Injections: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Remember how you used to be terrified of needles as a child? How thinking about the glinting needles probably helped you forget you were sick at all? Yes, we all know that feeling and remember it well. So, what changed? As we grew up, became braver, and started listening to our bodies a little less, our distrust of needles seems to have dwindled. Now, we run to the doctor for all manner of injections, and while vitamin B shots and flu jabs are at the lower risk end of the spectrum, many injections pose a very large, very scary risk to our health and wellbeing. Why, then, do we do subject ourselves to the needle-point? For many of us the answer is simple: we live with pain and just cannot do it anymore. Injections, on the advice of our doctors, promise a pain-free life with little to no wait. Injections don’t need marketing – they market themselves; if we’re in pain, we’ll do anything. The truth is, though, none of the side effects get discussed much, and all too often the advantages of shots are blown out of proportion. The truth is, not only do injections fail to produce any sort of permanent pain-free lifestyle, they go hand-in-hand with a whole bunch of negative aftereffects, some short term and others, sadly, long-term. If you’re reading this and thinking injections may be your only option, don’t fear – we’re here to spill the beans on shots, their consequences, and what other safe, long-term solutions you have at your disposal instead! 

So, let’s talk about what injections really do and what you need to know before getting them. Firstly, injections are designed to allow chemicals to enter your bloodstream rapidly, thereby enabling pain-relief. The problem with this is that the injections themselves just cannot target the root source of the problem – they may be able to mask it for a while, at a push for a few months, perhaps, but they cannot eradicate it. Thus, the pain will always return. 

And not only that. While the injections may serve a short-term purpose, they nevertheless set the tone for more dangerous issues to arise. For example, while you might not feel pain shortly after the injection – and you may be on Cloud 9 at this point– the reality is that you may actually be exacerbating the issue further, thereby ensuring that the discomfort returns tenfold once the effects of the injections wear off. In addition, the chemicals/painkillers being injected severely affect your health in many instances. Not only can they be addictive, but by they may actually affect your metabolism, muscle health, and immune system, consequently inviting numerous other health problems to become part of your life. 

In fact, to illustrate this point clearly, I want you to think of a specific area you may be injected in. This could be your calf or shoulder, for example. Once the needle enters your bloodstream, the physical area in which it was inserted is obviously disrupted and damaged. Yet, what does the actual syringe solution do to the tissues? In some instances, it may break them down, damage muscle function, and even cause blood-related problems. Moreover, if the injection is aimed at your cartilage, it may actually facilitate breakdown of the cartilage itself! Yikes. All-in-all, over time the pain and discomfort you’re dealing with will get a whole lot worse. And if all that’s only in one specific area, imagine what injections are doing to the other parts of your body? 

Is the short-lived pay-off worth that kind of risk? We don’t think so.

If we’re being honest, the attraction of injections lies in the fact that they promise a quick solution to a problem that is consuming your daily joy. Your family time has been disrupted, you’re not able to do the activities you love, and you’re struggling to put on a brave face. Of course an injection sounds like the perfect thing, right? We understand. It’s really, really difficult to live with pain, and it’s equally as hard to stop and think about long-term negative effects when you’re currently dealing with something that’s stealing your happiness. 

What we’re asking you, though, is to stop and think about the ultimate goal. If it is to permanently get rid of the pain and to maintain a pain-free, happy life, then injections simply aren’t the answer. The longer you continue down the syringe-filled path, the harder it will be to get back. 

The good news is, though, there is a way to avoid the needle… physical therapy. In fact, physical therapy is so much more than a simple alternative to injections… it makes the half-empty promises of shots seem paltry compared to it. Why? Because physical therapy gives you the ability to eradicate your pain safely, effectively, and permanently, so that you can access the pain-free life you deserve. 

How? Well, a qualified physical therapist is able to diagnose and treat the root cause of the problem, thereby ensuring that your pain is eradicated rather than just being masked. What makes physical therapy so powerful is that it not only rids you of your pain, but helps you maintain that pain free life! With tailor-made exercises and stretches to accompany your physical therapy sessions, you’ll be equipped with the tools to stave off injury and pain for the long haul! And not only that, but, unlike injections, physical therapy has absolutely no negative side effects: what you’ll get is your joy, family time, social life, and mobility. And no pain!

If you’re currently considering taking injections, or you’ve already started down that path, then we urge you contact us today. We want to help you reach your goals safely, effectively, and with no negative health effects. Living with constant pain is an unbearable burden; we want to give you permanent relief from your afflictions. Forget short-term solutions, veiled promises, and short-lived results: physical therapy will help you live the life you dream of living, permanently. Call us today to chat – we’re looking forward to hearing from you.

