Monday, April 28, 2014

The True Cost of Back Pain


What's the most common reason people visit the doctor's office? Okay, well that happens to be the common cold, but low back pain (LBP) is up there. This condition results in billions (with a “B”) of dollars in medical and labor costs every single year.

And although LBP isn't the number one reason people visit the doctor's office, it is among the top reasons people visit the emergency room. In fact, in 2008, there were an average of 9,400 daily emergency department visits for back pain across the U.S. And that's just the beginning. Let's take a closer look at the true cost of back pain.

Back Pain Treatment Costs
According to Medicare data collected from 1996 to 2004, there was a 629 percent increase in expenditures for epidural steroid injections, a 423 percent increase in opioids prescribed, and a 307 percent increase in spinal infusions. Even with the costs set aside, these numbers are frightening. A 423 percent (!) increase in opioids prescribed? How many more spinal infusions? Yikes.

So, with all of this back pain treatment, there must be a reduction in disability, right?

Wrong.

Social Security disability statistics note that musculoskeletal disorder disability has risen 4.8 percent from 2004 to 2005.

Now for some good news...
Physical therapy has been shown to be an inexpensive yet effective treatment for back pain. A 2007 Annals of Internal Medicine review found that manual physical therapy and exercise are effective at treating both sub-acute and chronic low back pain.

A 2009 Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons found that a treatment program that combines physical therapy with anti-inflammatory medications is the most effective treatment for most cases of symptomatic lumbar degenerative disc disease, a common cause of low back pain.

Consumer Reports continues to rank physical therapy among the top treatment choices for readers with back pain, according to a 2009 survey of more than 14,000 Americans with back pain. Other “hands-on” therapies also ranked higher on this survey than the expensive and often invasive treatment methods mentioned above, which leaves us with the conclusion that patients would be wise to seek out more conservative options at their first attempt to treat back pain. Not only do they stand to save on medical bills and missed days of work, but they also may sidestep side effects and risk factors associated with more invasive methods of treatment.

Stretching is one hands-on therapy that has also proven to be effective for treating low back pain, and it's one that can be done in the comfort of a patient's home. Using the Piri-Stretcher®, patients can target their stretch to the piriformis muscle that is the cause of low back pain for many individuals. The piriformis muscle, when damaged or stressed, can put pressure on the sciatic nerve that controls feeling in the lower back and limbs. Treating the cause of the problem by stretching the muscle is not only cost effective, but it also comes without side effects and with little to no risk involved.


Thursday, April 24, 2014

Importance of a Home Exercise Program (HEP) and Why It's So Hard to Follow Through

You left the physical therapist's office feeling like you were on top of the world. You're doing well with training, and are ready to spend less time at the clinic and more time with your Home Exercise Program (HEP).

But as convenient as it sounded a few weeks ago, you just can't seem to motivate yourself to follow through on your HEP. It just seems to eat away at your free time, and although you know it'll help your recovery, you just can't seem to motivate yourself to follow through. Why? Well, when we're left to our own devices, it's much easier to forget the things that should be motivating our actions to start and we lose confidence in how to even do the HEP on our own. After all, we're not trained chiropractors or physical therapists. So sometimes, not only do we need a little help with a stretch, but we need a little reminding.

Why is a Home Exercise Program Important?
Physical therapy is an important part of physical recovery programs. So, if you want to ensure that you'll return to your everyday activities in spite of injuries like Piriformis Syndrome, you'll have to work at it. An orthopedic surgeon or physical therapist will likely recommend a minimum of 10 minutes of exercise a day for three days a week. Although your therapist will likely work with you to ensure that you know how to perform these exercises correctly, you will be on your own to schedule and perform these exercises without supervision.

What Does the Research Say?
Many people find it easy to set aside 10 minutes of exercise because they don't understand how much it can help. In fact, according to a 2006 Physical Therapy study, 37 percent of patients who receive a HEP do not follow through with the plan. One or more of eight barriers seem to stand in the way. Poor health, weather, weakness, depression, fear of falling, shortness of breath, low expectations and lack of interest are all reasons people cite for not following through with a post-discharge exercise program.

How to Make HEP Adherence Easier
Have you ever told a little white lie to your doctor or health advocate? We've all been there...

“How often do you exercise? Do you smoke? Do you follow a healthy diet?”

These are all questions that we as patients are notorious for, well, fudging. Maybe we feel guilty, but there are benefits to honesty in most cases.

In fact, we're only hurting ourselves by fudging the truth. If you're honest with your physical therapist, chiropractor or orthopedic surgeon about your aversion to exercise, he or she may offer solutions that make it easier for you to stick to your HEP. For example, your medical professional may suggest a Piri-Stretcher® to help with recovery from Piriformis Syndrome. The therapy tool is used to treat Piriformis Syndrome and Sciatica in adults, and it can be used at home as part of a home therapy program for a target piriformis muscle stretch. It helps you complete the stretch on your own, and it's more fun having a tool to help. So you can make the most out of any 10- or 30-minute window in your day. 

