Tag: acupuncture

Naturopathic Healing > Blog > acupuncture
By Desi Eneva 0 Comments Acupuncture, Exercises, Kinesiotape, Massages, Physio, Therapy, Work Injury , , , , , , , ,

SLIPPED DISC AND SCIATICA

Between each vertebra of the spine is a disc of cartilage that acts as a shock-absorbing pad- these discs have a soft, jelly-like centre and a tough, fibrous outer layer. If the discs burst or ‘slip’ (known medically as a prolapsed disc), the fluid puts pressure on the spinal nerve roots. Sciatica is a general term for lower back pain that extends into the buttock, thigh, or calf.

CAUSES:

Bending forward (flexing) to pick up a heavy object, particularly in activities such as weightlifting, puts increased pressure on the discs of the spine. This kind of stress can cause the outer layer of a disc to rupture, allowing the jelly-like contents to protrude or ‘slip’, putting pressure onto the nearby nerve roots, which are close to spine. Slipped discs usually occur in the lower back, although they can happen in any area of the spine. The resulting pressure that is put on the nerve is one of the causes of pain in the lower back, known as sciatica; other causes of sciatica include piriformis syndrome.

SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS

Back pain is extremely common, but if you also have a shooting pain down the back of the leg, usually on flexing or bending sideways, and ‘pin and needles’, numbness, or weakness in your legs, you may also have sciatica. Typically, this is experienced on one side only. The affected disc may protrude from your spine but should, in most cases, eventually shrink back.

COMPLICATIONS

You may develop pain in the other side of the lower back.
You may experience weakness on the lower limb, or bowel/bladder dysfunction, or loss of feeling around your perineum.

RECOVERY

Recovery may range from a few weeks to months depending of your injury and recovery abilities. Surgery is not required in most of the cases.

TREATMENT

– Use heating to relax the muscles and to decrease the muscle spasm
– You can use Magnesium oil spray- Use twisting exercises in order to stretch your back and help the muscles

HOW NATUROPATHIC HEALING CAN HELP

– By giving you advise with regards sleeping pattern, sitting, driving
– By giving you recommendation of posture, positioning, lifting, bending, reaching
– Can support you with treatment which can include:
• Assessment
• Treatment- Acupuncture, infrared lamp, local massage with a herbal gel, may include kinesiotape and for sure exercises prescription

If you need a review of your lower back pain and you require treatment, please book your appointment in advance on
0748 111 3606 with Desi Eneva- Physiotherapist

Available slots on Thursdays/Fridays and Weekends.

By Desi Eneva 0 Comments Acupuncture, Exercises, Kinesiotape, Massages, Physio, Sporting, Therapy , , , , ,

ACL /Anterior Cruciate Ligament/ REHAB

ACL /Anterior Cruciate Ligament/

ACL /Anterior Cruciate Ligament/ is a dense connective tissue located right in the heart of the knee joint. Has two bundles: Anterior medial bundle and Posterior lateral bundle, which provide stability in the knee in internal and external rotation. ACL helps to connect your thighbone /femur/ to your shinbone /tibia/.
ACL injuries are divided in two types:
1. Non-contact injuries
– 70% of ACL injuries

– During twisting/cutting/ pivot sport
– Jumping and landing badly or stopping other player
– ACL preventative work is influential
2. Contact injuries
– 30% of ACL injuries
– Something or someone hits the knee or the leg
– As a result of injuries in other ligaments
– Here the preventative work is not very influential- can appear during skiing

Clinical presentation
– Cutting movements, single leg standing/ landing/ jumping
– Audible pop or crack in time of the injury
– Initial instability- which can be masked with extensive swelling
– Giving way on pivoting or twisting
– Large amount of pain on the time of the injury
– Swelling of knee
– Restricted movement- not able to straight the leg
– Mild tenderness on medial side of the knee
– MRI will show bone bruising
– If there is a fracture of the tibia this will show on Xray
– If twisting is appearing during injury, then likely the meniscus will be affected.
– Other ligaments can be affected such as PCL, MCL and lateral ligaments

ACL acute management after surgery. Often this is the first 6 weeks after the surgery
1. Joint homeostasis
– Knee will be swollen, stiff and painful. There will be limitation in the range of motion. In this period is useful to do lymphedema massage, compression, elevation and active muscle pumps
2. Manage the scaring process
– First 3 days will be a phase of inflammation. Early passive range of motion will support the scar healing
3. Restore joint range of motion- can be achieved with exercises
4. Retrain quads muscle- can be achieved with exercises
5. Immobilization, weight bear status and bracing
– Leg will be immobilized while the nerve is block and then hinged brace can be given for 3-7 days.
– Weight bear status: partially weight bear for 2 weeks after surgery. Full weight bear up to 6 weeks post surgery.
6. Create a rehab plan
– Range of motion restoration and protection- up to 6 weeks
– Weight bear tolerance- 2 weeks partially, up to 6 week recovery

– Endurance- up to 8 weeks. This will include 10-18 week rehab
– Strength on hip, knee, ankle- 19-26 week
– Power- 27-32 week
– Running- 27 week
– Speed and agility- 32 week
– Return to training- 35 week
– Return to play- 38 week

ACL injury can affect your daily activities, your transfers, mobility and ascending/descending stairs.
Naturopathic Healing can assist and support your healing process by using tools such as acupuncture, local massage, kinesiotape, prescription of exercises, advice and education for gait pattern and how to ascend/descend stairs.
You can book appointment via text message, facebook, Instagram messages, mail or phone call.