Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of spaces in the spine, either within the neck or the back, which results in pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots.
In Lumbar Stenosis, symptoms may include pain or numbness in the back and/or legs, or cramping in the legs. Weakness may also occur. Symptoms may come and go but are often worse with prolonged standing or walking. Often, patients with lumbar stenosis report their symptoms get better if they bend forward or sit down.
In Cervical Stenosis, the symptoms include pain or numbness in the neck and/or arms and hands. Weakness may also occur. Symptoms may come and go intermittently, but are often worse with activities which involve looking up or rotating the head.

At Achieve, manual therapy techniques and specific exercises are used to improve the mobility of the spinal segments in order to relieve the pressure on the nerves and other inflamed tissues. Generally patients are seen 2-3x/week for 6-8 weeks before returning to their doctor for consultation.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA), or degenerative joint disease, is one of the oldest and most common types of arthritis. OA more commonly affects the joints of the fingers, knees, hips, and spine and less frequently the wrists, elbows, shoulders, and ankles.
While osteoarthritis was once thought to be confined to the cartilage surfaces of the joint, it is now known that osteoarthritis affects the entire joint complex causing loss of cartilage, damage to bone, formation of bone spurs as well as thickening and inflammation of the soft-tissues.
Patients with OA of the Knee usually complain of morning stiffness, stiffness with prolonged periods of inactivity, and pain/swelling in and around the knee. Symptoms of pain and stiffness are typically worse with weight-bearing and improved with rest. In advanced cases of OA, patients often report hearing and feeling joint noises associated with the degenerative process.
Patients with OA of the Hip generally complain from pain localized to the groin and anterior / lateral thigh, morning stiffness, and stiffness with prolonged inactivity. In advanced OA of the hip it is not uncommon for individuals to also note intermittent pain and stiffness in their knees and back as well.

Achieve’s focus is to improve the affected joint and tissue mobility. We use specific manual therapy techniques combined with a challenging functional exercise program and patient education to modify stress on the irritated joint complex. This approach allows the patient to self-manage their problem and return to a higher level of independent functional activity
For more information contact the Arthritis Foundation visit www.Arthritis.org And/Or www.Arthritis.com

Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is part of the natural process of growing older. In essence, DDD is part of the osteoarthritis scenario related to the spinal column. As we age, the water and protein content of the body's cartilage changes. This results in intervertebral discs losing their flexibility, elasticity, and shock absorbing characteristics causing stress and breakdown of the joints of the back and neck. Over a long period of time, the degenerative disc cycle may lead to changes associated with Spinal Stenosis.

At Achieve, manual therapy and exercise improve the mobility of the spinal segments in order to relieve the stress on the nerves and soft tissues of the back and neck. An independent home program compliments this approach. Generally, patients are followed 2-3x/week for 6-8 weeks before returning to their doctor for consultation.

Cervical Headaches

Cervicogenic Headaches can be described as pain that begins in the back of the head and spreads up towards the top of the head and sometimes to the eyes. The headache may be exacerbated by head and neck movement and/or sustained awkward head positioning (such as painting the ceiling, or washing the floor). It is often accompanied by restricted cervical range of motion and associated neck, shoulder, or arm pain..

Achieve’s focus is to restore the movement of the spine and soft tissues using specific manual therapy techniques, and to use specific stretching and strengthening exercises with patient education so the client can be an advocate in his/her own care. Generally, patients are seen 2x/week for 4-6 weeks before returning to their doctor for consultation

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is pain that continues a month or more beyond the usual recovery period for an injury or illness. It may also be pain that goes on for months or years due to a chronic condition. The pain is usually not constant but can interfere with daily life at all levels.

Achieve’s treatment is based on the literature which demonstrates that through manual therapy and exercise, patients with chronic pain may increase their function and lessen their pain.
For more information contact the American Chronic Pain Association www.theacpa.org Or www.pain.com