paresthesia Archives - Central Wellington - Severn Pain and Injury Care https://severnclinics.co.nz/tag/paresthesia/ Rehabilitation from the ground up Wed, 29 Mar 2023 20:19:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.5 https://severnclinics.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Severn-Favicon-36x36.png paresthesia Archives - Central Wellington - Severn Pain and Injury Care https://severnclinics.co.nz/tag/paresthesia/ 32 32 Eight Tips To Getting Rid of Any Pain https://severnclinics.co.nz/eight-tips-to-getting-rid-of-any-pain/ https://severnclinics.co.nz/eight-tips-to-getting-rid-of-any-pain/#respond Sun, 21 Aug 2022 20:51:12 +0000 https://featherstonpainclinic.co.nz/?p=17288 Eight Tips To Getting Rid of Any Pain Pain is complex – it’s a huge topic – but the good news is that some general rules form a sound basis for navigating your way out of most aches and pains in the longer term. Let’s get started. Rule 1 – If there is no significant […]

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Eight Tips To Getting Rid of Any Pain

pain, chronic pain, shoulder pain, acute pain, hip pain, soreness, painful, foot pain

Pain is complex – it’s a huge topic – but the good news is that some general rules form a sound basis for navigating your way out of most aches and pains in the longer term. Let’s get started.

Rule 1 – If there is no significant medical issue, assume there is a weakness.

If all your scans and blood tests have come back clear, you probably have some weakness in your area of pain. You won’t be too surprised when I tell you a significant part of the solution will likely be strength work. The only note of caution is that if the tissues are inflamed, they may not respond to strength work without a bit of treatment beforehand.

Working on pain is a bit like working on dental issues; sometimes, you need to get through the treatment side of things before you go away and work on the big picture. Pain relief methods are an essential step towards being able to strengthen your weakened painful areas without risking making them worse. But once that is done the majority of pains relate to some need for increased strength and muscle support. 

Rule 2 – Be willing to think outside the box.

If you have been doing the same treatments with the same providers for a long time and aren’t seeing progress, be willing to try out new things. Doctors are great (mine saved my life once), but only a tiny part of their training relates to pain management. Physios are great, but sometimes there is more to pain relief than exercise prescription. Chiropractors are great, but not all pain comes from the joints. Osteopaths are great, but not all pains will respond to a gentle approach. Flexibility and open-mindedness are essential qualities when it comes to working with stubborn pain issues.

Rule 3 – Start with what makes the most sense to you.

The start point of ALL healthcare procedures that involve a conscious and consenting patient is the patient deciding to permit a procedure because it makes sense to them. Find a practitioner who views things in a way that makes sense to you and uses methods that make sense to you. If something doesn’t sound right to you, get a second opinion and a third if necessary. If, however, you know that you glaze over the moment anyone talks about health the way I do when they talk about IT solutions, find a friend or family member you know is more clued up than you and ask their advice. Base your decision on whether the practitioner offering help seems qualified & sincere. None of these principles necessarily mean you will have found the right practitioner. There is, however, a knowing in most people about their pain. This ‘knowing’ means that most of us can tell when we are being given an accurate assessment of what is causing our pain.

Rule 4 – Assume that there is scar tissue if it’s stubborn. 

If you have chronic stubborn pain in your back, shoulder, knee, foot or hip, you may not have any scar tissue in that area. So many people do, though, that you are better off assuming that there is scar tissue and finding someone who is qualified and interested in looking into it for you. Countless people with stubborn pain have unseen tracts of scar tissue that form adhesions, irritation and pain in their bodies. If there isn’t any scar tissue, you have ruled it out; if it turns out, you did have scar tissue, releasing it is often transformative. The good news is that straightforward ways of working with scar tissue-related pain are helpful for many of us.

pain, chronic pain, shoulder pain, acute pain, hip pain, soreness, painful, foot pain

Rule 3 – Start with what makes the most sense to you.

