Pinched Nerves

Physical therapists and chiropractors of all sorts are familiar with pinched nerves, and Dr. Brian M. Wraith of Bergen Physical Medicine is no exception. People accustomed to going to a chiropractor for help with herniated discs are familiar with how leaking spinal fluid compresses nerves, resulting in pain, tingling, or loss of function in the area of the compression or in an area the nerve leads to. But it is possible for any nerve to become pinched.

Pinched nerves tend to occur most frequently in areas where nerves don’t have a lot of soft tissue to cushion them from bones or outside forces. Some particular risk factors are scar tissue and swelling.  Scar tissue takes up additional space inside the body, reducing the space for a nerve and swelling causes increased pressure inside the body, resulting in pressure on a nerve. 

Nerves have their own protective covering, and can usually heal in time. However, the proper treatment can speed up healing and provide pain relief. Dr. Wraith’s office offers chiropractic, physical therapy, massage therapy to help patients reduce the pressure on a pinched nerve and take precautions against further compression.

Dr. Brian M. Wraith operates Bergen Physical Medicine at 323 Bergen Boulevard, Fairview, New Jersey, 07022. To schedule an appointment, call 201-945-9993 or visit BergenPhysicalMedicine.com and fill out a contact sheet.

Physical Therapy for a Stronger Pelvis

The most common type of bulging disc occurs in the lumbar spine (low back). Bulging discs occur because a weakened or deteriorated disc's gel-like inside forces the outer wall of the disc to extend out of its normal position.  Bulging discs can produce both localized and radiating pain (pain that travels) and often lead to disc herniation which occurs when the wall of the disc fails, allowing the gel-like material to leave the core of the disc and partially leak out.  Though this condition has numerous causes, bulging discs can worsen if the pelvic floor is weak. One of the keys to keeping your pelvic floor strong is to strengthen it through physical exercises, which is why our doctors at Bergen Physical Medicine would like to demonstrate some go-to moves for this purpose.

Bridge – Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart. Inhale, engage your pelvic floor, and lift your hips. Hold up for 10 seconds, lower your hips back down and release your pelvic floor. Repeat 10 times.

Wall Squat – Stand against a wall, feet hip-width apart. Inhale, engage your pelvic floor, and lower yourself into a squat as if you are sitting back in a chair. Hold for 10 seconds. Rise back up to standing and release your pelvic floor. Rest for 10 seconds and repeat 10 times.

Jumping Jacks – We don’t need to explain how to do this one, but be sure to engage your pelvic floor as you jump your leg apart and bring your arms overhead. Release your pelvic floor as you hop your legs back together. Repeat for 30 to 60 seconds.

If you experience pelvic pain, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about the services we provide at the office, visit www.bergenphysicalmedicine.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Bergen Physical Medicine in Fairview, NJ, call 201-945-9993.

Treat Pain with Physical Therapy

If you have suffered an injury, or suffer from chronic pain, physical therapy can help you return to your prior level of function, and additionally, encourage activities and lifestyle changes to prevent further injuries from occurring. Physical therapy nearly always involves an exercise that is specifically designed to heal your condition. At Bergen Physical Medicine, we can develop an individualized physical therapy treatment plan to suit your needs.

Physical therapists such as ours are health care professionals who treat patients with conditions such as back pain, neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and sports injuries. Goals of this treatment method are to reduce or eliminate pain, improve mobility, and improve your balance to prevent yourself from falling. In a physical therapy session, our doctor will have you stretching and performing low-impact aerobics training, strengthening exercises and pain relief exercises. Each patient responds differently to therapy, however, if you stick with it, you will reap the benefits.  

If you wish to inquire about physical therapy or to see if you are a candidate, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the office, visit www.bergenphysicalmedicine.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Bergen Physical Medicine in Fairview, NJ, call 201-945-9993. 

Goals of Therapeutic Exercise

Therapeutic exercise is defined as a bodily movement prescribed to correct impairment, improve musculoskeletal function, or maintain a state of well-being. At Bergen Physical Medicine, if you suffer from shoulder pain, back pain, neck pain and hip pain, we guarantee to have an exercise method that will heal you in no time.

Therapeutic exercise seeks to accomplish the following goals: enable ambulation, release contracted muscles, tendons, and fascia, mobilize joints, improve circulation, improve respiratory capacity, improve coordination, reduce rigidity, improve balance and promote relaxation. In addition, therapeutic exercise helps improve muscle strength and exercise performance. No matter which types of exercise may be needed to remedy a patient’s specific condition, the final goal of rehabilitation is to achieve an optimal level of mobility by the end of the treatment procedure.

If you think that you can benefit from therapeutic exercise, give us a call. To schedule an appointment with Bergen Physical Medicine in Fairview, NJ, call our office at (201) 945-9993. More information about our practice and the services we provide may be found on our website, www.bergenphysicalmedicine.com.