Monday, April 21, 2014

Top 5 Reasons to Consider Piriformis Syndrome Exercises

If you’re dealing with piriformis syndrome, you’ve probably tried just about everything to help reduce symptoms. Piriformis syndrome symptoms range from a minor annoyance to a major disturbance.

It all starts with pain, tingling or numbness in the buttocks. Even in the early days, the pain may be severe and extend down the length of the sciatic nerve. If you know anything about sciatica, this should all sound familiar. It is, in fact, a form of sciatica. The cause is what sets it apart from other forms. In all cases of piriformis syndrome, the sciatic nerve is somehow impeded by the piriformis muscle.

So, what can you do to ease the pain? There are a few different treatments and pain management methods, but few are recommended as often as piriformis syndrome exercises.


1.   You want to avoid surgery at all costs. Surgery is a very extreme treatment for this syndrome. If you’re in serious pain, you might think this is the only option. But if you haven’t tried piriformis syndrome exercises, you may want to hold off on the surgery until you do. Your doctor should be able to help you make the call. But just to be clear, piriformis syndrome exercises aren’t just any old exercises. These workouts and stretches are meant to target the piriformis muscle specifically, so it may begin the healing process.


2.   You like your doctor, but would love to see her less often. You know what happens when you start feeling better? You see the doctor less frequently. And regardless of how much you like him or her, that’s always a good thing. Piriformis syndrome exercises have helped many people find relief from pain, so they can spend more time living life and less time in the waiting room.


3.   You want to increase flexibility. Do you sometimes feel tightness in that muscle? If so, that may be contributing to your condition. Exercise can help loosen things up.


4.   You’re tired of feeling pain and numbness. We don’t have to be mind readers to know that with piriformis syndrome, you have days where you say, “Enough is enough!” Enough pain; enough numbness; enough living anything less than a full life. In a clinical study noted by Parziale and other researchers, they found that conservative treatments, such as stretching, is sufficient treatment in most cases of Piriformis syndrome. 


5.   Your doctor told you to! Let’s be honest, now. You’re reading this and nodding your head because you already know most of these reasons to consider piriformis syndrome exercises – because you’ve heard them from your doctor. If you haven’t already heard this from your doctor, schedule some time to have a quick chat about exercise and stretching, so you can be sure your doctor is on board with this form of treatment.



If you want help targeting your exercise to the piriformis muscle (it can be a challenge if you don’t know what you’re doing), consider the Piri-Stretcher®. This Class 1 Medical Device was specifically designed to help with piriformis syndrome exercises. 

Thursday, April 17, 2014

How Therapeutic Massage and Stretching Go Hand-in-Hand

Low back pain is the fifth most common reason for physician visits in the US. Does that number surprise you? And although there are many causes for low back pain, most treatment programs still rely heavily on pain management over problem solving. Therapeutic massage and stretching are two treatment methods that can help solve back pain problems long term and thus relieve pain, but they often work best when they are employed together.

The following is a closer look at therapeutic massage and stretching, and how they work in conjunction to help relieve back pain.
                                                  

Therapeutic Massage

Massage is more commonly being offered alongside a standard treatment regimen for a wide range of medical conditions. And the studies show that this is a good call. Research demonstrates that therapeutic massage is effective for reducing pain, stress and muscle tension. Imagine that; now you have a medically-valid excuse to sit on the massage table every week. Does it get any better than that?

Massage may also be helpful for other conditions too. More research must be done, of course, but massage is being studied for its role in treating issues like anxiety, fibromyalgia, insomnia, headaches, nerve pain (hello, piriformis syndrome!) and joint pain.


 Stretching

Is there anything easier than stretching? Most of us do it naturally in the morning when we get out of bed. It's as if the body knows what it needs, and we can't help but oblige. Unfortunately, some stretching is slightly more labored than the morning stretch, but it is just as important. Stretching can help increase flexibility and range of motion in the joints. It is notoriously good for increasing mobility in the hips and back.

Since stretching relieves muscle tension, it naturally helps oxygen flow through the muscles and improves circulation. As the tension is relieved in your muscles, so is much (or even some) of the pain. This makes it easier for most folks to concentrate on their daily tasks and get their lives back on a track that is closer to the normal they once new.

Stretching AND Therapeutic Massage

Both treatment methods are targeted at relieving muscle tension, which we know can be a contributing factor in back pain. But they do not have to be mutually exclusive. These complementary treatments can work together to help relieve your back pain naturally. By adding stretching AND therapeutic massage to your treatment program, you're putting the focus where it is most needed – the problematic muscles – and getting yourself on track for recovery.