The start point of ALL healthcare procedures that involve a conscious and consenting patient is the patient deciding to permit a procedure because it makes sense to them. Find a practitioner who views things in a way that makes sense to you and uses methods that make sense to you. If something doesn’t sound right to you, get a second opinion and a third if necessary. If, however, you know that you glaze over the moment anyone talks about health the way I do when they talk about IT solutions, find a friend or family member you know is more clued up than you and ask their advice. Base your decision on whether the practitioner offering help seems qualified & sincere. None of these principles necessarily mean you will have found the right practitioner. There is, however, a knowing in most people about their pain. This ‘knowing’ means that most of us can tell when we are being given an accurate assessment of what is causing our pain.

Rule 4 – Assume that there is scar tissue if it’s stubborn. 

If you have chronic stubborn pain in your back, shoulder, knee, foot or hip, you may not have any scar tissue in that area. So many people do, though, that you are better off assuming that there is scar tissue and finding someone who is qualified and interested in looking into it for you. Countless people with stubborn pain have unseen tracts of scar tissue that form adhesions, irritation and pain in their bodies. If there isn’t any scar tissue, you have ruled it out; if it turns out, you did have scar tissue, releasing it is often transformative. The good news is that straightforward ways of working with scar tissue-related pain are helpful for many of us.

 Rule 5 – Keep moving within reason.

Research has shown that people who stay active have less pain, recover faster from pain episodes, handle pain better and even experience less pain internally than their inactive neighbours. The trick to benefitting from movement and exercise for pain is to follow my golden rule; A bit of pain during a workout is OK, and a bit of pain after training is OK too. If, however, you find that a particular activity is leading to worsening your pain or perhaps increasing your pain for days after the session, that’s a sign of backing off that specific activity for the time being.

Rule 6 – It’s never just old age.

No matter what age you are and what pain you may have, your pain is not ’caused’ by your age. There are always a million other people the same age as you who don’t have the same pain. Usually, they have stayed fitter than you, had fewer injuries, are less stressed, or done more rehabilitation than you. The good news is it’s never too late; I have personally seen 90-year-olds have legitimate breakthroughs in their lifelong pains. Even when you are 95 and you have a sore hip, guaranteed there will be other joints in your body that aren’t sore; those other joints are the same age. Think about it!

Rule 7 – Always be as conservative as possible.

This is common sense, but it’s surprising how often even highly qualified doctors and surgeons overlook this rule. The principle is this, always choose the least risky option with the fewest likely side effects available to you. It makes no sense to take toxic anti-inflammatories, which have many possible side effects if a massage or a chiropractor can relieve your pain. If there is even the slightest chance that rehabilitation will prevent you from needing surgery, try that first. Only consider the surgical option later down the track if you have to.

 

Rule 8 – Deal with your stress and trauma. 

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is now officially part of the international guidelines for managing stubborn back pain. Extensive research has shown that stress and unresolved trauma can play a significant role in persistent pains like back pain.

The analysis is detailed; if we add this dimension to our efforts to manage pain, we may find major benefits. How we choose to manage stress and resolve trauma is primarily up to us, there are many possibilities. Three possible options that have been very helpful for me are the ‘Wim Hof Method’ –  floatation tanks and the ‘Hakomi method’.

pain, chronic pain, shoulder pain, acute pain, hip pain, soreness, painful, foot pain

Rule 7 – Always be as conservative as possible.

This is common sense, but it’s surprising how often even highly qualified doctors and surgeons overlook this rule. The principle is this, always choose the least risky option with the fewest likely side effects available to you. It makes no sense to take toxic anti-inflammatories, which have many possible side effects if a massage or a chiropractor can relieve your pain. If there is even the slightest chance that rehabilitation will prevent you from needing surgery, try that first. Only consider the surgical option later down the track if you have to.

Rule 8 – Deal with your stress and trauma. 

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is now officially part of the international guidelines for managing stubborn back pain. Extensive research has shown that stress and unresolved trauma can play a significant role in persistent pains like back pain.

The analysis is detailed; if we add this dimension to our efforts to manage pain, we may find major benefits. How we choose to manage stress and resolve trauma is primarily up to us, there are many possibilities. Three possible options that have been very helpful for me are the ‘Wim Hof Method’ –  floatation tanks and the ‘Hakomi method’.