Headaches: What To Do When You Just Can’t Get Rid of Them

Headaches can strike at any time – without invite or warning – and if you’re anything like the majority of people out there, they can often affect your mood, energy levels, and general wellbeing. For some, though, headaches can be more than a passing inconvenience, with pain and discomfort lasting for a much longer time than expected despite pain meds, rest, and other treatments. The truth is, the cause of these ‘everlasting’ headaches can sometimes be traced back to an increased intake of caffeine, general dehydration, and oftentimes posture. And yet, it can be easier said than done when it comes to treating them on your own, even if you do know the likely cause. In this post, then, we lend a helping hand with a few tips as to how to treat headaches that just won’t go away; we want to show you how you can get a pain free life back, right now. 

Headaches have a unique way of blindsiding us as we do our shopping, take a walk around the park, or grab some water from the cooler at work. The fact is, we just never know when we might experience the throbbing, aching sensations associated with them. Thankfully, though, there are ways of mitigating both their frequency and strength, and, as we’re about to show you, headaches don’t need to be feared. 

The first port of call when it comes to treating existing headaches and staving off potential future ones is to work on your posture. Why? Well, your posture has a lot to do with how much stress is placed on your muscles, and that includes those muscles in your back and neck. When those particular muscles are strained or overcompensate on one side of your body – as when you carry your handbag or backpack over one shoulder – they may become tight and cause a domino effect leading to ongoing headaches. Therefore, the best way to tackle your headaches may well be to start with stretches and exercises that support the back and neck muscles. Strengthening those muscles, as well as your core muscles, via walking, cycling, swimming, or jogging, will set you on the right track. Keep your body supple and flexible and you’ll be amazed at how infrequent your headaches become. 

Next in line is addressing your fluid intake. Not only is drinking enough water critical for the optimum function of your muscles, tissues, and organs, but a lack of aqua actually leaves you vulnerable to disease, viruses, and yes… headaches. Why is that? Well, nutrients and vitamins are often water soluble, meaning a lack of water results in an inadequate uptake of essential nutrients. Headaches can be the result of low electrolyte levels, high blood pressure, and even just increased sugar levels in the blood; drinking enough water and minerals facilitates the healthy maintenance of your blood circulatory system and thereby halts headaches in their tracks. Remember, pain is always an indication that there is an underlying issue – drink enough water to ‘rinse’ toxins from your body. Try drinking close to 2.5L a day, though aim for more if you’re exercising or training. 

And on that note… limit your stress! You hear this daily, I’m sure, but stress contributes directly to your headaches. The more you stress, the more strain is placed on your muscles, overall body function, and brain health. Headaches function as the body’s alarm system when it comes to stress. So, if you’re not sleeping, not eating well, not moving enough, and not taking time out of your crazy schedule to relax, then it’s time to make a change. Relax your body, relax your mind, and say goodbye to headaches!

Having given you this advice, we understand that dealing with headaches can be daunting – especially if you’ve lived with their debilitating effects for a long period of time. Headaches, migraines, and everything in between can have a negative effect on your overall quality of life, and we want to help. You’d never have imagined that physical therapy could target headaches, did you? Well, it can, and not only that, it’s one of the most effective treatments for them. How? Well, your headaches may in fact be the cause of something entirely unexpected – from muscle pain, to stress, to improper posture – and physical therapy helps you find and treat the root cause of the problem. Unlike painkillers or massages, physical therapy doesn’t just treat the pain… it treats the cause. And once the cause is treated, the headaches will dissipate. 

The fact is, physical therapy also equips you with the tools needed to reprogram your daily activities. From how much water to drink, what stretches to do, how to sit, stand, drive, and walk, and even how to hold your phone or the book you’re reading, physical therapy can teach you all of that. For a qualified, professional, hands-on physical therapist, treating headaches isn’t just about getting rid of the pain, it’s about setting you up for a lifelong journey of health and longevity in order to prevent that pain from returning in the first place. 

If you’re not sure about where to start when it comes to treating your headaches, or if you’re worried, anxious, or have been defeated by daily, debilitating pain, then we invite you to chat to one of our friendly physical therapists, right now. It’s time that you get the answers you need in order to make the changes necessary for a life free of pain. Don’t allow headaches to underscore important activities in your life – take charge and start living free of pain that won’t seem to go away.

