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&nbsp;<h3>What Is A Herniated Disk?</h3>Between each of your vertebrae (the bones that make up the spine and protect the nerves), there is a soft, flexible disc. These spinal discs give our backs flexibility, allowing us to bend and stretch, and also cushion the bones in the spine from rubbing again each other. As we get older the discs become less flexible, and therefore more susceptible to injury. A herniated disc occurs when the spinal disc ruptures, so part of the disc presses out beyond its normal boundaries.<h3>Symptoms of a Herniated Disk?</h3>Because the spinal disc is ruptured and out of place, the nerves that pass through the spinal column can be affected by a herniated disc. The bulging disc can pinch or compress the spinal cord and spinal nerves, interfering with the signals that are usually sent along with them. Symptoms of a herniated disc include:<ul> 	<li>An “electric shock” sensation that either originates in the neck and goes down the arms or starts in the lower back and goes down the legs;</li> 	<li>Tingling, numbness, or a pins-and-needles sensation, especially in the limbs and extremities;</li> 	<li>And muscle weakness, including weak grip, dropping objects, or feeling unstable when standing or walking.</li></ul><h3>What Causes a Herniated Disk?</h3>Many things can cause a herniated disc. An injury, like a bad fall or a car accident, can suddenly damage a disc. The injury can also be caused by repetitive stress that gradually strains the spinal discs over time until it finally gives way. Certain conditions make it more likely for a herniated disc to occur, such as spinal stenosis (which causes the space around the spinal cord to become more narrow) and degenerative disk disease (arthritis of the vertebral bodies).<h3>Treatment Options for a Herniated Disk?</h3>After a herniated disc has been diagnosed, the first step is to give it adequate rest and change the types of activities you engage in to prevent making the condition worse. Applications of alternating ice and heat can be helpful to relax muscles and reduce pain and inflammation, as can anti-inflammatory drugs.For long-term improvement, the most common and least intrusive treatment option is exercise therapy. While surgery might be recommended in severe cases, in most situations stretching exercises that avoid straining the area around the herniated disc but strengthen the rest of the muscles around the spine are reasonable treatment options. This will help stabilize the spine, take some stress off the herniated disc, and improve overall back health.

Herniated Disk

What Is Scoliosis?Scoliosis is a medical condition that causes the spine to be curved in an unusual way. Our spines are not straight lines; they curve gently out in the middle part of the back, then bend slightly inwards again at the lumbar spine. However, when viewed from the back, a healthy spine will appear to run in a straight line from the neck down to the pelvis. In the case of scoliosis, the spine will visibly curve; the condition can be slight or dramatic, so much so that the spine might take on an “S” or “C” curve when viewed from the back. The curves become more prominent when the person is asked to bend and touch their toes.What Are The Major Symptoms of Scoliosis?Scoliosis is immediately identifiable because of the unusual curvature of the spine. Scoliosis can change the appearance of the body in other ways, including causing the rib cage or shoulder blades to be more prominent, the hips to appear uneven, and limbs to have differing lengths (such as one leg being shorter than the other). In severe cases, scoliosis can cause reduced lung capacity, impaired movement, and can slow down nerve signals being sent along the spine. Because the spine is curved, muscles in the back will be similarly uneven, making the patient more susceptible to back pain and muscle strains.What Causes Scoliosis?There are three main types of scoliosis, each with different causes. Congenital scoliosis is a deformity that is present in the spine at birth, and can become worse or better as the patient grows and ages. Idiopathic scoliosis can occur at any point in life, from childhood through to adulthood, and has no definite cause. Secondary scoliosis is the curvature of the spine that results from another, primary condition, such as spina bifida, or a physical injury that causes the spine to heal irregularly.What Are The Treatment Options for Scoliosis?The type of treatment for scoliosis varies depending on the severity of the condition, as well as its cause. For milder cases, and especially for incidents in young people who are still growing, a specific type of physical therapy, called the Scroth method (developed by Katharina Scroth) can be effective for treating curvatures between 10 and 30 degrees, and improving greater curvatures. Physical therapy and exercise therapy, because it helps to strengthen the muscles that are often under stress from the uneven spine, have been proven greatly effective to reduce pain. For younger patients, bracing or casting is sometimes used as well. For severe cases, such as those that impair breathing or that seem likely to progress with age, surgery may be recommended to straighten and fuse the spine.Information via The Mayo Clinic: <a title="Mayo Clinic Scoliosis Article" href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/scoliosis/DS00194" target="_blank" rel="noopener">http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/scoliosis/DS00194</a>

