5 Reasons for Back Pain in Pregnacy

According to Grace Walker, Physical & Occupational Therapist and Nutritionist, reasons for back pain during pregnancy can vary but can usually be accounted for by one of the following:

1. An increase in hormones
2. Gaining additional weight
3. A decline in posture
4. Added stress
   
5. Decreased activity levels

Pregnancy and lower back pain often go hand in hand, at Walker Physical Therapy & Pain Center, our team of expert hands-on physical therapists will help you develop a personalized solution for your pregnancy back pain, and get you on track for a back pain free pregnancy term. 


 Here are some Do's and Don'ts to help relieve back pain during pregnancy:

• Do use ice 10 minutes before bed.
• Do pull your belly into your spine and breathe
• Don't bend at the waist, squat instead.
• Don't twist while holding something in your arms.
• Don't sleep on your back

Physical therapy helps relieve lower back pain during pregnancy through strengthening exercises to help support the back and legs. Stretching exercises for muscle flexibility help bring a smoother delivery.

Call Walker Physical Therapy & Pain Center today to get started on your personalized treatment to relieve your back pain!
 
714-997-5518
1111 W. Town & Country Rd. Ste. 1
Orange, CA 92868

Supraspinatus Tendinitis- The Most Common Cause of Shoulder Pain

 

Grace Walker, Physical and Occupational Therapist and Nutritionist wants you to experience relief from Supraspinatus tendinitis pain!

Supraspinatus tendinitis is the most common inflammatory problem encountered around the shoulder joint. It is typically seen in people aged 25-60. The syndrome is characterized by inflammation on the tendon of the supraspinatus muscle.

Common symptoms include:

     ·         Pain and inflammation in the shoulder

·        Decreased range of motion (ROM)

·        Decreased strength & functional activity

·        Pain with movement

·        Pain at night while trying to sleep

    

Risk Factors for Supraspinatus tendinitis (painful arc syndrome)[1]

          Chronic wear and tear of the supraspinatus tendon as it passes under the acromion may be a risk. This may occur in sports-people and people that do a lot of overhead work though it may occur in any person.

         Anatomical factors such as the shape of the acromion or a tight subacromial space due to a thickened ligament may be predisposing factors.

         Tears in the tendon of the supraspinatus or other rotator cuff muscles (often result from a fall on the shoulder) may also be risks though they usually occur in older people.

          Rheumatoid arthritis is another factor.

How to treat it

Ø Ice packs. They can help reduce pain and inflammation and should be applied to the painful area for 15 minutes at a time.

Ø Manual therapy. This includes scapular and glenohumeral joint mobilizations and deep friction massage.

 

Call Walker Physical Therapy & Pain Center to schedule an appointment with an expert and caring physical therapist!

714-997-5518

1111 W. Town and Country Rd. Ste. 1

Orange, CA 92868

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[1] http://www.myvmc.com/diseases/supraspinatus-tendinitis-painful-arc-syndrome/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Avoid Muscle Soreness From Exercise!

Dr. Grace Walker, Physical and Occupational Therapist and Nutritionist agrees with John Gallucci Jr.

How to avoid delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)

John Gallucci Jr. EDT July 20, 2015

"Delayed onset muscle soreness, or DOMS, can begin within 6-8 hours after any type of strenuous exercise, but typically you will feel this soreness 24-48 hours following exercise"

Story Highlights

·         A common complaint is soreness in the lower extremities such as the legs, hips and calves

·         Over stress the musculoskeletal system, and there is an opportunity for DOMS to set in

·         It’s important to warm up before any activity

In a Nutshell...

We need to understand that before any activity we need to make sure that the body is warmed up.

 

o    Heat up your body by jogging, jumping jacks or full body motions to increase circulation that  helps the musculoskeletal system heal 

 

o    Have a moderate workout first, especially if it is the first time you are working out in a long time

 

o    Following a strenuous work out, one should perform a cardiovascular exercise to get the circulatory system pumping to decrease inflammation, which ultimately decreases the pain in the muscles.

Gallucci advises to “work with an appropriate fitness trainer, strength and conditioning trainer, certified athletic trainer or physical therapist that can do a full evaluation before you start working out. These professionals will make sure that your joints are going through a full range of motion and will have an understanding of what your output is going to be.”

John Gallucci Jr. is the president of JAG Physical Therapy (www.japgpt.com) with nine locations throughout New Jersey. Click here to read more.

 

Call now for an appointment with an expert physical therapist!

714-997-5518.

 

Walker Physical Therapy & Pain Center

1111 W. Town & Country Rd. Ste. 1

Orange, CA 92868

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grace Walker Physical and Occupational Therapist and Nutritionist

Dr. Grace Walker & Husband Jim in Victoria Falls, South Africa

As the owner of Walker Physical Therapy and Pain Center in Orange, California, Grace Walker continues an extensive career in Occupational and Physical therapy. As a physical therapist and sports injury practitioner, Walker treats patients for pain in the upper and lower extremities, vestibular disorders, and balance conditions.

Dr. Grace Walker and her team of physical therapists are experts in pain relief and use revolutionary treatments including hands on Pressure Point releases, Kinesiotaping, ML830 laser, and Flex N Move programs. Along with being a chartered/registered physical therapist in British Columbia and California, respectively, she holds certification as a Nutritionist, Master of Herbology, and Holistic Health Care Practitioner. In 2014, Grace Walker became a Certified Health Coach through Villanova University in The Center for Obesity Prevention Education's Take Shape for Life program. She is currently attending the Natural Healing Institute of Naturopathy in Encinitas, California, to become a Certified Naturopathic Practitioner and a Certified Nutritional Chef.

Along with treating patients at Grace Walker Physical Therapy, Walker has lectured extensively on matters related to physical therapy. She has instructed with the faculties of California State University at Long Beach, the University of Irvine Medical Center, and Stanford University. Her courses have covered treatment of the cervical spine and mobilization of the thoracic spine. Students have also received her guidance as a mentor in physical therapy and outpatient orthopedics since 1985. Additionally, Walker has made presentations to members of the Orange County chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association on conditions of the pelvic girdle as well as glucosamine and chondroitin.

Call today for an Appointment!

714-997-5518

Walker Physical Therapy & Pain Center

1111 W. Town & Country Dr.

Orange, CA 92868