The Back Dr's Blog- Better Posture, Better Sleep & Pain Relief: leg muscles

Showing posts with label leg muscles. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

The Mystery Behind the Pain of Shin Splints: PART IV Treatment of Posterolateral Shin Splints

Treatment with this type of shin splint is to stop running altogether and engage in other types of exercise. Changing your running shoes to one with a rigid heel can help. Also, getting special orthotics for the feet are recommended. These Arch supports for your shoes can be custom-made or bought off the shelf – they can help with flat feet.

Strengthening exercises is something else we recommend. Some people may even need surgery to repair the torn tendon.

Toe Raises: Stand up and slowly rise up on your toes- Do this 10 times. Once you are a pro, hold onto weights and do the same thing. Do 2 sets of 10.
Outward Rolls: While standing up, roll your ankle out so that the inner part of the sole is off of the floor. Slowly lower the sole back onto the floor. Do 3 sets of 10.

Just like we said in a previous section of this shin splint series, ice helps. Other treatments that help with shin splints is cold therapy. Icing the area can decrease pain and swelling. Do it for 20-30 minutes every three to four hours for two to three days, or until the pain is gone

Check out our Shin Splints Series:

Source: The Merck Manual of Medical Info

The Glastonbury Chiropractor is located in central Connecticut- CT Spine and Disc Center specializes in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call our chiropractic office at 860-633-8756 to schedule an appointment and to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression

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Thursday, March 10, 2011

The Mystery Behind the Pain of Shin Splints: PART I Anterolateral Shin Splints

Part I: Anterolateral Shin Splints

Last year, my sister had to withdraw from running in the Chicago marathon. She had already signed up, trained and was ready to go. But in the last week before leaving for her big trip, she bowed out- mainly because of relentless leg pain a.k.a. shin splints. She described the pain as a dull and aching pain the front of her lower leg. An avid runner who had run smaller marathons in the past, she was an active member of the Running Room. She was so disappointed that she would not compete in the Chicago marathon. So, she called me up and asked me all about shin splints, and what she could do to stop the pain.

A shin splint is the pain that happens from damage to the leg muscles along the shin. It is also known as Tibial Stress Syndrome. My sister just recently became a “runner” in the last few years- she wasn’t much of an exerciser when we were younger, but lately she has taken up running as her hobby- and I have to admit she is very good at it and very disciplined.

Shin splints can occur in two locations of the lower leg- depending on which muscle groups are affected is where you will have the pain.

Anterolateral Shin Splints: Here, shin splints affect the front (“antero”) and outside (“lateral”) parts of the shin. Pain is experienced along the front and outside of the shin.

This type of injury occurs when some muscles are stronger than others. This is a natural imbalance in the size of the two muscles working together. The two muscle groups: The shin muscles and the calf muscles do not work in balance together.

During walking and running the shin muscles in the front work to pull the foot up and the calf muscles pull the foot down. The calf muscles exert so much more force that they can injure the shin muscles.

In the beginning, pain is only felt after the heel hits the ground during running. This can progress to pain in every step of running- eventually becoming a constant pain. The pain can get so severe that the shin will hurt even when touched.

Stay Tuned for Part II: Treatment for Anterolateral Shin Splints

Source: The Merck Manual of Medical Info

The Glastonbury Chiropractor is located in central Connecticut- CT Spine and Disc Center specializes in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call our chiropractic office at 860-633-8756 to schedule an appointment and to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression

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Monday, July 6, 2009

Do my leg and butt muscles play a role in my back pain and sciatica?

Most often your leg and butt muscles do play a role in your back pain and sciatica. As I mentioned in the last blog, everything in the body works together. Having leg muscles that are extremely tight will limit the flexibility of your pelvis and therefore limit movement of the lower back.

If your calf muscles are tight it affects your hamstring muscles; if your hamstring muscles are tight it affects your gluteus muscles; if your butt muscles are tight it affects your low back muscles.