Your Guide to Stress Management

Stress can be a killer: from making you lose sleep, to raising your blood pressure and alienating loved ones, it can have a massive impact on not only your mental wellbeing, but your physical health, too. Stress places pressure on your heart, tightens your muscles and causes you to lose flexibility and mobility over time, too; stress can literally rob you of your independence in many ways. This post comes at a time where each and every one of us – globally – has had to deal with more stress overall, and juggling the COVID-19 pandemic, financial pressure, and trying to maintain our physical health, has been taking a serious toll. In this post, then, we offer you some guidelines for dealing with stress – we hope these tips will promote a better, relaxed lifestyle, a healthier body, and a happier you. Follow along and try your best to implement them throughout your day. Here we go! 

Exercise Matters!

I think you knew this might be the first tip, right? Stress and exercise are just not compatible – they are a bit like water and oil. As we get stressed, our bodies don’t produce as much endorphins or serotonin as they normally would. Hormone production is relegated to other parts of the body in order to deal with the stress in a bid to deploy crises management strategies. When we exercise, though, we facilitate the production of endorphins and serotonin, thereby lifting our moods and allowing us to tackle stress in a renewed and healthful way. Going for a nice walk, jog, or gym work-out can do wonders in terms of flipping the script on stress – give it a go… after reading the rest of this post, of course!

Cutting down on Caffeine

You might not have wanted to see this one, here… but, it’s true. Caffeine can cause our stress levels to sore, as sadly, it increases anxiety and tension. In fact, your morning Java may be doing you more harm than good because, in addition to increasing anxiety, caffeine disrupts sleep patterns, thereby increasing stress further. Cutting down on caffeine intake by drinking more herbal teas is a good place to start.  

Water for the Win

On that note, stress thrives on dehydration. Drinking enough water throughout your day is vital in maintaining both a healthy mind and body. Water lubricates your muscles, feeds the brain, and gives you a feeling of health and wellbeing that other drinks simply can’t give. Yes, there is water in your coffee, tea, and orange juice, but there is also unwanted sugar, caffeine, and preservatives. Keep it clean and fuel your body with wholesome fluids.

Looking After your Mind and Body: Self-Care

We live in a world that seems to have been spun off of its center: from pandemics, to protests, to technology, to wars, things can seem all but too much. So, self-care is incredibly important. We need to take time to assess our lifestyle choices and our situations – doing so will not only introduce a sense of control, but will also give us serenity in stressful situations. Why not try meditating or doing some Yoga, for example? Step away from the screens, make a nice cup of tea, and take to a mat. While you may not be a Tibetan yogi, taking some time to put a little incense on, listen to some calming music, and concentrate on nothing but your body, is a powerful way of centering yourself and reigning in those stressful thoughts. You can meditate while walking or running, too. If that’s not for you, though, try doing something you love a few times a week; maybe you like to read, go to spas, take long baths, or bake – just make sure you prioritize that time for yourself, as doing so will give you the resilience to tackle the outside stresses. 

Breathe Correctly

Isn’t it odd how such an instinctual mechanism can actually contribute greatly to the level of stress you experience? Breathing is essential in maintaining a healthy, happy, stress-free you. Most of us breathe from our chests, thereby resulting in flat breathing… which doesn’t necessarily circulate oxygen as successfully as it ought to. If we focus on breathing from our diagrams, however, oxygen is more readily available and our blood oxygen levels increase significantly. The result? You feel healthier, more energetic, and you certainly feel more capable of dealing with external pressures that cause stress. Breathing techniques can be learned – all that you need is an open mind and willingness to learn! Start taking some deeper breaths, right now! 

So, there you have it: some powerful tips for overcoming the stress in your life. It’s not easy, though, and we understand that. But, we also know that keeping on top of stress is a necessary step in maintaining health and wellbeing, both mentally and physically. 

If you are unsure of where to start, you feel overwhelmed, or feel the negative physical/mental effects of chronic stress in your life, please contact us. Though you may not have known this, qualified, professional physical therapists can help you relieve your stress. In addition, if an existing injury is in and of itself causing you stress, please reach out. Our physical therapists can help relieve your pain, ease muscle tension teach and guide you through invaluable, tailor-made techniques for avoiding the stresses you encounter on a daily basis, can offer you the tools to help you stave off stress in the future, and can even help you with your breathing! So, please, contact as today – you are not alone and we are here to help.

We really want you to be healthy, happy, and stress free. The tips we went over in this post should act as guidelines for your life – get out there and do some exercise, drink enough water, moderate technology use, and make sure you give yourself time to unwind. Stay healthy and happy!

