On this page you will find answers to your questions about Back Pain and Multiple Sclerosis: What You Need to Know About Your Physical Therapist: Physical Therapists are health care professional providers. At BMS Rehabilitation we use advanced science and technology to provide the most effective treatment possible. Physical Therapists enter the profession with either a baccalaureate or a post baccalaureate degree, which consists of four or six years of university study. As Clinicians Physical Therapists examine patients, Identify potential and existing problems, Perform Tests and Measurements, Perform Evaluations, Establish Goals, Determine Diagnosis, Provide and Modify Treatments, Provide Prevention and Wellness Programs, Consult, Screen, Educate, Serve as administrators and more. At BMS Rehabilitation Physical Therapists have a team approach idea, they communicate with other health care providers involved in your treatment to make sure you receive high-quality care with the maximum outcome. When Do You Need a Physical Therapist? The best way to take care of your health is to take an active role. The following list contains some of the most common reasons to see a Physical Therapist: Low back pain, Neck pain, Shoulder/arm pain, Knee problems, Sprains and muscle strains, Ankle/foot problems, Arthritis, Stroke, Problems with balance, Rehabilitation after injury such as broken bones, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, Multiple Sclerosis, Neurological and Rheumatologic problems. Low Back Pain In our modern time, back pain is the most common cause of loss of functional activity among Americans. Statistics show over 80% of workers suffers every year of back pain, resulting in high cost and reduction of productivity. The human spine has 24 jointed vertebrae, one over each other separated by a disc. The spine is wrapped tightly in ligaments and supported by muscle. The spinal cord is connected with other parts of the body by nerves that send and receive information, as pain. Low back pain or lumbar pain, is the most common around 85% of the cases. Lumbar spine bears the brunt of bending, standing, sitting and worst of all, lifting. With aging, degenerative changes occur, disc material dries out, shrinks and loses some of its properties of cushion. The deteriorated disc may bulge or rupture, spilling its spongy pulp into the surrounding space resulting in pain. The herniated disc put pressure on the nerve root, which may cause pain, tingling and numbness, as well as muscle spasm. To help you fight back pain we from BMS Rehabilitation would like to give you some advice . Maintain good posture, don't slouch, keep your natural and anatomical arch in your lower (lumbar) spine while standing or sitting. Do not bend over, use your legs, maintain your back straight, and most important do not twist as you lift. Another important factor is your weight, overweight causes stress on lumbar spine. Sit with care, if you sit for long period of time, stand up and stretch your lower back into anatomical and natural position. How To Treat Your Back: Scientists are still searching for treatment of back pain, unfortunately, there is as today no one simple cure for back pain. We may suggest bed rest, pain medication as long as it is prescribed by a physician, traction, manual therapy techniques, therapeutic exercises, surgery, injection, education on body mechanic and ergonomic. Physical Therapy and Your Back!!! The goal of physical therapy is to return you to normal functional life free of pain as fast as possible. We at BMS REHABILITATION have therapeutic programs and can even design a specific program for your problem. Come to visit us or contact us for more information on our programs and new technology in treating back pain. (864)278-4500 or 278-4501. Multiple Sclerosis. What is it? What is MS? It is a disease characterized by loss protective fatty substance found in the covering of various nerve fibers of the brain and spinal cord. It begins slowly, usually in young adulthood, and continues throughout life. There are cycles in which symptoms worsen or become milder. The first signs are numbness, or abnormal sensations in the upper and lower extremities or one side of the face. Other early signs are muscle weakness, dizziness, and sight disturbances, as double vision and partial blindness. Because many other condition cause similar symptoms, the diagnosis of MS is slow and difficult, that is why it is necessary to consult with a specialist for correct diagnosis. Physical Therapy is very important part of Multiple Sclerosis treatment. The course of the disease is unpredictable, that is why the Physical Therapy Program has emphasis in decreasing, reducing, or stabilizing impairments and disabilities that can be caused by MS. Physical Therapy can even preserve or slow down losses of functional abilities. Physical Therapists work among other things with large motor skills, mobility, devices to help performing activities of daily living, orthotics, braces, ambulation assistive devices, pain management, balance retraining through exercises that emphasize strengthening and flexibility. Spasticity and weakness are addressed through specific therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, and relaxation techniques. Physical Therapy can also help a person with MS developing a program that may include strenghtening and stretching techniques, body mechanics, ergonomics and positioning. Fatigue is another area treated by physical therapy to people with MS. A correct evaluation done by a licensed Physical Therapist is very important to find out whether an exercise program is right for you, and what type of appropriated program you should have. Several other reasons may be the cause of fatigue, so your Physical Therapist will be able identifies it, and based on his analysis, he/she will prescribe the best program that will fit your case and your needs. We from BMS Rehabilitation would like to recommend a good resource of information on Multiple Sclerosis by visiting the web site www.nationalmssociety.org . Contact us for detailed information in our Multiple Sclerosis Program (864)278-4500 and ask for our therapist. Thank you again for visiting our web site, pass it on to a friend and come to our office for a FREE CONSULTATION...