discs and Sciatica

If any of them increase your symptoms, then stop immediately and contact your doctor of physical therapy.

Did any of them help you?

Do you have any questions about the exercises?

Would it make sense to consider convenient home physical therapy where a doctor of PT travels to you?

Feel free to fill out the form below if you'd like to briefly describe your situation and be contacted by one of our Lower Back Pain and Sciatica Specialists.

Can You Heal a Herniated Disc?

When we are talking about a herniated disc (or bulging disc)... if you took a hundred people without back pain and they all got an MRI, about 80% of those people would have a bulging disc or a disc herniation on their MRI imaging report.  But, why don't they have pain?  

Another question is - How does a herniated disc work and what can I do about it?

The graphic image here shows 2 bones and these bones are vertebrae in your lower back (lumbar spine).  The top bone is L4 and the bottom bone is L5.  In between L4 and L5 is your disc.  The disc is made of dynamic material that allows you to move around and also helps as a cushion and shock absorber.  

Running right down through this is your spinal cord.  In between each level of bone vertebrae, there is a space (exit hole called a foramen) where a nerve root and nerve passes from the spinal cord through this space.  As you can see in the image here, the disc is next to this exit hole space where the nerve passes from the spinal cord and out of the back area.  

The middle part of your disc is a jelly-like core called the nucleus pulposus, while the outer area is softer, spongier, and a toothpaste-like consistency that allow our spines to bend, twist, and move in most directions. The very outer layer of the disc is a network of collagen fibers like a wicker weave. These fibers are termed the annulus fibrosus.  

How does a normal disc get injured and become a disc herniation?
First, what happens is you just get a little disc bulge. The disc pushes out the back and bulge out.  Very rarely will this cause pain.  

If it progresses further, the next level is a disc herniation.  And, that's where the fibers actually start to tear and the disc material, that toothpaste-like substance begins to push out through those fibers.  So, you're getting even more pressure of the edge of the herniated disc putting pressure on the nerve.  

As this happens, with more disc pressure on the nerve, it can send sharp shooting pain down the back side of your leg (as well as numbness or tingling or a burning sensation).  

For most people with a true disc herniation and nothing else going on, when they bend forward, the pain will stop them in their tracks... they may have trouble breathing (like being caught by surprise)... And, regarding their sharp, shooting pain down the back of their leg - they'll be able to trace it along the back of their leg.  They will be able to show and describe a specific and particular path of the sharp shooting pain going down the back side of the leg. That's called sciatica.  

So, a herniated disc is a major cause of lower back pain, as well as a cause of sciatica.  Therefore, what we want to do is move that disc material forward and off the nerve.  This process is called decompression, which basically is "unkinking a kinked garden hose."

Now, can a herniated disc heal?

From our experience in our practice, Concierge Pain Relief, and also what the research shows is "Yes" - it is possible to heal a herniated disc. 

For some odd reason, many New Yorkers do not believe that it's possible.  But, it is possible.  It just takes a little bit of work and a little bit of know-how, but it's very possible.  

Now, to reverse and fix a herniated disc, we perform hands-on manual therapy, comfortable spinal mobilizations, and other pain-free techniques or decompression drills and exercises.  When we do so, one of the common things we will instruct our patients and clients to do is showing them a back bend (arching backwards).  What this is doing is that it's pushing all of that material forward which allows us to:

1.) Take pressure off the nerve,
2.) Allow these structures to heal.

What the person usually will experience is less and less sharp, shooting pain in the leg.  That's great, and that's positive progress! 

If this person came to us with pain and numbness from their lower back pain down to their calf or foot... after receiving corrective manual therapy and treatment, they will typically describe that they may be feeling less symptoms in their lower leg/feet, but that it's in their buttocks/hip or just their lower back area.  Again, that is positive progress.  

We suggest to trust the process and continue with this form of rehabilitation and treatment approach.  Regarding the positive progress above - we call that centralization.  

Centralization is exactly what we've looking for.  (The opposite is peripheralization, which was what happened when you first developed those symptoms going down the back side of your leg.). 

When a person is experiencing less and less symptoms in their lower leg or less symptoms in the hamstring area, then that means you are in the process of taking pressure off of the nerve. That is what confirms that someone has a herniated disc, and that their herniated disc is treatable, resolvable, and fixable by our Doctors of Physical Therapy. 

And, these people do have hope.  They do have hope of healing and naturally resolving this condition, without pain medications, injections, or risky surgery. 

If you are experiencing lower back pain and/or sharp, shooting pain or symptoms going down the back side of your leg, then does it make sense to contact us and speak with one of specialists?

Feel free to call us 24/7 at (646)-781-8884 or complete the brief form below to tell us about your condition.