Lower Back Pain Treatment in Maryland

Low back pain can be a debilitating condition, often preventing those afflicted with pain from fully living their life. If you have chronic low back pain, you know just how debilitating it can be. You do not want to do anything, let alone undergo excruciating physical therapy.

Did you know there is an alternative to traditional physical therapy, an alternative that may help alleviate much of that dreaded discomfort?

The Solution: Aquatic Therapy!

Aquatic therapy strengthens muscles, decreases pain, increases flexibility, and more in a virtually pain-free environment. How?

  • Aquatic Therapy decreases Pain: Aquatic therapy helps alleviate pain, making low back pain treatment much more bearable.
  • Aquatic Therapy is Low Impact: The buoyancy of the water helps decrease pressure on your joints while also adding support, thus lessening pain.
  • Aquatic Therapy provides Ease of Movement
  • Aquatic Therapy is Relaxing: The warm therapy pool decreases spasms and pain, promoting muscle relaxation.
  • Aquatic Therapy promotes Blood Circulation: The hydrostatic pressure of the water helps to increase blood circulation.
  • Aquatic Therapy Maximizes every Movement: The added resistance of the water helps maximize every movement.

Chesapeake Bay Aquatic & Physical Therapy: Treating Low Back Pain at our Bowie Aquatic & Physical Therapy Center

At Chesapeake Bay Aquatic & Physical Therapy, our therapists have a wide range of experience treating patients of all ages and backgrounds with a wide variety of disorders, including low back pain. Our company’s goal is to provide the highest quality rehabilitation services in our region. We keep our patient volume low in order to spend more time with each patient at every visit.

If you have any questions Low Back Pain Treatment, please contact us by visiting cbayaquapt.com today! And if you are a new patient, please review our New Patient Forms page before your first visit

Fibromyalgia Syndrome: What is it?

In the U.S. alone, between three and six million people (predominately women) have a cluster of symptoms which are typical of what we now call “fibromyalgia syndrome” or FMS.

Approximately 20% of these people are formally diagnosed with FMS. These individuals experience a nightmarish combination of poor quality sleep, fatigue, anxiety, stress, whole body stiffness, and gastrointestinal complaints.

Aquatic Exercise and FMS

In a pool, it is possible to perform the vigorous aerobic exercise without the weight-bearing and joint compression experienced on land.

Additionally, aquatic exercise would seem to be an excellent intervention for FMS patients due to the inherent properties of water itself. These properties include buoyancy, turbulence, viscosity, hydrostatic pressure, temperature, and surface tension.

Aquatic therapy for the fibromyalgia patient can cover the spectrum of therapeutic intervention. Patients who present with specific, treatable, musculoskeletal dysfunctions such as an inability to stabilize the spine, postural imbalance, poor spinal mobility, and weak trunk musculature may be treated 1:1 in the pool by a physical therapist.

This treatment may incorporate task simulation, joint, and soft tissue mobility via specialty techniques. After resolving specific dysfunctions, these patients are most often referred to a group class. Why? They just seem to do better in a group.

Patients with FMS often do battle with the unbelief of the health care system, their coworkers, their spouses. People with fibromyalgia often “look fine” to the world. A group exercise class not only provides a means of routine physical activity, but it also provides a support system and a sounding board.

Group classes should be focused on two things: moderate aerobic activity and stress relief or relaxation. An aquatic exercise class which does not urge its members to elevate their heart rates and work aerobically for at least 20-30 minutes is neglecting the one intervention which is known to be beneficial.

Aquatic Therapy and its Benefits in Post-Surgery Rehabilitation

As anyone who has ever had surgery knows, post-op rehabilitation can be a painful recovery process. Luckily, there is an alternative to traditional physical therapy and rehab that could help eliminate much of that pain.

The Solution: Aquatic Therapy!