Final Thoughts

It has been my learning over two decades of helping people with pain that for every 1000 people who have been told their pain is untreatable (or who have said to themselves that it is untreatable), there is only a tiny handful for whom it is true. With the right mindset and tools, the overwhelming majority of pains can be managed in one way or another.

Call us at Featherston Pain Clinic on 04 385 6446 to make an appointment.

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]]> https://severnclinics.co.nz/eight-tips-to-getting-rid-of-any-pain/feed/ 0 Sciatica: What to Expect? https://severnclinics.co.nz/sciatica-what-to-expect/ https://severnclinics.co.nz/sciatica-what-to-expect/#respond Tue, 02 Aug 2022 21:40:40 +0000 https://featherstonpainclinic.co.nz/?p=17090 Sciatica: What to Expect? What is Sciatica? Sciatica refers to radiation pain or paresthesia (pins and needles) down the pathway of the sciatic nerve from the lower back, through the hips and down the leg. Sciatica affects 10% to 40% of the population, typically around 40 years old or above. In most circumstances, sciatica only […]

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Sciatica: What to Expect?

Sciaitic pain, pain, pins and needles, hip pain, hip tightness, paresthesia

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica refers to radiation pain or paresthesia (pins and needles) down the pathway of the sciatic nerve from the lower back, through the hips and down the leg. Sciatica affects 10% to 40% of the population, typically around 40 years old or above. In most circumstances, sciatica only impacts one side of the body. Sciatica usually occurs due to a lumbar herniated disc (90%). Often, a particular event or injury does not cause sciatica—instead, it tends to develop over time. Sciatica is common in specific types of occupational work that are physically strenuous, such as machine operators or truck drivers—specifically, people who often bend their spine forward or sideways.

hip pain, sciaitica, pins and needles, loss of sensation, hip, saddle numbness
What Are The Symptoms and Causes of Sciatica?

Some hallmarks of sciatica include: radiation pain down the lower back, buttock, back of your thigh and calf. Sciatic pain can present in other areas but is rare. The severity of the pain can range from a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation or excruciating pain. Sciatic pain can have a positional element, it can be worse when you cough or sneeze, and prolonged sitting can aggravate symptoms. Usually, only one side of your body is affected. When presenting with severe burning pain and numbness radiating down both legs, it can indicate other conditions like cauda equina syndrome. 

 

Sciatica occurs when pressure on the sciatic nerve increases and becomes pinched. In most cases, it results from a herniated disc, usually compressing one or more spinal nerve roots (L4-S3) that form the sciatic nerve. Other common causes include: degeneration of tissues in the lumbar spine, narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis) and minor stress fractures causing one of the vertebral bodies to slip forward on another (spondylolisthesis), resulting in inflammation, lower back pain, hip pain and numbness in the affected leg.

hip pain, sciaitica, pins and needles, loss of sensation, hip, saddle numbness
What Are The Symptoms and Causes of Sciatica?

Some hallmarks of sciatica include: radiation pain down the lower back, buttock, back of the thigh and calf. Sciatic pain can present in other areas but is rare. The severity of the pain can range from a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation or excruciating pain. Sciatic pain can have a positional element, it can be worse when you cough or sneeze, and prolonged sitting can aggravate symptoms. Usually, only one side of your body is affected. When presenting with severe burning pain and numbness radiating down both legs, it can indicate other conditions like cauda equina syndrome. 

 

Sciatica occurs when pressure on the sciatic nerve increases and becomes pinched. In most cases, it results from a herniated disc, usually compressing one or more spinal nerve roots (L4-S3) that form the sciatic nerve. Other common causes include: degeneration of tissues in the lumbar spine, narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis) and minor stress fractures causing one of the vertebral bodies to slip forward on another (spondylolisthesis), resulting in inflammation, lower back pain, hip pain and numbness in the affected leg.

What Factors Contribute To Sciatica?

Some common factors that contribute to the risk of sciatica include:

Age: Age-related changes to the spinal column can result in conditions such as herniated disks and bone spurs.

Obesity: Carrying excess body weight can result in maladaptations to the spine that can apply pressure to the sciatic nerve and trigger sciatica. 

