Can Physical Therapy Help with Vertigo? 

If you experience vertigo, otherwise known as the sensation of filling that you or your environment is spinning, then you might have balance issues. So what can physical therapy in Bowie, MD do for you? Well, first let’s talk some more about vertigo.

People who experience vertigo often have the issue of feeling dizzy, or lightheaded. Vertigo and lightheadedness can have different causes and different treatments but often occur together. Vertigo can affect people of all ages but it is very rare among children and very common in adults over the age of 20. However after you’ve hit the age of 65 and over, balance problems along with vertigo are much more dangerous because older people have a lot more balance issues and are more fragile so if they fall it could really hurt them.

Physical therapy can help you manage vertigo and dizziness and help you live your life with a higher quality of life.

Oftentimes vertigo is caused by the vestibular system which is the inner part of your ear that is responsible for your balance. There are a number of conditions that can cause vertigo such as inner ear infections or disorders, migraines, tumors such as acoustic neuroma, surgery that removes or injures the ear or its nerves, a hole in the inner ear, and stroke. This is not a complete list of everything that can cause vertigo as it can have other causes.

Along with vertigo, you may also experience nausea, vomiting, sweating, abnormal eye movements, ringing in one or both ears, and difficulty walking because you are not able to balance.

The most common form of vertigo is a benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, BPPV is an inner ear problem that causes short periods of spinning when your head is moved in certain directions. Sometimes people have something called visual vertigo which is a dizzy or unsteady feeling in stimulating visual settings; which makes activities like walking and store aisles and driving in traffic hard.

Physical therapy and Bowie, MD like the ones available at the Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab can help you by evaluating what is causing your vertigo and creating a plan. This plan will be tailor-made to you, focusing on your goals as you live life with vertigo. Exact treatment is going to depend extremely on the type of vertigo and the cause.

Your physical therapist is going to help get you moving and manage the vertigo, and treatment is often going to include specialized head or neck movement that you will be taught to do. There will also be exercises to help get rid of your symptoms; and certain types of vertigo and conditions have very specific treatment plans.

If you still have issues after vertigo stops then your therapist can target these problems specifically because they were obviously not caused only by the vertigo. So if performing an activity or a chore at home causes you to become dizzy then your therapist is going to be able to teach you how to do them in a different way to reduce or stop the dizziness.

Back pain can signal many different things. It could be a herniated disc or muscle issues, or it could be the beginning stages of arthritis. No matter what, you need to get it checked out by a back pain doctor, like one from AmeriWell Clinics, as soon as possible. Often, the sooner you discover an issue, the more likely it will be resolved in a simpler way. There are many different causes of back pain, so you should not jump to conclusions and be overly concerned right off the bat. It will be important to get everything checked out by a professional to see how you need to move forward. Here are some of the most common treatments for back pain. 

Losing Weight Can Help Alleviate Back Pain

Carrying around excess weight can put a strain on joints and muscles. If you are overweight and experiencing back pain, it could be incredibly beneficial to get to a healthier weight to see if that helps reduce pain. Losing weight is not always easy, but it is worth it if you are able to eliminate the aches and pains in your back. 

Stretching and Strengthening Muscles Can Reduce Back Pain

Sometimes, tight muscles can cause back pain. They could be the actual muscles in the back, or in the surrounding area that are causing issues. A good back pain doctor will know what kind of stretches and exercises will help you, and what could potentially hurt you. This can be a good long term fix, as you will be able to do this “homework” every day, not just when you are able to see the doctor. 

Find Ways to Treat Your Pain

There are other tactics that can manage back pain as you strengthen and try to fix the anatomy of your back. Acupuncture, dry needling, heat therapy, and massage can all help alleviate pain in the back. Every person is different, which is why treatment needs to be as well. Some people may need muscle relaxers or other medications to help manage pain. This is all something to speak with your back pain doctor about. He or she will be able to give you advice for your specific needs and circumstances. What works for one person may not for another, but you can keep changing things until you and your doctor come up with a plan that works well for you.

Contact a Back Pain Doctor Today

Reach out to an experienced back pain doctor today to figure out the best protocol for you moving forward. The sooner you reach out, the faster you can begin to find relief. It is hard for anyone to be in pain, and back pain can be particularly difficult to deal with. Contact a back pain doctor right away so that you can manage your pain before it gets worse. He or she will come up with a plan tailor made to your specific issues and that will be the best option for your health. 

Can your chiropractor in Bowie MD provide relief from a pinched nerve? Pinched nerves were conditions that caused pinched nerves, a very common condition in a chiropractor’s office. Therefore many of the patients that see chiropractors often ask about ways to relieve their pain and whether chiropractors can help with that.

There are a lot of reasons why you might have a kink in your neck, or why your back may hurt or any part of your body. Chiropractors in Bowie, MD such as the ones available at Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab often have a lot of experience in dealing with and diagnosing various types of pain.

In case you do not know a pinched nerve is when tissue presses against your nerve. The pressure on this nerve, known as compression, causes pain signals to be sent to the brain. Bone, cartilage, muscle or tendon can press against a nerve and cause compression error.

Pinched nerves can be caused by a number of things, can be the result of a bone spur, it can be the result of a herniated disc or bulging disc, it can be the result of inflamed joints or something else. What is pinching a nerve will depend entirely on what part of your body the affected nerve is in.

When you have a pinched nerve you may experience a variety of pain and other symptoms; such as tingling, numbness, weakness, and sometimes you might feel pain in an area that is not affected by the nerve but is relaying the pain. For example, you might have a pinched nerve in her lower back and you might feel pain in your back, buttocks and down one leg.