Aquatic therapy is the closest thing to a pain-free rehab that any post-op patient can hope for. This is because the buoyancy of the water helps reduce the stress exerted on the joints and injured tissue. This makes for a much more comfortable and relaxing post-op rehab experience.

Post-op patients who opt for aquatic therapy can actually start the rehab process quicker, typically just 3-4 days after surgery. This helps to decrease swelling and discomfort much sooner than those patients opting for traditional physical therapy.

Aquatic therapy allows for painless motion with added resistance, thus strengthening the muscles faster while also minimizing the loss of range of motion.

Chesapeake Bay Aquatic & Physical Therapy: Aquatic Therapy Centers throughout Maryland

Chesapeake Bay Aquatic & Physical Therapy offers aquatic therapy to treat a full range of outpatient physical therapy needs, including Post-Op Rehabilitation. We are privately owned and operated and have been proud to serve the communities of Bowie, Laurel and Severna Park, Maryland for nearly 10 years.

If you have any questions about Aquatic Therapy, please contact Chesapeake Bay Aquatic & Physical Therapy by visiting cbayaquapt.com today! And if you are a new patient, please review our New Patient Forms page before your first visit.

Thank you for choosing Chesapeake Bay Aquatic & Physical Therapy!

Dry Needling in Maryland

Chesapeake Bay Aquatic & Physical Therapy is now offering Dry Needling for pain management and other impairments in our Severna Park and Laurel offices.

Dry Needling Chesapeake Bay Aquatic & Physical Therapy

Dry Needling is a skilled intervention that uses a thin filiform needle to penetrate the skin and stimulate underlying myofascial trigger points, muscular and connective tissues for the management of pain and other impairments. A trigger point is a taut and palpable band in the muscle that causes spot tenderness and pain upon palpation. A trigger point can cause disturbed motor function, restricted range of motion, muscle weakness and inhibition, muscle stiffness, local tenderness, and pain. Dry needling can help to address these dysfunctions and improve function leading to improved activity and participation. Areas of the body where dry needling is currently available are as follows; neck, shoulder, shoulder blade, elbow, forearm, lower back, calf muscle, buttocks, hips, knees, and calves.

Vertigo – Help The Room Is Spinning

Not being in control is maybe one of the scariest and most uncomfortable things we can experience. This is just what you experience when you suffer from vertigo.

HELP! The Room Is Spinning

Imagine waking up from a nap and as you attempt to stand up, the room just starts spinning? You have to sit down immediately. After a while, it calms down a bit but when trying to look over your shoulder all the symptoms come roaring back.

Vertigo, dizziness, nausea will cause anyone to worry and probably send you to your primary doctor or the closest urgent care. Is it a tumor? Am I having a stroke? Serious situations do need to be ruled out but these symptoms very likely could be vertigo. Vertigo, or a sensation of motion in which the individual or the individual’s surroundings seem to whirl dizzily, is actually very common in Adults and has many causes.

What Causes Vertigo?

The most common of which is BPPV or Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. BPPV occurs when tiny crystals located in our inner ears which help regulate balance migrate out of their normal position. It’s difficult to say what causes this to occur but these misplaced microscopic crystals can cause a HUGE amount of discomfort.

Relieving The Symptoms

The good news is a simple crystal repositioning technique will decrease these symptoms and get rid of them all together in 80-90 percent of true BPPV cases. The most difficult part is diagnosing exactly what is going on.

Unfortunately, some people get caught in what seems to be a never-ending saga of tests, MRI’s, CT scans, MD appointments, and medicines that won’t diagnose the issue and make it only minimally better. Good primary MD’s and most ENT’s can catch these tell-tale symptoms and more often than not will send these folks to outpatient Physical Therapy for the repositioning.

The signs involve increased vertigo with neck/head movement; actual “spinning” of the room vs. general feeling of unbalance; and nystagmus of the eyes which is when the eye pupils will actually look to be “twitching” in your head from side to side.