Scoliosis 101

<a href="http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/injections/lumbar-epidural-steroid-injections-low-back-pain-and-sciatica">Epidural injections</a> provide delivery of therapeutic medicines to the spine and the nerve roots.&nbsp; These injections are commonly used to provide anesthesia during childbirth or pain relief in cases of nerve or spinal pain&nbsp;such as herniated discs or spinal stenosis.&nbsp; These injections are typically performed in disinfected procedure rooms by doctors&nbsp;using&nbsp;computer-controlled maps of the spine.&nbsp; The patient can be awake or put to sleep depending on preference and it is done as a treatment&nbsp;that does not need to take place in a hospital.The success of these procedures can be different and often, patients may require more than 1 injection to achieve a full therapeutic effect.&nbsp; Talk to your doctor about your particular condition to help set realistic goals.While epidural injections can provide&nbsp;pain relief for a variety of spinal problems, long-term management often includes a stretching and strengthening program of the core and paraspinal muscles to help strengthen the spine during activities.&nbsp;

What Are Epidural Injections?

<h5>We are thrilled to announce that&nbsp;<a class="profileLink" href="https://www.facebook.com/simpletherapy/?__tn__=K-R&amp;eid=ARCdGWVp4kr68Zh83aadQ_MDbGCemC4SnI6kOexVjIDVQdJMJGgtdnu3jUtz9T_Q9UCkqTnlrJbNJL5F&amp;fref=mentions&amp;__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARA90DuIL3QvTxMszohrAhZVxKr2swIJ60Pm1y9tCPV2M8-gRcuPl6r828KKUexWUzmMrEEt0yMP7tdguS9cdt-azxE4wQ6iwTBE1mAZc3RbixTF1JNkgJQJPWACBvkGzuCpnUCChz2CCV55ukno7AohIeN8oJ3Lsmw3rm08XI4q4JTsSMq8xMrZcX-vbcCp2SodqE78FdtfejbzGqjN-07_HdIpX_ib75mj1APuNWooeR2bMze3xFJYPKHZgc1D8zEB1n5OV_1kp7zd9cI_yMdIx0lwIyV3M-2hC-CEjW6e4JDfOS52GsWJX-9gA73cd7uPse3stkNGDg9qH10IPXOOKw" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=219236741538489&amp;extragetparams=%7B%22__tn__%22%3A%22%2CdK-R-R%22%2C%22eid%22%3A%22ARCdGWVp4kr68Zh83aadQ_MDbGCemC4SnI6kOexVjIDVQdJMJGgtdnu3jUtz9T_Q9UCkqTnlrJbNJL5F%22%2C%22fref%22%3A%22mentions%22%7D" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1">SimpleTherapy</a>&nbsp;has been selected by&nbsp;<a class="profileLink" href="https://www.facebook.com/shortlister/?__tn__=K-R&amp;eid=ARBFxG5r0tEtjo08nKcQh9Vo6X-fRVWLWwNvGHr-Eb67EI0BFpJ--AdseLUwvW7F1b2ClHtprfzzCU0k&amp;fref=mentions&amp;__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARA90DuIL3QvTxMszohrAhZVxKr2swIJ60Pm1y9tCPV2M8-gRcuPl6r828KKUexWUzmMrEEt0yMP7tdguS9cdt-azxE4wQ6iwTBE1mAZc3RbixTF1JNkgJQJPWACBvkGzuCpnUCChz2CCV55ukno7AohIeN8oJ3Lsmw3rm08XI4q4JTsSMq8xMrZcX-vbcCp2SodqE78FdtfejbzGqjN-07_HdIpX_ib75mj1APuNWooeR2bMze3xFJYPKHZgc1D8zEB1n5OV_1kp7zd9cI_yMdIx0lwIyV3M-2hC-CEjW6e4JDfOS52GsWJX-9gA73cd7uPse3stkNGDg9qH10IPXOOKw" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=1102567153116892&amp;extragetparams=%7B%22__tn__%22%3A%22%2CdK-R-R%22%2C%22eid%22%3A%22ARBFxG5r0tEtjo08nKcQh9Vo6X-fRVWLWwNvGHr-Eb67EI0BFpJ--AdseLUwvW7F1b2ClHtprfzzCU0k%22%2C%22fref%22%3A%22mentions%22%7D" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1">Shortlister</a>&nbsp;as one of the Top Corporate Musculoskeletal Vendors!