About 80% of all Americans will have at least one backache during their lifetime. In fact, seven million adults will each lose ten to fifteen working days a year because of chronic back pain or sciatica. Therese Rodda, a physical therapist and owner of Friendship Heights Rehab, would like to see a change in those statistics.

Why is back pain so common? Being upright puts extra pressure on the lower spine which must support the weight of the upper body, putting a heavy load on a small area. Ligaments connect the bones together in a way to allow for some flexibility and limitation of movement. They keep the joints intact. The disc is a deeper structure located between 2 bones in the spine. The bones are called vertebrae and the disc is made up of more flexible material called fibrous-cartilage. Each disc is composed of a tough, fibrous outer layer surrounding a jelly-like inner substance.

This construction allows the disc to act more like shock absorbers/movement enhancers in the spine while the bones provide a hard, protective canal for the delicate nerves going through it to supply the body. The muscles lie on top of the bone and move the bones when the nerves relay the message to move. The disc is about 80% water, but as we get older the water content falls and the disc loses some of its ability to compress and this is when we can experience chronic back pain.

A bulging disc is one where the outer layer of the disc weakens and the jelly-like inner substance pushes outward causing a bulge or ballooning-outward and is a common cause of lower back pain. If the outer layer breaks open, then it is called a herniated disc and all the jelly-like substance leaks out.

Sciatica is a condition where the sciatic nerve, the large nerve going into the leg, becomes irritated and can cause pain, numbness or tingling down the back of the leg. It can be associated with lower back problems.

Excellent results have been achieved at Friendship Heights Rehabilitation Center through physical therapy programs developed specifically to meet the needs of the patient and exactly applied.
 
Sometimes, internal organ disturbances such as: irritable bowel syndrome, pelvic inflammatory conditions, or scar tissue (especially from previous surgeries) can cause or influence back pain.

When should people who suffer from lower back pain or chronic pelvic pain go see a doctor? One or more of the following back pain symptoms could indicate a more serious problem:
•    Pain, numbness or tingling in an arm or leg
•    Chronic back pain or chronic pelvic pain that continues unabated when you’re lying down
•    Back pain as a direct result of a fall or car accident
•    Vomiting or fever associated with back pain
•    Chronic back pain that persists for more than three or four days of resting
•    The very young or the elderly with back pain should always see a doctor.

There are lifestyle changes you can make to help you avoid lower back pain: vary your position and encourage movement throughout the day; get regular exercise and some fun in your life.

When you experience pain realize that your body is trying to tell you injury has occurred or is about to occur. Make note of the activity you just did or any change in your activity that happened just prior to the onset of pain. Return to your previous activity level as and when you can do so comfortably.  Be sure to use common sense in the amount of activity you do. Listen to your body to find out what you can and cannot do.
 
In addition:
•    Avoid bending at the waist
•    Avoid lifting heavy things
•    Avoid sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time
•    Maintain sensible weight for your height

There is much you can do to help your doctor and therapist give you relief from back pain or sciatica. The first step is education.

Therese Rodda is a physical therapist in Maryland who spends, on average, 30 minutes with each patient, one to three times a week for several weeks. Her training in health through exercise includes an emphasis on raising awareness of the body so that each individual will be better equipped to continue the journey to full natural pain relief and optimum health.

If you have any questions please submit them to:

Therese Rodda, P.T.
Friendship Heights Rehab Center
5530 Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
301-565-6977

Physical Therapy of Silver Spring a Div. of FHRC, LLC
10801 Lockwood Drive, Suite 280
Silver Spring, MD 20901
301-576-6474

Links:
http://www.fhrehab.com/index.html
http://www.fhrehab.com/wellnessServices.html - Wellness Programs
http://www.fhrehab.com/ptServices.html - Physical Therapy Services

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