Just like we talked about previously, if one area of the body has a problem, something else must pick up the slack. For example, if the hamstring muscles are extremely tight your low back may have to flex more to make up for the lack of motion in the leg muscles. This can put excessive stress on the spine and discs which leads to injury.

Make sure you stay limber by stretching leg muscles as well because it can save your back from injury.

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there are no surgical procedures that could be performed...

"I have had low back pain with radiation down the left leg due to three herniated discs and a ruptured disc above the herniated discs. After having an MRI and a surgical consult, it was determined that there are no surgical procedures that could be performed. I was left with using medication with minimal results. My sister heard about spinal decompression and passed on information downloaded from the CT Spine and Disc Center from their website. After reading all about spinal decompression there was no doubt in my mind that this was the treatment I was looking for. After making an appointment and talking with Dr. Bellinger, I was even more convinced this treatment was for me. Everyone in the office is very personable and the treatments were painless. After 15 treatments, I am more pain free and no longer have to rely on medication for relief. I’m now able to walk longer distances and climb stairs again, I am just so happy, I’m smiling again and I would not hesitate to recommend this treatment to anyone! Thank you so much for giving me a new lease on life!”
Judy.B (Coventry, Connecticut)

At the end of this treatment, I no longer need assistance of a walker or a cane to get around..

"After abeing told surgery was my only option I was put in touch with another treatment called the DRX 9000. My pain was so bad, I could not do anything. After four treatments, I was able to stand up straight and walk again. I am now able to do almost everything I did before, and am enjoying the freedom I had before. At the end of this treatment, I no longer need assistance of a walker or a cane to get around. I am so thankful I had another option. Thanks to the Doctors and staff at CT Spine and Disc Center. I am doing very well.
Anne. B (Tolland, Connecticut)

...my pain level is now almost zero

I must admit that, that given the pain level (10+) that I was enduring when I first came to your office, I was highly skeptical of a positive outcome with the DRX9000. Following the regimen of treatments that you prescribed, my pain level is now almost zero. Before coming to you, I knew that the road to recovery was slow, but thank God for this machine and your professional care. Very seldom will I endorse a product. In this case, however, not only do I endorse it, but I offer to any person who may be looking for help, the opportunity to speak with me in order to give them my first hand opinion of this "Miracle Machine" and your miracle skills. Thank you for that you both have done and I look forward to continuing the maintenance sessions. "
Greg Zlotnick (Mansfield, Connecticut)

This is your light at the end of the tunnel...

"Approximately two years ago, May 2005, I was diagnosed with polymyositis. At which time I was put on steroids. It helped the pain some but I did not like the side effects, so I tried Physical therapy which only made me feel worse. After three emergency trips to the hospital and with xrays and MRI's I was told I had 3 herniated disks pressing on my sciatic nerve. I was not ready to take on surgery if there was an alternative and thats where the procedure at the Spine and Disc Center with Dr. Bellinger and Dr. Gill made all the difference in the world. On my first visit on Febuary 28th 2007- I needed a walker, my husbands arm just to get in the building. After the first two treatments I felt immediate results. The treatments were gentle and painless. For close to two years, I have had difficulty in walking, sitting or standing. Thanks to the technology and exceptional care from Dr. Bellinger and Dr. Gill- I no longer need my walker and my pain level has gone from a ten to a zero!! And I don't cry as much either. I highly recommend this procedure. A friend of my daughters suggested that I try this as he had wonderful results also. I would also like to compliment the receptionist Jessica for her efficiency and kindness. I mentioned to her, the Doctors should hang another sign outside the door saying "This is your light at the end of the tunnel"
Rochelle. A (Cromwell, Connecticut )

The Back Dr's Blog- Better Posture, Better Sleep & Pain Relief

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Wednesday, March 16, 2011

The Mystery Behind the Pain of Shin Splints: PART IV Treatment of Posterolateral Shin Splints

Thursday, March 10, 2011

The Mystery Behind the Pain of Shin Splints: PART I Anterolateral Shin Splints

Monday, July 6, 2009

Do my leg and butt muscles play a role in my back pain and sciatica?

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