</h5>Shortlister helps employers and consultants find HR service and technology providers. It is the #1 marketplace for finding and selecting vendors in the wellness, HR technology and benefits space.<a href="https://www.myshortlister.com/#features">Shortlister</a> offers:<h4>Vendors</h4>Hundreds of vendors have completed profiles in Shortlister, so you can learn about any vendor in minutes. (<a href="https://www.myshortlister.com/simpletherapy/vendor-reviews">Here is SimpleTherapys'!</a>)<h4>Matching Algorithm</h4>Our proprietary matching algorithm will consider your important search criteria, like budget, program goals, and demographics, to provide the best vendor options for your needs. There is no way for vendors to "buy rank" in the algorithm.<h4>Summary &amp; Comparison Reporting</h4>Once you're happy with the grouping, you can generate an executive summary to share with your team and when you've got consensus, request proposals from the group of vendors<h4>Expert Support</h4>If you feel like you need expert support in designing your search process, selecting finalists or just want a resource with a lot of experience in overseeing vendor selection processes, the pros at Sortlister have the experience to help.<div class="col-sm-6">Shortlister have 4 million lives searched, 500+ vendors considered, and 150k pre-completed RFI responses!<div class="headline style-1"><a href="https://www.myshortlister.com/simpletherapy/vendor-reviews">Read more about SimpleTherapy as a Shortlister vendor here!</a></div></div><a href="/uploads/2019/11/unnamed-1.webp"><img class="alignnone wp-image-3290" src="/uploads/2019/11/unnamed-1.webp" alt="" width="138" height="133" /></a><a href="/uploads/2019/11/TopVendorBadgeT.webp"><img class="alignnone wp-image-3359" src="/uploads/2019/11/TopVendorBadgeT.webp" alt="" width="138" height="155" /></a>&nbsp;So far, SimpleTherapy holds the title as Top Corporate Musculoskeletal Vendor for Q4 2019 and Q1 2020.&nbsp;&nbsp;

SimpleTherapy is a Shortlister Top Corporate Musculoskeletal Vendor!

<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/scoliosis/print.html">Scoliosis</a> refers to a curvature of the spine.&nbsp; Idiopathic scoliosis which is the most common type occurs more frequently in young girls between the ages of 12-14 years.&nbsp; Other types of scoliosis include congenital and degenerative scoliosis occurring in the very young and adults respectively.Treatment of scoliosis depends on the age of presentation, concurrent conditions, and the degree and location of the curvature of the spine.&nbsp; For idiopathic scoliosis, early detection and bracing of children can decrease the need for surgical correction of the spine.Adult degenerative scoliosis refers to curvature in the adult spine due to degenerative arthritis of the spine.&nbsp; The condition can cause pain and frequently nerve root symptoms that radiate down to the legs.&nbsp; Treatment for mild curves includes rest, activity modifications, and a lumbar stabilization program.&nbsp; For severe cases, spinal corrections and fusions may be necessary.&nbsp;

What is Scoliosis?