A Word on Stretching

Stretching is only helpful in your treatment plan when you are stretching the right muscles. Think about it. If you have tight hamstrings, would a forearm stretch help? Probably not. And we happen to know that the muscle at the root of many cases of back pain, the piriformis muscle, can be a difficult one to target. That's why we developed the Piri-Stretcher®. This FDA-registered device was designed to help users target this elusive muscle at home, so they can make the most out of each stretch. 

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Piriformis Syndrome is a Real Pain in the Buttocks


If you suffer from piriformis syndrome, you know all too well that this is true: it’s literally a real pain in the butt. And, no, we’re not misusing the word literally. If you have a pain the buttocks, you might have piriformis syndrome. Let’s explore the facts:

What is piriformis syndrome?

There’s a muscle located in your buttocks right at the top of the hip joint called the piriformis muscle. As you might have guessed, this band-like muscle is the problem-causing culprit in piriformis syndrome. Just like any muscle, the piriformis can get damaged. This can happen as a result of overuse, a sports injury, or even sitting for long periods of time. When muscles get damaged, they may swell or spasm. Although these things are irritating and sometimes even painful, they usually aren't debilitating. That is, unless that muscle is pressing on the sciatic nerve, as is the case with piriformis syndrome. Because of the piriformis muscle’s close proximity to the sciatic nerve, muscle damage can lead to nerve compression, which can lead to a literal pain in the buttocks that may even radiate down the leg.


How will I know if I have piriformis syndrome?

This condition can be hard to diagnose, so it’s important that you see a qualified professional if you think you may be suffering from piriformis syndrome. Its symptoms may be identical to sciatica from other causes, but its treatment will be quite different. If your pain in the buttocks seems to have no other cause, your doctor may order an MRI, or another form of radiologic test, to rule out a herniated disc or another reason for sciatic compression.


How can I treat piriformis syndrome?

If your doctor determines that you do, in fact, have piriformis syndrome, the good news is that you may be able to treat that pain in the buttocks with consistent stretching. Your doctor will help you determine the best course of action, and it may include a combination of physical therapy, chiropractic treatment and at-home stretching.

When it comes to stretching at home, it’s important to keep at it and target your stretch to the right muscle. That’s why we developed the Piri-Stretcher®. This FDA registered medical device was designed to help you get the best and safest stretch of your piriformis muscle. That’s our part. Yours is to stretch regularly and keep that muscle limber and healthy.

And always remember, if something seems to be causing your pain in the buttocks, try to avoid that action or activity. For some, it’s walking up the stairs; for others, it’s sitting for long periods. Do your best to avoid whatever movements are triggering that pain as you try to get back on the road to good health. 

Sunday, April 6, 2014



What is the Piriformis Muscle?


If you have or think you may be suffering from piriformis syndrome, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the disorder. Piriformis syndrome usually responds very well to stretching and physical therapy, but in order to stretch a muscle, you need to know where it is, right? Right. So, let’s take a closer look at this muscle that seems to be causing a lot of trouble for so many of us.

Where is the piriformis muscle?


The piriformis muscle is a butt muscle. It’s located at the top of your buttocks right next to your hip bone. To be technical, it starts at the anterior surface of the sacrum and the superior margin of the greater sciatic notch. If you didn’t understand all that, it’s okay to just call it a butt muscle. I did.

Anatomy of the piriformis muscle.


The muscle fibers run almost completely in a horizontal line, and they actually get inserted into the greater trochanter of the femur (along with many other muscles). It’s also the closest muscle in your rear to the sciatic nerve. The piriformis muscle is located near the gluteus medius and the larger gluteus maximus. You see? The gluteus maximus isn’t the only muscle in the buttocks. It’s time to get to know your piriformis.

How can a muscle cause so much pain?


If you suffer from piriformis syndrome, there might seem to be a little disconnect here. How could one butt muscle cause pain that shoots down your leg? Well, the reason the pain radiates is because it’s not actually coming from the muscle itself. The pain you’re experiencing comes from the sciatic nerve. If you have inflammation in your piriformis, or if you get muscle spasms, your muscle is putting pressure on the sciatic nerve – and that’s what causes all the pain, numbness and tingling.

What can I do about piriformis syndrome?


The good news is that piriformis syndrome can usually be treated without surgery. All you have to do is stretch the muscle. That sounds easy, but it’s pretty hard to do on your own. You have to know the right exercises to do, and you have to do them the right way. That’s why Miracle Stretch® developed the Piri-Stretcher. The Piri-Stretcher® was specifically designed to stretch the piriformis muscle. You don’t have to memorize laborious exercises. You just have to learn how to use the device and make a point to use it on a regular basis. Many people have had great results, alleviating the pain and numbness completely – without prescription medications or surgery.

If you suffer from this syndrome, you know it’s not fun. Not only is it uncomfortable, but it can be debilitating. Each day you decide not to stretch this important muscle is another day that you can guarantee nothing will change. Instead, try giving the muscle a little stretch. I think you’ll be pleased with the result.