The Hidden Causes of Sciatica

As a physical therapist, I can honestly say that there are few words as frequently said in my field as ‘sciatica’. So, then, isn’t it odd how such an every-day ailment can be so shrouded in mystery for most people? In fact, do you really know what it is? Sciatica is actually one of the most common forms of back, leg, and hip pain around, and yet it remains incomprehensible to many. So, as an early holidays present, I wanted to take this opportunity to talk about what sciatica is, what some of the hidden causes of this affliction may be, and how it can be treated. Ready? Let’s jump in!

Sciatica is a very painful condition associated with pain stemming from the sciatic nerve. As one of the most prominent nerves in the lower back, pressure placed on the sciatic nerve is responsible for a myriad of issues related to back, hip, leg, and knee pain. The nerve itself runs from the lower back through the pelvis and down into both legs. It can affect the entire lower body and can cause incredible discomfort and disruption to daily life: a burning, radiating pain can stretch down the leg, into the buttocks, and through into the lower back, thereby causing such discomfort that even walking may be a strain. At times, it can even feel like a stab down the leg! Yet, thankfully, we can aim to avoid this discomfort by understanding it a bit better. Let’s take a look at some of the ways the sciatic nerve can be affected and then, happily, how to avoid them!

A few causes of sciatica:

Spinal Problems

Unfortunately, sciatica may be related to spinal issues such as slipped discs or the like. Sometimes, sciatica can be caused by extra pressure being placed on spinal discs, thereby causing the nerve to become irritated or ‘pinched’. If this is you, all hope isn’t lost, so please keep reading. 

A Poor Sleeping Position

If you sleep on your back or stomach, you may be on your way to developing sciatica. Sleeping in these positions places undue pressure on the sciatic nerve, thereby causing irritation and discomfort. It’s far better to sleep on your side with a pillow placed between your knees – this will align your spine and ensure that the sciatic nerve isn’t pulled downward. 

Poor Core Strength

Nope, I’m not talking about a six pack! Core strength refers to the ability of the muscles in your torso to provide adequate support to your spine. Without this support, your spine would be exposed to untold danger. In addition, if the core muscles aren’t strong enough, the sciatic nerve strains under the pressure of the spine. Why? There is nothing for it to hold onto! So, start doing some yoga or Pilates – these are good ways to start strengthening your core muscles.

Obesity

As I mentioned, sciatica is caused by pressure being placed on the nerve and thereby irritating it. It stands to reason, then, that obesity exacerbates sciatica. The more weight is carried by the spine, the greater chance of nerve irritation and pressure. So, though losing weight may seem like an uphill battle, it can be done: eat mostly vegetables, be sure to watch your sugar intake, keep hydrated and… stay active.  

Prolonged Sitting

Immobility is by far the leading cause of sciatica. If the back isn’t stretched and moved, then the muscles stiffen and pressure is placed on the sciatic nerve. In addition, sitting in one position for prolonged periods of time may lead to overcompensation in the muscles, thereby placing more pressure on one side of the body than the other: this may often lead to sciatic issues down the road. The answer? Get up, stretch, and get outside!

There are, in fact, more causes for sciatica. These include, but are not limited to, osteoporosis, age related spinal defects, smoking, low activity levels, and poor posture. However, for all intents and purposes, it’s important to understand that sciatica can happen to anyone, and the pain that it presents is definitely not a walk in the park.

Happily, there is a way to overcome sciatica. And no, I don’t mean with painkillers or injections – if anything, these types of ‘solutions’ offer nothing more than a temporary reprieve and are potential health hazards. It’s far better to turn to physical therapy, as a physical therapist will not only treat the root cause of the problem, thereby giving you permanent pain relief, but will also equip you with the tools to maintain a pain free life at home. In addition, physical therapy will help you build the foundation for overcoming sciatica: from pointing you in the right direction when it comes to the causes outlined above, to showing you the correct posture you should adopt and how to manage everyday activities without placing pressure on the sciatic nerve. With tailor made stretches and routines, physical therapy is by far the safest and most effective route to take for lasting sciatica treatment.

It’s not easy to understand sciatica, but the good news is you’re not alone. We can help answer any questions you have – one of our hands-on, qualified physical therapists will be happy to allay your fears and get you started on your journey to the pain free life you deserve. 

With the holidays around the corner, and many new memories to be made, we hope that this post has helped you understand sciatica a little better. What’s more, we hope we’ve given you some real advice about how to tackle the possibly debilitating pain you’re suffering from on a daily basis. For more information and advice, please call us.  Happy holidays!