Physical Therapists Can Help

A good physical therapist who is trained in Vestibular Rehabilitation will be able to diagnose this positional vertigo and differentiate from other types of vertigo such as orthostatic hypotension which is when people feel lightheaded upon arising from a sitting or lying down position.

Other balance issues can also increase as we age. The physical therapist can work with you to improve your balance or other vertigo symptoms with exercise, balance activities, and home programs. The good news is in most cases you will get better with fewer balance issues. If it’s BPPV, just one to three visits are all that is usually necessary and the change will feel like a “miracle!”

Ron Herbst, MPT, MTC has been treating positional vertigo for over 10 years. He has been involved with vestibular rehabilitation programs for companies such as Physiotherapy Associates, John Hopkins Hospital as their Director of Outpatient Rehabilitation, as well as his own practice. He was able to educate many primary MDs in the area of Baltimore and Towson, MD how to look for positional vertigo signs and get their patients to Physical Therapy as soon as possible.

Always check with your MD as soon as possible if you experience Vertigo of any type!

Relieving Neck Pain

Neck pain is one of the most common pains that a person will experience throughout his life. There are very few people who will not experience neck pain.

What Causes Neck Pain

There are several causes of neck pain, ranging from simply sleeping in the wrong position to poor posture and stress to more severe conditions such as cervical spine tumors.

For the sake of this post, we will cover the most common neck pain. These are caused by incorrect posture, sleeping in the wrong position, stress and other trauma or injury.

Using Exercise To Eliminate Neck Pain

The treatments and exercises described below are very effective in relieving neck pain. Although the treatments and exercises usually take time to eliminate pain, these treatment are natural and have none of the side effects such medications or having steroid injections can cause. Furthermore, these can be done at home.

5 Ways to Eliminate Neck Pain

  1. Gentle stretching – Many people mistake stiffness for pain. When we address the stiffness, the pain instantly goes away. Gentle stretching is an effective way to relieve stiffness or spasms of the muscles. Start by sitting comfortably on a chair. Put one hand over the head and onto the opposite temple and gently pull the head to the side of the hand. The opposite hand can hold on to the edge of the chair to increase the stretch. Do 30-second-holds on each side for 2-3 times.

  2. The range of motion exercises – Having neck pain limits the movement of the neck. This can sometimes make it difficult to turn or bend your head to the side. Preventing loss of range of motion during the time you have neck pain will greatly contribute to your function. Chin tucks and neck rotations with nods are effective in increasing range of motion. To do chin tucks, simply lie down on your back with a pillow under your head. Now, focus on the back of the neck instead of your chin. Push down on the pillow with the back of your neck, this, in turn, will make you do a chin tuck. Simply put, you are trying to make a double chin. Hold it for 1-2 seconds and then go back to starting position. Do 30-50 times several times a day. For the neck rotations with nods, sit comfortably on a chair and straighten your neck. Look to one side as far as possible without pain. As we say in rehab, “stop where the pain starts.” After determining the start of your pain, a nod by trying to touch the shoulder with your chin and then do the opposite side. Do 30-50 times several times a day.

  3. Strengthening of the muscles of the neck – Strengthening the muscles of the neck helps to prevent future neck pain. To strengthen the muscles of the neck, simply sit down comfortably on a chair. Put one hand on your temple and press. Prevent your head by being pushed by stiffening your neck muscles. Hold for 10 seconds and do 10 times, 2 sets each. Do on the other side. Now do the front and back by putting one hand on your forehead and the back of your head, respectively. Again, hold for 10 seconds and do 10 times, 2 sets each.

  4. Heat vs. cold – As a general rule, ice is used for acute pain, whereas heat is used for chronic pain. Acute pain is from 3-6 months after the injury, and chronic pain is 6 months or more. Use an ice pack or heating pad (both are available at CVS, Walgreens, Target, Wal-Mart, etc.) depending on your type of pain. Put them directly on your neck for 10-15 minutes and relax!