Osteoarthritis can cause your joints to become enlarged and puts you at worse risk for bone spurs, age, posture, body mass and heredity also put you at risk for pinched nerves. Understanding where the affected nerve is helps a chiropractor in Bowie, MD determine the best course of treatment for that specific nerve and they will know how to reduce the pressure.

Chiropractors provide safe and effective treatments for pension nerve pain, and decompression therapy can help to relieve pressure from herniated discs and further help you to ease pinched nerve pain. Your chiropractor may also suggest massage therapy, cryotherapy, and it may offer you exercises to strengthen the muscles in the area so that it is less likely to pinched nerves repeatedly.

If you think you have a pinched nerve you should consult with your chiropractor in Bowie, MD so that they can help you determine what is pinching your nerve, whether it is an underlying issue, the best treatment course for the underlying issue and the best treatment for your pain management.

CrossFit has become a very popular type of workout. However, if you don’t take the proper safety precautions, it can easily lead to injury. Knee injuries in particular are one of the most common injuries CrossFit patrons endure. While it’s always a good idea to talk with a CrossFit trainer about your own health needs before beginning training, here are a few basic tips that may help you avoid some serious injuries.

1. Listen to your body.

Many people want to jump right in when they begin CrossFit. If you haven’t tried CrossFit before, however, and especially if you normally do not work out, it’s important to take it slow at first. Take your time and listen to your body. Even though CrossFit is based on high-intensity training sessions, it’s important to know your body’s limits and to take a break if the workouts are becoming too rigorous. Our knees were made to help bear the weight of our bodies and more, but they have a breaking point too. 

2. Ask questions before you start.

Unlike a treadmill or a bicycle, which are both fairly easy to figure out and use without help or training, CrossFit has a bit of a learning curve. It never hurts to ask your trainers some questions before you begin. 

3. Don’t feel pressured to keep up with everyone else.

CrossFit training can be very competitive. This can be great for motivation, but it can also tip you over the edge and make you do things that are unsafe or even downright dangerous. Don’t let this “peer pressure” make you do something you’re not ready for. Use your workout to be the best version of yourself — not to be better than everyone else. 

4. Workout with a partner or trainer.

Even if it’s a group training session, having a partner keep an eye on your form can be very beneficial. Aside from improving your form and making you feel better overall, a partner can help you avoid personal injury. If you’re new to CrossFit, consider finding a trainer who is experienced so they can really keep you vigilant about how you can improve. 

5. Go for small consistent gains over big dramatic leaps.

We’ve all seen the personal breakthroughs and huge success stories. It’s important to remember that those stories didn’t come from a single workout. They were the result of hard, dedicated workouts over time. Take pride in each small gain you make, knowing that the next one will build on it. 

CrossFit training can be a fun and exciting way to work out, as long as you are careful. A personal injury can sideline you, temporarily or even permanently. As a knee pain doctor, can attest, following these simple tips can help you stay safe, have fun, and get a great workout that you can be proud of, along with keeping your knees strong. 

If you are wondering whether you can get physical therapy (PT) at home, the answer is “maybe.” Some patients can receive in-home health services during which a licensed PT will come to their home to provide therapy. Since telehealth services are very popular now, PT patients also often have the option of receiving “hands-off” treatment during online live streams with a licensed provider.  It’s very appealing to choose the online option if you have difficulty scheduling treatment at an office. But, before making a decision on which route to choose, speak with a physical therapist about your unique needs and circumstances. 

As an experienced Bowie, MD physical therapy provider – including those who practice at MidAtlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic– can confirm, no two patients’ needs are exactly alike. Perhaps at-home PT sounds great but isn’t the best way for you to heal from your specific injury. Or perhaps you’re hesitant to embrace a home-PT option but it would suit your situation well. You won’t be able to make informed decisions about your care until you speak with a provider about your specific needs. 

In-Home Physical Therapy

For in-home therapy, licensed PTs are scheduled to visit your home and provide treatment there instead of a treatment center or rehab. Medical insurance may cover in-home therapy services if you have problems leaving your home. These reasons may include:

• having limited mobility to the extent that you can’t be transported
• leaving the home risks your health due to your injury or subsequent illness
• needing transport

If these limitations don’t apply to you, you can still request in-home physical therapy because you want the convenience, but it likely won’t be covered by insurance.  

You might also need in-home therapy due to certain illnesses or conditions you have. These may include: 

• hip or knee replacements
• fractures
• neurological conditions (Parkinson’s, MS (Multiple Sclerosis), ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
• heart attack
• stroke

Online or “Do-It-Yourself” (DIY) Physical Therapy

PTs generally do not recommend self-treatment unless it’s under the guidance of a licensed provider. Unfortunately, there are many websites out there touting exercises and suggestions for individuals to do on their own. This is risky and likely ineffective. Without guidance from a licensed PT, you could:

• overwork your muscles
• do the exercises improperly
• cause more pain
• cause another injury
• waste time doing exercises or purchasing devices you don’t need

There are some things you can do on your own that are not likely to cause issues. You can apply ice or heat to your muscles, or do some gentle stretching. Simply resting your body can be very healing.

Many physical therapy offices now offer virtual sessions, so you might have various options with the provider you choose. The bottom line on DIY is you should seek a licensed and accredited physical therapist to conduct the sessions live stream and one-on-one. Talk to your insurance company if you need coverage for in-home visits, or you can start searching for local PTs who will provide online services to meet your needs.