Every year when the holidays come up we forget to be careful with our backs. Bending, scooping, lifting - at the end of the festivities pill bottles are opened and hot baths are drawn. BodyFit Physiotherapy gives some tips to avoid the return of your back pain in the upcoming weeks:"Few people realize the hidden dangers that lie beneath the surface during the festive season. Activities such as gardening, food shopping or simply lazing around in lounge chairs pose a serious threat to our backs. People with past history of spinal problems are particularly at risk."&nbsp;<a href="http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1512/S00050/impending-back-pain-carnage-over-the-festive-season.htm">Read full post here.&nbsp;</a>As the holiday season comes around, many of us like to get into the mood by decorating our homes and fixing up the house for guests. This includes heavy lifting, use of equipment, and improper methods could lead in injury.According to <a href="https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=hw206944">My Health Alberta</a>, here are a few tips to keep in mind while lifting:<ul> 	<li>Keep a wide base of support. Your feed should be shoulder-width apart, with one foot slightly ahead of the other (karate stance)</li> 	<li>Squat down, bending at the hips and knees only. If needed, put one knee to the floor and your other knee in front of you bent at a right angle (half kneeling)</li> 	<li>Keep good posture. Look straight ahead, and keep your back straight, your chest out, and your shoulders back. This helps keeps your upper back straight while having a slight arch in your lower back</li> 	<li>Slowly lift by straightening your hips and knees (not your back). Keep your back straight, and don't twist as you lift</li> 	<li>Hold the load as close to your body as possible, at the level of your belly button</li> 	<li>Use your feet&nbsp;to change direction, taking small steps</li> 	<li>lead with your hips as you change direction. Keep your shoulders in line with your hips as you move</li> 	<li>Set down your load carefully, squatting with the knees and hips only</li></ul><blockquote><a href="http://www.simpletherapy.com">SimpleTherapy's</a> lower and upper back programs can help strengthen your body for the holidays to avoid aches and injuries so you can focus on what matters most this season. <a href="http://onelink.to/gcr9t3">Download the app</a> today to start your session!</blockquote>From the team at SimpleTherapy, have a wonderful holiday!Photo courtesy of the Illinois Back Institute.&nbsp;

Enjoy the Holidays, Avoid Back Pain

This month, we want to highlight our Health Coaching team! Without each one of these individuals, we would not be able to deliver the quality care to our members and follow up with their progress. Our Health Coaches keep participants accountable and address questions or concerns to guide them along their pain recovery journey.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="/uploads/2019/11/tae-512.webp"><img class="alignnone wp-image-3304" src="/uploads/2019/11/tae-512.webp" alt="" width="240" height="240" /></a>Tae Won KimTae has long combined an interest in clinical research and a passion for aiding those needing medical help. &nbsp;Born in South Korea and raised in New Jersey, Tae received his BS in Chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and his MD from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.Tae has been involved in research throughout his career. As a senior orthopedic resident, he was the Editor-in-Chief of the University of Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Journal. He has numerous publications in the field of joint replacement and has studied the way research in orthopedic surgery is performed.Tae co-founded SimpleTherapy Inc. and now channels his research interest as the Chief Research Officer. He is also currently the co-director of the orthopedic oncology division at the MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper University in Camden, New Jersey.&nbsp;<a href="/uploads/2019/11/0.webp"><img class="alignnone wp-image-3306" src="/uploads/2019/11/0.webp" alt="" width="239" height="239" /></a>Jeff Chiappa PT, DPT, MSJeff has been the Director of Therapy Programs for 5 years at Simple Therapy.&nbsp; Jeff is the owner of Synergy Sports &amp; Orthopedic Physical Therapy in Malvern, PA.&nbsp; Jeff has been an outpatient orthopedic physical therapist for 20 years.Jeff grew up in Malvern Pennsylvania attended Great Valley High School and went to Dickinson College where he obtained a Bachelor’s in Science in Biology.&nbsp; Jeff graduated from Widener University Institute for Physical Therapy with a Master’s of Science in Physical Therapy.&nbsp; He then began his career in orthopedic working for a large orthopedic group, where he eventually became the director of rehab for four offices.&nbsp; Along the way, he obtained his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Temple University in 2010.Jeff and his wife Jeannine are both physical therapists who met working at Bryn Mawr Rehab in Malvern, PA.&nbsp; Jeff has three children and he and his wife foster Seeing Eye Dogs for the Seeing Eye Dog Program located in Moorestown, NJ.&nbsp;<a href="/uploads/2019/11/JonGarino.webp"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3305" src="/uploads/2019/11/JonGarino.webp" alt="" width="251" height="251" /></a>Jon GarinoJon has two years of experience in the digital healthcare profession. He graduated the University of Maryland in 2017 as a member of the University’s Lacrosse team for 5 years. He then played a year of professional lacrosse for the New York Lizards. During his time in athletics, Jon developed a tremendous passion and profound understanding of exercise science, physical fitness, and exercise therapy. Jon has taken these passions to the SimpleTherapy team where he is now an ISSA certified exercise therapist and strength &amp; conditioning coach, as well as a certified REBT life coach along with his lead role in customer success. In his free time, Jon likes to travel, snowboard, play lacrosse, and spend time with friends and family.&nbsp;<a href="/uploads/2019/11/Darla-Square.webp"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3307" src="/uploads/2019/11/Darla-Square.webp" alt="" width="268" height="268" /></a>Darla GonzalesDarla has been in the health care field for over 8 years she has experience in orthopedics and MSK solutions. As a SimpleTherapy health coach, she assists and guides members to the correct program and provides them with educational information to help improve their health. A fun fact about Darla is she loves to watch black and white films!&nbsp;&nbsp;Log in today to continue progressing yourself <a href="http://onelink.to/gcr9t3">via our app</a> and don't forget to check in with your health coach! We are here to help you ??