  5. Consult your doctor and/or your physical therapist – If you do not see any improvement in your pain for more than 7 days, consult your doctor for further tests. You can also go to your physical therapist to consult. In the state of Maryland, the physical therapist has direct access, meaning you can go directly to your physical therapist without getting a referral from your primary care doctor.

Rommer graduated as a Physical Therapist at St. Jude College in the Philippines in 2003. He is a passionate PT who is always keeping up with the most current, best evidence-based treatments available. He is passionate about physical therapy and is always striving to improve his craft. His treatment method focuses on his patient’s most pressing issues while providing pain relief and improvement of daily activities. He utilizes manual therapy techniques and exercises in his treatments. Rommer is dedicated to giving his patients the best one-on-one, quality care he can provide. Rommer currently lives in Severna Park, MD is married to another PT and the dad of 2 boys.

What Causes Muscle Cramps? How Do I Get Rid Of Them?

Muscle cramps are painful, involuntary contractions of a muscle. They occur commonly in a variety of different people. They are generally harmless and subside quickly. However, many people want to avoid them due to the pain and discomfort they impose on day to day life.

Here are a few things that may predispose you to getting muscle cramps.

  1. Dehydration
  2. Low level of electrolytes- specifically Magnesium, Potassium and Calcium
  3. Exercise or a prolonged hold of one position
  4. Certain medications
  5. Pregnancy
  6. Underlying medical conditions that decrease blood supply to skeletal muscle
  7. Compression of nerves- pinched nerve root or spinal cord damage
  8. Dialysis

Many people have heard that you should drink 8 ounces of water 8 times per day. But according to the Mayo Clinic, the amount of water you need per day depends on your weight, gender, activity level and the climate in which you live. (5) The best thing to do is to pay attention to your level of thirst and level of activity, and drink enough water to meet your needs. It is also important to ensure you are taking in enough electrolytes. According to Earp et. Al, the most important electrolytes for reducing muscle cramps are Sodium (Na) Potassium (K) and Magnesium (Mg). (2)

Exercise and muscle injury can also cause cramps. This often occurs after holding one position for a long period of time. You can decrease the occurrence of exercise-induced muscle cramps by stretching before and after exercise. You can also use a hot pack to help the muscle relax.

If you think your muscle cramps could be related to another medical condition such as compression of nerves or dialysis, you should talk to your doctor about potential medical treatments. Certain medications can also increase the occurrence of muscle cramps (4). Muscle cramps during pregnancy may be related to electrolyte imbalance (1). Pregnant women should ask their doctor about appropriate treatments for their specific case.

There are many causes of uncomfortable muscle cramps. Identifying the cause of your muscle cramps can help to reduce their occurrence and make your day a little better.

Works Cited

  • Department of OBGYN, Faculty of Medicine Chulalangkorn University Bankok, Thialand. Oral Magnesium for Relief in Pregnancy Induced Leg Cramps: a Randomised Control Trial.
  • Earp, and Sterns. Electrolyte Beverage Consumption Alters Electrically Induced Cramping Threshold.
  • “Muscle Spasms | Charley Horse .” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8 May 2019, medlineplus.gov/musclecramps.html.
  • Sawada. Effect of Furosemide on Muscle Cramps in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis.
  • “Water: How Much Should You Drink Every Day?” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 6 Sept. 2017, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256.

Backpacks and Back Health

Backpacks are a popular item to use to carry items to and from work, school, and for daily or recreational use. But it is often overlooked the adverse effect backpacks can have on the health of our back and neck. If worn or packed incorrectly over time, they can cause pain and injury to your back and neck muscles, ligaments, and joints.

Children and younger adults are especially at risk as their bodies are still developing and growing. Wearing heavier amounts on their back can compress the spine unnaturally, which could lead to health complications or injuries later in life. Adults can also be harmed by carrying heavier loads on their backs. Even though an adult’s skeletal frame and muscles are much more developed, carrying heavier loads, especially more than 15% of your body weight, can cause a strain on the back and neck muscles, ligaments and joints. By following some safety tips when wearing a backpack, you can help preserve the health of your spine.

