Real Solutions for Back Pain Caused by Herniated Discs
Are you struggling with intense lower back pain? Do you notice straightening up all the way is painful or impossible? Did this pain start after lifting something heavy or twisting your back? If you nodded ‘yes’ to these questions, you might have a condition known as a herniated disc. Don’t worry; there are proven strategies that can help you feel good again!
Herniated discs are not always painful, but they can be excruciating when they are. Due to the severity of pain associated with a herniated disc, people will try to avoid hurting themselves more and avoid activity. Unfortunately, misguided healthcare practitioners still recommend rest or, worse, bed rest, which is why getting proper treatment is essential! At Kinetix Physical Therapy, our team of specialized physical therapists is fully equipped to guide you toward the relief you’ve been seeking, starting with convenient in-house diagnostic testing all the way through a tailored plan to get you back to the activities you love!
The Kinetix Physical Therapists Are Dry Needling Certified!
- What it is: Dry needling is consider safe and involves inserting a thin, monofilament needle into specific areas within muscles.
- What it does: It stimulates the muscle fibers, release trigger points (tight, tender knots in the muscle), and improve blood flow, which can help reduce pain and stiffness.
- Benefits: Dry needling can be effective for muscle pain, back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, and even headaches.
- Difference from acupuncture: While both use needles, dry needling focuses on myofascial trigger points in muscles, while acupuncture aims to stimulate specific points on the body to balance energy flow.
We’re Hiring Physical Therapists!
Dr. Jake Reidy, PT, DPT talks about how we use cutting edge diagnostic testing in our clinic. Interested?
Understanding the Nitty-Gritty of a Herniated Disc
To understand a herniated disc, it’s important first to understand the role of spinal discs. Your discs are like shock absorbers in your spine, absorbing compressive forces and permitting smooth, free movements like bending forward, backward, and rotating.
However, as we age, our discs naturally degenerate, begin to dry out, become more stiff, and weaken, becoming more susceptible to herniation. Think of your discs as being like grapes when you’re young and then drying up to be more like raisins as you age.
In addition to age, several variables can elevate your risk of experiencing a herniated disc, including:
- Smoking: Cigarettes are thought to reduce the supply of oxygen to the disc, causing it to break down more quickly than it normally would.
- Occupation: People in jobs that require repetitive motions like lifting, bending, and twisting are also more susceptible.
- Sedentary Lifestyle: Long durations of sitting, especially in incorrect postures, contribute to increased risk.
- Genetics: Family history may play a role in increasing the risk of developing a herniated disc.
A herniated disc occurs when the soft, gel-like substance in the middle of the disc breaks through the inner aspect of the disc and protrudes out, usually in the back wall of the disc. This bulging out can pinch the nearby spinal nerves, leading to inflammation and excruciating pain that might even radiate down your leg or arm.
Even when the disc doesn’t affect the nerves, it is infamous for causing sharp and intense pain in the lower back, affecting your ability to move, especially standing upright, and interfering with your overall quality of life. For some, the pain is so unbearable that it hampers even the simplest daily tasks, like sitting, moving, or lying down to sleep.
The silver lining? Our skilled physical therapists can teach you how to manage your debilitating pain and provide the tools to return to a pain-free life!
Help Us Shine—Nominate Us Today!
We’re thrilled to announce that we made top 5 for the Gainesville Community’s Choice Awards for best Physical Therapy Clinic, Locally Owned Business, and Place to Work.
🗳️ Voting Round: July 17 – July 31
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Learn About All-Natural Symptom Relief At Our FREE Workshops!
- Back Pain & Sciatica: Do you have pain when you stand, walk, or sit? Do you experience pain shooting down your buttocks or leg?
- Shoulder Pain & Rotator Cuff: Do you have pain when reaching overhead or behind you? Is your shoulder pain keeping you awake? See our diagnostic ultrasound in action!
- Knee Pain: Is your knee stiff? Does your knee ache or “give out” on you?
- Balance & Dizziness: Have you fallen because you’re unsteady? Do you experience dizziness or spinning?
Learn the common causes of your symptoms and how to fix them naturally without medication, injections or surgery. Call to register now as seating is limited.
Effective Solutions for Herniated Disc
At your first visit, one of our experienced physical therapists will perform a comprehensive assessment, including taking a medical history, performing a physical examination, and conducting a few simple diagnostic tests in the clinic. Our diagnostic ultrasound allows us to visualize your discs to identify any potential issues, and our EMG/NCV tests allow us to see how your muscles and nerves are functioning.
All this data allows us to design a personalized treatment plan specifically for your unique situation that may include the following:
- Manual Therapy: Our physical therapists use passive movement techniques, called mobilizations, to improve the range of motion in the spine, reducing stiffness and pain.