Meet our Health Coaching Team!

The average American juggles a full work load, family life, hobbies, and personal time on a daily basis. Schedules get packed to the brim each week without fail, leaving barely any time left over for self-care. In honor of CHOC's Mental Health Awareness focus for the month of October, SimpleTherapy encourages you to take time for yourself. After all, prioritizing your health is key to achieving success in any other areas.SimpleTherapy offers 15-minute guided video therapy sessions to help you progress along your pain recovery journey. Log your pain levels, keep track of your progress, and check in with your health coach around the clock. Stress and tension from aching muscles may negatively impact your mood and decrease productivity, but taking baby steps towards recovery is simple with SimpleTherapy.Don't forget, SimpleTherapy is available at no cost to all CHOC associates.<blockquote>Live healthy, live simply. Log in and start your session today!</blockquote>

Take 15 Minutes For Yourself

On August 23rd, <a href="https://www.myshortlister.com/">Shortlister</a> hosted Ross Reavis, SimpleTherapy's Vice President of Business Development, to learn more about our innovative solution combining exercise therapy, a live expert care team, and artificial intelligence to create a pain recovery program tailored to fit each individual's needs.<a href="http://blog.myshortlister.com">Shortlister's Blog</a>&nbsp;highlighted the key points of the webinar and what we provide.<blockquote>Shortlister states, "Musculoskeletal disorders continue to be on the rise, costing employers significantly more healthcare dollars to treat. With the proliferation of point solutions and vendors making their way to market, it is becoming increasingly difficult to navigate solutions that can drive meaningful clinical outcomes. SimpleTherapy was created to address every concern..."</blockquote>During the webinar, Ross breaks down how SimpleTherapy's musculoskeletal solution works. SimpleTherapy provides deep personalization through a quick list of on-boarding questions about the member's pain or past injuries. Personalized and adaptive, members follow guided video exercises from a library of over 1,200 selections for their individual recovery needs.Ross also covers our live Health Coaching, we have a designated expert care team that can be contacted via text or phone, who will help keep members accountable and progress in their recovery goals.A brand new feature SimpleTherapy launched is the Care Pack. It includes pain patches, a hot/cold pack, a water bottle, a phone stand and more. The Care Pack is unlocked and shipped to the member's home after completing two sessions on the app.Read more about Ross' Shortlister webinar and SimpleTherapy's features on their new <a href="https://blog.myshortlister.com/simpletherapy-meet-a-vendor">blog post</a>.

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