  1. Make sure your backpack is the correct fit. The backpack should not be wider than your torso. The shoulder strap anchor points should not extend past 1-2 inches below your shoulders. The bottom of the backpack should not fall lower than 1-2 inches below your waistline. When fastening the straps of your backpack, they should fit snugly to the torso and/or shoulders.
  2. Make sure your backpack has the correct padding. Choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and padded back panel to help distribute the weight more evenly and prevent direct pressure on the spine.
  3. Always wear both shoulder straps and waist strap while carrying your backpack. This will help to distribute the weight more evenly and maintain your center of gravity.
  4. Monitor the amount of weight you carry in your backpack. It is recommended you carry no more than 10-15% of your body weight in your backpack. Carrying more than this amount of weight can strain your back, neck, and shoulders possibly leading to injury.
  5. A backpack with multiple compartments is ideal as this allows the load to be balanced throughout the bag. Pack heavier items at the bottom and center of the bag to help maintain your center of gravity.
  6. Be aware of your posture when lifting and wearing your backpack. Maintain a neutral spine and use your legs when lifting your backpack to put it on. Your backpack should fit tight to your body when wearing it to prevent shifting of items, swaying, and rubbing against your skin.

If you frequently carry a backpack and are experiencing any back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, contact your local physical therapy office for an evaluation.

How To Stay Compliant With Your Home Exercise Program

During your physical therapy care, your therapist will design a home exercise program tailored to your needs, pain complaints, muscle weaknesses, and areas of inflexibility. Your therapist will provide you with advice on proper form with each exercise, how to progress each exercise at home, and a schedule for performing each exercise. A print out with a picture and written instructions of each exercise is often provided as well. These programs are important to follow through with in order to maintain the gains made in physical therapy with your flexibility, strength, posture, and reduction in your pain. However, one of the most common excuses we hear from patients of why they aren’t following through with their home exercise program is they are “too busy” or “don’t have enough time.” Here are some ways to fit your exercise program into your daily schedule no matter how busy you are and stay consistent!

1) Set goals for yourself. Challenge a family or friend to a certain number of workouts each week. Set up rewards for yourself for hitting your goals. Competition is a good motivator!
 
2) Schedule a day and time for your exercise program. Just like you schedule a physical therapy appointment, set out a specific day and time to perform your home exercise program. Treat each workout like an appointment you can’t miss. The more times you meet your scheduled workout day and time, the more consistent you will become. And then your exercise program will become a part of your normal routine!
 
3) Hire a personal trainer or join an exercise class at your local gym. Workout with a friend. Some people are more consistent when they have another person motivating them. You may also have more fun doing your workout with a friend or family member.
 
4) Visualize your progress. Track your participation with your home exercise program on a chart in your home or on an app on your phone. Seeing your progress and dedication can be a great motivator.
 
5) Performing some of your exercise over none of your exercises is best! Even on days when you don’t feel like exercising or you are “too busy”, doing some of your exercises is better than not doing any exercise!
 
6) Sprinkle your exercises throughout the day if you are unable to carve out one specific time to do them all if you are still “too busy.” You don’t need to do all of your home exercises at one time during the day. Do some of your neck stretches while sitting in traffic in your car. Do some of your exercises while sitting at your desk at work. Do some of your exercises during commercials while watching TV. Do your heel raises when brushing your teeth or washing dishes at the sink. Squeeze in 1 or 2 exercises wherever you can during the day.

Making your home exercise a priority in your day will benefit you by maintaining the gains made during your course of physical therapy. It may also help you maintain your functional mobility and independence for longer periods of time between episodes of physical therapy care.  Visit Chesapeake Bay Aquatic & Physical Therapy in Maryland.