Resources For: Back Pain & Sciatica

In my 23-year career, back pain is probably the one problem that frustrates people the most. It affects your sleep, your mood, your energy, and your ability to enjoy the things you love. Plus, it becomes even more frustrating after you’ve tried all the “right” things – like physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, and even good old-fashioned rest. If this sounds like your story, you are not alone. I...

Hamstring Pain is common – especially in active adults over 40. But what’s less commonly talked about is how often a hamstring injury is misdiagnosed. If you’ve been stretching, foam rolling, and rehabbing your “hamstring strain” for weeks or months with little to no improvement – there’s a good chance your pain isn’t coming from your hamstring at all. That’s because certain types of back problems can mimic...

Why Your Ab Exercises Aren’t Fixing Your Back Pain If you’ve been dealing with back pain for a while, chances are good that someone – whether a well-meaning friend, fitness influencer, or even your doctor – has told you to strengthen your core. It’s one of the most common recommendations I hear from people who come into my clinic. And while core strengthening can be helpful, it’s not...

Think You’ve Got Piriformis Syndrome? It Might Actually Be Sciatica A reader of this column recently wrote to me with the following question: “I’m getting Physical Therapy for lower back pain and sciatica that is said to be from ‘piriformis syndrome’. My PT treatment has consisted of various exercises and some massage. Eight sessions in and no change at all. I’m still having pain when sitting or walking...

Whenever someone finds out I’m a physical therapist, the next question is almost always something like… “What can I do for [insert the blank] injury?” And when it comes to back pain specifically, people often ask me: “Should I be resting it?” It’s no surprise that the vast majority of folks I speak with about back pain have been told by well-meaning friends, family, or even doctors that...

A recent conversation about cortisone shots and back pain due to herniated discs inspired me to write this article. The person I was speaking with was quite misinformed about when cortisone shots are useful – and when they aren’t. By the way, it’s a very common misunderstanding. But since I hate seeing people undergo unnecessary injections or procedures – I’m here to educate.  So let’s break it down:...

6 Tips to Protect Your Back When Shoveling Snow We’re finally getting some winter weather here on the seacoast. And although it’s beautiful – and the skiers are rejoicing – someone still has to shovel that snow and clear it out of the way. If that someone is you – then you’ll want to keep reading. Because repetitive bending and twisting of your back (the primary movement in...

It’s that time of year – when people set goals and take action to improve their health, get back in shape, and ramp up exercise routines. But what happens when your body isn’t ready for what your mind has planned? How can you tell if the soreness you feel is “good pain” – or a problem brewing? This concept is particularly confusing when it comes to leg pain....

Now is the time when people shift their focus to the New Year and start thinking about new and exciting goals for themselves. According to statista.com – the three most popular New Year’s goals are 1) doing more exercise and improving their fitness, 2) losing weight, and 3) saving money. Would you be surprised to know that if you are currently suffering from back pain – and you...