Occupation: A job that requires you to twist your back, carry heavy loads or drive a motor vehicle for extended periods might play a role in sciatica. Furthermore, individuals who sit for prolonged periods or have a sedentary lifestyle are more likely to develop sciatica than active people.

Diabetes: This condition, which affects how your body uses blood sugar, increases your risk of nerve damage.

While in most situations, people recover from sciatica without any long-term effects, sciatica can result in permanent nerve damage without proper treatment. If you’re having symptoms of loss of sensation in both legs down to the bottom of the foot, loss of bowel or bladder function, numbness in the buttocks, perineum, and inner surfaces of the thighs (saddle region), seek medical attention immediately.

How To Prevent Sciatica?​

While there is no full-proof method for preventing sciatica, and the condition can reoccur, adapting some lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the risk. These include:

  • Exercise: Ensuring you keep a well-developed abdominal core muscles and a strong lower back is critical for sciatica prevention due to playing a pivotal role in proper posture and alignment.
  •  
  • Ergonomics: Maintain proper posture when you sit. Choose a seat with good lower back support, armrests and a swivel base. Keep your knees and hips level. Consider placing a pillow or rolled towel on the lower back to maintain its normal curve.
  •  
  • Maintaining healthy movement patterns: If you stand for long periods, rest one foot on a stool or small box from time to time. When you lift something heavy, let your lower extremities do the work. Move straight up and down. Keep your back straight and bend only at the knees. Hold the load close to your body. Avoid lifting and twisting simultaneously. Find a lifting partner if the object is heavy or awkward.
hip pain, sciatica, sciatic hip, pain, pain management, paraesthesia
How To Prevent Sciatica?

While there is no full-proof method for preventing sciatica, and the condition can reoccur, adapting some lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the risk. These include:

  • Exercise: Ensuring you keep a well-developed abdominal core muscles and a strong lower back is critical for sciatica prevention due to playing a pivotal role in proper posture and alignment.
  •  
  • Ergonomics: Maintain proper posture when you sit. Choose a seat with good lower back support, armrests and a swivel base. Keep your knees and hips level. Consider placing a pillow or rolled towel on the lower back to maintain its normal curve.
  •  
  • Maintaining healthy movement patterns: If you stand for long periods, rest one foot on a stool or small box from time to time. When you lift something heavy, let your lower extremities do the work. Move straight up and down. Keep your back straight and bend only at the knees. Hold the load close to your body. Avoid lifting and twisting simultaneously. Find a lifting partner if the object is heavy or awkward.
How is Sciatica Treated?

The goal of treating sciatica is to decrease your pain while increasing mobility. A significant portion of cases of sciatica self-resolve over time. Simple self-care treatments may be all that’s needed. These include: ice packs, over-the-counter analgesics, and gentle stretching. However, depending on the cause, treatment may be required.  After a six-week trial of conservative, self-care treatments that have provided minimal relief, or your symptoms are severe and unrelenting, more aggressive treatment options may be required. 

Other treatment options include:

Physical Therapy: The goal of physical therapy is to find exercise movements that decrease sciatica by reducing pressure on the nerve. An exercise program should include stretching exercises to improve muscle flexibility and aerobic exercises (such as walking, swimming, and water aerobics).

Corticosteroid Injections: Injections into the lower back may help with reducing symptoms of pain and swelling around the affected nerve roots. However, these are usually short-lasting (typically up to three months) and can have significant side effects such as cartilage damage, death of nearby bone, joint infection and nerve damage, especially with repeated injections. 

Spinal Manipulation: Manipulation of the spine frees restricted movement and helps restore vertebral bodies to their proper position within the spinal column. This can help with reducing nerve irritability, muscle spasms, pain, and other symptoms commonly seen with sciatica.  

Shockwave Therapy: In cases where sciatica originates from the pelvis, extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) softens the tissue around nerves and increases blood flow and reduces pressure from the soft tissue (specifically the piriformis muscle) that may be pinching onto the sciatic nerve.

If you have any questions regarding your sciatic pain, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 04 385 6446.

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