- Pain Solutions: Dry Needling can help by relaxing the muscles and reducing nerve irritation. Laser Therapy reduces inflammation and pain.
- Stretching and Mobility Exercises: Targeted stretches to improve spine mobility and muscle flexibility are often the starting point. As you move better, you’ll feel better!
- Core Strengthening: Exercises like planks and bridges can help stabilize the spine and help in improving proper techniques when performing movements like squatting or lifting activities.
Understanding the condition and its management is crucial. Our experts often educate patients about body mechanics, lifestyle changes, and long-term exercise strategies to prevent future episodes. We know that your first step to recovery starts with understanding.
Why Wait?
Call Kinetix Physical Therapy today for a comprehensive evaluation, including in-house diagnostic testing, and learn the steps you can actively take to recover from a herniated disc and guard against future occurrences. Book your life-changing appointment today!
Maximizing Summer Fitness: Expert Tips from Kinetix PT
Summer is the perfect time to get outside, stay active, and enjoy the long days—but it’s also a season when injuries and overexertion can sneak up on you if you’re not careful. At Kinetix Physical Therapy, our team is here to help you move safely and confidently all summer long. Here are our top tips for making the most of your summer fitness routine:
- Start with a Movement Assessment: Before diving into new activities or increasing your intensity, schedule a personalized movement assessment with one of our skilled physical therapists. We’ll evaluate your strength, mobility, and any underlying issues to design a plan tailored to your goals—helping you stay on track while minimizing injury risks.
- Don’t Skip the Warm-Up (or Cool Down!): Prepping your body for activity is just as important as the activity itself. Our Kinetix PT team can teach you dynamic warm-up routines to activate key muscles, and effective cool-down stretches to reduce stiffness and support recovery after workouts.
- Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate: Staying hydrated is critical, especially when exercising in the heat. It’s important that you’re drinking enough water before, during, and after exercise.
- Listen to Your Body: It’s normal to feel tired after a good workout, but pain is a red flag. Don’t push through it. If you’re experiencing discomfort, soreness that lingers, or any movement limitations, our team is here to help you address it early—before it becomes a bigger issue.
Have questions about your summer routine or want help getting started? Contact us today—we’re here to keep you moving pain-free all summer long!
Recipe of the Month: Rosemary Citrus One Pan Baked Salmon
Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 1 small orange (2 Tablespoons juice of orange plus thinly sliced orange slices)
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon orange zest (grated orange peel from orange)
- 2 Tablespoons fresh rosemary, plus extra to garnish (1 tsp dried rosemary may be substituted)
- 2 –3 teaspoons honey
- 10–12 ounces sockeye salmon (whole fillet or three 4 ounces fillets)
- Pinch of sea salt
- Optional – thinly sliced orange or lemon
- Optional- 2 cups chopped/sliced veggies of choice (i.e broccoli, asparagus, green beans, etc.)
- Additional seasoning of choice or salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Whisk together the olive oil, orange juice, lemon juice, garlic, orange zest, 2 tablespoons rosemary, and optional honey. Set the mixture aside.
- Grease or oil a large baking dish. Place the salmon in the baking dish, skin side down. Season the salmon with a pinch of salt.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Brush the orange rosemary on top of the salmon, and place the salmon in the fridge to marinate for 5-10 minutes while the oven preheats.
- After 5-10 minutes, add thin orange slices on top of the salmon (optional), and toss veggies of choice with the reserved marinade or 2 teaspoons of olive oil, lemon juice, or seasoning of choice.
- Place the tossed veggies (if using) around the salmon in the pan.
- Place the baking dish in the oven for 12-15 minutes or until the salmon is no longer opaque in the middle and the vegetables are cooked through.
- Let the salmon rest for 3 minutes before serving.
- Add additional salt and pepper to taste.
Patient Success Story
“I came to the Haile Plantation Kinetix office on a referral from my Orthopedic doctor. I was having a lot of pain in my lower back and legs that was making it very painful to do my daily tasks. I couldn’t walk standing straight or without limping. It was hard to get out of the bed in the morning. I have been working Dr. Michael McWilliams, Caleb Holt and team, doing exercises that strengthened me and helped me recover from all the pain. I am now able to do most of the tasks I couldn’t do before without pain. Thanks for the encouragement. Get your life back at Kinetix PT!” -Evie
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“I work at a local business and Kinetix PT provided our employees with a FREE workshop focusing on neck, shoulder, and back pain. Amazing!! Dr. Scott Eddins provided a very informative & interactive presentation for our staff. HIGHLY recommend Kinetix if you want your employees to benefit from one of their awesome workshops.” — Mandy
